Oh, baby, it’s a wide world: A Grand Place Book Review by TheWordyPhoenix

Sneak peek at my FAVORITE page from this beauty!

Grenada's intimate relationship with an extended family connection is put onto the map of the literary landscape by Grenadian creators, in the new children’s book 'A Grand Place'

Written by Leighan Renaud and illustrated by Elizabeth Lander this short story picture book, set on the island of Grenada, is a story of a young West Indian girl on a grand adventure. The reader is taken on a journey through rhyming words and vivid pictures, as the central character encounters old and new experiences, in the search for a beloved member of the book's cast. There are elements of mystery within it too, that keep the reader turning pages, in order to find out what or who, the young protagonist will encounter before reaching the goal.

The story embraces the captivating call to exploration found in youth. It enforces the importance of familial ties on a small island that nurtures the building of bonds through the treasured traditions of village play and family visitations.

The author's smooth, rhythmic, use of language is poised to capture the book’s target audience of ages 0-7. All while the illustrations, filled with lush curtains of pastoral grandeur, simultaneously work with the words to enhance the reader experience. Together, they put on display plot, character, and setting design, that are recognizable attributes of Caribbean lifestyle.

This story is buzzing with portrayals of Grenada through the use of its location, stylized in watercolor. The audience has to look forward to, on the page as they peruse the book: moments of unsullied landscapes, post-colonial architecture, familiar seasides, and even vendor populated marketplaces, filled with local fruit stands. This vibrant acknowledgment of people and place, birthed by Grenadian’s creatives, works to engage the eyes and mind of any curious reader at home or abroad.

It is literature that depicts West Indian life in its authenticity and is an opportunity for diverse young readers to see themselves depicted on the page, from a non-Eurocentric perspective. A fact that remains extremely valuable in a world market where the shelves are, more often than not, populated by much the opposite.

A Grand Place is, without a doubt, a fervent read for any literature enthusiast, yearning for a story of island life and the escapades bound to ensue. Filled with vibrant Caribbean colours on every page, it makes itself a pocketable presentation of elements of Grenadian culture. It is an enamoring tale of how big the world can be to a young person, no matter the size of their geographical location. The author manages by the story’s end to balance that longing to keep family close with the wonder of a world yet discovered. 

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Auntie of many that I am, I'm so excited about this new jem to add to the libraries of the young ones that I care about. Not to mention the beautiful teaching tool this will be!

If you are thinking about purchasing this gorgeous book you can pre-order A Grand Place here.Get a head start if you're already thinking about want to gift this beauty this holiday season, as we face this pending world wide shortage of goods. Capitalize on the link above! Pre-orders to a great job of telling publishers that there is an interest in the author's work so if you want to make the weight of your dollar count? Clickity click!

Peace. Love. Literature.

I Started A Podcast :: Bibliotherapy and here's why!

I started a podcast and it's all about books and the effect they have had on our lives over the centuries. How have they survived? Will they continue to survive? WHAT DOES IT ALL MEAN?!

I want to talk about all of the literary things, libraries and book formats and changes in the publishing world and healing through literature and the books that showcase all of these things. I do hope you'll have a listen? My first episode is up, it's called Bibliotherapy which, I think is rather appropriate. There will be one episode a month.

I have been planning this ALL YEAR because I wanted to have this brain child be a mash up of research and opinion, fun plus facts! I'm doing this for the first time so I'm learning and making mistakes and correcting them as I find a way to record this for you... PLUS you get to come with me!

I have produced it with anchor dot com who has told me it is up on:

 itunes,

 Spotify,

 Google Podcasts,

 Pocket Casts,

 Breaker, 

Radio Public,

Castbox,

Stitcher 

I'll update this list as more platforms are added but for now....Find it on the platform of your choice. Have a listen! Tell me what you think?

Peace. Love. Books! 

Attending and Co-Chairing the Christian Writers Meet Up 2018 plus New Product Line!

I had the wonderful chance to co-chair at an event organised to encourage and motivate writers, who are Christian, in my country.

When I was asked to do this I knew that I had to, needed to, was called to do. I had been chatting with one friend or another about far off future plans and products I've been working on. They all seemed such big and far away dreams then....one of them was to use my gifts again this year in a way that would uplift the kingdom of Christ.

I've volunteered as a Sunday school teacher for almost a year. I've helped to plan and organise Women's Workshops at my home church, even being the Mistress of Ceremonies for it and I have represented my church, doing the featured sermon for our parish at previous women's workshops where we come together, fellowship, learn and worship. Still, I felt that I needed to do more, particularly with my most treasured talent; my way with the written word.

So when I was asked to do this, I was already watching everything a line. The idea for my next product launch was coming out of the fog and into the light.  I was starting to know what I wanted to do and how I might do it. Then this seemed to randomly happen, this connection between two Christian women who wanted to serve the Lord and I just knew I was meant to do it.

The very colour scheme  she had chosen for her event, I had already been working with the same colours with products I was creating before she told me what it was she had in mind and oh aren't moments like those grand? When your spirit leaps and you have that resounding affirmation like a bell inside your heart telling you this is the right answer? Would that we could get more answers like those so sure!

Of course insecurity got to me eventually; could I really do this? What was I playing at? Am I really going to make money off of The Lord's Word? Will digital art that I have put so much work, hours and heart into find it's market??? These are things that I struggled with during my design process. I know few consider digital art as prestigious or laborious enough to be worth payment. Ah, if they only knew!!

Back and forth I went with designs, colour changing, line angling. constructing, de-constructing and reconstructing sentences, printing prototypes, running them by friends again and again and again, considering how the designs and colours elicited different responses and what that meant for the over all collection.

With a little motivation from the right place, the founder of the event Jannel who unbeknownst to her, reminded me that this was a project done with divine purpose and not just with passion, I had a good shake off and got myself together. I remembered that half of the verses I would use in this deck found their way to me perfectly before the opportunity to use them did. Even before the project had fully formed in my brain!

I remembered that this action was so much bigger than I and I got back to work! I'm so glad I did!

Each of these designs was created with love an purpose. I laboured over the perfect colours, I researched the emotions those colours are known to bring out of many people. I searched the Holy scripture for verses that spoke from or to the heart of the writer, his or her struggle and successes. Atop that I ensured that there was not-so-hidden-poetry within each card so that if you read the highlighted words by themselves, they form their own kind of poetry!

This is the 'Brights' deck of The Lamp Lights Series. The symbol is an infinity heart seen in the background of the text on the info card. It is there to present the completeness of God's love and is done in a serrated line because though we are imperfect beings we are perfectly loved by Him.  Hard to see it under that crazed line? Good, it's there on purpose because life gets crazy but this perfect love remains not phased.

Welcome my beautiful babies to the physical world! There is another deck to come in the end of winter/spring, summer and fall of next year. I'm also excited about some custom orders because these are motivational cards meant to keep you company on your desk or in your wallet or on your vision board, wherever you need them. Where ever they need to be I want them to be there for you.

These can be done for any event on a myriad of topics in a vast array of colour schemes. Interested in ordering a custom deck or perhaps a deck like these? It need to be for a Christian event but for a wedding, graduation, any even you desire I am happy to work with you to make it perfect with a set of motivational, inspirational cards unique to your own. Want a custom poem too? I got you boo. Let me know your thoughts and mood concerning the event and i will work with you towards greatness. Contact me via my facebook or instagram @ thewordyphoenix and lets talk about it.

Thank you again to Jannel for having me and for letting me use so many of the photographs from the event.

for more on the event see the Inspirational Events facebook page here

Featured Publication in Albinism Insight 100th Issue!

Albinism Insight is the official quarterly publication of the National Organisation of Albinism and Hyper Pigmentation (NOAH)

I'm sure you know by now that my experiences at the NOAH conference, if not feel free to read all about it.

My article "Pick A Struggle" was published in the 100th issue of the quarterly magazine published by the National Organisation of Albinism and Hyper-pigmentation. ( NOAH ) The very same founders of NOAHCon.

Completing my Bachelors Degree was so hard for me as a visually impaired teacher, simultaneously working so i could pay my way through school and studying. Yet, here we are two years after I finished as the first of my family to go this far academically. Here we are two years later, with a published article that harnesses my struggles into tips that could help others like me all over the world.

I hate talking about myself (i know i know, shocker!) because it always feels like a brag but I'm trying to get more comfortable with it because there is no shame in achievement. The more we share both struggle AND success i suspect the more people we have a chance at reaching and encouraging.

I'm proud to check this one of the bucket list in such a commemorative way. Did you read the article? Tell me, what'd you think?!

Peace. Love. Be Proud of Your Dreams.

On Beauty is fleeting and Second Chances | Horizon Exhibit By Amy Cannestra. at the Susan Mains Gallery

For me, one of my favourite things about attending art exhibitions is that you scarcely know what you'll get. Some days you will get drummers and live poetry and other days you will get sunsets and up-cycled shells wrapped in human made shine. I had the opportunity to attend an art exhibit at the Susan Mains Art Gallery on the, 16th March, 2018 that was quite a bit different from ones I've gone to in the past.

In the privileged opportunity I had to speak with the artist Amy Cannestra, I got a first hand encounter with her artistic process and a fine art conversation about the exhibit titled Horizon. We spoke of creativity and awe inspiring moments of life caught, perhaps better worded, framed in pieces of art. 

Amy and I spoke of the ease of her creative process as she ventured simply to capture a landscape in an a moment. It's colour, composition, the vibrancy of that moment's every move whether slow and whimsical or passionate and evasive. We conversed of it's ability to steer in you feeling of appreciation, astonishment and respect, all at once. Something she has artificially put to paper in the pieces showcased in Horizon.

Who has not felt that awareness of extraordinary fortunate to be alive to bare witness a scene, so heavy in its tangible beauty, that you can do little but look on in both shock and surprise. When you are afraid to do anything to compromise this moment of being wholly alive in all of your senses. Unable to catalogue it because what if you move and you miss a sliver of brilliance? Surely, that cannot be allowed! Is that a feeling only brought to the surface by Caribbean sunsets? 

I don't think so... I know I have felt it just looking at cityscapes too far away too... The point I'm trying to zero in on here is that excitement of total appreciation of beauty not seen the same way by all. A unique perception perhaps, we do not readily acknowledge until we see it represented. Something that art, whether visual, musical, or literary in my experience, always helps us to see faster than if left to our own devices.

Amy and I spoke of how sometimes just the action of bringing the art to life by letting it be simple and real and three dimensional can be it's own artistic voyage. In the exhibition she used acrylic paint on both paper and a plastic over covering, that when left to sit atop each other, created a sense of movement and depth in the painting for the eyes. 

Her bright choice of colours made the pieces even more captivating and really how could you look away even if you wanted to do? Amy's use of a horizon line also works to give the eyes a safe harbour upon which to dwell in her pieces, so that the paintings, though bright and full of motion are not completely overbearing for the viewer. 

When we spoke of her other pieces, made of conch shell and chocolate wrappers, I could not help consider the relevance to our Caribbean environment. She has taken two pieces of inexpensive material the world deems trash or excess and given them an opportunity to adorn a new purpose of beauty. 

The ocean has spit up conch shell and humanity has spit up snack wrappers and these waste materials have been made, through her artistic expression, to sit next to each other. Neutral beside shining tint, in a minimalist expression of second chances due to the visionaries hands. This, is a lesson I continue to enforce however I can as a global citizen; the notion of social responsibility to the lands we inhabit, to see the beauty in the original even in this modern day eminence of the change. 

As human beings, with only one planet to our name we must continue to hold to the relevance of the reuse, reduce and recycle approach. Art continues to show us that these concepts extend even to reshape our concept of what is visually appealing. Amy's use of natural materials as an agent that does this simply; it is a small movements that makes a big statement through the vessel of fine art. Her pieces remind us of a commitment to finding too renewed purpose for all that serves us, so that beauty both natural and man made is not lost to us due to hazards caused by us. 

It was wonderful to talk with Amy as a fellow artist and to appreciate what a moment and second chance for a piece of material can do to create beautiful things, if we dare to think outside of the norm and to take the risk of working with what we have now. It is a message I hope we pass on to generations, if not through our warnings then through our artistic recordings and representations. Especially, as Caribbean citizens, directly affected by climate change and poor waste management.

This post has been published today in conjunction with the international celebration of World Environmental Awareness Day (June 5) and World Oceans Day, June 8.

Peace. Love. Protect.

Review of Shattered Expectations by Urias Peters Published in PRINT in the Greandian Voice Newspaper!

Hey everyone!

Just wanted to quickly mention the publishing of my Review of Shattered Expectation IN PRINT within the February 3rd issue of the Grenadian Voice News paper!

As a recent graduate I understand the importance of having citable sources. I wanted to ensure that works about my country could be cited by future student someday. The only way to do that is to ensure that the material is there to be cited in the first place.

So not only did I go see the show, support local literature, I wrote a review and had it published by a local news source.

Peace. Love. Be the change.

Review of Shattered Expectations published via digital media source NOW Grenada by TheWordyPhoenix

Go give it a read right here!

Shattered Expectation A Play

 Hey guys! I recently took in a play by my favourite local playwright Francis Urias Peters. It was a fantastic Sunday evening out and I can wait to write all about it!

Caribbean Plays I've Seen

Grenadian Plays I've Seen

- Turtle Lighting
- Burial of Ms. Faithlyn ft. Oliver
- Redemption Time
- Uncle
- The Wedding
- Sparkie
- The Election
- Eat Your Crix and Kix (not the name of the play, it was something about a visa but i just cant remember it, if anyone can fill me in I'd be grateful)
- Gary
- Struggle
- Master Thief

Now I wouldn't mind adding a Broadway musical to that beautiful extensive list. Say, Hamilton for example?

TheWordyPhoenix :: Interview on Culture and Performance Arts with TAMCC and NSCC

I had the pleasure of being amongst a select few to be interviewed by a delegation of Canadian students doing a documentary styled project in unison with our local collage over the past two Fridays.

The team had some very interesting questions and were very professional about the whole process. They were even kind enough to leave me with a parting gift and an invitation to a showing of the material they have gathered so far while here.

I was happy to be a part of this interview series because I am very passionate about culture, it's documentation and the performing arts.

These are some of the behind the scenes shots of the process. Don't I look so coordinated trying to attach my microphone in my heels-ditched-for-flip-lops-cause-it's-the-end-of-the-day self? I apologise for the blurry photos, it was pretty spur of the moment!

On the Friday after the interview the students were kind enough to invite me to the presentation of multiple business ideas that they conjured up as a result of their in depth interviews. The room where we sat to listen to the presentations was potent with passion and experience. It was moving to be in a room full of locals who care about the future of my country's arts and culture, people equally passionate about preserving it. These business ideas were superb and I couldn't believe that the students came up with such feasible proposals in such a short time as two weeks!

My only reservation is that those proposals should have been presented to members of government and members of the business community. We are the manpower but the resources are not within our hands...they are in the hands of those we voted into a place of power.

Lastly, I ended up somehow at the beach at the end of the day with these great set of students and organisers. I got a chance to share more casual conversation with these driven people as we sat around enjoying the ocean, it's breezes and the sound of goat skin drums under the weight of our voices chorusing in local song. The lady in the last picture is Allison, lovely lady, beautiful soul.

I truly believe that the most effective way to kill a civilisation is to take away the voice of it's people. A societies voice manifests it self most strongly through it's arts and culture. Document your voice and it will live forever.

Thanks for having me!

Musing :: Style : Behind the Scenes of Brand Photoshoot Kalla Lou

 I recently had the opportunity to shoot with local artist and photograph Susan Mains (in the picture above on the left) for the Brand Kalla Lou. Kalla Lou makes beautiful designed jewellery with recyclable material. The owner, Daniela, (in the picture above on the right) hired me for a photo shoot so showcase her her product on her etsy page. I've not any photos that I can showcase yet until the page goes up but I must say it was a beautiful day, spent with beautiful boss ladies that inspired me with every second I spend with them. Also showcased above is my floral dress designed my local designer Cleopatrice Andrews, perfect spring feel yes? What else do you where to a garden? haha

This house, called The Tower has a story in it and I'm fixin' to write it down!

Credit for that photo with the puppy goes to Susan Mains. His name is Mischief and he comes from a long line of mischief. He's so short and cute and wobbly when he walks!

I loved the collaboration and I cant wait to show you the product of our hard work!

Peace. Love. Hard Work.

The Wordy Phoenix : My spoken word poetry persona

 Picture by Josiah Bayne

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The Wordy Phoenix is a Caribbean born and bred writer in her 20s who currently resides on the spice island of Grenada. A writer of poetry as well as prose fiction who is currently pursuing her degree in the field of English, Literature and Education. Her interests extend to numerous creative endeavours including photography, spoken word poetry, blogging. public speaking, acting and advocacy in the areas of Environmental Awareness, Albinism Awareness, and the field of educational accessibility for the Blind and Visual Impaired.

A past President of the Writers Association of Grenada (2009-2011) as well as current Vice President (2011-Present)  she believes that art is everywhere and surrounds herself with it by way of creative, positive and motivating people who also love to express themselves through fashion, photography, drama, music and various art forms.

Believing that lines and labels are a social ill she enjoys crossing them so that she often sports a punk prep-chic style.

Some of her hobbies include: laughing, playing with puppies, enjoying Asian culture with a concentration on South Korean and Japanese and proving the subjectivity of normal with every breath.

She is currently working on the publication of a self authored anthology of poetry and of her first novel.

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Common local appearances include:

Annual Grenada Spice Word Festival.

Monthly Jazz and Poetry Night at the Grenada National Museum.

Monthly meetings of the Writers Association of Grenada 

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I figured it was time to introduce you to my poetry persona after mentioning it before hand. :)

Peace. Love & Laughter <3
Linking up with blogtember 2016

Coming Soon - Voices of the Rising Youth

TheWordyPhoenix is preforming!

Sandals Resort Writers Q and A!

The Writers Association of Grenada was given word that there was a group of famous authors on island for a bit and we were privileged to be allowed and audience with them for a short while.

It was marvellous!

So informative and rich with the possibility of future success. Though our time was short I learned so much from the experiences they shared and the advice they gave for moving forward with our passion, talent and stories as aspiring writers.

What I found most repeated was:

Fallow your passion;
Write the story only you can write.

Thank you to Sandals Resort for having us!

Youth Talk - A Discussion of Rape and Sexual Assult in Grenada.

I know i have been extremely absent for the past couple of months, it has been one issue after the other, with a computer that gave up leading into the demands of going to school while working and then the planning of the Writers Association of Grenada annual event: Voices.

The only of these issues that has been somewhat solved is having my computer back. So I thought I would take this chance to share some great news with you.

Today 'Youth Talk' has finally aired on national television after much delay. Here is a blurry screen cap taken from my living room television.

You may or may not recall post about this event.

I am honoured to have been a part of such a production that allowed me to lend my voice to an issue currently hurting my home country. If you ever catch the broadcast I hope that you enjoy it and it makes a difference in the life of its viewers.

Th 2013 production of Sparky the play by Recardo Keens Douglas

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On the 16th of February members of the Writers Association of Grenada (W.A.G) and I went to see an encore performance of Sparky, the play, written, produced and directed by Ricardo Keens-Douglas. 

I couldn't help but do a little interview with him. He is after all one of my national heroes! As a Grenadian writer it can sometimes feel rare for us to have local, home soil grown, literary brilliance that we can not only look up to but that the masses recognize. Granted his work is great, even if it did not have the worldwide recognition that it does have.

As every writer knows, the chance to share your passion with the masses and have it make a difference in their lives, small as it may ever be, is often the biggest reward we could ever experience in our lives.

Sorry for the not so great pictures but my camera has all but given up. Sparky is a beautiful locally produced play about a firefly born without its spark. This, proves to be a metaphor about how different we all are and the importance of appreciating people for their individualism and what makes them unique.

It is in the area of family theatre so it can be viewed by adults and children alike with no fear or worry.  I was thrilled to learn that it is in fact an adaptation to one of Ricardo Keens-Douglas' books!

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I must say, I love what he is trying to do and promote, his message of unity in an attempt to keep the bonds of the family alive, he has created this literary event that can bring children and adults together. His handmade set was spectacular!

 

I was truly blown away by the knowledge that he had designed it all on his own. Furthermore, it is amazing how such a powerful play manages to be, even without any sponsorship what so ever. It was a musical too, the likes of which i have never seen on island,

He took the time to write his own songs accompanied by matching choreography! I am impressed by the dedication of the cast of real life teachers, lawyers, students and otherwise who dedicate their time off to practising to make the production a success.

 Monique from Martinique was my favorite character, she is in the blue wig!

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Ricardo Keens-Douglas has always been an impressive writer. I knew him first from his tale of La Diablasse, (not yet in my library but I'm coming for you!).

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My first purchase of his work is that of 'The Nutmeg Princess'

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Of which I gleefully and proudly own a signed copy!

I can only imagine the greatness this play could achieve if it only had financial backing. I urge everyone to go out and show their support. We always talk about how badly we want things like this to happen but they can not and will not continue without support and tangible show of interest from the public. So see the play, buy the book, tell your friends about them! Lets make this a reality for ourselves and the upcoming generation.

All stared(*) photographs are sourced from the Facebook of Ricardo Keens-Douglas,