Books by Jamaican Author Denise N. Fyffe

22nd April 202425th December 2023Leave a comment

DENISE N. FYFFE, AUTHOR

Career

Denise N. Fyffe, B.Sc., PGDip, b.1981 in Kingston, Jamaica, since 2002 she has worked for such organizations as Infoserv Institute of Technology, Heart Trust NTA, Pearson Education, Salary.com, and the University College of the Caribbean.

Not only is she an IT Professional, but a Trainer and Counsellor as well. In addition to studying Software Development and Design from the Caribbean Institute of Technology, she holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Career Development and Counselling and a Post Graduate Diploma in Education at the Vocational Training and Development Institute – currently completing her Masters in Education. As a child, she attended Harbour View Primary and Camperdown High.

Denise holds fast to the philosophy that you should follow your interests as knowledge empowers you. She advises that you should never put on limitations on your potential. It is OK to be a multi-potentialite, fulfill all your purposes, and do not let anyone put you in a box.

AUTHOR

For over a decade Denise has authored more than 30 books and assisted others in producing their own books, academic papers, and website content globally and distributes her work on several websites. Her morals are deeply rooted in Christian principles and she lives to be a genuine example of her faith.

Poetess

Denise also writes under the moniker Poetess Defy, is a Jamaican Writer and Jamaican Poet.

Writing poetry has been a love of hers for many years; it allows for a medium of expression. Poetess Defy has written hundreds of articles, poems and is intent on realizing her dream of becoming an author and poet. She is also a successful freelance writer and has generated thousands of material for her local and international clients.

Her poems are from every genre, every matter, every subject, and every rhyme; love, emotions, politics, spirituality, world events, life events – your events. She writes what she sees, what she feels.

Books by Denise N. Fyffe

Poetry Books

Jamaican Pebbles
Recount Jamaica
Be Lifted Up
Be Encouraged
The Poet’s Prayer
My Grieving Heart
101 Jamaican Love Poems
Di Summer of 2015

Scholarly BOOKS

The Expert Teacher’s Guide on How to Motivate Students
Learning Management System Efficiency vs. Staff Proficiency
Sophie’s Place: Examining Career Development for the Disabled
Examining Career Development in Jamaica and Australia
The Philosophy of Education and Work
Thieves in the Workplace
Empowering the 21st Century Worker
Is the Registry Happy: Examining Career Development in Learning Organisations
The Guidance Counsellor’s Handbook
The Jamaican Guidance Counsellor’s Handbook

Other BOOKS

The Island Journal
Fibroids: The Alien Assassins in My Body
How to Keep Writing

Christian Literature

Sudden Death: Loosening Foundations
Declarations for my Sons
Declarations for my Daughters
Declarations for my Sons and Daughters

Short Reads

Tragedy in Chalky Hill
Bitter Exit in Kingston
Deadly Surprise in Portmore
Vengeance in Chapleton
Innocence Lost on Ken Hill Drive

Denise’s books are filled with poetic expressions and gems of wisdom about nature, life, love, and social and spiritual issues. Books are available at all online bookstores including all Amazon portals in eBook and paperback formats and Lulu.com.

Freelance Writer

Denise has been a freelance writer for over ten years and works with many local and international clients to produce hundreds of online articles, creative content, and website content in addition to eBook materials.

You can contact her at communications@theislandjournal.com.

10 Tips for Maintaining the Discipline of Writing

15th April 202425th December 20232 Comments

The Passion for Writing

In 2014, I declared that I would bite the self-publishing bullet and publish at least one of my manuscripts each month.

It would require maintaining the discipline of writing.

However, I did not publish any ebooks or paperbacks in 2014, because I was dealing with an illness that would have me in surgery by year’s end.

But, in my recovery bed, come January morning, I remembered my passion for writing. I executed my commitment and since then made good on that promise.

7 Books by Denise N. Fyffe

I managed to publish over 33 manuscripts since then. Some of my career development and work titles, which focus on teh 21st century worker include:

I started importing my self-published paperback books into Jamaica and sold them to my co-workers, acquaintances, and friends. Then, I started to notice that I was asked this question a lot.

Where do you find time to write so many books?

I had a ready answer.

Remember that quote, about there being 24 hours in the day, the same 24 hours that you have, so too did Picasso, Albert Einstein and many of the greats? But what did they do with their seconds, minutes, hours and days? What are you doing with your seconds, minutes, hours and days?

So, it is simple to answer the question, I make the time.

The Discipline of Writing

I am always writing, editing or proofreading; along with working 9 hours a day and attending school 4 evenings a week for 3 hours. Not to mention the hecticity of teaching practice for 4 mornings at 7 a.m. and one session on Sunday evenings for 3 hours.

(I am so glad that is over).

It requires being organized, proactive and focused. My phone has seen many poems for my books, chapter sections for my books and articles for my blogs. My mind is tightly and finely attuned to every experience I face on a day to day basis and how I would incorporate that into a self-published book.

The biggest ace that I have got on my side is God. I am obedient to His will, His leading and His way.

I don’t watch TV so I stream my shows online. This summer, I am on a TV show fast. They are forbidden for Summer 2015; as such, I have a lot of time on my hands, more than ever. And remember, if I don’t watch TV, that means I am not engaged in a mindless activity for hours on end.

Those would be wasted hours for me because I could be drafting a new book, editing a complete manuscript or getting it ready to self publish on:

Kindle self-publishing website
Lulu.com self-publishing website
Smashwords self-publishing (they have a tedious and discouraging process, recommended for the tech savvy)

This summer, I also got many book ideas. Numerous!

Sometimes, I wonder when will I be publishing those manuscripts. Those I already have and those not yet written, but God is the author and finisher of all things. I have nearly 20 manuscripts waiting to be published and just as many book ideas, if not book covers of books not yet written.

So, if you are interested in following up your passion for writing; all else must come second.

10 Tips for Maintaining the Discipline of Writing:

So, here are several tips from my book on ‘How to Keep Writing:‘

Write, every day.
Write about what interests you. Your passion will motivate you.
Start with a few hundred words a day.
Launch a blog. This will motivate you to maintain a schedule of writing and posting
Research and read materials to better your craft.
Share your writing with friends and family. Listen to feedback.
Participate in writing competitions.
Share your pieces with local newspapers.
Review or revisit pieces that you have done and improve them.
Read other writers work in your genre who are successful.

My books can be found at a number of online websites, including Smashwords, Barnes and Noble, Lulu.com, and Amazon.

*****

About the writer:
Denise N. Fyffe is a published author of over 30 books, for more than six years and enjoys volunteering as a Counselor. She is a freelance writer for online publications such as Revealing the Christian Life, Jamaica Rose, Entertainment Trail, My Trending Stories among others.

Check out her book How to Keep Writing

This book shares key practical strategies on how to become an author and a working writer. It helps you to get over the everyday nuisances that hinder the writing process. You can follow each strategy, at your own pace until you are writing often. It is geared towards both aspiring fiction and nonfiction authors and working writers who produce content, on a daily basis.

Available at all online book retailers and Amazon.com.

Follow her on:

Career Development: Critique, Story Come to Bump!

8th April 202425th December 2023Leave a comment

Critique, Story Come to Bump!

by Denise N. Fyffe

Title: Story come to bump!

Authors: Peter Espeut

Source: The Daily Gleaner, July 5, 2006

‘Story come to bump’, is an enlightening article written in the prestigious Daily Gleaner, on July 5, 2006 by Peter Espeut. He is a sociologist and executive director of an environment and development NGO. Mr. Espeut’s fundamental argument is the lack of space available for students in high schools.

This is highlighted when he points out the situation of the number of students leaving primary schools, which is three times that of the actual spaces available for them in high and secondary schools. He discloses his experience of visiting a government official at the Ministry of Education and his method of choosing who ‘pass’ the GSAT exam.

The official used a ruler to draw a line.

He stated that the successive Jamaican governments have never been able to resolve this issue and the ‘rebaptism’ of ‘new secondary schools’ into ‘high schools’ will not resolve the problem. The situation is made worse by these schools as they are not equipped with the requisite infrastructure to qualify as high schools. Therefore, the level and quality of students will remain deplorable and unequally matched when compared to other traditional high schools.

Mr. Espeut’s article both educates and informs us of a situation that, however, apparent, is still inconspicuous. It is integral to us not only as Jamaicans, but also as parents, educators, and students to understand and learn of the unfair odds we have faced and which our children will or are facing. The author did not approach us in a condescending manner, but his arguments were logical and easy to follow. There was no problem in the comprehension of his points, especially as it relates to the Jamaican milieu. The main idea was clear and reinforced by his easily identified and relatable points, which were strung throughout the article. They included his reference to the government ‘senior official’ and where the ‘rebaptism’ of ‘Holy Trinity Junior Secondary School became Holy Trinity Secondary School, and then Holy Trinity Comprehensive High School, and then Holy Trinity High School’.

It is possible to support or dispute his points. He purports that these schools do not have ‘a science lab, language lab, or a computer lab’; we can check or visit these schools and see for ourselves. Although he used figures, which were dated, they were still relevant to his point and the 1993 data, could be checked with agencies such as the Statistical Institute of Jamaica. It was particularly good; one might add that he utilized statistics in his argument. This supported his authority on the topic, as a sociologist, and made him even more credible, and easier to objectively be of the same opinion and assess.

His title was supported by the last few facts given at the end of the article.

Mr. Espeut highlighted that persons have started to score higher in the GSAT examinations, however dramatic the improvements the adverse effect is that persons who have perfect scores are not guaranteed any scholarship because there isn’t enough. There are also not enough places in the traditional high schools for high achievers therefore they are to utilize the low achiever places. His call for action, though it was not direct, referred to his efforts over the past 15 years in his articles. His only recommendation was to stop preparing students for low-income, manual jobs.

The greater purpose could have been served in ending this article if he had, at least, listed the ‘how’ to his recommendations and not just left the government to do what they have always been doing; making things ‘come to bump’.

In summation and not to detract from Mr. Peter Espeut’s efforts, his article served its purpose, used facts, and highlighted, and supported his issues. But he failed to clearly call for action and his recommendation was not ‘tagged’ with how they should fulfill the suggestion. His article was not hard as nails neither were it as soft it was unpalatable. It was something to consider and whether action or changes result is yet to be seen.

*****

Balancing Work and Family: A Guide for Work-at-Home Moms

1st April 202425th December 2023Leave a comment

Balancing Work and Family: A Guide for Work-at-Home Moms

by Denise N. Fyffe

Working from home provides incredible flexibility for moms, allowing them to earn an income while still being actively involved in raising their children. However, it comes with its own set of challenges and distractions. Here’s a comprehensive guide to help work-at-home moms organize their time, manage distractions, and strike a balance between work and family life.

Types of Work-at-Home Jobs:

Customer service and support
Technical support
Order processing
Blog or article writing
Proofreading and editing
Transcription
Web research
Internet marketing
Sales
Data entry
Email response handling
Business services
Multimedia jobs
Programming jobs
Web and software development

Challenges of Working from Home:

Distractions: Interruptions from children, television, or household chores.
Lack of Structure: The absence of a traditional office environment can lead to a lack of discipline and structure.

Organizational Strategies for Work-at-Home Moms:

Create a Schedule: Designate specific work hours. Use a timer to signal the start and end of work periods.
Nap Time Productivity: Utilize children’s nap times for focused work.
Utilize Children’s Routine: Align work hours with children’s TV time or homework hours.
Involve the Other Parent: Designate specific times for the other parent (dad) to take care of the kids.
Written Communication: Use written or text communication mediums to avoid noise disruptions during calls.

Tips for Efficient Time Management:

Printed Schedule: Place printed schedules in your workspace and common family areas.
Designate Work Space: Set up a dedicated work area to signal work time to family members.
Creative Communication: Use email, instant messengers, or Skype for written communication.
Scheduled Calls: Plan telephone calls or video chats during children’s nap or focused hours.
Flexibility: Be adaptable; if a disturbance occurs, reschedule calls or tasks.

Dealing with Overwhelming Workloads:

Hire Additional Help: Explore options like friends, family, or online assistance.
Nanny Services: Consider hiring a nanny, especially during school breaks.
Mutual Help: Collaborate with other work-at-home moms for mutual babysitting.
Involve Spouse: Discuss time management challenges with your husband and seek his assistance.

Efficient Home Management:

Laundry: Do one load at a time early in the morning or late at night.
Cooking: Use slow cookers or prepare meals that require minimal supervision.
Cleaning: Tackle one room a day to make cleaning more manageable.

Conclusion:

Work-at-home moms can effectively manage their time, work, and family responsibilities with careful planning, communication, and flexibility. By implementing these strategies, they can create a harmonious balance between their professional and family life, reducing stress and enhancing productivity.

*****

About the writer: Denise N. Fyffe is a published author of over 50 books, for more than ten years, and enjoys volunteering as a Counselor. She is a trainer, publisher, author, and writing mentor; helping others to achieve their dreams.

Check out her book Weddings in Paradise

Planning a wedding can be a daunting task. From the wedding venue to the wedding invitations; from deciding on the vows or a wedding dress, having the right information will make your wedding planning that much easier. Whether it’s for a traditional church wedding or an island getaway, you can plan the wedding of your dreams. Weddings in Paradise has practical and essential advice and tips for planning your dream wedding away from home. Available at all online book retailers and Amazon.com