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I grew up in Ontario. Going to Niagara Falls was a family tradition. At first we would do all the ‘touristy’ things. But I remember discovering life around the Falls. The towns beyond it. The culture. Tradition. It’s an honor to host an interview by DK, author of Bridges, a story that revolves around the something that is dear to my heart. (Seriously, I’m not kidding. The Hershey store is in Niagara Falls).
Thanks for coming on my blog! Can you tell me what your story is about?
‘Bridges’ is a tale of camaraderie and historical fact, weaved together in a unique fashion, with a twist of mystery and revelation involving a group of 1962 teenagers caught up in the complexities of a changing world around them. A faded picture from a by-gone era sets in motion a perilous quest; five young men not only encounter harrowing danger in the forbidden, historical laden Niagara Gorge, but confront the swirling illusions of the world they knew – changing their lives forever. Interwoven are four stories from Niagara’s past that are stand alone yet have tentacles into the group in 1962.
I love finding out about peoples passions especially when it comes to their stories. So tell me, what compelled you to write this novel?
A combination of a Niagara few people know about coupled with the decade of the ’60’s which was the best and worse times of America. A decade when America was at it’s prime and it’s base. When young people thought everything had been done and there was nothing left for them to do, yet, next to the revolutionary era itself, it was the most revolutionary decade in American history.
Totally selfish question here, but I just finished looking over some family photos taken last summer in Niagara Falls, so I gotta ask – what is it about Niagara Falls that you love?
What is there to not love about Niagara Falls? Except for the way it’s been disrespected and misused. Niagara is a gift from the Creator to us on earth. Not only the Falls itself, but the rivers – the gorge – the lakes. Splendid and magnificant. Take an afternoon and walk the Niagara Gorge and I guarentee you will not come out the same as you went in. You’ll meet God in the Gorge. Unfortunately, no one alive today has seen the full power and majestiy of the Falls. It’s been stripped, raped and used for the most mundane of purposes – human greed.
What life lesson hit you the hardest while writing Bridges?
Nothing is new in human history. Technology changes, transportation changes, all facets of living change – but people are the same today as they were thousands of years ago. The same drives, needs, fears and wants. “Bridges” attempted to show that.
Do you have an excerpt you would like to include?
“The Falls roared its thunder and anger at us, challenging us
to come down and visit again. We had taken away its ice bridge,
denying its wintry kingdom. It remembered us and had something
it wanted to say to us.
I leaned against the icy railing, with the mist slowly freezing
my face into a mask of shimmering frost, the same as it had those
many years earlier, and stared into the turbulence, listening to the
thunder – hearing the voice.
“It’s calling us,” Chuck said.
“I know,” I replied.
“Does it remember us?” Lennie asked.
“It wants us,” I answered.
“Why?” Lennie asked.
“Revenge,” Chuck said.
“It’s gotten its revenge,” Lennie said.
“Some. It wants it all—it wants us,” Chuck answered.
“Why?” Lennie asked again.
“We stole a piece of it,” Chuck said.
“It’s immortal. We’re not,” I said.”
>I love Niagara Falls! My family and I vacationed there a few times when I was a younger. It's something I'll never forget. I'm adding DK's novel to my TBR list. Thanks for the interview, Steena and dk!