Renowned author inspires students to dream

Many believe they could use a little individual democracy in their lives. This involves living a life the way one wants to live it and not relying on anyone else to tell them what to do or how to do it.

This was one of the inspiring messages given in a lecture on Dec. 2 by Kris Radish, renowned journalist and best-selling author of 10 books that have been read by close to a million people.

This lecture marked Radish’s first return visit to Utah after 24 years, when she left her position as the Utah County bureau chief for the Deseret News to begin traveling around the world in pursuit of stories and eventually settling down in Wisconsin to write her novels.

Radish’s books have focused on empowering women. Radish uses her life experiences to create fictional characters who are faced with real issues that real women deal with on a daily basis.

Radish knew from a young age that she wanted to become a writer, but it wasn’t an easy road to get to where she is today. She had to go through skeptical teachers, bad jobs, a divorce, rejection of her novels and dishonest agents, along with the day-to-day trials everyone is faced with.

But even in the face of these hardships Radish didn’t give up. She knew what she wanted to be and no one could stop her.

“You have to keep a fire under your dreams, no matter how it rains and pours,” Radish said.

Senior Lisa Beaudry recognized the importance of this in her own life.

“It rains everyday in my life,” Beaudry said.

According to Beaudry, the presentation helped her to think about things in a different light and inspired her to continue pursuing her dreams.

Even though Radish has gone through some tough times, she said she wouldn’t trade these experiences for instant fame because it has helped shape who she is and has become the basis for many of her novels.

Although these books carry primarily a female fan base, the issues that Radish addresses are still applicable to men as well.

Jacob Guillen, a junior in the Criminal Justice program who is minoring Philosophy, said that he didn’t mind Radish’s sometimes feminist remarks.

“I enjoyed her value to pursue her dreams through her trials,” Guillen said.

As Radish pursued these dreams she learned the importance of following her heart and not giving up.

“We are told what to do and how to live. It is hard to step out, but once you do it’s the most spiritual and wonderful thing,” Radish said. “Happy endings are possible.”