Haitian art is prized all over the world. This much is known from the dozens of books devoted to it, the global exhibitions, and the high price tags, and high auction bids. But some of these masters behind this art legacy have long died, and those who haven’t are no longer actively painting, while still yet others have already reached their apogee. This leads one to ask oneself, who will take over when these artists are no longer around? Where are the emerging masters?

Yael Talleyrand will be among those who are taking over the reigns, and heralding a new generation of young painters in Haiti’s visual landscape. And that ain’t no bull. Barely settled into her 20s, the Port-au-Prince-based painter has a style that will snatch your eyeballs from everything else, and get you to affix them on one of her pieces. One of her pieces entitled “Nadie en el mundo”, for example, the painter has depictions of four different women. No, it’s the depiction of just two women and on the reverse side are images of these same women, but this time they’re stripped down to their brown flesh. The first woman’s face is covered with elaborate lace, and her eyes are averted. Another figment of lace covers part of her chest, and the rest of her body is bare. She’s settled on a bed that’s as stripped as her body. Is she a “lady of the night”? Though her face is concealed from us, it’s still easy to see that her demeanor is far from joyous. She looks oppressed, hopeless, dejected. And the other woman in the frame? She’s clearly a new figure, though she bears a slight resemblance to the first woman. She’s well-endowed, and her body bears some of the lace that covers the woman in the first frame. Now, their kinship is firmly established. Now again, are the other two women in the next two frames, the next two generations of women in this family line, or are they reflection of the first two women in their youth? But the last two women look to be the same age as the first woman, so this supports the second theory—the theory that the painting just depicts four generations of women in their pains. Could this painting be about mental illness? There’s so much pain in the expressions of these women, as if the said pain got passed on from the first woman on to the others, and became more intense with each passing.

“Nadie en el Mundo”, a most intriguing painting by Yael Talleyrand. Copyright Yael Talleyrand.

Kreyolicious: Tell us about yourself.
I like to think of myself as a art hustler, totally refusing to adopt or settle down with a specific medium and interested in all the areas surrounding the arts: entertainment, event planning, art teaching, design, production, and most importantly promoting artistic expression as a universal language. I am utterly obsessed with painting and drawing, but went to art school for videography. I’m so close to my camera, I consider it an organ, an extension of my eyes. Of course, being from a family of multiple generations of artists has highly influenced me choosing this as a career path. The way I was raised made it that not for one second was I ever away from artists or a studio.

Kreyolicious: When did you realize that you had some talent as a painter?
Well, I started art school not liking painting. Or painters. I thought it was too complicated of a medium, and that the people that mastered it seemed to all have this ego issue… I took my first mandatory painting class at seventeen, with master painter Timothy App, and the first painting I brought to class was done so carelessly my teacher asked me to tell him about the truck that hit my piece before class. He said he did not care how little I wanted to paint, everyone leaves his class a painter, regardless of what their intentions were before. I don’t know what he did to my brain, all I cared about after that class was painting every time I got a chance.

Kreyolicious: Has anyone ever said anything about your art or about the art world as a whole that made you want to give up?

I have gotten discouraging comments, but that would not be why I’d give up. I know art is completely subjective and that no one’s perception of what I do can truly define it. More importantly the satisfaction I get out of making art has very little to none to do with outside approval. It is more the instability in this field that has had me on the verge of giving up. You can never know how next week is going to be, or where you’ll have to be next month. And at times, I break down and want to stop and do something “normal”, but that would be like erasing my entire life.

Kreyolicious: Sometimes parents have their concept of what their kids should become. And who can blame them. They raised us, they nurtured us, and they spend nearly all their resources on us, be it their time and/or their money. Do you feel parental support in terms of your career choice?

One-Hundred percent. I’ve always gotten the top of the line art supplies growing up, plenty art books about all the artists relevant to what I was doing, was pushed to make art all the time as a kid… Both of my parents are artists but only my mom works in the art field. However I think at first they would’ve rather seen me study something else, knowing that due to my upbringing I would end up making art regardless of what I studied. Though, they also knew how limiting an art education would be when it comes to finding something to do in Haiti down the line.

This concludes Part I of the interview with Yael Talleyrand. Please watch out for PART TWO.

CLICK HERE TO CHECK OUT OTHER ARTICLES IN THE STRAIGHT OUTTA HAITI SERIES

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Florida-based rapper Young Slay raps about overcoming adversity. He could spit rhymes on twelve albums about conquering tough times, and he’d still have material left. On the song “Manman”, he raps passionately about losing his mother. Laced between the bridges of the song are audio recordings his mother used to send to his father, when the latter immigrated to the United States. His voice shakes with unbridled emotion, as if he had lost his mother the night before. He raps:

Mwen sonje’w manman…
Zantray mwen ap rache…rache….rache…rachhhhhe
Si se pat pou move chans, mwen santi mwen pa tap gen chans…
Lèzòm tèlman enferyè
Yo koz ou antre anba tè
Anva li te lè’w

Even though I rarely talk about it
My insides are tearing, tearing, tearing, tearing up
If it wasn’t for bad luck, I wouldn’t be lucky
Folks are so wicked
They caused you to go six feet under
When it wasn’t even your time

The theme of forced separation and alienation are themes that permeate a great number of his songs. The song “Engra” (Ingrate) is practically a phone conversation between a nephew and an aunt who are separated by immigration. She lives in Haiti, and he’s abroad. She was his primary caretaker when he was little, but since immigrating to the United States they’ve gotten alienated. He seldom calls, and when a conversation finally ensues between the two of them, there’s so many wounds to nurse, so many things that should have been left unsaid.

Kreyolicious: So, how’d get the name Young Slay?
The name resulted from a sense of urgency. I was transitioning from a rap group to solo artist, and I needed a moniker. At that time, I was known as “Skinny”—close friends still call me that. However, the moniker was not marketable. I loved a Death Metal band known as Slayer, and since friends thought I usually “killed” tracks, I figured I’d call myself “Slay”. Then, I added the “Young” to it since it was the cool thing to do. I honestly hated it for a while until I justified it as, “To verbally kill, or literally die”.

Kreyolicious: What attracted you to hip-hop?
I was always into music. I knew that I wanted to be a rapper, and that was mainly due to the lavish lifestyle that was portrayed on TV. I grew up in a country of sheer destitution. I wanted more. I excelled at writing poetry, so the transition was not so hard. However, I made a genuine connection with music following an unsuccessful retinal surgery that left me blind in the left eye. At that time, I discovered the true therapeutic value of music. It was my main coping mechanism.

Kreyolicious: Wow…Is it easy coming up with your rhymes?
To level with you, it depends. I am a prolific writer and an avaricious reader so most of the time I can write with ease. However, there are times I experience writer’s block and I can’t come up with anything. Nada. Zip. [Laughter]

Kreyolicious: What does your family think about your career choice?
My family is very accepting with reservations of course (smile). In the Haitian culture, we know even some of the most successful musicians die penniless like Mozart. So, artistry is not really valued. It’s more like a hobby. We pride ourselves on social training—education. That being said, since I will be getting my Masters degree on Dec 13—-same day I will be releasing GKNM: Granmoun Ki Nom M—they are more accepting. They know I have a solid plan B that could easily be a plan A.

Kreyolicious: Do you tend to censor yourself a lot when you’re writing?
When I wrote the album Faces Got No Race, I did just that on every song. I did it again in R2KM: Rèd Kon Ke Makak [Stiff Like a Monkey’s Tail] on some tracks as well because I was walking on eggshells as to not offend too many listeners. But no human growth comes from that. I think the listeners can take care of themselves emotionally, so I refrain from doing that to a certain degree. It’s raw and uncut as to stimulate the mind. You can’t please everyone.

Kreyolicious: Out of all the songs you’ve written, which one do you feel capture the essence of you as an artist?
I think the track “Manman”—featuring Mona Jean Pierre—encapsulated me not only as an artist, but also as a sentient being. It symbolizes personal growth and finding closure with my mother’s demise. I shunned writing that song for years, because it was so intimate. It was tough deciding to put my mother’s voice on it. Luckily, when I released it, it resonated in the hearts of many individuals.

Kreyolicious: Sorry about your mom…What’s next for the youngin who slays?
There are many artistic avenues that I would like to explore in the near future. However, right now my priority is to release GKNM: Granmoun Ki Nom M on December 13. I am really excited about this project. I would like to thank you Kreyolicious for your time and the opportunity to do this interview. Please continue to promote our rich culture. Thank you.

Click the video below to listen to Young Slay’s song “Manman”.

CHECK OUT YOUNG SLAY ON YOUTUBE | YOUNG SLAY’S WEBSITE YOUNG SLAY ON CD BABY | YOUNG SLAY ON FACEBOOK

Whitney Lubin is a graduate of Florida State University, and is definitely a hair expert. She and her stylist sister share duties running a hair business. At one point, Lubin was actually active as a stylist, but with time, she rounded her role down to business manager. The one-time International Affairs major prides herself on her business and mane sense.

Unlike other hair specialists, Lubin not only emphasizes the appearance of the hair, but also the well-being of the inner self. It’s not for nothing that she has a verse from the Song of Solomon 4:7 highlighted on her website. It reads: “You are altogether beautiful, my darling. And there is no blemish in you.” She understands that looking good on the outside has a direct relation with how one perceives oneself.

She recalls getting her first hair relaxer when she was nine or ten years old. “It was my dad who wanted me to get the relaxer and not my mother,” she recalls. “At the time I just saw it as a annoying grownup thing to do. Getting my hair braided was something I took to be something that all black women did. It was a bonding experience and I loved every hairstyle.”

Today, those who log on Lubin’s website DhatLook, look through her large inventory of hair pieces to enhance their hair grooming experience. But they also come for the hair care instruction videos and self-love messages that she posts. She discussed DhatLook, entrepreneurship, natural hair and its correlation with overall self-image.

What made you start DhatLook?
When I first started DhatLook, it really was just a place I wanted to be able to share all the interesting and inspiring online content I found, and share my own original content relating to my beauty and hair discoveries. In particular I wanted to showcase black beauty. I wanted to create a place where a younger version of me could visit and see black beauty be exalted. Growing up in Pembroke Pines, FL there was a very pervasive social regard to beauty as being to being about skin complexion. I can remember getting defensive whenever I encountered someone who said “You look Haitian,” or “You dress Haitian”. I started to associate these comments with my dark skin complexion because my siblings didn’t receive the same remarks. In the Haitian community I was aware of the ideal to achieve this lighter brighter complexion with the use of creams that included ingredients like mercury and hydroquinone. Substances that have been proven to have adverse affects on our health and skin after prolong use. I watched as my generation grew up in a culture that promoted this whole yellow bone, red-bone ideal. I was hearing this preference in our music, seeing it in our movies, and although the young idealistic me rebelled against this social construct, I didn’t think I could do anything about it. So the first opportunity I had to move from that area I did, and moved to Tallahassee for school.

And in moving there…
While attending Florida State University, I was introduced to a whole new atmosphere that differed from my experience in South Florida. I was able to volunteer and be amongst fellow black women of various shades and really see our diversity not as a competition, but as divine art. My confidence in my beauty evolved from youthful rebellion against the majority thought to personal confidence and pride. Going natural was a pivotal moment that also allowed me to embrace my hair, and beauty despite the stigmas. As I evolved I wanted to share the joy my confidence gave me with other young women like myself who are surrounded by these images and messages that allude to them that they’re not enough in the eyes of some people. That they’re not beautiful enough for some people. If there is one thing I’d like to share via DhatLook is that young women today we don’t need to fight to prove to everyone that we are beautiful. We don’t have to make everyone see us as valuable. We just have to know it, and feel it for ourselves. Maya Angelou said it best “We teach people how to treat us”. And if we want people to see that we are beautiful, we have to first believe it, and act like it too.

As someone who is so very knowledgeable about the hair industry, would you say that there are certain hair looks that go with certain face shapes, and some that do not?
I wouldn’t necessarily say that certain hair looks go best with one person or another. With hairstyles the objective many of times is to accentuate an oval face or give the illusion of a more oval face shape, as this is considered the most desirable look. Over the years my experience has lead to the belief that the most fashion forward women we admire don’t follow these rules. I really think the majority of beauty tips we receive are meant to guide us on learning how to be comfortable with our beauty, but we’re not obligated to stick to them once we’ve developed our confidence. So by all means if you really want to get bangs to hide your forehead, go ahead if that is what will make you happy, but understand that your forehead is not likely to change, your better option is to change how you feel about your forehead. Do that and you’ll find you’ll be able to rock any hairstyle. When you have a talented hairstylist on your team you’ll be able to tailor any look for your individual tastes. The final objective is always to pick styles that accentuate your favorite attributes not hairstyles that hide something.

There’s been some concern on the part of some that with so many people going natural, that the weave and extension industries are going to suffer. What’s your perspective on this?
I think that the industries that are more likely to suffer with this recent natural hair movement are companies that produce chemical products like relaxers, and companies whose products have ingredients that do more harm than good to hair. People these days have so much access to information we won’t just blindly consume what is marketed to us anymore. The weave and extension business I believe will thrive in this new environment. As someone who has been natural for 4+ years my protective style of choice to grow out my natural has been and continues to be weaves and wigs. What I think is happening in the industry is that women are becoming more educated in terms of hair maintenance and are going to take better care of their hair while in their weaves and wigs so that they can fully reap the benefits of these hairstyles. Weave and extensions especially will continue to be an option for women who want versatility with their hairstyles but don’t necessarily want to permanently alter their hair to achieve a desired look.

Lubin rocking a natural hairstyle.

DhatLook fans have enjoyed your YouTube videos which chronicle your natural hair journey. What made you decide to share that part of yourself with your clients and other viewers?
I think chronicling my natural hair journey was important because it allowed me to have something tangible that I could look back on, and use to compare and see progress through. A fear that plagues many newly natural women is this assumption that their hair isn’t growing or can’t grow or there isn’t any progress in the health and condition of their hair. Keeping this video journal really helped me keep myself accountable when it came to my hair goals, and kept me excited when I looked back on my achievements.

Were you named for the singer Whitney Houston?
[Laughter] Yes. My parents didn’t have a name picked out at the time, but Whitney Houston just so happened to be on the cover of a magazine in the hospital waiting room, so when it came time to naming me they choose Whitney in hopes I would be as talented and successful as the late Whitney Houston.

What hair look of this diva do you most like? I’ve seen throwback photos of her in soft-curls in her modeling days, then the natural look for her debut, then afterwards the permed look.
I like all her looks, she was always good at owning her look. But my absolute favorite was the curly hair she was rocking during her “I Wanna Dance With Somebody” video. It was young, fun, and just a little bit wild.

What do you wish all women knew about their hair?
Everything that we consider healthcare can be applied to hair care. I want all women to know that healthy hair rather than “pretty looking hair” is the most important thing you need to concentrate on, because from there you have a canvas to achieve various looks. The most basic thing our hair needs is water, but you should learn how to apply proper hair moisturizing techniques into your routine. There is no magic product or pill for your hair. Your hairstylist is only capable of doing so much in the time they have with you, the majority of your hair-care takes place at home. It’s your responsibility to make sure your using the right techniques.

For those who prefer sew-ins, how can they protect their hair, while having those?
One of the most important things you can do before you install a sew-in is give your hair an overindulgence of TLC. I would deep condition more vigorously the month before an install just so my hair can be in optimal condition. This is because depending on how long you wear your sew-in, you won’t be able to take care of your hair in the same way. And immediately after taking out your sew-in you should repeat and intensely moisturize and condition. If you have leave out finding heat free ways to achieve looks are a must, and if you really can’t avoid using heat on your leave-out than I suggest using extreme caution using heat protectant, and intensive deep treatments weekly to maintain healthy condition of hair.

Now, you’re in a better position to spot trends than most. What have you noted about the hair arena of late?
Women have taken control of educated themselves on haircare. In terms of hair trends, I think we’ve seen an increase of natural and relaxed African American women using protective styles to achieve health and length. Wigs and weaves are staples have always been staples for many women. In today’s face paced environment women want hairstyles that don’t require sitting for long periods of time to achieve. We’ve seen a reemergence of the Janet Jackson Poetic Justice Braids/twist. Young girls to older professional women are rocking this style. Another trend is the use of lace closures for sew-ins in preference of having leave out. With the proper application women are able to achieve a more flawless sew-in. The lace closures allow women to mimic the appearance of a scalp but still achieve a full install. This is a very big trend within the natural hair community for women who want to go with a straight hairstyle but don’t want to have to go through the trouble of applying heat to their hair and/or blending.

You’ve stressed that you don’t want women to think that putting on a piece of hair is the only way to look good, and that there is something much more to it than that.
You have to take care of your hair in the same manner you take care of your teeth, your skin, your body, your mind, and your spirit. Although it is your crown and glory, don’t let it define you. Especially for African American women there’s nothing you should be afraid of concerning your natural hair, and nothing to be ashamed of if you choose to continue to relax, but we should never become hostage to the consequences of bad hair care practices, or bad hair health. I recently featured on my blog DhatLook.com an article written by The Free Movement on this issue. How we feel about ourselves should not be dependent on what we see, but what we know about ourselves. Societies opinions and trends of style and beauty come and go at a rapid pace, trying to keep up can be a tiring battle. What never goes out of style is confidence, and confidence leads women to take better care of themselves. When you live an all around healthy lifestyle that encompasses mental, physical, and spiritual health , confidence is a natural by-product.

What do your parents think of your entrepreneurial ventures?
My parents are business owners and have always been supportive of whatever I’ve chosen to do. They continue to inspire me and motivate me to take risks and not set limitations to success.

You’re extremely passionate about doing philanthropy in the community. What are your latest activities in that area?
As a graduate from Florida State University I try to continue to be active in the community in whatever capacity that is available. I am a member of SISTUHS, Inc., a community service organization for women of color founded on the campus of Florida State University. I volunteer with the local Public Broadcasting Service(PBS) station WPBT Channel 2 in Aventura Florida on a monthly basis so that they can continue to provide our community quality programming that is focused on highlighting our community needs, and spotlighting our diversity. My business partner Jasmine Wheeler is also an inspiration to me because her mother is a caner survivor. Cervical cancer is a major health obstacle to have overcome as a woman, and we are currently working on a project to celebrate these women, we welcome other individuals and businesses who would like to collaborate.

As a beauty entrepreneur, what do you wish to pass to those wishing to go along the same path as yourself?
Have a plan! That doesn’t mean you have to have a 8 page business plan double spaced and typed up. What it means is that you should have an idea of where you want your business to go. It’s important to have a plan because it keeps you from delaying from taking those bold moves you inevitably will have to make to run a successful and competitive business. In the world of business timing can be everything, and having a business plan can be a world of help when it’s time for you to take a leap of faith regarding your business. Another major thing is that there are free-low cost resources everywhere. The Small Business Administration–SBA—is probably the first place I’d suggest someone go to when they have a business idea. They’ll help you flesh it out, and guide you to the proper resources or networking opportunities. This is a local state supported entity that’s sole purpose is to help create more businesses.

You don’t have to have a Master’s of Business Administration to run a successful business, you just need to be an avid learner, and passionate about your vision. Final note I’d like to make is that you’ll find doors opening up everywhere when you make it a mission to be a community member and not only a business owner.

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Christina Julme says she founded her brand BèlNègès at a time when websites targeting young Haitian women in Haiti were nonexistent. Since the launch of the website three years ago, Julme has transformed her online hub into a household name among web and social media users in Port-au-Prince, and Haiti’s other cities. The content is mostly in Creole, and draws not only young women in Haiti, but Creole speakers around the globe. With articles with provoking titles like “Marriage Can’t Be The Biggest Dream You Have For Yourself”, “Don’t Sell It, You Won’t Get A Good Price For It”, “Stop Doing It For Other People”, Julme and her team have succeeded in making over minds and hearts in Haiti. She has held retreat-conferences that cover topics like self-esteem, entrepreneurship, and holistic health, and regularly teams up with social workers, mental health counselors to add weight to her message.

Kreyolicious: What are some of the things you’ve been up to since our last conversation?
For now, the team is working to bring the BN site (www.belneges.org) live. Since last year, Haiti’s Minister of Social Affairs officially recognized BèlNègès as an organization. It’s been our motivation to present our work and vision to all those on internet. We hope that the website is going to be ready before the end of the year. All of our loyal readers from the blog don’t need to worry, because we’ll still have the blog, and it’ll be an integral part of our blog. We’ll make the announcement when we officially launch.

Above: Christina Julme having some me-time during a BèlNègès event in Port-au-Prince.
Kreyolicious: Where is the BèlNègès movement at this point?
BN has changed on paper, but it hasn’t changed in terms of conception. But it did makeover the minds of those who have followed our project and movement. We’ve gone from being known for our work in the natural hair movement to being an organization that works with young girls and women to change their lives.

In the past two years, we’ve reached more than a thousand girls and young women off-line, and thousands through social media. Today, BN is an organization that’s here to stay. A lot of work still needs to be done with and for the girls and young women in Haiti. We’ve even reached women living in other places. Our goal is still the same: to redefine young Haitian women, while promoting beauty on the inside, and the outside.

Kreyolicious: Having a website is cool, but there can be challenges. What steps do you take to keep yourself motivated?
BèlNègès.com has been launched since 2013. It’s been more than a year since we’ve been working with other young writers who share our background and contribute articles. We work like a team, which means that we collaborate with those who have different capabilities, so that we can walk the road together. It’ll be the same when the blog transitions into a full-pledged website.

Above: A BèlNègès retreat orchestrated by Christina Julme, a movement for Millennials in Haiti held at a horse ranch in Kenscoff, a town near Port-au-Prince.

Kreyolicious: Do you feel that everything you set out to achieve with the BèlNègès brand has been achieved?
BèlNègès is a project that we launched, that’s already grown beyond us. And that’s the beauty in the work that we’re doing. As we grow as women, our perspectives, our values evolve, as does the values and perspectives of those who are growing with us. This makes us realize that we don’t stay in the same place mentally and physically. We haven’t achieved an iota of all the projects we have in mind. We just hope that when this generation is gone, we at least have established a base so that the next generation of girls and young women can take over. Because for someone to redefine who they are, and to improve their lives accordingly isn’t something that can be done in a hurry…or that can be done overnight.

Kreyolicious: You’ve written about skin bleaching in Haiti among young girls and women.
Since we [at BèlNègès] cater to a Haitian audience, we feel a responsibility to address topics that reflect our reality. This is why we publish articles in the language that most identify with, and in the language that’s going to prove a debate…especially among young women. Our motto and objective after all is beauty on the inside and the outside. This topic is just a glimpse of future content plans. We just want to remind people not to hesitate to share their thoughts and comments—even if they might have a different point of view. This way, we can have more worthwhile debates that can lead to the changes we’d like to see.

Above: BèlNègès retreat participants having an exchange.

Kreyolicious: Do you think social media has helped young women in Haiti see that there’s beauty in every body shape and size or do you think it’s reinforced the opposite?
We can’t lie to ourselves about this topic, because the truth is right in front of us. Since we’re living in an underprivileged environment, there’s are little means to bring positive messages that can reach out to the female masses. If we consider the issue of internet access, I have to admit that access is still a luxury for most. Also, those who can afford a personal computer, or a Smartphone are few. And then there’s the issue of illiteracy. But when we look more closely, we realize that while few may have access to it, it’s still a great tool. And it remains our most powerful tool, until we’re able to reach out to our audience through other mediums [TV]. [Meanwhile, social media is the main, and fastest tool that BèlNègès uses to reach out to young women. Even if we can’t reach out to all the women in Haiti, all our BèlNègès followers know they have their own hub on the internet.

Above: A BèlNègès tote bag, among the many other offerings from Christina Julme

Kreyolicious: Are there a lot of female website owners in Haiti?
For now, I don’t think there’s that many. I hope that will change soon. But I’m always open to collaboration with those who have the same vision as we do. This way, we can have our mission reach where our voices and our hands can’t.

CLICK HERE TO VISIT BELNEGES AND TRY OUT YOUR CREOLE…ER…KREYOL!

Some folks spend all their lives daydreaming about writing a book “someday”, until “someday” comes and goes, and they’re lying on their deathbed, and their dreamt-of book never came to fruition. Nathalie Thelemaque, the fourteen-year-old author of Misconceptions: A Collection of Short Stories and Poems wasted no time. She dreamt of writing a book of her own, and has released her debut Misconceptions, published through EducaVision, a publisher that specializes in Haiti-themed books, and educational material.

In spite of her age, Thelemaque manages to write stories with themes that one might think are beyond her understanding. “A Daughter’s Forgiveness” centers on a neglected daughter who lives in the shadow of a famous painter father. Not everything in the book is intense though. In the poem “First Day of School”, Thelemaque treats the jitters and uncertainties of going into new social territory at the height of adolescence, while the character Avery in the short story “Remembrance of Her Childhood” treats the importance of building memory.

Born in Florida to Haitian parents, Thelemaque has always been active on the creative front, playing the piano—and letting her imagination guide her in the creation of the written word. In addition to balancing school, and a burgeoning writing career, Thelemaque writes a poetry column for The Circle Gazette, a newspaper for young kids. She recently experienced one of the first initiation rites as a published author with her first ever book signing for Misconceptions.

Q & A

How did you feel when you held your book in your hand?
When I first held the book, I felt bewildered at the whole situation. Though I love writing very much, I never thought that I would be capable of writing a book that would be published. Having written so many stories and poems over the course of many years and having them spread on different computers around the house, it’s rewarding to have all my work organized in a manuscript that I can use to share my thoughts with others.

And how was your book signing?
My book signing was very successful; many of the invited guests came, expressed their enthusiasm towards reading the book, and gave positive feedback.

You actually play the piano too. Can you tell us a little bit more about that?
I have been playing piano for about eight years, being inspired by my sister and cousin who started before me. I practice the instrument everyday, in preparation for the several recitals that I participate in, including a holiday concert put together by my friends and I for our families.

How did you get the idea for your short story “Cherry Blossom”?
For a very long time now, I have been interested in Japanese culture, including the beautiful cherry blossom trees called Sakura. So, I incorporated that idea with the subjects of someone leaving home school to go to a Charter school, friendship, and coming of age.

How was the publishing process for you?
Well…it was a challenge to get my family and friends to go over the countless stories that I had written in the past and come to terms with the ones to be published. The publishing company was very receptive to our ideas and helped us greatly in the process. We went through a few drafts, different fonts, and a few colors for the book before finally achieving the final cerulean-colored copy.

What do your friends and teachers think of your book?
My friends and teachers have been very supportive of my book. They all inspire me so much, so it thrills me to know that they share my excitement and are very proud of my accomplishment.

Is it hard dealing with schoolwork, friends, parents, piano lessons, and life as a writer?
At some times—yes—it can be stressful dealing with the many activities in my life, but my parents always try to keep me on task so I’m not overwhelmed.

When was the last time you went to Haiti?
Unfortunately, I have not been to mainland Haiti yet, but I was fortunate to touch the soil of Haiti through Labadee. on the cruise that I went on to Labadee, I was able to witness the beautiful landscapes that my parents pointed out to me and saw that Haiti was surrounded by mountains.

What do you like to do when you’re not writing or playing the piano?
Whenever I’m not doing those activities, I enjoy drawing, reading, talking with my friends, playing tennis, volunteering in the community, playing video games, and learning and practicing different languages.

And what advice do you have for aspiring authors, young and old?
I would advise any aspiring authors to keep on reading and writing. There are always stories to tell; it’s a great thing to keep expanding one’s mind.

You can show your support for this budding author by purchasing her book here.