Khamara Wright, Miss Jamaica Festival Queen 2019/2020, has added the title of author to her list of achievements with the publishing of her first book titled ‘Patois Project Wid Nina’.

Wright, who is also a chef, explained that the children’s book will teach the importance of patois and its relevance to Jamaican culture.

Here are seven questions with self-published author Khamara Wright:

1. When did you know that you wanted to be an author?

With regard to writing, I knew I loved literature in high school. I love anything poetic and expressive. I am a creative person so anything that allows me to be expressive is where I thrive so I would journal a lot, but writing for the purpose of publishing was never something I thought I would be doing. So when I was asked the question of whether patois should be taught in schools during the Festival Queen competition I realised that I did not want to give an answer that just sounded good on stage, I wanted to make my answer tangible in some way because I really did believe in it and so I think that was the turning point for me.

2. What is Patois Project Wid Nina about?

The story follows a young girl who recently migrated to North America and she is being teased by her peers because of her accent and her dialect. Instead of cowering, Nina decides to do something about it and in doing that, it allows her to resolve the matter and that allows her peers to see her in a different and better light.

3. Why are books like Patois Project Wid Nina important?

I think it’s important because it allows children to have that appreciation for their culture. I think in today’s society, while the Jamaica Cultural Development Commission (JCDC) has been doing a lot, I think that a book like this is important because it allows children to recognise that they are a part of something special. They can identify and resonate with it. It’s fostering that pride within our children from now so they can recognise and own that portion of their ‘Jamaican-ness’.

4. What impact do you hope to make with this book?

I really want to try and shift that paradigm of having our language looked down on – even here in Jamaica. That way, children specifically, and other persons by extension, can have a greater appreciation because this language that we have is truly special. No other island nuh stay like we so we need fi own it.

5. What would you say to people who are writing their first book and feeling frustrated?

Just dweet. Do it and done. You are going to be tired, but what this experience has taught me is to persevere. You don’t want to have the idea and never allow it to come to light so do what I did and just keep writing pages. Even if it doesn’t seem like it is coming together, keep writing and then later on condense it. If you are writing your first book – just start and if the money is not there, because the journey is not cheap, still pursue it, especially if it is a dream. A dream will only stay a dream if you don’t put action behind it.

6. Is Patois Project Wid Nina the start of a series?

So, my next book will be similar to Patois Project Wid Nina in terms of the characters. Nina will still be there but others will be introduced. I really want to look at other aspects of Jamaica’s history. One of the good things about my book is that it has Jamaica-inspired activities as well like puzzles, fun facts, and information unique to Jamaica and our dialect that I think would be good information for our children to know. So, it is not just something to read, there are interactive activities there that can be done in their spare time.

7. Where is Patois Project Wid Nina available?

Patois project is available on Amazon in print, and on Kindle, and also on Walmart online. I am currently engaging two local bookstores to have the book available by or before May of this year. I really want to have it available for Child’s Month so we can do a few collaborations and book readings at a few schools. You can check out my Instagram pages @khamarawright and @ninapatoisproject_ for updates.