Melisa E. Arnold was born in Dangriga Town, Belize, Central America. She emigrated to the U. S. in 1978, and always knew that she had that one great American novel that she wanted to write. After listening to other peers and expatriates and their shared angst over the years, she decided to write “The Color Of Pain”, a semi-autobiographical novel of growing up Garifuna, abandoned by parents who claimed to have her and her best interests at heart, but who were mostly selfishly motivated. She hopes that her novel offers hope to those who feel lost in this new American world.

A Human Resources – Payroll professional, Notary Public, 3-times published poet. Melisa published her first novel, “The Color Of Pain”, a memoir about life growing up in Dangriga, Belize, Central America, and the ‘love’ that Belizean parents show to their children.

Listen to Melisa Arnold’s speech about the Garifuna in Belize & Tata Duhende.

“In Belizean folklore, duendes are goblin-like creatures that are part of the imp family , along with Tata Duende. Duendes are mythical characters that appear in oral and written traditions in Europe, Latin America, and Spain. In Hispanic folklore from Mexico and the American Southwest, duendes are known to live in the walls of homes, especially children’s bedrooms, where they may try to clip children’s toenails…”