Tale of London Five Helps Others
New self help fiction book focusses on issues affecting the young in London today. Author Roslyn Blaize's two books, Truthingdom, The Conception and Truthingdom, The Revelation include experiences of rape, arranged marriage, gang violence and being accused of murder, child abuse, drug culture and family dysfunction. They focus on five characters from differing racial and cultural backgrounds whose lives become entwined when they start at a London fashion college together.
These five youngsters navigate painful experiences and reflect on their past and cultural norms in these thought-provoking novels. Will they overcome their adversity, achieve their dreams and reach their potential or meet their downfall?
The five characters are: - Aarti who is from a Rajasthan background and passionate about the right to exercise choice. Former gang member Tyresse who bases his decisions on the bond of family unity. Anorexic Tracey who has been impacted by a father who she describes as being like Jekyll and Hyde. Drug user Xavier who has views outside the norm and mixed-race Tia who has experienced child abuse.
First time writer Roslyn has lived in Newham all her life. She was born in Forest Gate and now lives in Manor Park.
For 21 years she has been employed as a Social Worker, as well as being a private foster carer. Roslyn explains, ‘It’s this work experience along with growing up amidst a melting pot of differing racial and cultural expressions, that has helped me to develop the five student’s personalities and backgrounds. It’s also given me the ability to write life like accounts of the things they go through in the books.’
53-year-old Roslyn has observed such events and seen the pain that youngsters in these situations have gone through.
She says: ‘I hope readers will identify with the experiences these five youngsters go through and the choices that have to make. I want readers to learn from what the characters endure, and I know that through these books I can help youngsters with their own issues.’
Roslyn is now talking openly in schools and community groups about the topics raised and the choices available in order to empower the wider generation.
Roslyn had the idea for the books a long time ago, but it was her mother’s death which led to her writing prolifically. She explains, ‘My mother died nearly three years ago, and I was devastated but I understood that I lived on as an extension of her and had to extend and grow. So, I completed, Truthingdom.’ She intends to go on to write more books which have purpose and significance.
Roslyn will be reading from her books and doing a signing at the Books and Banter event organised by her publisher’s Marcia M. Publishing House. This takes place at the Moxy London Stratford Hotel, 86 Great Eastern Road, London. E15 1GR on 31 August 2018. Tickets are available from https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/books-and-banter-london-tickets-48875988397
EDITORS NOTES
More about Roslyn
My parents were tradition West Indians who savoured their values, exercising good manners, order in the home, worked hard and maintained strong relations with their extended families with whom we are closely bonded.
Those values of family unity live on in our family, together we are united and support one another in times of sorrow and gladness.
I attended an inner- city comprehensive school, where we dreaded the cane, respected our elders and had double portions of jam roly poly for lunch. You greeted your neighbour and had a strong sense of community. We, my generation understood the value of education and respect towards one another. A gift given to us by or parents from a different cultural strain.
I grew up in a melting pot of different racial and cultural expression. I was to some extent by default of my experience a part of the rich tapestry of my environment, being urban London. This fashioned my interaction and the way in which I related to others.
I have always had a caring nature person and qualified as a social worker in 1996. I’ve had the privilege of working with many different professionals and young people of all ages, so much so, that I was able to combine those experiences; those similarities, yet unique scenarios, in order to give back by way of virtues, such as kindness, attentiveness, positive regard and respectfulness which was gratefully received by those who were experiencing vulnerability and hardship.Observing these external struggles left me in a state of gratitude for all that I possessed and felt the need to be available, to enable, to empower others.
For More Information
For more information or to arrange to interview Roslyn, please contact Susan Brookes-Morris of Positive Publicity on 07890 051638 or susan@positivepublicity.biz