This month we here at Blackrefer.com are pleased to spotlight.... Adriene Pickett
Author of....'Never Forget The Bridge That Crossed You Over'  (November 2003 interview)

Never Forget The Bridge That Crossed You Over, is the saga of a family torn apart by the abduction of three young children. Pickett has woven an indelible tale that will linger in the minds of readers for years to come. We here at Blackrefer.com requested and were granted the interview below:

DT:  Please tell our readers here at Blackrefer.com why you chose to write a book about abduction?
AP:  When I started writing Never Forget The Bridge That Crossed You Over, I wanted to tell a story about a tragic incident that shattered the lives of a close-knit family. That is how the story of abduction came to be. I knew I wanted the family to come together again after many years, and wanted to expose the deep and poignant secrets that tore the Walker family apart and how their broken hearts eventually were healed.

DT:  How much research did you do for "Never Forget The Bridge That Crossed You Over"?
AP:  I had a lot of long talks with my mother regarding her experiences growing up in Georgia. That was pretty much all of the research that was completed.

DT:  This was indeed a story of a strong African-American family. Did you pattern your characters after anyone? Or are they just a glimpse of your creative genius?
AP:  I did not pattern the Walker family after anyone in particular. I just wanted to portray an African American family with strong family bonds. I wanted to show the Walker family's experiences and their rich Southern culture, admiration of and commitment to God, strength and togetherness, and determination to persevere despite seemingly insurmountable odds.

DT:  Who are some of your favorite authors? Why?
AP:  Some of my favorite authors are Ernest J. Gaines, Alice Walker and Walter Mosley. Ernest J. Gaines' writing is compassionate. I love reading stories about the South. He writes about complex relationships between different racial groups. He describes African-Americans' experiences, struggles, and their rich Southern culture so well. Alice Walker's storytelling is genuine. She evokes a feeling of reality. I feel like I'm a part of the story. I understand what the characters are experiencing. Walter Mosley's writing is compelling, fast-moving. I love his books because they grab you from the start and keep you hooked until the end.

DT:  What's next for Adriene Pickett?
AP:  I'm writing another novel and working on a screenplay.

DT:  Do you have any final comments?
AP:  I want readers to know that I wrote Never Forget The Bridge That Crossed You Over because I sought to bring back pride in the African American family. We are strengthened in the face of adversity. All things can be forgiven. I would also like to thank the readers, the many African American book clubs, and Blackrefer.com for your incredible support.

DT: We here at Blackrefer.com thank you for this interview and we pray for your continued success.

www.adrienepickett.com