Why Caribbean Writers love Medium
Being a Writer in The Bahamas can be lonely.
I have always loved creative writing. It was hands down my favorite class in school. More often than not you could find me huddled under a Poinciana tree seeking shade so I could write in-between classes.
At home I would often take refuge from all the chaos in our tiny apartment between the pages of my diary. In those days Cable had not yet arrived to the Island in fact we only had one local TV station that did not begin broadcasting until 3pm in the afternoon and turned off at the stroke of midnight. You had to keep yourself entertained.
Books quickly became my escape. You can feel trapped living on an Island that has a length of 21 miles (34 km) and a width of 7 miles (11 km) no matter how beautiful the beaches are. I spent countless afternoons imagining far off places, creating unique characters in my mind that took me away from the island I called home.
When I entered high school I dug in deep during creative writing class but was met with instant cynicism from my teacher. He was an expat elderly gentlemen from England and had no time for a “conchie joe” girls wistful dreams of being an author. “Just make it to graduation.” He would say abruptly.
The islands graduation rate was rapidly decreasing at that time. The schools were under pressure to turn this around.
I obediently followed his instructions tucking my writing book into my drawer, shame swept up my body and settled in comfortably. What a fool I was for even thinking this could be a possibility for me. I graduated high school and went off to college to study Food and Beverage management. The perfect profession for someone living on an island full of restaurants/ hotels and I forgot about writing, I shelved it so to speak.
And then I turned 30.
It was like a light turned on, my passions returned to me slowly but persistently and the first one to knock on the door was writing.
I’ll admit I was shaken. I didn't go to school for this and I could very clearly hear my teachers ominous words ringing in my ears. But the words wouldn't let me go, I had no choice but have a little faith in myself and write the stories that woke me up at night. To date I have written and self- published four Bahamian children’s books. They are well received throughout the Archipelago of The Bahamas and featured in every major resort. Thousands of children visiting the islands have taken my books home as memento's of their trip. I couldn’t be more proud.
Before Medium, I had nowhere to interact with other writers. There certainly aren’t any writing groups here on the island. In 2019 I joined the SCBWI in hopes of meeting other Caribbean writers, I searched desperately for a chapter to be a part of but the Caribbean chapter hadn't been active since 2013! Although there is an increase in emerging Bahamian and Caribbean Writers we are hardly ever represented properly.
Enter Medium, I stumbled upon it by chance to be honest. Once again looking for connection. It was love at first type (that's my lame attempt at writing humor, please don't unfollow me!)
Things I love about Medium:
- The website is easy to navigate and I feel like I have a place where I can connect to other writers.
- I may still be on this 21 by 7 rock of an island. But I am not alone anymore. I am amongst those I inspire to be like.
- I have a place to learn and grow! I have so much to learn but I am so excited to learn it here.
- There are so many great writer and stories, every time I log on I am inspired.
Medium has combined two of my favorite things Writing and Connection. I may be a wide-eyed bush tailed newbie but I am grateful to be here.
