Bev Clarke - Author
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Writing my first novel

8/27/2013

7 Comments

 
People ask me constantly why I decided to write my first novel, ‘Born in the Briar Patch.’ The first reason is that I was born in Barbados and secondly, I was always told that I should write what I know about, and I certainly know a lot about Barbados.  I am not the first author to write The Barbadian story, but ‘Born in the Briar Patch’ is an all encompassing story of what life was really like on the island for the poor, after the abolition of slavery and post colonial rule especially on the many plantations which dotted the island. Caryl Philips and Andrea Levy have done a good job with their books on these subjects.

There are words in the Barbadian vocabulary that are slowly slipping away. My first thought was to write a book compiling a list of the words we had used when I was young girl, but someone had already beaten me to it. When I asked a young Barbadian girl in Barbados if she knew what a wagon was, she said she knew and she did.  A wagon is a compartment on a train. She was correct, but what I really wanted to know was the definition of ‘wagon’ as the older generation of Barbadians knew it. A wagon back then was a piece of furniture in the living room or front house, where one displayed the best of one’s eating and drinking utensils. It usually consisted of three shelves. The top shelf was reserved for the Royal Doulton figurines and the oil lamps, the second shelf for the glasses and the third shelf for the crockery, like the good plates and the soup tureen which were only used when guests came to the home.

Although the word wagon was never used in that context in ‘Born in the Briar Patch,’ every Barbadian knows that Nellie must have had a wagon in her living room.

I am still very happy that I wrote Born in the Briar Patch because I have seen the recognition on the many faces in the audience, when I read excerpts from the book. Write to me. Let me know what your favourite passages are from ‘Born in the Briar Patch’ or send me your best old Barbadian story. 
7 Comments
KHI
8/28/2013 10:57:37 am

Keep the ink flowing, Bev. It is refreshing to see good literary talent emanating from Barbados continuing to flourish. We often lament the fact that we are producing plenty of talented artists who create a lot of excitement, but demonstrate very poor literary skills.

Reply
Edison
8/30/2013 03:02:32 am

Have enjoyed all your books and am looking forward to the next one. Keep up the good work.

Reply
Everil
9/11/2013 12:08:37 pm

Just love Miss Ida-especially when she tried to wear her deseased sister's teeth. That was was funny to me, but to her she had no teeth and some became available. Very good writing.

Now to the questions

1-sommersaults
2-An individ with both male and fem genitalia.
3-Male or female mate
4-water pither made of clay
5_silly person
6_Person who loves confusion
7_Stroke
8_a sling shot
9 & 10 I dont remember hearingin of these. I am puzzled.
evn

Reply
Ian Marsh
9/17/2013 02:57:49 am

Bev ,Have read most of your books which I have enjoyed tremendously , my favourite being" Born in the Briar Patch ". Now I can say I am eagerly looking forward to reading about Ranjit which I will be purchasing shortly . Keep up the great work .

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3/9/2015 12:47:46 pm

There was a time we need to consider things that will make us happy. If we think that some fall as just another failure that you did before, try not to go for the second time. Think twice or even hundred times to make sure you’re on a good path to take. Writing a first novel is not that easy, but its a great opportunity and privilege to make even one. There are trial and tries to do perfect novel, but that’s usual thing that will happen, try and try until you hit the success, that’s the mind you need to achieve your goal.

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Rob D. Murphy link
10/25/2015 01:27:34 pm

You always can publish something absorbing that does not waste minutes of your life like what you see on countless other sites. This is very interesting and I will be back for more. Thanks for sharing

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Illinois Landscaping link
2/19/2023 02:34:56 am

Lovely

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    Author

    In 2009 I self-published my first book, ‘Born in the Briar Patch,’ followed by the sequel   ‘Born in the Briar Patch 2.’  In 2010 I published ‘The Second Heartbeat’ and in 2011 ‘Just One Handful of Snow.’  Later that year, I wrote ‘Black Pearls,’ a novel set in Africa. 
    I am also currently working on two more new titles.

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  • Home
  • Novels
    • Born in the Briar Patch >
      • Read an Excerpt from this book
    • Born in the Briar Patch 2 >
      • Read an Excerpt from this book
    • The Second Heartbeat >
      • Read an Excerpt from this book
    • Just One Handful of Snow >
      • Read an Excerpt from this book
    • Black Pearls >
      • Read an Excerpt from this book
    • I am called Ranjit >
      • Read an Excerpt from this book
  • About Bev Clarke
  • Contact
  • Blog
  • Buy Books