Wow. You are such an inspiration! Already published and not even completely out of school. I'm green with envy, yet filled with a sense of pride I always feel when hearing someone as young as you getting published. It gives hope to the rest of us.
You mention wanting to teach both French and English-Creative Writing. Is there one you would prefer over the other? Have you tried writing creatively in French, or using your knowledge of French in your work?
Hi Savannah! Thank you so much for your kind words! In all honesty, I would love to teach both subjects equally. I'm pretty open to whatever I can get hired to teach in, but the dream would be to teach both if possible.
I have written a few poems in French back in the day, but I do have the goal to write at least one substantial work in French before I die. I do hope to become more fluent in the language before I attempt it though.
Hey, Allison! It's been great getting to know you and the story about how _Forget Me Not_ came to be always touches me every time I read it. I am so happy about all of your success; you definitely deserve it!
My question for you is: who are your greatest influences writing-wise?
Also, you mention your love for music: what are your favorite genres and artists/bands to listen to?
Hi Bri! Thank you so much for your encouraging words! It means so much!
My greatest writing influence would have to be Marianne Curley. She wrote The Guardians of Time Trilogy and most recently the Avena Series. She is an Australian novelist who writes in the young adult genre. I have had the amazing opportunity to meet her (online of course) and consider her a wonderful friend and mentor. She has read my books and has been so encouraging - even writing a review to have put on the cover of my second book! She is an amazing writer - please go check her out!
For music, I love all genres, but my favorite is alternative rock! My favorite bands have to be Paramore, The All American Rejects, Boys Like Girls, The Civil Wars, Eliza Dolittle, and of course Taylor Swift. I love French music too - Coeur de Pirate and Joyce Jonathan are my favorites!
Hi, Allison! I enjoyed reading and learning more about you outside of the literary scene. It is really neat that you were able to mesh two passions--writing and French--and ultimately decide to be a teacher! You mentioned that you decided to be a teacher while you were abroad. Why would you say that teaching is your calling rather than being a novelist?
Hi Hannah! I am so excited to get to know you more this year and go through the program with you!
I suppose I had always wanted to be a teacher, but only recently did the calling come more alive. I do plan on writing as I teach and publish more novels in the future. But I want to do both because I feel called to young women in the middle school/high school age. I want to help young people grow and get through the difficult years of middle school/high school. While writing in the young adult genre does this, I feel that I want more personal mentorships that I feel teaching can provide.
I hope that answers your question! If not, let me know and I can try to go into more detail!
Hello there stranger! I learned some things about you that I never knew in that autobiography. However, thinking of a question is a bit hard. I guess I'm curious about your farm life. What was it like growing up on a farm with so many animals around? Did you ever ride horses competitively? (I like to pretend I'm an expert on horses after living with Savannah, the horse goddess.)
Hey there! Growing up on a farm was great! I had so much freedom to run around and play. I loved growing up with horses and did compete hunter-jumper from when I was around five or six. I rode and competed up until high school where I then switched to competitive cheerleading. But I loved riding and look back on it fondly! I would love to get back into that world some day!
Hey Allison! I was wondering about your book preferences--what kinds of genres do you enjoy reading the most? I know you're a big Harry Potter fan, but are there other types of stories that interest you?
Hey Kayleigh! I love the young adult and fantasy genres! As I mentioned before, I love Marianne Curley who writes YA/Fantasy. I also love time travel/historical novels. I also am a huge fan of the classics - the Bronte sisters and Jane Austen. I also love mysteries - Nancy Drew was my jam!
Thanks Abbey! Before teaching, I was considering working as an editor or publisher. This past year, I was editor-in-chief of GCSU's literary journal, The Peacock's Feet, and while this experience was very enlightening and growing, I realized that I did not love it as I thought I would. At the same time, I was a student instructor for French and absolutely loved teaching and tutoring students. These experiences really helped me think about and ultimately change my mind about my future career.
Allison, I am jealous. Your research seems fascinating and that's a research paper I would swing in my hammock and read. When will ya'll be done with all of the research? Do you plan on making that a thesis for a doctorate? Do you think you would rather teach overseas or in the US? Which topic would you want to teach more English or French?
Thank you so much Sheika! We are not exactly sure when our research will be over - there are over 200 letters! And the process of transcribing each one is long and difficult. I had not thought about making this project a thesis since, at this point in time, don't have any plans to pursue a doctorate degree. However, Dr. Elliott and I do plan to write several articles and hopefully upload digital copies of the letters online for other other scholars to read and use.
I have considered teaching overseas, but for now feel more led to teach here in the States. However, who knows what the future holds!
I am not sure what subject I would rather teach, since I love both so much! I would hope to one day be able to teach both, but we shall see.
Love you too future roomie! :) And that's awesome that you love Castle too! I have almost all the seasons on DVD! My favorite character would have to be Richard Castle. The fact that he is a writer and is so hilarious made me love him from episode one.
When I was an SI for three different online French classes: Maymester French 1001, Fall French 1001, and Spring French 1002. Basically, I assigned and graded all the homework plus held weekly in person SI session/office hours for the Fall and Spring semesters where students could come see me face to face. That time was mainly tutoring one on one, however I did give a review lesson for a group of students, which felt way more like teaching rather than tutoring. I also communicated with the students via email frequently and did my best to be a liaison between the students and the professor.
Hello, Allison! I also love language and culture! I think it's so amazing that you have already done so much at such a young age. What was your inspiration for your books and what did you find to be the most difficult part about your journey of getting your books published? Can't wait to learn more about you!
Hey there! My inspiration for my books came from my Dad passing. It was a way for me to dive into another world while the one around me was in such chaos. My books are also heavily inspired by Native American culture and history, something my Dad was always so passionate about.
The most difficult part of my journey to publication was finding someone willing to read the entire manuscript. Most editors only wanted a few chapters and made their decision from that. While I took their advice and edited my book as best I could, I really thought that if one person just read the entire manuscript, they would hopefully consider it. And finally someone did!
Hey girl! Shout out to Dr. and Mrs. Herbel and those milkshakes we had in Germany! Haha, but really, I loved your bio! I think what you experienced with your dad and his cancer is a testament of your strength and your faith, and I was wondering what advice you might have for other kids going through a similar situation?
Thanks Katherine! Those milkshakes were indeed life changing!
My advice comes from a Christian standpoint, but I would say to trust in God and lean on Him and your family. Grief will never go away so you just have to ride the waves as they come. I would also say it's okay to not feel okay. And it's okay if no one understands, because unless someone has been there and lost someone close, people won't understand. Be patient with yourself and your grief and let yourself hurt when you need to hurt, but always look for the joy in life because there is so much to be thankful for too!
Allison, so much to ask from your bio, I’m sure I’ll have plenty of time over the next year and beyond that. But, I still want to ask you a loaded ?,Shamiah said we could work on my almost forgotten French skills (lack thereof) from time to time. Would you be willing? The comic relief will make y’all laugh quite a bit, I have one of, if not the, most monotone voices imaginable. You’ll see (hear) Monday.
Hey Allison, I really admire your ability to take such a devastating circumstance and create something new and amazing from it. I find it difficult to finish even short stories, so I can't even imagine the dedication it takes to make it through a series! On a different note, I noticed that you like Gilmore Girls, so I'm forced to ask: are you a Luke or Christopher fan?
Hey Casey! Thank you so much for your kind and encouraging words. I look forward to getting to know you more this year. To answer your question, I am 100% a Luke fan!
It is inspiring to hear about your accomplishments! The publishing world is so difficult to break into and I look forward to working alongside someone as diligent and hard working as yourself. One of my most memorable teachers was also a published author and I always appreciated her unique approach. I learned so much about writing in her class, but she always made sure that the focus was on our inspiration, creativity, and experimentation. Do you plan to use your talent to inspire your students to have passion for English? If so, how do you plan on sharing that with them?
Hi Hillary! Thank you so much for your kind words. I look forward to working with you as well.
I do hope my experience in creative writing and publishing inspire my future students. I definitely see myself doing more creative assignments and projects in order to inspire my students and encourage them to achieve things that they might think are impossible, like writing a novel. I'm not exactly sure in what practical ways I can do this, but I did have the idea from another college professor where she had her students participate in NanoWrimo which is a novel writing contest that takes place in one month. Doing things like this are definitely on my mind as I think about my future as a teacher.
Hi Camille! My favorite city would have to be Strasbourg, France. It is a beautiful French town in the Alsace region so it's right on the border of France and Germany! I spent most of my study abroad there and it is so beautiful! I really miss it!
This comment has been removed by the author.
ReplyDeleteWow. You are such an inspiration! Already published and not even completely out of school. I'm green with envy, yet filled with a sense of pride I always feel when hearing someone as young as you getting published. It gives hope to the rest of us.
ReplyDeleteYou mention wanting to teach both French and English-Creative Writing. Is there one you would prefer over the other? Have you tried writing creatively in French, or using your knowledge of French in your work?
Hi Savannah! Thank you so much for your kind words! In all honesty, I would love to teach both subjects equally. I'm pretty open to whatever I can get hired to teach in, but the dream would be to teach both if possible.
DeleteI have written a few poems in French back in the day, but I do have the goal to write at least one substantial work in French before I die. I do hope to become more fluent in the language before I attempt it though.
Hey, Allison! It's been great getting to know you and the story about how _Forget Me Not_ came to be always touches me every time I read it. I am so happy about all of your success; you definitely deserve it!
ReplyDeleteMy question for you is: who are your greatest influences writing-wise?
Also, you mention your love for music: what are your favorite genres and artists/bands to listen to?
Hi Bri! Thank you so much for your encouraging words! It means so much!
DeleteMy greatest writing influence would have to be Marianne Curley. She wrote The Guardians of Time Trilogy and most recently the Avena Series. She is an Australian novelist who writes in the young adult genre. I have had the amazing opportunity to meet her (online of course) and consider her a wonderful friend and mentor. She has read my books and has been so encouraging - even writing a review to have put on the cover of my second book! She is an amazing writer - please go check her out!
For music, I love all genres, but my favorite is alternative rock! My favorite bands have to be Paramore, The All American Rejects, Boys Like Girls, The Civil Wars, Eliza Dolittle, and of course Taylor Swift. I love French music too - Coeur de Pirate and Joyce Jonathan are my favorites!
Hi, Allison! I enjoyed reading and learning more about you outside of the literary scene. It is really neat that you were able to mesh two passions--writing and French--and ultimately decide to be a teacher! You mentioned that you decided to be a teacher while you were abroad. Why would you say that teaching is your calling rather than being a novelist?
ReplyDeleteHi Hannah! I am so excited to get to know you more this year and go through the program with you!
DeleteI suppose I had always wanted to be a teacher, but only recently did the calling come more alive. I do plan on writing as I teach and publish more novels in the future. But I want to do both because I feel called to young women in the middle school/high school age. I want to help young people grow and get through the difficult years of middle school/high school. While writing in the young adult genre does this, I feel that I want more personal mentorships that I feel teaching can provide.
I hope that answers your question! If not, let me know and I can try to go into more detail!
Hello there stranger! I learned some things about you that I never knew in that autobiography. However, thinking of a question is a bit hard. I guess I'm curious about your farm life. What was it like growing up on a farm with so many animals around? Did you ever ride horses competitively? (I like to pretend I'm an expert on horses after living with Savannah, the horse goddess.)
ReplyDeleteHey there! Growing up on a farm was great! I had so much freedom to run around and play. I loved growing up with horses and did compete hunter-jumper from when I was around five or six. I rode and competed up until high school where I then switched to competitive cheerleading. But I loved riding and look back on it fondly! I would love to get back into that world some day!
DeleteHey Allison! I was wondering about your book preferences--what kinds of genres do you enjoy reading the most? I know you're a big Harry Potter fan, but are there other types of stories that interest you?
ReplyDeleteHey Kayleigh! I love the young adult and fantasy genres! As I mentioned before, I love Marianne Curley who writes YA/Fantasy. I also love time travel/historical novels. I also am a huge fan of the classics - the Bronte sisters and Jane Austen. I also love mysteries - Nancy Drew was my jam!
DeleteAwesome bio! I was wondering what you wanted to do before you decided teaching since that was only placed on your heart about a year ago?
ReplyDeleteThanks Abbey! Before teaching, I was considering working as an editor or publisher. This past year, I was editor-in-chief of GCSU's literary journal, The Peacock's Feet, and while this experience was very enlightening and growing, I realized that I did not love it as I thought I would. At the same time, I was a student instructor for French and absolutely loved teaching and tutoring students. These experiences really helped me think about and ultimately change my mind about my future career.
DeleteAllison, I am jealous. Your research seems fascinating and that's a research paper I would swing in my hammock and read. When will ya'll be done with all of the research? Do you plan on making that a thesis for a doctorate? Do you think you would rather teach overseas or in the US? Which topic would you want to teach more English or French?
ReplyDeleteAs you can tell I am really interested.
Thank you so much Sheika! We are not exactly sure when our research will be over - there are over 200 letters! And the process of transcribing each one is long and difficult. I had not thought about making this project a thesis since, at this point in time, don't have any plans to pursue a doctorate degree. However, Dr. Elliott and I do plan to write several articles and hopefully upload digital copies of the letters online for other other scholars to read and use.
DeleteI have considered teaching overseas, but for now feel more led to teach here in the States. However, who knows what the future holds!
I am not sure what subject I would rather teach, since I love both so much! I would hope to one day be able to teach both, but we shall see.
Allison, first, love you future roomie!
ReplyDeleteBut I would like to know who your favorite Castle character is? Btw I love Castle too and watch the reruns all the time!
Also, what did your time as a supplemental instructor consist of?
Love you too future roomie! :) And that's awesome that you love Castle too! I have almost all the seasons on DVD! My favorite character would have to be Richard Castle. The fact that he is a writer and is so hilarious made me love him from episode one.
DeleteWhen I was an SI for three different online French classes: Maymester French 1001, Fall French 1001, and Spring French 1002. Basically, I assigned and graded all the homework plus held weekly in person SI session/office hours for the Fall and Spring semesters where students could come see me face to face. That time was mainly tutoring one on one, however I did give a review lesson for a group of students, which felt way more like teaching rather than tutoring. I also communicated with the students via email frequently and did my best to be a liaison between the students and the professor.
Hello, Allison! I also love language and culture! I think it's so amazing that you have already done so much at such a young age. What was your inspiration for your books and what did you find to be the most difficult part about your journey of getting your books published? Can't wait to learn more about you!
ReplyDeleteHey there! My inspiration for my books came from my Dad passing. It was a way for me to dive into another world while the one around me was in such chaos. My books are also heavily inspired by Native American culture and history, something my Dad was always so passionate about.
DeleteThe most difficult part of my journey to publication was finding someone willing to read the entire manuscript. Most editors only wanted a few chapters and made their decision from that. While I took their advice and edited my book as best I could, I really thought that if one person just read the entire manuscript, they would hopefully consider it. And finally someone did!
Hey girl! Shout out to Dr. and Mrs. Herbel and those milkshakes we had in Germany! Haha, but really, I loved your bio! I think what you experienced with your dad and his cancer is a testament of your strength and your faith, and I was wondering what advice you might have for other kids going through a similar situation?
ReplyDeleteThanks Katherine! Those milkshakes were indeed life changing!
DeleteMy advice comes from a Christian standpoint, but I would say to trust in God and lean on Him and your family. Grief will never go away so you just have to ride the waves as they come. I would also say it's okay to not feel okay. And it's okay if no one understands, because unless someone has been there and lost someone close, people won't understand. Be patient with yourself and your grief and let yourself hurt when you need to hurt, but always look for the joy in life because there is so much to be thankful for too!
Beautifully said! Can't wait to see you tomorrow!
DeleteAllison, so much to ask from your bio, I’m sure I’ll have plenty of time over the next year and beyond that. But, I still want to ask you a loaded ?,Shamiah said we could work on my almost forgotten French skills (lack thereof) from time to time. Would you be willing? The comic relief will make y’all laugh quite a bit, I have one of, if not the, most monotone voices imaginable. You’ll see (hear) Monday.
ReplyDeleteHey Joe! I would be more than happy to help you with your French with Shamiah! Pas de problème!
DeleteHey Allison, I really admire your ability to take such a devastating circumstance and create something new and amazing from it. I find it difficult to finish even short stories, so I can't even imagine the dedication it takes to make it through a series! On a different note, I noticed that you like Gilmore Girls, so I'm forced to ask: are you a Luke or Christopher fan?
ReplyDeleteHey Casey! Thank you so much for your kind and encouraging words. I look forward to getting to know you more this year. To answer your question, I am 100% a Luke fan!
DeleteIt is inspiring to hear about your accomplishments! The publishing world is so difficult to break into and I look forward to working alongside someone as diligent and hard working as yourself. One of my most memorable teachers was also a published author and I always appreciated her unique approach. I learned so much about writing in her class, but she always made sure that the focus was on our inspiration, creativity, and experimentation. Do you plan to use your talent to inspire your students to have passion for English? If so, how do you plan on sharing that with them?
ReplyDeleteHi Hillary! Thank you so much for your kind words. I look forward to working with you as well.
DeleteI do hope my experience in creative writing and publishing inspire my future students. I definitely see myself doing more creative assignments and projects in order to inspire my students and encourage them to achieve things that they might think are impossible, like writing a novel. I'm not exactly sure in what practical ways I can do this, but I did have the idea from another college professor where she had her students participate in NanoWrimo which is a novel writing contest that takes place in one month. Doing things like this are definitely on my mind as I think about my future as a teacher.
Hey Allison! I see you have done some traveling, what was your favorite city in Europe that you visited and why?
ReplyDeleteHi Camille! My favorite city would have to be Strasbourg, France. It is a beautiful French town in the Alsace region so it's right on the border of France and Germany! I spent most of my study abroad there and it is so beautiful! I really miss it!
Delete