An interview series featuring T&T and Caribbean writers of newly published works of fiction, non-fiction, and poetry, with a focus on self-published and independent books.
Stuart W. Ramon-Fortuné, author of From Ibadan to Hell Yard
Q. Tell us about the central character of your book.
A. The central character is a reflection of every Trinidadian. He starts off naive, unaware
of the deeper realities of his environment, but an unexpected situation forces him to
confront these truths. As he becomes immersed in the Hell Yard community, the
experiences he gains there transform him. In turn, his influence shapes Hell Yard,
leading to extraordinary accomplishments for the Steelpan movement and Trinidad &
Tobago.
Q. What’s the best piece of advice you’ve received in your writing life?
A. The best advice I’ve received is “Don’t show but tell,” but it’s crucial to balance this
with trust in your readers’ ability to connect the dots on their own. While the saying
goes, “If it isn’t written, it didn’t happen,” you also need to recognize that your
audience is intelligent – you don’t have to spell everything out.
Q. Describe the most challenging aspect of writing this book to us.
A. The biggest challenge was staying authentic to the historical significance of the
subject matter. I was deeply concerned about doing justice to the era, the characters,
and the monumental events that shaped our island. The months of research into the
various eras, understanding the struggles, victories, and daily life of those times,
were intense. Mapping out this research to find a coherent narrative amidst the
chaos, then structuring the story, and finally, the rigorous editing process was a
daunting but necessary trial.
Q. Share your best advice for upcoming writers in Trinidad and beyond.
A. Take a page from Frodo’s book: embrace the adventure ahead. Dive into the
challenges with courage and discipline. Resist distractions and stay the course, no
matter how wild the ride gets. In the end, your persistence will pay off.
Q. What’s the best feedback you’ve received from a reader?
Excerpted from a review by Lennox McLeod, History Professor: Readers who are
familiar with Naipaul’s Miguel Street, Lovelace’s The Dragon Can’t Dance and
James’ Minty Alley will enjoy From Ibadan to Hell Yard by Stuart W. Ramon Fortuné.
While the theme of struggling to find meaning and fulfillment in a life of poverty of the
barrack yards of the Port of Spain ghetto is integral to the story, Fortuné takes it
further by creating a metaphor that mirrors the story of his main character with the
development of the Steelband, a story that is both realistic and appealing.
Stuart W. Ramon Fortuné, author of From Ibadan to Hell Yard, is an entrepreneur and
consultant, holding an International Master of Business Development from the Arthur Lok
Jack Global School of Business and a Bachelor of Science in Management Studies from the
University of London.
From Ibadan to Hell Yard is available at Paper Based Bookshop, The Writers Centre, 14
Alcazar Street, St. Clair, 628-3917 (landline); 359-7042 (WhatsApp), @paperbasedbookshop (Instagram).
