Vincentian author Cecil Browne is encouraging other persons to start writing.{{more}}

Browne made the call at the launch of his second book, ‘Feather your Tingaling’ on July 26.

“We want to see ourselves in literature and that is what I am trying to do…I’m trying to create memorable characters,” Browne told the small gathering at the University of the West Indies Open Campus.

He contended that there will come a time when tourists will come and enquire about Vincentian fiction authors.

There are a number of writers of history, but there are few authors of Vincentian fiction, Browne said.

And while he was of the view that there are probably other authors out there who are better than he is, he sees himself as making a start.

“There are people better than me who will come along and do better work; I have no qualms about that,” he continued.

Rather, he sees himself as making a valuable contribution towards the preservation of the Vincentian culture and way of life long ago, by trying to revive some of the old language and customs.

“I am trying to revive, to keep that link, because our children have so many pressures on them…other interests that they move away from our music. They embrace hip hop and I am saying no! We have a strong culture, let’s get that over to them,” Browne said.

The book is the second for the UK based Vincentian, following the publication of ‘The Moon is Following Me’.

‘Feather your Tingaling’ is a collection of eight short stories, which, as described by Dr Adrian Fraser, are Caribbean short stories all focused on St Vincent, although there are some stories that also carry some Caribbean dimensions.

According to Fraser, the book brings back a St Vincent that no longer exists and includes some expressions that a younger reader may not be familiar with.

It includes some dying traditions, including traditional snacks which have all been replaced by box juices, sweets and Kentucky Fried Chicken.

He commended Browne for the characters used and for including some old time values, which Fraser says comes to the fore throughout the book.

The evening included the reading of excerpts of the book by Debra Providence, lecturer at the St Vincent and the Grenadines Community College Division of Arts and Sciences.

Copies of the book are available locally at EC$20.(DD)