An Interview with Horatio Ward

I was born in Denham Town, one of the most impoverished communities in Kingston, Jamaica, and I have taught English and religious education across three continents. A graduate of The Mico University College in Kingston, Jamaica and Middlesex University in London, I have spent over two decades as an educator, storyteller, and mentor. I currently teach in Florida, where I continue to inspire young minds through literature, culture, and creativity. A Journey in Three Acts: The Story of Horatio Ward is my debut memoir.

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What inspired you to start writing this book?

I wanted to write A Journey in Three Acts to tell the story of my origins, the people who influenced me, and the journey that took me off the beaten track. I grew up in Denham Town, Kingston, Jamaica and I experienced the peoples’ resilience, love, and community even though they were going through difficult times. These experiences in my early years planted in me a great respect for the power of perseverance and education, which are the things that later led me from Jamaica to London, and then to Florida.

Writing this personal history was for me a gift and an experience. I wrote it as a way to thank and honor my mother’s unshakable strength, and to tell the story of the teachers, friends, and students whom I met on my way and became part of my story. Besides that, it was a journey into my own mind as I connected the different phases of my life with the ideas of identity, migration, and finding one’s purpose.

In the end, it was about creating something that would last beyond my children and the generations that would come after them – so that they would know not only the places we have been but also the distance we have covered. The book is my way of saying: No matter where life takes you, your roots will always hold you steady.

Tell us the story of your book’s current title. Was it easy to find, or did it take forever?

It took me forever to name my book, A Journey in Three Acts. I wanted something that felt like my life. Then it hit me: My story is like a play. It totally has acts where I grow and change. Act One: Jamaica, where I am from. Act Two: London, things got tough. Act Three: America, where I became myself. These acts show where I went and how I felt. It’s all about being strong, moving around, and figuring out who I am. Once I saw my life in acts, the title just exploded in my head. It felt right – easy, real, and true to my story.

If your book had a soundtrack, what are some songs that would be on it?

From Act I – Jamaica: The Roots

No Woman, No Cry – Bob Marley and The Wailers (for the strength of my mother and community)

Many Rivers to Cross – Jimmy Cliff (a song of endurance and hope)

I Can See Clearly Now – Jimmy Cliff (symbolizing faith beyond struggle)

From Act II – London: The Struggle

Redemption Song – Bob Marley (for reflection and self-liberation)

Keep the Faith – Michael Jackson (for perseverance during uncertainty)

Fast Car – Tracy Chapman (for the dreams of escape and change)

From Act III – America: The Becoming

Optimistic – Sounds of Blackness (for rebirth and renewed purpose)

Hall of Fame – The Script ft. will.i.am (for achievement and legacy)

Glory – John Legend & Common (for triumph through struggle)

What other professions have you worked in? What’s something about you that your readers wouldn’t know?

I am an English teacher in Florida, and I have been teaching English since 1994. I have taught English in Jamaica, England, and USA. After migrating to the US in 2014, I worked in life insurance and then five years later, I ran a CBD shop. These jobs showed me how stories show up in daily chats – about family, getting better, and staying optimistic. Teaching became what I wanted to do, mixing those lessons with my love for learning and guiding others.

People may not know that all these things affect my writing. They remind me that every job, meeting, and tough time adds something new to the story we’re all making.

Where is your favorite place to write?

My favorite place to write is at home, settled comfortably in my ‘king’s chair,’ where ideas seem to flow effortlessly.

What advice would you give your past self at the start of your writing journey?

If I were able to speak to my past self at the beginning of my writing journey, I would say trust your voice and take your time. Don’t rush to try to sound like anyone else – the truth of your story is enough. There will be times that doubt is much louder than inspiration, but keep writing.

I would remind myself that every memory, every failure, and every small success will come together as a part of something. Writing is not only about writing a story – it is about healing, understanding, and leaving something of ourselves behind that lasts.

What’s one thing you hope sticks with readers after they finish your book?

I want my readers to feel strong, appreciative, and to believe in their purpose when they finish reading my book. My depiction is not simply about living in Jamaica, London, and Florida; it is more so about the fortitude to keep going when it gets tough.

I want people to understand that your starting point does not determine your ending place. Love, faith, and learning can change lives, even in the worst of moments. If my story encourages someone to continue to believe in themself, then I have accomplished what I set out to do with this book.

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