Journalist and author, Rosaline Kilkenny McClymont, chose her homeland of Guyana, on Oct. 4, to launch her latest book “The Guyana Contract” a suspense / international thriller, set against the backdrop of power, influence, greed and a developing country’s economic plight, where people clash while discovering their true selves, and some find love.
McClymont, a prolific writer, and astonishingly brilliant storyteller, embarked on capturing the storyline of the South American country’s historic change in governance raising the question of who really is responsible for shaping such small developing nations.
The narrative traces the life of a college graduate and career-oriented young woman, whose travels through Europe, led her to handsome French-American and a tale of intrigue, deceit, and biases within the black community, corporate politics and according to the author, complexities of foreign investment in developing countries.
McClymont, who received Guyana’s Golden Arrowhead Award of Achievement, and honored by the New York Association of Black Journalist, and the International Black Women’s Congress to name a few, is a gifted writer, who also penned, Middle Ground, and Africa-Strictly Business. But despite her various obligations, she always insist on giving an authentic voice to her story, and has dedicated three years to writing “The Guyana Contract.”
“I strive to believe, I can succeed in being original in my plotline, subplots, characters and writing style,” adding, “at times I strive to give readers an engrossing, thrilling experience while informing them of occurrences in life that affect their country and their lives.”
A well-traveled person, editor, and artistic professional, McClymont, does not believe there is such a description as a ‘bad book review.’ As a matter of fact, she reads all of her book reviews, and refers to the negative ones as ‘constructive criticism.’
“Where I to have a bad review, I would extract that which I can use to improve my craft,” she said, adding, anyone who takes the time to read my work and comment on it, is worth my ear.”
The author is deeply connected to her writing, and said she does know of any person who do not feel emotions strongly when they write.
“There are as many kinds of writers as there are audiences. Someone who is dispassionate can turn out work for audiences that prefer that feeling.”
“Fiction writers are creative wordsmiths. They are mental actors too, in that they mentally play the role of each charter they create. They step out of their true self, using words to paint believable scenarios,” noted the author.
“I believe that someone who does not feel emotions strongly, is dispassionate, the proverbial cool, calm, collected type — cannot be a fanatic,” she added.
She recalls when she was in fifth standard at Queenstown Moravian School in Georgetown under the watchful eye of Mr. Duncan, her teacher, reading one of her compositions called her a ‘composition “dagon” —( a deity in eastern mythology — referred to as a “god” in Guyana). This she said, surprised, but pleased her that her words had so captivated him.
McClymont, who taught English and Spanish, in Uganda and the Democratic Republic of Congo, and is a past fellow of the European Community Visitors program, is the editor-in-chief of the Network Journal — a New York business magazine for Black professionals and entrepreneurs. She has 20 years’ experience as a writer, speaker and adviser to small and medium-sized companies on global business and entrepreneurship, and has authored several novels, some of which became mandatory reading in high schools and universities.
An internationally acclaimed author, who, was named “Woman History Maker” by the Caribbean-American chamber of Commerce and Industry, McClymont said at least one of her books was madeinto a movie.
The most recent information in society, formulates her storyline, and helps her to start a new book almost immediately after finishing one, and even before the finished volume is published.
Despite being a clever writer, McClymont admits that the opening scene is always the hardest, because she has get it just right so that it captivates and holds the reader for the rest of the book.
“This is the part of the book I revisit most often, added the writer,” who, notes, re-reading the entire book once its done is the most difficult part of her artistic process.
“I believe writers need time in solitude to reflect on what they have written so far, and how that should inform the way forward, even if it means changing what has been written”
And yes, McClymont thinks she is a good writer.
“The Guyana Contract” is available in e-book format at on Amazon’s Kindle Store, Amazo
Rosalind McLymont could be reached at rmcly
