An Interview with Keri FitzPatrick

To say I love books is an understatement. I learned to read before I headed off to school thanks to my grandmother’s insistence and support. She taught me the value of my own curiosity and to seek knowledge beyond face value. My early beginnings have led to a deep commitment to life-long learning. And the occasional life lesson, because reading about it wasn’t enough, I needed to go try it out. I have a master’s degree in counseling, though for the past twenty-plus years I’ve worked in the criminal justice system, first as a probation officer, followed by my work now as an education specialist. I’ve always believed in people’s ability to change when they gain an awareness of the external, and especially internal barriers they face. This worldview has kept me hopeful within my work settings. I’ve relaunched a women’s program I started over ten years ago: WIT2WOW. The WIT stands for women in transition; they define transition, and the WOW is how they feel when we do empowerment and resilience work. In addition to being a major bookworm, I enjoy living in Colorado, where I ski with my husband and participate in a master’s ski race program, ride bikes, and hike a variety of trails. We have a silly calico cat, Carly, who at eleven can still zoomie like a kitten.

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Who/what made you want to write? Was there a particular person, or particular writers/works/art forms that influenced you?

My grandmother, as I mentioned above, was the start of it all. She encouraged me to find ways to discover nature and writing, then express my thoughts and sometimes my feelings. We were more of a ‘thinking’ family than a feeling group. I loved every language arts class I took from grade school up … I focused on teaching people how to express themselves and create self-discovery routes. Genres that fell in those areas were my focus for years and continue to be. I read the ‘great works’ mostly because they were assigned, then started looking for related material. When I was in fourth grade I saw a photo of Rodin’s The Thinker, and I set out to become a learner. Just to make sure I’m not giving a one-sided account here, I also loved spin-art at the fair, eating hotdogs with my mom after a big day of clothes shopping, and listening to the local AM radio as a teenager. Without knowing it at the time, I was very sentient and noticed my surroundings to the point of making sense of the world around me—whether or not my perception was factually accurate. I started journaling, though back then it was considered keeping a diary, in junior high. I knew I needed a place to put my thoughts and observations. I became an active participant in pen pal clubs and met, only through letters, people from several countries until we outgrew the habit. I truly enjoyed reading about their daily lives in their world and I wrote lengthy letters of my own about the farm I lived on, and later, the one and only vacation I experienced as a child. Writing became an important outlet for me. Reading was necessary as a means to learn about other kinds of people, places, and human behavior. For me, the combination was then a way to stay grounded and forward moving. I’d say it’s the same today.

What other professions have you worked in? What’s something about you that your readers wouldn’t know?

My very first job was as a rhubarb root picker walking behind a flatbed pulled by a tractor. We were ‘kid labor’ and paid cash after eight hours; I think I made $12. As soon as I could drive, at 16 I found a job in a restaurant, later as a bartender, and a combination of both put me through college and grad school. I have a hard time sitting still, literally and figuratively. I’ve always worked in jobs that require a lot of social interaction, quick decision-making, and helping others with problem-solving. And rarely have I held just one job. I still have a day-job as I am growing as an author.

Tell us the story of your book’s title. Was it easy to find, or did it take forever?

I wrote the original book in 1999. I wanted it to feel inviting and convey the contents. I thought of all the times I sat with Grandma, talking about what was going on in my life or bothering me. She’d make a pitcher of lemonade and we’d sit at her kitchen table to chat. The title naturally evolved from there. For the twenty-fifth anniversary edition, I was on another track and struggling with what to call it since it was derived from my original work, then built on with research and evidence-based practice. I finally went with the obvious. And it felt right.

What part of publishing your book made it feel real for the first time?

Wow, it was such a process. I think seeing it online to be purchased was a huge positive dopamine surge. I have to say the support my friends gave me with a lemon-themed party and so much cheering when they bought the book was truly a great feeling. My first tiny check was a great feeling, too. Each success, each sale leads to a feeling of connecting with someone and sharing a message of hope; that is the most real feeling I can think of.

If your book had a soundtrack, what are some songs that would be on it?

Wow, this is a really hard question because of the nature of the book. Every life area is explored and the bottom line in every chapter is ‘How is this serving you?’ Maybe Ridin’ the Storm Out? LOL

What’s one thing you hope sticks with readers after they finish your book?

I hope that people see their own resilience reflected back and make choices knowing they can do new and hard things; they just have to keep going and be willing to notice their journey.

What creative projects are you currently working on?

I have surprised myself by writing a women’s fiction book. I’m working on finding an agent now. My beta readers are saying great things, so I have hope.

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