Hurricane Dean passed over the island a week ago on Sunday. Without the intention of wanting to sound noncholant, I have to say that for us (as in my neighbourhood) it wasn’t really that bad – perhaps because we’ve had worse. Since Gilbert in the early 1990’s hurricane have taken up their own ’special’ position in the psychce of Jamaicans. Some say Gilbert humbled us (because so many did not take it seriously) because of its devastating effect on the country and since then we have become really, really cautious about Tropical Storms and the like. The mere possibility of an impending storm sends everyone into what I like to call, ‘Hurricane Mode.’ We flock to the shops and supermarket to buy supplies: candles, kerosene oil, crackers, batteries and the very popular – corned beef. We stock up on extra candles and catch water for storage and buy gasoline…you know just in case. I think it’s interestng that experience can be the greatest teacher. We learned from the experience of Gilbert which transformed us into a country that is prepared for the onset of Natural Disasters – something to be proud of for a relatively young nation.
Well the storm passed and our recovery was good, most of us had light and water within two days and things are getting back on stream. Now it’s time to start thinking about my book again and where Emily’s next adventure will take her. The truth is, I’m not very sure at the moment. Sometimes these things just come and as I’ve said before there’s no use rushing the lasses called Creativity and Inspiration. I think as every writer knows – it’s nice to know. It’s nice to have a blueprint, a roadmap of the journey of every piece of work. But most times than not, the story unfolds itself in its own way and time. What can a writer do but simply write? Write until it comes, write until the story gently awakens, takes your hand and leads you down the path of its own unique adventure and journey.
