Featured Interview With Yvonne Blackwood
Tell us a little about yourself. Where were you raised? Where do you live now?
I am the author of four non-fiction books and three children’s books. I was born and raised in Manchester, Jamaica. I have lived in Toronto, Canada for forty-seven years. I have no pets—no dog, cat, fish, or iguana.
At what age did you realize your fascination with books? When did you start writing?
I began attending school (infant school they called it) from age four. I think I became fascinated with books then. I started writing articles for publication in 1998 after I returned from my first journey to West Africa. I was honing my writing skills in preparation for my first book, Into Africa: A Personal Journey.
Who are your favorite authors to read? What is your favorite genre to read. Who Inspires you in your writings?
I read extensively, so I have several favorite authors. I’ll mention Maya Angelou, John Grisham, Michael Ondaatje, and John le Carre. Maya Angelou and Pearl Bailey inspire me in my non-fiction writing.
Tell us a little about your latest book?
About College Life of a Retired Senior, Blueink Review writes:
“Blackwood’s appealing attitude and resilience keep readers turning pages, rooting for her success. Ultimately, this is an inspiring story of an older woman’s quest for knowledge.”
A brief synopsis of the book: Seven years after she retired from a lengthy career in banking, Yvonne Blackwood surprised her friends and family by returning to school at age sixty-four to pursue an English degree. Her purpose was fueled by four powerful reasons—to add texture to her writing; to ward off dementia; to enhance structure in her life; and to inspire her two young grandsons to continue their education after high school. But as she stepped onto the campus of Canada’s third-largest university, Blackwood had no idea of the hurdles she was about to face.
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