For years Yolanda Marshall kept her talent hidden in an exercise book, but fortunately it did not remain there. The author is set to release her seventh book soon, a children’s storybook titled, My Soca Birthday Party: with Jollof Rice and Steel Pans.
Yolanda, who was born in Guyana and lived in Bent Street, Alberttown and North Ruimveldt, now resides in Canada, having migrated with her family when she was 14 years old.
Her father is jazz guitarist Herbert ‘Herbie’ Marshall, who played in many bands in Guyana as well as on Princess Cruise ships. However, today he is predominantly an independent musician at local jazz clubs in Canada, whenever he visits Yolanda.
Becoming an author was not what she dreamt of as a girl, but as she filled her exercise book with poems, she was sure she wanted to become an outstanding poet someday. She recalled reciting her poems at church concerts and once in high school, but mostly, they stayed in her exercise book.
Yolanda has written an average of 500 poems, 200 of which have since been published in her books. Among her poems are favourite ones like – “Serenaded in New York,” “Delia Sings the Blues,” and “Single Rose”. Her first book, published in 2008, was Obayifo, a name that originates from the Ashanti tribe and was given to an African witch. During that time, she was attending the University of Toronto.
Her second book followed eight years later after she gave birth to her son; Keman’s First Carnival was her first children’s storybook. “This 2016 publication is about a young, Black Canadian child’s first experience of Toronto’s annual Caribbean Carnival. The excited 8-year-old and his mother enjoyed the rituals at the Caribbean celebration, such as picking a flag to wave, the Caribbean influenced foods, dancing, costumes, and music.”
Among Yolanda’s other published books are Messages on Dried Leaves (a mild resurrection of Obayifo), A Piece of Black Cake for Santa (her second children’s storybook), Sweet Sorrel Stand (another children’s storybook), and Miles Away in The Caribbean published last year. Her son’s name is Miles.
When asked which her favourite book was, Yolanda exclaimed, “This is always a tough one! I love them all, but Miles Away in The Caribbean hits closer to home. This book highlights all the Caribbean nations, especially Guyana… The wordplay of the title and how it connects to my son makes this book stand out from the rest.”
Meanwhile, My Soca Birthday Party: with Jollof Rice and Steel Pans is scheduled to be out next month. “I am super thrilled about my latest book,” the author enthused. Her children’s books take approximately four months to complete, including writing and illustrations.
Yolanda loves reading. “I loved reading books by Derek Walcott, E R Braithwaite’s To Sir, With Love, Beryl Gilroy’s Frangipani House,” she shared. However, her favourite author is V S Naipaul. When she was younger, she was often engrossed in his books, which she found to be engaging and fun. Later, during her university years, she revisited many of his books and always found herself, “laughing in tears or crying in sadness. V S Naipaul’s storytelling was epic and relatable. I decided to publish my poetry around the time I fell back in love with Naipaul’s writing.”
Among the benefits of being an author, Yolanda said are that they allow her the luxury of fulfilling her creative desires or more importantly, giving the voice in her head a platform to represent her culture and children who are often forgotten in books. This is one of the main reasons why she has concentrated on children’s books, apart from she and her son being part of the Caribbean diaspora. Her books make way for characters bearing the resemblance of the Caribbean children while educating little readers as well as the older ones on the Caribbean heritage. Meeting amazing people is another one of the benefits she enjoys.
When she first began publishing her books, Yolanda said, she faced the challenge of gaining the attention of media outlets. “After the first year of trying, I realised I am not their cup of sorrel, nor their piece of black cake, so I focused on having my books read in schools and libraries,” the author said. She focused more on community events and bookstores as it was where she felt most at home and kept her focus there at first.
Another challenge is writer’s block. Whenever, Yolanda is faced with this, she stops writing and chooses to do something else in the moment like picking a new hobby whether it is learning to play a new game, trying foreign foods, travelling and communicating with people who are of a different culture. “Usually, this triggers a renewed appreciation for what I have, who I am. I gain knowledge of others and increase my experiences. This is the essence of my pea,” said Yolanda.
The writer said that the pros of writing include that it enables one to express oneself and feed one’s constant hunger for knowledge all the while preserving a sharp mind with age. The cons are basically the consequences of being dedicated to the art, like the many late nights, and even insomnia for stories that are intense or difficult to navigate.
“Writing! For me, it is therapeutic. When I see the smiles on my readers’ faces, I, in return, feel joy!” Yolanda ecstatically shared.
Over the years, she has had many wonderful experiences and adventures as an author, one being the very first time she read one of her children’s books to an audience of children at a library. “… I wasn’t prepared for the emotions it erupted within me. First, it was the glow on all the children’s faces. Then the deep stares from some of the children, their surprise, their contained excitement. My skin was the same shade as theirs. It didn’t stop there; the characters looked like them, some born in Canada too… then the opened mouth, smiles and shock when the stories highlighted the Caribbean foods, traditions most of them can relate to. About six kids came rushing to me after and asked to touch the books – then one by one, they told me which Caribbean country their parents were from or where they were born, the Caribbean foods they loved eating at home and the Caribbean nations they visited. This one little boy asked if he can hug me, and we did. It was the tightest hug I ever received from a 7-year-old for the longest time. His friends joined in on the hug. I was never prepared for those experiences. The depth of appreciation was felt in my core. For the non-Caribbean children, it was an authentic learning experience, different, and they had a lot of questions,” she reminisced.
It is these children and their parents of Caribbean heritage that Yolanda finds to be her biggest supporters. Then there are those who support her at the public libraries as well as schools and teachers who continue to recommend her books and invite her to readings.
Yolanda has just completed two manuscripts for 2021-2022 release, and she is currently writing another children’s book about a little girl who loves gardening.
For the last 9 years, Yolanda has been working as an e-Commerce Manager in Academic Publishing. She has also worked in cosmetics where she managed prestigious lines during her time at university. Yolanda also worked in the corporate offices of Hudson Bay for a number of years as an assistant high-end fashion buyer.
Earlier this week, she was asked to submit a carnival-themed article to the Toronto Star. This will be her first time writing for a newspaper.
When she is not caught up with work, Yolanda likes to travel.
She has a personal blog that she has maintained over the last 20 years. She has also hosted podcasts to promote other authors.
She last visited Guyana in 2002 but intends to visit again when her son is a bit older. It will be his first visit.
Her lifetime project is to use art to represent children in her community.
If she could meet with one person in the world, it would be former US President Barack Obama. She would like to discuss what he enjoyed the most when he visited Kenya as it is a country she has visited on several occasions as well.
Yolanda is currently reading Wisdom of Rain, by Guyanese, Eleanor P Sam. The book is said to be a tale of tragedy, loss, and inhumanity, but also a story of courage, love, and spirituality.
Yolanda parted with wise words to aspiring writers. “Keep writing because your stories are valid. The rough drafts might turn out horrible, but it is he foundation on which you will build solid books! Surround yourself with people and books which will inspire you.”
