As a Caribbean-based writer, I’ve been advised time and again to make Jamaica a character in my stories. This is good advice. Every writer knows that setting is an essential element of any tale. So, why is it then I inevitably forget that Jamaica is supposed to play a role in my stories?

I think it’s a case of familiarity breeding contempt. The places, flora and fauna that get written into my script are all part of the landscape that defines Jamaica, but somehow I write over them, paying no special attention to how they add colour, not to mention uniqueness.

 

The first question a non-Jamaican critiquing my work asks is ‘where is Jamaica?’ The next comment will be along the lines that while I do have descriptions in there that convey something of the island, a bit more detail would create more vivid pictures.

 

You’d think I’d learn after having written several novels and short stories. It’s usually on the second or third editing pass that I add shades of colour to the canvas of the story.

 

Currently, I have two novels under consideration with different publishers and will be sending out another shortly. I’m banking on the fact that to many, Jamaica is an exotic location and that that will help sell my manuscripts.

 

Meantime, I’ve read more than several articles on the subject of setting as a reminder to myself that I have a gem of an island which may very well help swing a decision to publish in my favour.