Twenty-year-old Christopher Campbell, a journalism student at the University of the West Indies, is aiming to make his mark as not just a voice for his country but an author as well.
Hailing from the community of West Avenue in Hanover and coming from a humble background with his father “juggling farming and entrepreneurship” and a mother pouring her heart into babysitting, he shared that financial strain and personal trials were his and his three sisters constant companions from grade one.
In the midst of the turmoil of his parents getting divorced, Campbell said he found solace and purpose in focusing on his education.
“Determined to transcend our circumstances, I immersed myself in my studies, consistently ranking at the top of my class through primary and high school. In fact, I was honoured to serve as the head boy during my final year of high school. Despite the challenges, I discovered a profound love for storytelling,” he revealed.
Campbell informed that writing became his sanctuary, where he could escape into alternate worlds and tell tales of his own creation.
As he looks forward to the journey ahead, Campbell acknowledges God and his faith in Him. He said no words can fully summarise how important God is to him. Crediting God as the anchor of his existence and the essence of his being, Campbell noted that his faith in Him transcends all understanding and is the bedrock upon which his life is built.
“From the inception of my writing aspiration, to the encounters with remarkable individuals like Crystal Daye of Dayelight Publishers and Miss Taylor of JamJuds Publishers, I discern God’s hand orchestrating every connection. It’s a testament to His divine guidance,” he confessed, continuing, “In my heart, I hold firm that this journey isn’t about me. I remind myself every day. I yield to his will, traversing the paths he lays before me, trusting that every accomplishment reflects his magnificence. I aim to become a bestseller fiction author for my future novels, and I affirm this in the name of Jesus Christ.”
The journey has not always been a smooth one for Campbell, as he highlighted that he encountered some formidable challenges but none as daunting as his battle with procrastination while writing his first novel for publication.
According to Campbell, although he has a passion for storytelling and a burning desire to contribute a Jamaican narrative to the literary world, doubts plagued his mind relentlessly. The nagging question of whether my work would find success, coupled with financial concerns regarding the publication process, often loomed ominously over him. The other challenge he experienced was writer block, which he said was a frequent adversary, casting shadows over his creative endeavours.
“Yet, in the darkness of those moments, I discovered a flicker of resilience within me. Determined to overcome the stifling grip of writer’s block, I forged ahead, often retreating to the late hours of the night when the world slept and my thoughts could roam freely. It was during these solitary moments that I found clarity, allowing my imagination to wander and my ideas to take shape,” he stated.
Citing the pivotal difference-maker in his journey as an author, Campbell said it was undoubtedly the guiding hand of God. Reflecting on his childhood, he shared that he never realised the divine orchestration at play as he scribbled stories for his own enjoyment. It was only later, during a period of uncertainty and reflection amidst the pandemic, that he turned to the heavens for guidance.
In that moment of seeking, he said he found himself drawn back to the very beginning—back to the joy of storytelling that had ignited his imagination as a child.
A Christian since 2016, Campbell is committed to the journey, and with his now-published book, The Ambitious Woman of the West, which he describes as a “fascinating thriller,” he is looking forward to its impact.
Expounding on the book, he said it surrounds main character Amy Vargas who has big dreams of becoming the most prominent woman in Jamaica.
“My novel has a theme of reality, focusing on both the historical and modern-day culture of Jamaica. The 278-page novel follows the main protagonist, in her pursuit of wealth and fame in Jamaica’s political society,” he shared.
A past student of Rusea’s High School in Hanover, Campbell describes himself as being passionate about public speaking, online design, leadership, and entrepreneurial ventures.
Now, a resident of Rex Nettleford Hall at the University of the West Indies, he is studying investigative journalism in hopes of working on television in Jamaica and internationally at CNN.
“In addition to my academic pursuits and creative endeavours, I have a deep-rooted passion for community involvement. Growing up, I was actively involved in various volunteer initiatives aimed at improving the lives of those in need within my local community. Whether it was participating in outreach programmes or mentoring younger students, I have always been driven by a desire to make a positive impact on the world around me,” he revealed.