Archived Guestbook 2006-2007
Stuff people said to and about me
Name: Wanda thorne
Date: 08 Jul 2007
Comments
Hey Roslyn Thanks so much for the Roger Bonair Agard site... hmmm. Perhaps the next time we are in Trinidad... well ya know. Also, I always wait impatiently for a next installment of the spending war. My sympathies on the car door, what i don't understand is why there are remote locking systems, remote engine starters but no remote door closers!!! There's one for the 'suggestions' box :) xoxo wanda
Roslyn answers
Lucky for you and not for me, he actually lives in the US, and travels alot as a poet.
Name: Sharon Leach, Kingston, Jamaica
Date: 01 Jul 2007
Comments
Hey Roslyn, I really enjoy your blogspot. I check it out every now and then. It's warm and reflective, I think, of our Caribbean heritage. I edit the Sunday literary arts pages of the Jamaica Observer and was thinking it would be fun to do a feature on you. Didn't know how else to get in touch, so I'm trying this. If you're interested, please holla!
Roslyn answers:
Ready when you are!
Name: Camille
Location: Trinidad
Comments:
Hi Ros,
Just wanted to let you know that I've been collecting coins a while now (and I didn't to pay to attend any seminar). I have even gotten my son Omari (4 years old) into saving coins with me. He is always asking me "Mommy you have any money for the cash-pan, we have to fill it up.". Keeping in mind the cash-pan is a giant baby bottle and no matter how heavy it gets he is always trying to lift it up. He even has plan for the money after we fill it up (these plans change every week depending on the toy he sees on cable TV, but he has plans).
His brother, Khadeem, on the other hand is not into coins he likes the paper ($100, $20). He would take $10, $5, and $1 but it is not his preference. He also has plans for the money that he saves (and it never has anything to do with get your mother something nice).
As to the subject matter, I guess like me you have money that you earn on work going to some form of savings. Well what you do is after you collect and counted all your coins you should spend it on something you enjoy. It could be just you or you and the family, depending on how much you have collected and how often you choose (once a week, once a month, once every two months). It doesn't matter, just treat yourself. As the saying goes "you can't take it with you", Yes put away for the children's future but enjoy some of it while you are here.
#1 fan,
Camille
Name: Joye/Arizona
Date: 24 May 2007
Comments
Just surfed in from another romance reader site. Enjoyed the visit and your books sound so good. I will have to add them to my list
Name: DeNita L Tuttle AuthorIsland.com
Date: 19 Mar 2007
Comments
I just wanted to say how much I love your site - very warm and inviting and full of great info. I wanted to extend an invite to send us promo to send on to our readers - we send lots out every month in our prize packages! If you'd like to exchange links with us, we have a link page that will guide to as to how to do that. I wish you the best! DeNita
Roslyn answers
Thanks so much for stopping by, and I'm glad you enjoyed my site. I'll definitely be getting in touch soon.
Name: Betty Lewis aka Yvette Smith
Date: 29 Jan 2007
Comments
I find your website a wonderful place to visit. I have written and published a romance novel, there have been many comments about the cover. The young woman on my cover is supposed to be an African American, however many mistake her for a White American. This did hurt my sales. I would love information on how I might get my book published with another publisher where I would have more control over the cover. Thank you
Roslyn answers
Thanks for passing by. My agent has done a wonderful job for me and other romance writers. You can visit her site, The Knight Agency at www.knightagency.net
Name: Lexy Harper, London.
Date: 18 Jan 2007
Comments
Beautifully concise. A masterful demonstration of the term ‘short story.’ In less than a thousand words you have told me everything I needed about the two characters. Sublime writing.
Roslyn replies blushingly
Thank you, thank you, thank you.
Name: Rhonda, Brooklyn NY
Date: 17 Jan 2007
Comments
Just wanted to say that I love your writing and I own every book you've published to date. I have read and re-read them and I patiently await the e-mail from Amazon or BN that indicates another book can be pre-ordered today!! I apprecicate the segregation of books by author because it makes "my authors" easier to find. But beyond my own selfishness I DO think that these authors of mine belong on shelves by their last names and genre (other than ethnicity) because their work is on par with that of their colleagues. Does black fiction have a large white audience? I have no idea. When I was a young girl I went into Khan's on High Street or the Library in San Fernando looking for BOOKS. The author was a secondary consideration. I think the size of the white audience depends on the books available to that audience. Oprah's book club (in my opinion) is a clear indication that give exposure people who want to read will read books by any author regardless of colour
Roslyn responds
Thank you so much for your thoughtful comments. Like you, I remember just looking in bookstores for BOOKS, rather than books written by any particular ethnic group. I didn't become sensitized to the differences until much later.
And thanks, too for your support of my work. It's always good to know, but it's especially good coming form a fellow (sister) Trini! My next novel, Dear Rita, will be out in December.
Name: Bettye Griffin - Various Locations
Date: 28 Dec 2006
Comments
Hi Roslyn, I wrote a column about this topic earlier this month. To keep from being too repetitive, if I may just refer your readers to my December 8th blog entry at www.chew-the-fat-with-Bettye.blogspot.com.
Name: Marta close to Atlanta Georgia
Date: 27 Dec 2006
Comments
Hi I am new to your site and I LOVE IT! I was reading some of the readers remarks and the topic of book segregation is an issue for me. I too am an aspiring romance author and I think that we lose a lot of potential readers (non ethnic) by placing romance novels involving african american characters in the "black" book section. Isn't a true romance pretty much universal? As a young teen I grew up reading Janet Dailey, Carole Mortimer, Penny Jordan and many others...I assume to be white authors writing about white usually British characters but I loved those stories! I think there are probably many white women who would love to read romance novels involving black characters simply because, like me, they LOVE the romance novel! Anyway I think that a lot of good romance novels are lost by these stories not being mainstreamed with other popular romance titles.
Roslyn responds
Hey Marta, thanks for passing by. And I'm so glad you like my site!
As far as the ethnicity of the writer and characters vs. the ethnicity of readers is concerned, I'd be interested in opening up the debate to white readers. Why? Because almost all black romance readers grew up reading books by the white writers, just as you mentioned. When I was a teenager, that was all there was. Remember, AA romance has only been present in the market for about ten years. So we're used to white characters created by white writers.
My question is, do white readers buy, read and enjoy romances by and about black people? And if so, do they do so in significant enough numbers for it to make a difference to the market? Lately, the volume of black rap music is bought and enjoyed by white youth. So where do we as black writers stand?
ANY OPINIONS OUT THERE?
Good luck with your writing. Drop by again soon.
Name: M in OK
Date: 04 Dec 2006
Comments
I like the review you wrote about your murano watch. The thing is, so did my wife. Now, can you tell me if you know of ANY other place that sells them? She kinda wants one for christmas and, since you have one, maybe you have paid attention to stores and places that sell it. I've been looking for one for quite some time. If you know of any store that sells those, please let me know. If you don't, please tell me anyway.
Roslyn answers:
Oh my gosh, so sorry for not getting back to you sooner. I have no excuse for not visiting my own site for more than a week. The time just slipped away!
About the watch, what a coincidence! Just today a colleague asked to have a look at it and whether I am still in love with it. I still am. I wear it every day and it's a dream. Don't know where else you can get it, though. Sorry.
Name: Dalia
Date: 18 Nov 2006
Comments
'Web' should make a great single title romance. The premise is different (already married) but different is good for weary romance readers. Even if Web is destined to stay as a short story, have you ever considered writing a single title? You'll get to enjoy a greater word count and more creative freedom (Brian won't need to whip a condom out of his pajama bottoms before they get busy on the grass) :P
Roslyn answers:
Hi Dalia! What a nice surprise.
Honestly? I've never given much thought to doing a single title romance. I guess it's a combination of cowardice and laziness. There's safety in numbers, so hiding out in the Arabesque/Kimani series is nice and comfy. As a single title I'd be so exposed! Although I've done it three times with my literary novels, so it's worth considering.
By the way, married characters have suddenly become taboo for the Arabesque/Kimani novels. In our last author guidelines, they told us it was a no-no. Too close to home, I guess. Fighting married couple. Another reason to go single title?
Speaking of converting a short story to a novel, has anyone noticed that the main character in Smiling Lessons, Rebbie, is exactly the same person as the main character in Candy Don't Come In Gray? Mattie, who "likes to look like candy"?
Name: Sandra Calhoune, Stamford, Ct
Date: 19 Oct 2006
Comments
Hi, Roslyn: I loved your story Wild Horses. It was so well written and moving it brought a tear to my eye. I have a question about a romance novel I recently read. Without naming any names, I just finished a book in which the heroine ( a virgin), had unprotected sex with the hero who informed her that he had been celibate for two years. I thought it was odd in the world we live in now that a writer would add a scene like this. Here's my issue. Okay, I know it's romance and fiction. But, a lot of young people are reading these novels and will emulate that behavior. The implication in the novel from the hero's perspective was that the heroine cared about him so much that she was willing to do this. Please, tell me what you think.
Roslyn answers:
Hi again, Sandra. Sorry for the delay in getting back to you, but I think that's a brilliant question that deserves debate. The whole unprotected sex thing if a ticklish one in the romance business. In fact, we Arabesque writers had written instructions to always include a condom in any sex scene between unmarried characters. If we didn't do it, it was done for us by the editors.
Their reasoning is that the AIDS infection rate is so high among black women that we as writers have a moral responsibility to educate our readers that sex can be pleasurable with condoms as well. I understand the point from a social perspective, but as a writer, it raises all sorts of issues.
First of all, there's plot. In many of the situations I have found my characters, they simply have no access to condoms. Sometimes it's because of where they are, or the time of day, or that they simply didn't set out to have sex. How do you deal with that? Suppose they are on a desert island, or adrift on a lifeboat? If they whip a condom out of thin air, they break what is called the fictive dream. in other words, the reader says "Aw, come on!" and you've lost your reader. I have solved this problem many times by having my characters discuss the problem and agree to have manual or oral sex instead. That's as much as I am willing to bend in the battle between the editorial instruction and being true to my characters.
But as far as your book goes, remember that the writer's responsibility is also to be honest. The characters don't have to be politically correct all the time. If they did, books simply wouldn't be worth reading. The fact is that men do ask women to have unprotected sex, and women do, sometimes reluctantly, agree. The writer was probably just being true to the characters as she had conceptualized them.
It's a very difficult line to tread. Unfortunately, we writers often get blamed for the mistakes of their characters. If i write a character that uses the word nigger, does that make me a racist? If my character hates bitches, does that make me a mysogynist?
Name: Angela Knuchel, Amsterdam - The Netherlands
Date: 12 Oct 2006
Comments
Hi Roslyn, I just added another part to the Charlene & Tariq story and it seems as you have to pull some strings to get other people start writing... Angela
Name: Darlene Nicholson, Chicago, IL
Date: 03 Sep 2006
Comments
I'm just wondering how I can get a review of my romance novels by you. I have two great romance novels that have been published, Sweets and Sweeter Than Sweets. I've received some great reviews about them. So, I'm trying to get the word out to all the avid romance readers! Please let me know at your earliest convenience. Thank you.
Roslyn replies
Just e-mail me and I'll do what I can to help.
Name: Darlene Nicholson, Chicago, IL
Date: 03 Sep 2006
Comments
Name: APP
Date: 29 Aug 2006
Comments
Oh Roslyn!! WHAT ARE YOU DOING? Yet again you leave us - unfulfilled, panting for more, craving that which only you can provide to fill the senses and assuage that hunger raging within. Why do you torment the beast causing it to rear its ugly head? Throwing a morsel to whet the appetite of an unsatiable monster. You have awakened it again and I'll be damned if I can figure out how you intend to feed it!!! Not fair!! You have left the battle to me and I am already weak!!! As soon as it is tamed you awaken it with an even greater hunger. Please deal with it this time. Oh Roslyn, Roslyn, Roslyn. Woe is me. That Jamaica whore has me wanting more........ URGH!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Name: Camille
Date: 12 Jul 2006
Comments
Hi girlfriend, What's up? You really blew me away with this one. I had to keep reminding myself that Jamaica is not "all girl". Boy oh boy, oh boy. You never cease to amase me. Just keep them coming... Your dedicated fan Camille H Accounting
Hi Roslyn:
Great books! Great website! I love how you weave your Trinidadian
culture into some of your books. Comment and question regarding the
african american romance industry in general. As a long-time lover
of books and as an aspiring romance author, I am an avid reader and
book store dweller. For the life of me I cannot understand why
Harlequin/Silhouette is segregating the black romance books. Rather
than being displayed in the Harlequin/Silhouette rack in the front of
the aisles where they could be prominent, the books are placed in the
African American interest section. Yes, I understand that some people
need to find these books in the "black area". But most avid readers
of romance hed to the romance section. I find this policy insulting
and detrimental to black writers. Why shouldn't people of all races
have the chance to read these fine books. Hell, I grew up on white
romance writers like Janet Dailey and Phyllis Whitney. Quality books
are quality books.
Sandra
Roslyn answers:
I myself am puzzled about the segregation of
bookstores. It doesn't
happen here in the Caribbean, so I am always puzzled as to why it
should be necessary in the US. I know that the US culture has many
elements of segregation in it. And I didn't even know that harlequin
segregated our books! Thanks for telling me!
personally, I think you should register a complaint with harlequin,
as a black writer and reader, you have a right to be heard. If more
people complained, maybe that would change. They have a forum here
you might want to try
http://community.eharlequin.com/ And yes, I
grew up on the white romance writers like Janet Dailey too, so why
shouldn't they read our books?
I'M OPENING THIS TOPIC UP FOR DISCUSSION TO ALL VISITORS: WHAT DO YOU THINK ABOUT THE SEGREGATION OF BOOKS?
Name: APP
Date: 03 Jul 2006
Comments
July is here with a bang. Hope Jamaica was most of what you wished it to be...... Hopefully it spawned something new for us readers to look forward to. :) I'm sure that you're going to let us know all about it and soon. Need to look at how we're getting the books on the local market girl. T&T is more than ready. Blog you soon
Name: Delores Gay, Boston, MA
Date: 09 Jun 2006
Comments
Hello Rosalyn, I read "Every Bitter Thing" and "A Thirst for Rain" and I've just realized why I could not really enjoy EBT
Name: APP
Date: 23 May 2006
Comments
Now that we know how you do make it through the day, seems to me you need to cut out a little more of the house-work and get in some more "censored" time (LOL). Have you ever been hit with a serious case of writers block? If yes for how long and how did you overcome it? Could you also throw in some advice for young writers who may experience the same thing. Share with us how you decided and/or managed to get your first novel published. Thanks a mil.
Roslyn answers:
More censored time? Oh, ha! More like time to lie around half-comatose and wonder why the sun is coming up so fast. But one can only hope....
Writer's block? All the time. Almost with every novel. My only cure for it is to keep on writing, even if you hate every second of it, and you think the book is crap and are convinced that you'll get laughed out of town when it hits the shelves. Because the nice thing about it is that soon you'll get over the block, and realize that what you're writing isn't all that bad. Either that, or you have a breakthrough and delete all the wishy-washy stuff and rewrite something much stronger.
How did I manage to get my first novel published, well I was one of the lucky ones. I snagged my agent, Deidre Knight of the Knight Agency, the same month she left her day job to work full time as an agent. We were both young and just starting out and were a perfect match. I suffered through a year of rejections with A Thirst For Rain because many publishers weren't willing to take a chance on a new writer with such an exotic location and unusual story. But she persisted, and I remained upbeat, and she did me proud.
My advice? Don't go it alone. If you don't know the industry, align yourself with someone who does. Get an agent...and a good one.
Name: MargaretAnn Davis-Hepburn (Seattle Washington)
Date: 27 Apr 2006
Comments
I have really ejoyed reading your books. Do you have a yahoo group?
Roslyn answers:
Thank you, Margaret Ann. No, I haven't gotten around to the niceties of a Yahoo group yet, as this site is less than 2 months old, and I haven't even had a website up for a year or two, so I'm still feeling my way around to see what works and what doesn't. Good idea, though. Maybe when I build an audience and make more decisions as to what direction I want to take the site.
Name: HAyden - Unstoppable Trini
Date: 24 Apr 2006
Comments
Am I the first man to visit the site? I introduced a couple of ladies in my life to your books- still awaiting responses. (My time permitting). Will keep you a abreast.
Roslyn answers:
Why, yes, now that you mention it, you probably are the first man to visit my site. Hopefully not the last, though. Attention whore that I am, you know I get a little thrill when a member of your gender gives me a shout-out. and tell your girlfriends to drop on by! The more, the merrier.
Name: APP
Date: 16 Apr 2006
Comments
Candy Doesn't Come in Gray. Another excellent piece of work. Characters that stay with you long after the story has ended. That is, if it really has to end. What happens with Mattie and Joshua and the baby that Mattie is obviously carrying? Faith and Blood where does that end or does it even start? She probably throws him out after he propositions her about investing in de cock-fighting. But Ros, if you don't tell us we'll never know. Wonder how much it will cost to have it commissioned for myself?? My own personal copy. Of course, it will start and stop wherever your mind takes it. But I AM HUNGRY AGAIN. Please, please feed me.
Name: APP
Date: 09 Apr 2006
Comments
So I decided to leave my comments here for you to find :-) Read "A Thirst for Rain". Started and couldn't put it down till I had done. The characters are still with me. Still in my head driving me crazy wondering what happened to them. Wanting to tell you to write the sequel now, only to go on-line and realise that it's already written!!! Can't wait to read it. Sure that you'll be harrassed to write another, if it hasn't been done already. I just feel TOTALLY honoured. Can't wait until you can do this full-time. I want more Ros. Hope you haven't created a monster!!
Name: Coral Bayley
Date: 01 Apr 2006
Comments
Ho Rosslyn Congratulations Hi Rosslyn Mum provided me with your address and I am very impressed - congratulations. I will be honest and say that I have not read any of your books but I am off on holiday soon and will try to find a couple to relax with in the sun. Well done
Name: Shelley, POS
Date: 28 Mar 2006
Comments
Great site Roslyn. I don't know where you find the time to do all of this, hold down a job, write books and be a mother and wife. Congratulations!!!
Roslyn answers:
I don't know how I do it either, Shelley. Beats me all the time. Either I'm a glutton for punishment, or completely obsessed. Haven't figured out which yet.
Thanks for the compliment, though.
Name: Colleen Ingram, Birmingham, Alabama
Date: 10 March 2006
Comments
What was the first grown-up book you ever read?
Roslyn answers:
It's hard to tell, really, because I was reading pretty much anything I could get my hand on from a very early age, even before I was fully equipped to understand what I was reading. I have a strong recollection of reading The Exorcist at about age nine, though. It retrospect , I don't think it was a good idea for my parents to have left that within my reach, considering the nightmares that followed!
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