Interview with Kris Radish

Family reunions can be exciting, stressful, and perhaps even life-changing depending on the individual dynamics of your family. From the initial planning stages to the execution of the big day, many factors contribute to its success. Needless to say, some people wind up doing more than others, but the end result is almost always worth the effort.

This month’s Jen’s Jewels Kris Radish had her fair share of experience orchestrating her own family reunions. You may recognize her name as the author of the bestselling books THE SUNDAY LIST OF DREAMS or SEARCHING FOR PARADISE IN PARKER, PA, both fabulous reads. In her latest release THE SHORTEST DISTANCE BETWEEN TWO WOMEN, she creates the ultimate family reunion while incorporating the struggles of a woman in search of herself. Laugh out-loud funny, her new book is sure to be winner.

As part of this interview, Bantam Dell has generously donated five copies for you, my lucky readers, to win. So, don’t forget to look for the trivia question at the end. And, thanks for making Jen’s Jewels a part of your reading adventure.

Jen: As an author of six best-selling books in addition to being a journalist, your career has run the gamut. For those readers unfamiliar with your work, let’s start at the beginning. Please describe for us your educational and professional background prior to becoming a novelist.

Kris: I have a degree in journalism from the University of Wisconsin and I am not sure we have enough time to discuss every job I have ever had! I was a working journalist for thirty-five years-that sounds old- and have written about everything from natural disasters and murders to bake sales and city council meetings. And oh yes, I loved every minute of it. I was nominated for a Pulitzer Prize, flew to Bosnia when the war started, had a stalker for almost a year, was a nationally syndicated columnist, a professional Girl Scout, worm harvester, bartender, lifeguard, return specialist at a major warehouse….well, really – Kris has been around the block baby.

Jen: Becoming a successful author requires talent as well as support from loved ones. You’ve said on your website that your parents believed in you. Ultimately, their encouragement led to the pursuit of your dream of becoming an author. How did their nod of approval attribute to your decision to write books based upon empowered women such as yourself?

Kris: I was raised to believe in dreams and that even if we didn’t have money – we could take on the world. My parents laughed a lot when I talked about my dreams – laughed in a way that was half-holy cow she is going to do this and half-what have we created. They never tried to stop me and even when I took off for parts unknown – they never said, “No.”.

Jen: Your latest endeavor, THE SHORTEST DISTANCE BETWEEN TWO WOMEN, incorporates the best and the worst when it comes to family. Funny yet at times poignant, I was so impressed with your ability to reach within the depths of your characters’ souls. Truly, I felt as if these women were a part of my life. (I was secretly wishing I could become a Gilford!) How did you arrive at the premise?

Kris: I usually start out by looking into the mirror and dissecting my own life. Family is all over the place. I have three siblings and I have some friends who told me a story about their holiday conflicts. These are grown women! One holiday is here – one is there and I said to them, “When can you start your own traditions”? They looked at me as if I had just stripped naked. Thus – a book was born.

Jen: The story focuses on Emma Gilford, the only unmarried daughter in the family, who struggles with the idea of self-fulfillment. Concerned with her sisters, mother, and past romances, she always puts her own needs last. In what ways has her birth order affected this decision? Of her three sisters, Erika, Joy, and Debra, who depends on her the most and why?

Kris: Well, here is Emma who is unmarried. That means, to the married sisters, that she has tons of free time to be their unpaid helper. Really, all three sisters depend on her. They take her for granted also because she lets them. In families it is VERY hard to draw lines and isn’t it the “girls” who usually take up the slack? She’s also the baby and I‘m not sure you ever get over that. At some point the baby and the baby’s siblings have to stop and address each other as adults…most of the time.

Jen: The most colorful character in the story is Emma’s mother, Marty. A flamboyant widow who is in search of the next phase in her life, she has a take- no-prisoners attitude when it comes to dealing with her children and even the neighbors. How does her metamorphosis affect Emma’s own view of herself? In what ways is she envious and perhaps a bit jealous of her mother’s new-found freedom?

Kris: Don’t you just love Marty? I want to be just like her when I am a grandma….not for years I hope. (Hear that kids?) Marty’s transformation was a long time coming and startles the living hell out of Emma. It gives her one more reason to examine her life and get a grip. And doesn’t change always prod us? Doesn’t it make us look at our own self and life? It’s just one more gift that Marty gives, not just to Emma, but to all of her daughters. “Listen to me – it is never too late.”

Jen: It could be said the Gilford Family Reunion is the main character in this book. I would have to assume that your knowledge of the topic comes from personal experience. Is that true? And if so, are you the queen of the Radish Family Reunion? Are your get-togethers similar to that described in the book?

Kris: You caught me! Radish Family Reunions have been a part of my life for 55 years. And yes, there is an auction. I am far from the queen and actually have been unable to attend for the past several years but the reunions are a very important part of my life and memory and I was just back home in Wisconsin and will be posting some REALLY old reunion photos on my website, www.krisradish.com, very soon! Prepare to laugh.

Jen: Emma’s love interest is what I would call a forbidden fruit. A sister’s ex-boyfriend! How could that be? How does Sam’s “appearance” affect Emma’s view of her relationship with her family? Despite obvious reasons, why has she chosen to keep it a secret?

Kris: You know when you are ready to change it is almost like a chain reaction and finally there is just one last thing that pushes you forward. For Emma it was the phone calls from her lost love. The calls pushed her right over the edge and forced her to face her choices. She was afraid to live and afraid to be judged and afraid of living…so she was existing like so many of us. And the secret was the one thing she had that no one else in her family had.

Jen: Emma’s saving grace, if you will, is her garden. Her nurturing of Mother Earth brings forth a certain tranquility that she lacks in her personal life. In what ways do the plants cultivate her gentle, loving spirit?

Kris: Emma is never judged in her garden. No one expects anything but water and maybe a little plant food. And her gardens are hers and hers only… sacred ground, her haven, the one place where she can be herself and not rise to what she perceives are so many expectations. It is also a beautiful place to be. It’s very hard to be anything but loving and kind and true when a daisy is walking itself across your forehead.

Jen: Emma’s bond with her niece Stephie fills an obvious void in both of their lives. How does it positively affect Emma’s troubled relationship with her sister Joy?

Kris: Joy’s cup runneth over. She knows she’s in trouble and once she finally can let go, which is a pretty huge thing to do, she realizes what a gift Emma is and has been for her and her daughter. Who does not need a cool auntie? I had one and my Auntie Barbara was a live and wonderful force in my life.

Jen: Of all the sisters, Emma has the closest relationship with their mother Marty. What makes these two kindred spirits?

Kris: When Marty’s husband and Emma’s father died both of them filled their life’s void with each other. Emma was the baby and think of it as a wild storm where they could both cling to each other. They are both also caretakers and have hearts that were spun from the same fabric. It’s so hard to know when to let go and when to hold on. I’m a mother and believe me – I know. Well, most of the time I know – the rest I am clueless and groping in the dark!

Jen: A common thread throughout the story is the undeniable need for each woman to love and be loved. What important life lesson will Emma have to learn in order to achieve true happiness?

Kris: Emma, like all of us, needs to conquer her fear and to simply let go. Sometimes the fear of change can cripple us. It seems as if staying where we are is the best because it’s comfortable but if we take a really close look we will see that our socks no longer fit, the shoes are too small, and we have outgrown our own lives. It is time to move on.

Jen: The beauty pageant was an unexpected twist to the plot. Why did you choose to incorporate it into the story?

Kris: I loved this part of the book! It came as a surprise to me – believe me. I love addressing the idea of beauty and expectations and I love breaking down stereotypes. Stephie is standing on the edge of her future as well and this was a step out of her box, a way for her to move forward in her life in spite of all the chaos in her own life. Besides that it is funny as hell! I so wanted to be on that bus and could see the other people in the audience looking at all of them. Sometimes you just really need to be yourself – well, you always need to be yourself, you know?

Jen: Will there be a sequel? (I hope so!)I felt as if some questions were left unanswered. Was this on purpose?

Kris: Oh sure! Some days, when I am drinking wine (mostly every day by the way); I think how cool it would be to put all of the characters from my novels into one book. Can you just see it? Then we could turn it into a musical. I’m going to start it right now…!

Jen: Let’s talk about your website. (I just love the term Radishland! It made me chuckle!) Do you have a mailing list? E-mail notification of upcoming releases? Do you participate in author phone chats? And if so, how would my readers go about scheduling one? Do you blog?

Kris: The only I do not do on my website is give away free beer….my readers have to come to an event for that. I blog a lot and I love it. I do tons of book club chats and there is a link on my website for that and I LOVE to do them – it’s like having a Radish in your living room. I do giveaways and I have a cool section for readers to send in their own stuff and I give away a prize. I also answer all my own emails and I do have a very cool newsletter…! Come take a peek.

Jen: Are you currently at work on your next novel? If so, what can you tell us about it?

Kris: Of course I am ...not write? I would die. My next novel Hearts on a String will REALLY surprise my readers. Hang on is what I have to say. I am stretching myself with each novel and this one makes me REALLY tall.

Jen: Thank you so much for taking the time to stop by and chat with my readers. I look forward to seeing THE SHORTEST DISTANCE BETWEEN TWO WOMEN at the top of the bestseller’s list. Best of luck!

Kris: Jen…you are aces, baby! Thank you for this opportunity and for allowing me into your world. Keep the door open…please!

I hope you have enjoyed my interview with Kris. How would you like to win a copy for yourself? Answer the following trivia question correctly and you could win. Five winners will be chosen!

What is the nickname of Kris Radish’s website?

In September, I will be bringing to you my interview with Kaylie Jones, daughter of prize winning novelist James Jones. You won’t want to miss it.

Until next time...Jen