Latisha Leah Prescott is a first-time author who grew up writing as a child in her family home on Queen’s Avenue, San Juan. She continued writing creative stories all the way into her teenage years capturing many of her life experiences on paper much to the delight of her readers. Love of the English Language was her hidden passion and unable to shake off the desire to write, she eventually pursued academic qualifications in Journalism and Mass Communications graduating in the top four of her class in 2013.
During that time, four of her articles were published in a local parenting magazine, Caribbean Parenting. Another, this time a cultural article was published in an in-house magazine of the Central Bank of Trinidad and Tobago. Between the years 2009 to 2014, Latisha published full-page articles and letters to the editor of a leading, daily, local newspaper.
Now residing in Cocorite and married for over 20 years, the mother of three has decided it is time to achieve God’s purpose for her life by publishing her first book. She is eagerly looking forward to writing many more, including a children’s book. Latisha also has a passion for teaching and it is her desire to one day have a writing programme for children, particularly males who are in need of expressing themselves.
Here is what she shared with the WE Mag team:
Tell us about what you are currently working on.
I began drafting a storyline around the concept of fulfilling your purpose despite the struggle of insecurity. It is based on the life of Moses who was born a Hebrew and brought up in the Egyptian culture. The intention is to highlight the inward insecurities Moses probably struggled with, not really belonging to one group. The story will touch on the feelings of abandonment and displacement while contending with God along the way. It required much research into both the Egyptian and Hebrew traditions and cultures along with the socio-political set up at the time of the birth of Moses.
What are some of your treasured milestones thus far?
Any mother would say her most treasured milestone in life is having children. There is nothing to compare to that experience of childbirth. At the same time, writing HOPE in the MIDST of the STORMS was almost along those lines as it took nine years to draft and another three years to publish.
What was the biggest challenge you had to overcome and how did you deal with it?
Fear of anything is a challenge. Everything about fear is designed to cripple and keep you stationary. Getting over any fearful encounter is an achievement in itself and an experience no one can take away from you. I have faced many challenges in my life, some of which are documented in the book, but I have to say the fear of failure often drives me to be a perfectionist in almost everything I choose to take on. However, I have learned over time that neither fear nor perfectionism is ideal and life requires balance. I had to learn the hard way to say, “no.” I had to stop and breathe at times, even listen to music, meditate and, most importantly, surround myself with the right people for the right time, and distance myself from the persons and things that bring negativity into my consciousness.
What is your ultimate goal or biggest dream for your future?
In the future, I would like to be closer to my purpose which is becoming a full-time author with an impactful story that changes lives and perceptions.
What’s the best advice you would like to give to other women who may want to take on the same path that you have?
I am not in the habit of giving advice as I understand each person has his or her own experience to endure. However, I always say to God if given the opportunity to speak on his behalf, I would say to young women out there, “Don’t rush life. Do not run away from the plan of God for your life. Spend time with God each day so you can get to know his love for you and his plans for your life which are plans to prosper you and not to harm you, to give you hope and a future. Pray, trust, obey and wait. It all works out in the end. However, if there is a particular path you have decided to go on with peace of mind and a conviction in your heart, the best advice I can give to you is to not let anyone dissuade you.”