Featured Interview With Randi Redmond Oster
Tell us a little about yourself. Where were you raised? Where do you live now?
From my seventh floor apartment in the Bronx, I’d look out my window and see the lawn where I wanted to plant a garden but the sign clearly said, “Keep off the grass.” Now, I live in Connecticut and grow herbs, vegetables and lots of flowers.
At what age did you realize your fascination with books? When did you start writing?
In seventh grade when my nose grew way too big, my curly hair frizzed and the acne came popping out, I wrote an essay about my inner beauty. The teacher gave me an A+ and had me read it to the class. My knees buckled, as I read, and looked up at the girls with beautiful skin and long straight hair. When I was done, I discovered the power of honesty — one of the cool kids became my friend.
Who are your favorite authors to read? What is your favorite genre to read. Who Inspires you in your writings?
I love books that tell a story that I can relate to my life and implement some of the author’s wisdom: Walden, The Glass Castle, Tuesday’s with Morrie. I wrote my book to give some of my life insights to my readers so they can find joy living their lives.
Tell us a little about your latest book?
Questioning Protocol is my journey with my son through multiple operations due to complications with Crohn’s disease. It shares my insights of how I handled balancing a job, an aging mother and a sick child without getting depressed or having a total breakdown. I used my skills from almost 20 years in GE plus my compassion as a mom to build a high performing healthcare team focused on my son. The tips, tools and techniques are easily learned and can be implemented by anyone.
It took me a year and a half to write the book. I wanted to make sure that every two pages the reader would have a life “aha” moment. People tell me it is a fast-paced, heartwarming, heart-wrenching and funny read. They say they “can’t put the book down.”
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Author’s Website
Hi Randi! It is Cathy from the cruise. I am on the internet ordering your book right now as you are off in England being photographed with rockstars! I can’t wait to read your book and can’t wait to talk with you. After learning what your book was about, I realized that our meeting on the cruise was destiny! I have taken care of my dad through the nightmare of congestive heart disease and fighting an awful insurance company….I have spent the last four years taking care of my mom–on walker and so disorganized in everything in her life…such a long story….and a sister who is diabetic and will not try to help herself. I have researched and gotten her into experts for anxiety, OCD, hoarding, depression for the past twenty five years and she just does not take care of herself–she just tells these people off–I found out that she was in the hospital AGAIN while I was in Europe –trying to get help for people with mental illness is just impossible! She crushed her ankle four years ago, has had three toes amputated and has a wound that is still not healed!!!!! Enough complaining… I have been the bulldog that has been taking care of them to the point where is starting to affect my health (there is so much to this story!!!). The cruise was a very well–needed break for me and I have decided that the best part of my life is yet to come. I have laughed through it all and kept a glass half full and thankful spirit (on bad days I would say to myself, “no matter how bad it is, probably 99% of the world would rather be in my shoes! I am so blessed and should not complain!” )
I love the same types of books that you do–The Glass Castle has to be one of my all-time favorites! Did you read The Invisible Thread–another great one!
Sorry to be so long winded but can’t wait to read your book! Hope the wedding was tons of fun and look forward to getting together in the near future–I think we could talk for hours! Love, Cath
Great hearing from you. Hope all is well and you like the book!