Norma Jennings Interview Published on: 31, Jan 2024
What childhood memory has had the best impact on you?
Growing up on a culturally rich island strengthened my desire to learn, grow and be open to different lifestyles and customs. My most impactful childhood memory is roaming through Twickenham, my grandmother’s old sugarcane plantation in Clarendon, Jamaica, collecting pieces of exotic ceramics brought there as dinnerware from England, Spain and other countries, during the 1700s when the island was the sugar capital of the world.
Can you share your journey into writing and what inspired you to become an author after a successful career as a corporate executive?Writing has always been a passion, but I studied business so I could help raise my children. It was more realistic for me to make a living as an executive – more challenging to break-through the obstacles of a writing career.
Your novels span different themes and cultures. How do your Jamaican roots influence your storytelling, and how do you approach incorporating multicultural elements in your work?Multiculturalism was an important part of my childhood in Jamaica, since many of us are mixtures of more than two ethnicities. My ethnic mix is British, Scottish and black, with some Indian in there too. Writing about this comes naturally. Also, having traveled extensively as a flight attendant in my youth, I experienced and embraced many cultures.
Having been named one of the 50 Great Writers, what do you believe sets your writing apart and contributes to your success as an author?My strong passion for writing sets me apart, and growing up in Jamaica where there was an emphasis on writing in ‘the Queen’s English’, nurtured my goal to become an impactful author.
Your educational background includes a Bachelor of Business Administration and completing the Management Development course at Harvard Graduate School. How do you think your business acumen contributes to your approach to writing and the publishing industry?My business acumen made me disciplined, determined and realistic. Authors need these attributes to move ahead in an environment with many barriers.
As someone who has presented at both corporate events and writers' conferences, how do you navigate the distinct challenges and opportunities in these different speaking engagements?Being comfortable with speaking to different audiences is key. I’ve been lucky enough to be at ease when talking in front of large audiences, and if nerves begin to rattle, this advice comes to mind, “remember, you know more on the subject matter than do those in the audience.”
Tell us about the inspiration behind your latest novel, "The Irish Connection," and how it differs from your previous works.As a child in high school in Jamaica, I was fascinated by the fact that so many of my friends who looked like me had Irish names, like Olivia Murphy and Gavin O’Connor. Historical research exposed the deep connections between Ireland and Jamaica. Most people don’t know that during the 1600s, Britain sent Irish people as slaves to the Caribbean to work next to slaves from Africa. And, when the Irish fled starvation during the potato famine, most came to the US and Canada, but many, like my main character Sean O’Sullivan, arrived on the shores of the Caribbean. The Irish Connection is my first historical fiction novel.
Your novel "Marooned" delves into the historical fight against slavery. What drew you to this particular historical period, and how did you approach researching and portraying such a significant part of history in your fiction?Growing up in Jamaica I was taught, with pride, about the fight for freedom from slavery, and our freedom fighters were celebrated as heroes every year on National Heroes’ Day. A brave woman freedom fighter, Queen Nanny, a Legendary Maroon Chieftainess, is one of the island’s national heroes. My main character in “Marooned” is a ferocious woman freedom fighter, and I did deep historical research about the Maroons. I also learned a lot during visits to Maroon Town in St. James, Jamaica, and recalled stories told by my father and grandmother about the Maroons. They both passed their old sugarcane plantation, Twickenham, on to me and my two siblings.
Can you share some insights into your writing process? How do you balance creativity with the discipline required for consistent and quality writing?My best writing takes place early mornings, so I set my alarm for 6 a.m., walk 1.5 miles, have a healthy breakfast, and jump on the computer. On nights when I wake up and can’t get back to sleep, I do some edits. I’ve been known to dream about my main character, jump out of bed and write what I’ve dreamed before forgetting it.
Your first novel, "Daughter of the Caribbean," explores cultural and familial ties. How does your own cultural background influence the exploration of these themes in your writing?I come from an extremely rich and exotic cultural background, to which I’m well-connected. This makes writing about cultural and familial ties both enjoyable and fulfilling.
Being recognized as a finalist in the Best USA Book Awards and Next Generation Indie Book Awards, how do you think literary awards impact your career and the visibility of your work?Literary awards have given me exposure, and the impetus to continue with my passion for writing and creating.
Having launched your third novel, what lessons have you learned from your previous publishing experiences, and how have they shaped your approach to releasing new work?I’ve learned to let rejection bounce off my shoulders and surge ahead, knowing that hard work and determination have always led me to success.
Your upcoming novel, "Closure, Interrupted," deals with themes of reclamation after betrayal. What inspired this story, and how do you approach handling sensitive and complex emotional narratives in your writing?“Closure, Interrupted,” was inspired by my second novel, “Passenger from Greece.” Many who read that novel said that they needed more closure between the main character and her betraying husband. I try to handle sensitive and complex emotional narratives by putting myself in the character’s head and imagining how I’d cope with the situation. I plan to ask one of my daughters, who is quite emotionally intelligent, how she would deal with certain situations – always good to get another perspective.
Looking ahead, what goals do you have for your writing career, and are there specific themes or genres you're eager to explore in future projects?I absolutely love researching and writing historical fiction, and have been thinking of exploring and creating a historical fiction romance novel.
How has your experience of being associated with AllAuthor been?AllAuthor has been an outstanding resource for me, an author who needed support and exposure. My novel, “The Irish Connection,” has been a #1 Best Seller in History of Jamaica on Amazon since its launch in July. My work with AllAuthor has helped make this happen, and I look forward to partnering with them as much as possible in the future.
