Arlene Walrond
Celebrated Author
My Story
I was born and raised in Ste. Madeleine Village in South Trinidad, in a strict Roman Catholic home, so my first ambition was, believe it or not, to become a nun until I read “Little Women” by Louisa May Alcott at the age of ten—that’s when I decided I wanted to be a writer instead. My creative journey spans various forms: novels, poems, short stories, articles, a song, and even a play based on the song. In 2004, my inaugural article, “Facing Challenges,” was accepted by the Caribbean Compass, marking the beginning of several published works in that magazine. Notably, my poignant short story “Tears For My Mother” earned a place in the 2010 anthology by Potbake Productions, “Across The Caribbean,” while a poem was selected for inclusion in the 2010 Animal Antics anthology in Britain. My flash fiction story “Looks” achieved long-list status in the 2011 Brighton Cow winter contest, also in Britain.
My first novel “Coffee With Milk: a love story” was originally self-published on the CreateSpace platform but is now available on Amazon. Next came “Inside Arlene’s Head”, a compilation of short stories (my favourite medium) on diverse topics that cover a wide range of genres and human conditions—suicide, insanity, senility, murder, comedy, betrayal, and paranormal. Following “Inside Arlene’s Head,” I embarked on what I consider my magnum opus: “The Ninety-Nine Year Curse” (I say that not to pat myself on the back, but because I don’t think I can produce anything as detailed as that ever again). Ironically, it started as a short story way back in 2009, but based on a critique I received, I extended it to a novel which took me twelve years to complete while juggling with work and life. I describe “The Ninety-Nine Year Curse” as historical/fantasy/folklore as it covers a period of three hundred years beginning in Martinique and ending in Trinidad. It is based on one of the Caribbean’s well-known female folklore characters.
My most recent rendering is called “Wholesome Childhood Stories”. When I was a child, I read all of the great classics like: “What Katy Did (at age six), Tom Sawyer, Jane Eyre, Kidnapped, Treasure Island, Little Women, Jo’s Boys, Little Men (still have my copy)”— highly sophisticated books, you must agree, and a host of others. But in today’s world everything has to be categorized and labelled, so “Wholesome Childhood Stories” fits in the slot: Ages seven to twelve. It is a collection of short stories. One in particular, “Yaya’s Faith,” can be labelled magical realism, while others teach morals like obedience and the value of hard work, as opposed to laziness. My next project, “When Two Worlds Collide —a novel in the young adult genre will be published soon, God willing.
By Arlene Walrond
The Ninety-Nine Year Curse
Fantasy | Folklore Novel
The Ninety-Nine Year Curse: Amber, the protagonist, was born in Martinique but fled to Trinidad some years following the proclamation of the famous “Cedula of population” proposed by Frenchman Phillipe Rose Roume De Saint-Laurent in 1783. Unlike most who went before her, her flight was galvanised by the unusual position she found herself in as the result of a curse placed on her. She also believed an old wives’ tale that the curse would be broken by a long voyage across the sea. The Ninety-Nine Year Curse tells the story of Amber’s triumphs, trials, and tribulations.
Best Sellers
Wholesome Childhood Stories
Wholesome Childhood Stories: A collection of stories that is entertaining, heartwarming, adventuresome, heroic, and above all, teaches morals like: obedience to parents, courage, hard work and diligence in schoolwork as opposed to cheating.
Excerpt:
“Hmm,” The lion thought again, “he speaks my language, how odd!” He roared a terrifying roar in an attempt to scare the child but Yaya stood firm. “What is your deal, dweller of mud huts?” he asked at last.
“We’re tired of living in fear. My people would provide your people with meat if you stop attacking our village.” ~ Yaya’s Faith
Coffee with Milk: A Love Story
Coffee With Milk is a love story between a couple on opposite sides of the racial divide. The protagonists are two well-educated professionals who meet on a fictitious island—of the author’s imagination—in the Caribbean sea. Set in the Caribbean and the USA, it is a love story first and foremost but not the sappy kind where everything goes smoothly without any hiccups. A few historical tidbits about Trinidad are also thrown in for good measure. There are a few instances where the dialogue is in the West Indian dialect but it is not overdone and should be easily understood. Adult genre: with tastefully done sex scenes.
Inside Arlene’s Head
Inside Arlene’s Head is a collection of short stories that explores a wide spectrum of human emotions with a West Indian flavour. From young lovers to charming, if somewhat senile, older folks like “Miss Edna”. Fantasy, reality, tragedy, comedy—the joyful trials and bitter tears that, at times, lie just beneath the tropical calm of Caribbean life.
Excerpts:
“I told you I would knock your lights out if you ever hurt me, remember?” —Poor Little Black Girl
“Genius my foot, look at him, he’s finally over the edge.” —Zapped
Highlights
The highlight of my writing journey was when our national library bought thirty-five copies of my first novel, “Coffee With Milk: a love story”. It warms my heart to see it on a shelf in the West Indian section at NALIS, and to know it’s being read by fellow citizens.
Years Living on a Boat
Sons
year Writing Career
Grandsons
This book is beautifully written. The plot was well thought out leaving me with all the appropriate feelings. I chuckled in the right places and even got angry in others. It was a very enjoyable read.
– Claudette S.
Meet Arlene
The most exciting part of my life was meeting my husband, Will, who introduced me to sailing. Just imagine a landlubber like me, who cannot swim to save my life, living on a boat for more than 20 years.
He actually tried teaching me to swim, but on the third occasion, I was sinking and clung to him in desperation almost drowning him. And there ended my swimming lessons.
On many occasions, on the way to Venezuela’s scenic islands called Los Roques, when the sea got very rough, I thought this might be the end, especially when the boat slammed into gigantic waves with a big bang! But I put my faith in God, and the capable hands of my Captain Will.