The Next Big Thing

I've been tagged by my long time friend, Vijaya, over at Reading, Writing & Ruminating. She is the very first person I met online while taking a writing course through Institute of Children's Literature. Vijaya is multifaceted being a scientist, a writer, mother and wife. She's taught me a lot. 

The Next Big Thing is a meme designed as an interview where you describe you current WIP. This particular  meme is the perfect time for me to make a BIG ANNOUNCEMENT! So read carefully.

What is your working title of your book?

Anansi and Company

Where did the idea come from for the book?

The idea to translate and retell some of these wonderful stories from the Caribbean came about when my sister Erva gave me, for safe keeping against the tropical climate, an old book of Jamaican Anansi stories. Because they were faithfully transcribed into the Jamaican dialect they are difficult to read and understand. I've spent at least five years slowing going through them, picking ones I feel are worthy of being retold. One of the stories I retold, "Why Dogs Beg," won first place in the Children's Writer Fantasy/Folktale Contest.  You can read it HERE.

What genre does your book fall under?

Caribbean folk lore.

Which actors would you choose to play your characters in a movie rendition?

Since it would no doubt be an animated film, who would I like as the voice of Anansi? Oh gosh, somebody who can do a good West Indian accent. I'll shoot for the best, I'll shoot for the moon, Sidney Poitier.

What is the one-sentence synopsis of your book?

Anansi the spider tricks, sings, and dances his way into and out of trouble in this collection of ten retold Jamaican stories.

Will your book be self-published or represented by an agency?

Here's the BIG ANNOUNCEMENT folks. I'm going to self-publish this collection. It will be my first foray into the ebook market. The talented Adrienne Saldivar over at The Story Board is doing the cover which will be revealed at a later time. 

How long did it take you to write the first draft of your manuscript? 

I'd say it's taken me about four or five years to pull these stories together. They're something I've been dabbling at while working on other things.

May we see an intro?

Okay, this is from the first story: "Anansi Takes Wee Pig Home," which has an object lesson at the end.

It was late in the afternoon when Anansi the spider and Wee Pig came to a stream they had to cross. After spending a long day at market selling a few yams and mango, they were tired and wanted to get home.

Wee Pig sat down by the edge of the stream to rest. 

Anansi, impatient to be on his way said, "Wee Pig, jump across this stream so we could go home."

Wee Pig said, "Anansi, I will not jump across this stream."

What other books would you compare this story to within your genre?

Brer Rabbit and family

The Uncle Remus stories come closest, particularly when you realize Anansi is their predecessor. Anansi came to the Caribbean as a stowed away in the minds of the Ashanti people of West Africa.  He survived the Middle Passage and hundreds of years of slavery. His stories eventually made their way into the United States and, over time, evolved into the stories of Uncle Remus.

There are many tricksters in lore like, Loki, Pan, Puss in Boots, and Coyote to name a few. Tricksters break the rules and defy convention. They can be cunning or foolish. They lie, steal, and cheat often unintentionally causing something else to happen that is beneficial. Their importance is that they give the down-trodden a bit of hope and explain why certain things are the way they are. 

Who or what inspired you to write this book?

I'd have to say, in regards to my writing, my mother has always been my primary inspiration. But there other factors as well. The Anansi stories deserve to be more widely known. They are a part of the Caribbean culture and heritage. I want to help spread the word, because the history of the Caribbean is so rich and diverse.

What else about your book might pique the reader's interest?

Although there are picture books depicting Anansi, as far as I have been able to discover, this is the only collection of ten stories in one place. Plus, I've included ten riddles!

So that's it folks. I'm joining many of you in this Brave New World of e-publishing. 

Gulp! Got any tips? Any suggestions? Will you hold my hand?