Ask the Author: Kevin Parham
Answered Questions (7)
Kevin Parham
Hello, Pamela -
Thanks for reaching out.
Yes, the Vineyard has traditionally been a vacation destination primarily for white vacationers, but, an African-American presence dates back to the colonial days. In fact, the U.S. Census has records as far back as the colonial days of 1790, when 39 blacks were believed to have lived on the island.
Since then, and each year forward, more and more African Americans have made it a vacation destination (primarily in Oak Bluffs).
The events surrounding the Civil Rights era of the 1960s did not affect the island as pervasively as they had done elsewhere. That was what was unique about the Vineyard; it seemed to operate on a different plane than other places, such as Boston.
Thanks for your comment, and, if you should pick up the book, please let me know what you think of it.
Best regards,
Kevin
Thanks for reaching out.
Yes, the Vineyard has traditionally been a vacation destination primarily for white vacationers, but, an African-American presence dates back to the colonial days. In fact, the U.S. Census has records as far back as the colonial days of 1790, when 39 blacks were believed to have lived on the island.
Since then, and each year forward, more and more African Americans have made it a vacation destination (primarily in Oak Bluffs).
The events surrounding the Civil Rights era of the 1960s did not affect the island as pervasively as they had done elsewhere. That was what was unique about the Vineyard; it seemed to operate on a different plane than other places, such as Boston.
Thanks for your comment, and, if you should pick up the book, please let me know what you think of it.
Best regards,
Kevin
Kevin Parham
The idea for my memoir, titled: "The Vineyard We Knew—A Recollection of Summers on Martha's Vineyard" was inspired in 2008. Throughout life, I had always shared my Vineyard experiences with family and friends, and, one day, my wife suggested that I write a book about them.
I had completely dismissed the idea because I never considered myself a writer. But, I began by jotting some thoughts down, and, a few sentences had become a paragraph; a paragraph became a page; the pages had become chapters, and soon, what had begun as a few sentences, ended up being a 68,000-word manuscript.
I had completely dismissed the idea because I never considered myself a writer. But, I began by jotting some thoughts down, and, a few sentences had become a paragraph; a paragraph became a page; the pages had become chapters, and soon, what had begun as a few sentences, ended up being a 68,000-word manuscript.
Kevin Parham
My inspiration usually comes when I least expect it. However, I find that I'm most creative during in the early morning hours, the time when it's most quiet—2:00 a.m. to 5:00 a.m.
The stillness at that hour fosters a sense of creative freedom; it's a time when I can connect with my inner-self uninterrupted, when I can actually "hear' my thoughts, and, if so fortunate, to act upon them by jotting them down.
The stillness at that hour fosters a sense of creative freedom; it's a time when I can connect with my inner-self uninterrupted, when I can actually "hear' my thoughts, and, if so fortunate, to act upon them by jotting them down.
Kevin Parham
I'm currently working on a novel and I'm also tossing around a few ideas about a children's book.
Kevin Parham
As an aspiring writer, you should just keep writing! The more you hone your craft, the better you'll become at it. I firmly believe that nothing worthwhile comes easy, and this also applies to writing.
You should never worry about whether your writing is "good enough". If you write from the heart and allow the thoughts and emotions that are inside you to come out, like magic, your writing will come across as being genuine, not contrived or based upon a template or formula.
You should never worry about whether your writing is "good enough". If you write from the heart and allow the thoughts and emotions that are inside you to come out, like magic, your writing will come across as being genuine, not contrived or based upon a template or formula.
Kevin Parham
The best thing about being a writer is the ability to express yourself through the written word. That concept is easy for me to relate to because not only am I a writer, I'm also a professional musician.
Artistic expression is a gift, and I feel blessed to have been given the ability to indulge in both creative forms.
Artistic expression is a gift, and I feel blessed to have been given the ability to indulge in both creative forms.
Kevin Parham
Writer's block is not usually a problem for me; ideas seem to flow without much effort. However, if I do happen to become bogged down, the answer will manifest itself after I've put whatever it is I'm working on aside for awhile. It could be overnight, a couple of days, a week, or, even longer.
I've found that writing cannot be forced; it's either there, or, it's not. But, when it comes, you'd better be prepared for it and get it down. Otherwise, in a fleeting moment, it can be gone.
I've found that writing cannot be forced; it's either there, or, it's not. But, when it comes, you'd better be prepared for it and get it down. Otherwise, in a fleeting moment, it can be gone.
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