Talking with KIM EDWARDS

As is always the case, the absolute best place to find out any scoop is in the carpool line at school. Don't you agree? If you want anything to be spread like wildfire, just mention it on the lot and I guarantee by dinnertime, it'll be old news. It seems that the topic of conversation among my friends tends to be books since I am in the publishing business and a lot of times, they like to suggest titles for my column. Besides exemplary reviews, the quickest way for an author to get to the top of the best seller list is by word of mouth. One friend suggests a book to another and then so on and so on. Before you know it, the book is a hit. And to think, it can all start on a schoolyard parking lot.

When I first thought about writing a column, I knew I wanted it to be different than a standard author Q & A. Rather than interviewing just any author, I wanted to take a different approach. Being a reviewer, I get sent many books, which is a definite perk for being in this business, but honestly, it's also very time consuming trying to get them all read. So, I came up with a simple system. I read the first three chapters of the book. If it doesn't grab me I stop reading, if I like it then I'll finish it, and if I absolutely love it, it becomes a Jen's Jewel. I know how precious your reading time is and that is why I only bring to you the best of the best. I do the legwork and you reap the benefits. Whether it's a well-known author or a diamond in the rough, every book has a chance of becoming a jewel.

With that being said, the recent sensational hit The Memory Keeper's Daughter was the hot topic at my sons' school one day. I have to admit that I was quite intrigued by its premise, but I was already narrowing down my choices for the month and felt confident with my selection. Then out of the blue, the book showed up on my doorstep from the publisher. What are the chances that I would be sent that book? Quite ironic, huh? I guess it was just fate. For the next three days, everything went on the backburner as I delved into the story.

Well true to their word, my friends were right on the mark. I found this book to be all that and more. It's really hard to describe why this book is so captivating because it's certainly not an uplifting book, but it's not depressing either. I'll let you be the judge, but I'm certain you will agree. The Memory Keeper's Daughter is a definite must-read. As part of the interview, Kim has graciously donated five books to give away to my readers! So, you know the drill by now! Please read the column and send me an Email with the correct answer to the trivia question. Good luck! Maybe December will be your lucky month!

Go grab a cup of hot chocolate and get to know Kim Edwards.

JEN: Please tell us about your educational and professional background.

KIM: I have a B.A. in English from Colgate University, an MFA in fiction from The Iowa Writer's Workshop, and an MA in Linguistics, also from Iowa. I taught for five years in Asia after graduating, and have taught more or less continuously at the university level since returning to the US.

JEN: Have you always wanted to be a writer and at what juncture in your life did you finally decide to write a book?

KIM: Yes, I always wanted to write. From the time I was very small, I was fascinated with stories and with language.

JEN: You have had much success writing short stories. Besides length, what was the biggest obstacle you encountered when writing your first novel, The Memory Keeper's Daughter, and how did you overcome it?

KIM: Writing the novel wasn't terribly different from writing stories, except for the length. The process of discovery was much the same; I don't write in a linear way, and the novel, like my stories, took shape gradually. Probably the biggest challenge was keeping the four main narrative arcs clearly in mind. Once I'd drafted the whole novel, I took it apart and rearranged the chapters by point of view. That was very illuminative, showing me areas that were unexplored. I made changes, then put the novel back into its final form.

JEN: THE MEMORY KEEPER'S DAUGHTER is such a moving story. How did you arrive at the premise?

KIM: A confluence of events, really. The initial seed--the story of a baby institutionalized at birth and kept a secret--was given to me, but I didn't start writing the story for several years, after I'd done a workshop with a group of adults with mental challenges. I had a great experience with that group, and started thinking seriously about this novel.

JEN: From conception to completion, how long did it take for you to write the novel?

KIM: Three years, almost exactly.

JEN: The novel, which begins in 1964, focuses on a child diagnosed with Down syndrome, which in present day could be compared to autism in the sense that we do not know a lot about it. In your opinion, why are writers so afraid of tackling these topics in mainstream fiction? Was it a concern for you as you were writing the book as to how you be perceived by those touched by Down syndrome? What steps did you take to ensure that your portrayal of Phoebe would be accurate?

KIM: I did a great deal of research about Down syndrome (which is very different from autism), both through reading and through talking with parents who raised or are raising children with Down syndrome. Everyone I spoke with was incredibly generous and informative.

JEN: What surprised you the most about Down syndrome?

KIM: How vastly it was misunderstood just a few decades ago. That, and the powerful role families have played in changing the perceptions and expectations of society. Caroline's struggle in the novel really does reflect how the changes took place.

JEN: Please explain to us the significant change in the main character, Norah, in relation to the plot.

KIM: She's a woman who goes through enormous changes in her life, and those changes are reflected in the greater culture, as well. The expectations and possibilities for women are completely overturned within her lifetime. Norah becomes much stronger and independent in the course of the novel. I admire her resilience.

JEN: Did you ever entertain the idea of David telling Norah the truth? Why or why not?

KIM: No, David tried several times to tell her, and he couldn't do it. It was in his nature to try to fix things, to keep things under control, and telling Norah would have opened up possibilities beyond the ability to influence. I think he would have spent his whole life wishing to tell her but being unable to do so, even if he hadn't run out of time.

JEN: As I mentioned earlier, the main event of the story takes place in 1964. Do you think this could actually happen in present day? Why or why not?

KIM: No, if only because women are not typically fully sedated for a birth today.

JEN: In your opinion, who is the stronger character, David or Caroline, and why?

KIM: They are both strong in their own ways.

JEN: Did you know how you wanted the story to end when you first began writing or did it just evolve? Please tell us a little bit about your writing process. Plot first? Characters? Outline?

KIM: The book is character driven. I don't outline, and I never know how a story is going to unfold until I write it. That's one of the great pleasures of writing, actually--that discovery.

JEN: What is your favorite part of the book and why?

KIM: I like it all.

JEN: By writing this novel, what message are you sending your readers?

KIM: I didn't set out to send a message. Artists can't start with an agenda, or they'll force the characters to fit the agenda, rather than allow them full-expression. In The Memory Keeper's Daughter, as in all my fiction, I wanted to explore how these people in this situation would react and change and grow.

JEN: When the book was finally completed, how did you feel? Was it difficult to say good-bye to these characters? Have they become a part of you?

KIM: Yes, it was very momentous to send the final, edited manuscript off. The house felt very empty for several weeks.

JEN: If you could change one thing about the book, if anything, what would it be and why?

KIM: Nothing. I'm delighted with the book.

JEN: Are you writing another book and if so, what can you tell us about it? When will it be published?

KIM: Yes, I'm writing another novel, but that's all I can say about it at this time.

JEN: Do you have a web site? Mailing list? Blog? Scheduled appearances?

KIM: www.memorykeepersdaugther.com

Thanks, Kim, for taking time out of your very busy schedule to talk with me. Also, I would like to thank Shannon Twomey at Penguin Books for making this interview possible. I truly appreciate your kindness.

Okay--here we go! Five people who correctly answer the following question will win a copy of the book. Bonne chance!

What is the name of the lead character in The Memory Keeper's Daughter?

Next month, I will start off the New Year by bringing to you an interview with the sizzling, hot romance writer Kelley St. John. If you are a big fan of the romance industry, you won't want to miss it! Also, I will be giving you the unique opportunity to read the first three chapters of a new book that hasn't even been published yet. You be the judge and decide if it's a hit or a miss!

I would like to personally thank all of my dedicated readers for sticking with me each and every month. I wish you all a very joyous holiday season full of laughter and especially love!

Until next year--Jen