Bernice L. McFadden - author of "Sugar"

It's African American History month and I had to get some part of history in the mix of my blogs. African American Authors. They're an uprising to behold.

This time around, I interview Bernice McFadden ... an amazing word smith. Her words and stories woo you into a trance, that you're placed in the setting of each story. I introduce you to Ms. McFadden's works of art and invite you to see what the rave is about.


From the Publisher

An exceptional debut novel that explores a most unlikely friendship between a churchgoing Southern woman and the bewitching young prostitute who moves in next door.

Set in the fictionalized town of Bigelow, Arkansas, circa 1950, Sugar is a rich and moving story that traces the lives of two unforgettable women and the small community they change. After the horrible death of her young daughter, Jude, Pearl Taylor turns to the church for support, suppressing her own desires. But when Sugar, a beautiful, uninhibited spirit (who resembles Jude with eerie similarity) moves into the neighboring home at 10 Grove Street, Pearl's life is irrevocably and dramatically changed. Over sweet potato pie the two woman learn to trust and confide in each other, but when the local gossips discover that Sugar is a prostitute, Pearl shocks the once quiet town-and herself-by remaining loyal to her new friend.

Filled with lyrical prose, McFadden reveals her talent for using language with an almost spiritual grace to describe the vivid and mysterious details found in everyday life. Sugar is a timeless story of what it means to accept and to forgive.

Sugar is sold at the following outlets: Be sure to get a copy and see for yourself why this makes a milestone in the literary world.

Amazon.com

Books-a-million

Borders

Cush City




“Sugar”, your debut novel with a story worth telling the world about has stained my mind. Your story telling tactic is totally amazing. You are one of the many griot’s I’ve grown to love. So a very heartfelt thank you for taking this time to have this interview with me.

I first heard about "Sugar" on twitter. I began "following" you through re-tweets from other literary friends. Then I skipped over to your blog and website & I was intrigued. The cover image was inviting. I sensed history. An era with a past. I knew I was getting into something I couldn’t put down. Since hearing about “Sugar”, I had the chance to meet you at your book signing in Brooklyn at Brownstone Books, and I purchased a copy. I had no idea what I was in for other than my pre-conceived thoughts. Then you read your excerpt. So far I was right…a novel laced with parts of our history. An era told in a plot that would capture you speechless. And though I didn't imagine the plot to the extent when you read your excerpt, I was left speechless when I finally started reading and when finished, was left wanting more.

Before I begin, I’d like to congratulate you on this tremendous accomplishment. I consider it tremendous because, to have a work of art still buzzing after 10 years, is nothing short of a victory.

Onika Pascal: Your opening line is probably one of the most memorable one liners in literary history. It’s short, simple & to the point. “Jude was dead.” Did you know your novel was going to be remembered for those words?

Bernice McFadden: I had no idea! In my quest to become a published author I read many books on how to effectively and quickly engage a reader and the one hard and fast rule that I continuously came across was that you had to capture the reader with a powerful opening line and so when I wrote “Jude was dead,” it sucked all of the air out the room and I knew that no matter how many times I revised the story, that line would remain.

OP: After the opening line, I kept reading and as I read sadness welled in me for Jude and her family. That’s how intense your story telling is. You placed it in Spring 1940. Why that era?

BM For some reason, I am naturally drawn to the early decades of the twentieth century and so many of my stories reach back to those years, even those stories that might be considered contemporary. I think it is the old soul in me.

OP: A Brooklyn bred author, writing about Bigelow, Arkansas. What lead you to the South as the setting for “Sugar”?

BM: My mother family migrated from Georgia to New York, Chicago and Detroit in the 30’s and 40’s and of course they brought their southern way of life with them as well as the stories of their youth. I spent a lot of time with my grandparent and great aunts and uncles and the favorite pastime in my family was playing cards and telling stories. I absorbed those stories like a sponge and so it seemed only natural for me to create a story that took place in a part of the country that had fed my imagination for so many years.

OP: You went into a deep part of African American History. Injustice, lynching, pre-civil rights all jumped at me when I read. I have an inquisitive mind and while reading the novel kept wondering, what moved you to use this era as the backdrop for “Sugar”? Can you share?

BM: I guess I am amazed by the way blacks were treated during that time. For one human being to treat another with such disdain, cruelty and hatred is mind-boggling to me. I guess I write about these things because I’m trying to figure it out for myself.

OP: You introduced “Sugar” into the novel, after Jude’s death and I didn’t know then, the connection. Sugar walks into town with no pretense. She was Sugar….a slut, whore, bitch! Vivid and nothing left to the imagination. An introduction that obviously worked, but what made you decide to bring her “out” into the open so soon?

BM: You know, I don’t really decide how a story unfolds, my characters have control of that, but I will say that if a reader was tempted to put the book down after such a dark and melancholy opening, Sugars early appearance would prevent them from doing so.

OP: “Sugar” is an intense read. A collection of the many different faces of women. The business owner, the church goers, the respected, the gossip, family oriented and then there’s Sugar. Why this powerful contrast? What was your message behind this plot?

BM: I think the cornucopia of women reflect the world we live in, which is a world filled with contrasts – which is why the story has a universal appeal.

OP: I love history, especially OUR history. When writing “Sugar”, did you do any form of research to get the story to “groove” the way you wanted it to?

BM: I didn’t do much research at all, I think my years of reading provided me with most of the information I needed to go forward with the story.

OP: We’re going to sidetrack for a split second being that we’re on the topic of writing. Do you have any rituals, any special pens/pencils you use, any music in the background, a special place for writing? How does Bernice fall into ‘author’ mode?

BM: I may play some Aretha Franklin or Nina Simone before I sit down to create, but after that I need complete silence. I use the computer to write – I am unable to write longhand because the information and images come to quickly for me to keep up with pen and paper. Sometimes I read a passage from a book by a favorite author and that inspires me to write. I am most comfortable writing in my home office, but have found that I feel just as creative when writing on the verandah of my cousins home in Barbados!

OP: Now that we have a little insight into the author’s mode when writing, I can understand why we read with gasps and raised eyebrows on cue with “Sugar”. You introduced a whore who avoided her childhood, who found it back in an unusual place…how did this story unfold for you? How long did it take to bring Sugar to life and in our favorite bookstores?

BM: Sugar started as a poem in the early 80’s. Eventually, I expanded it into a short story and when I finally decided to make the leap to full-length fiction, it was Sugar that begged to be told. It took nearly ten years and 78 rejection letters to find a home for her.

OP: As I’ve mentioned, I had the honor of being at your book signing in Brooklyn back in January. I’ve heard first hand of your journey to his celebratory moment. But please share with my reader why “Sugar” is worthy of being commemorated.

BM: Ten years ago my life changed forever and for the better when my life-long dream of becoming a published writer finally came true. In 2000 Sugar was very well received by the African-American community of readers - and for that I am very grateful. But the fact that Sugar was not made available to readers, who were not of African descent, has been a thorn in my side for a decade, which is why I chose this, the tenth anniversary of the publication, to re-launch Sugar to the world and capture those readers who had been previously denied the pleasure of her story.

OP: The ending left me speechless on the train. I’m going to admit, I was a bit angry you ended it that way. Then I realized there was a sequel, “This Bitter Earth” … I’m getting ready to read it and wanted to know if I should get the box of tissues out again?

BM: Yes!

OP: I think you’ve filled every gap, gave every object and character an image and I appreciate you for being so detailed. Who were / are your influences?

BM: I have been greatly influenced by Toni Morrison, Gloria Naylor, J. California Cooper and Tina McElory Ansa.


Ms. McFadden, this brings us to the end of our interview. And though I could have asked you a million more questions, I will leave them to someone else. From hearing about “Sugar”, to reading it, to meeting you, to this interview … all while the novel is celebrating its 10th year in publication, I must say that I have been a part of history itself.

Thank you for your time and here’s to many more “10 year” celebrations for your other novels. You inspire me!