Facing the past…could change his future.
Veterinarian Neal Rodgers is in Wander Canyon seeking the truth about his past—not to rescue a litter of kittens under his next-door neighbor’s porch. But persistent single-mom Tessa Kennedy is impossible to ignore—especially when she uncovers a family secret of her own.
Discovering the hidden facts of their histories could be the key to unlocking everything in this small town.
Discovering the hidden facts of their histories could be the key to unlocking everything in this small town.
Author Interview with Allie Pleiter
#1. What started you on the “Alpine Path” (writing career)?
Oddly enough, it was a dare from a friend. I started life as an actor. One day a friend dared me to write a romance novel. That friend happened to be the editor for a major New York publishing house romance line! She introduced me to my agent, and the rest is a history of over 50 published novels. I tell people God set it up so that I couldn’t take any credit for it, because He knew I would try. Some dares really are worth taking!
Oddly enough, it was a dare from a friend. I started life as an actor. One day a friend dared me to write a romance novel. That friend happened to be the editor for a major New York publishing house romance line! She introduced me to my agent, and the rest is a history of over 50 published novels. I tell people God set it up so that I couldn’t take any credit for it, because He knew I would try. Some dares really are worth taking!
#2. Are you a full-time author or do you have a another job?
I am blessed enough that I am a full-time author. Although, it’s not all I do. I am a book coach and I do a lot of public speaking. Many people know me for The Chunky Method, my productivity system for writers. I’m a raging extrovert, so I’m not the kind of person who can sit in her office and just write—I thrive on people and variety.
I am blessed enough that I am a full-time author. Although, it’s not all I do. I am a book coach and I do a lot of public speaking. Many people know me for The Chunky Method, my productivity system for writers. I’m a raging extrovert, so I’m not the kind of person who can sit in her office and just write—I thrive on people and variety.
 | #3. What is the hardest part of being an author? I constantly struggle to come up with titles that fit the needs of category romance. That’s a very specific metric and I’m always trying to be too clever. And I suspect many writers would agree with me that major, gut-wrenching revisions are the hardest part of what we do. |
#4. How has becoming a published author changed your life?
I love the variety, the freedom to set my own schedule, and the particular fun of getting to talk to experts in a wide variety of fields in the name of research. I’ve been self-employed for most of my life, so the entrepreneurial aspects of being an author suit me well. And I have to say, the flexibility of being an author was a tremendous blessing when my son was very ill as a teenager. There’s probably not another job I could have kept while meeting the needs of his care at that time (he’s a well and healthy 25 year old now!)
I love the variety, the freedom to set my own schedule, and the particular fun of getting to talk to experts in a wide variety of fields in the name of research. I’ve been self-employed for most of my life, so the entrepreneurial aspects of being an author suit me well. And I have to say, the flexibility of being an author was a tremendous blessing when my son was very ill as a teenager. There’s probably not another job I could have kept while meeting the needs of his care at that time (he’s a well and healthy 25 year old now!)
#5. What genre(s) do you write and what drew you to it/them?
I started out in mass market romance because that’s where my friend was working (see question #1). Then I wrote two parenting books for Zondervan. After that, I started my longstanding career with Love Inspired, doing chick-lit, historical, and contemporary romances for them. I still write contemporary romance for that line. I have two non-fiction books for writers that I self-published, as well as an inspirational romance series. Earlier this year I launched a general mass-market cozy mystery series for Berkley. Like I said earlier, I thrive on variety!
I started out in mass market romance because that’s where my friend was working (see question #1). Then I wrote two parenting books for Zondervan. After that, I started my longstanding career with Love Inspired, doing chick-lit, historical, and contemporary romances for them. I still write contemporary romance for that line. I have two non-fiction books for writers that I self-published, as well as an inspirational romance series. Earlier this year I launched a general mass-market cozy mystery series for Berkley. Like I said earlier, I thrive on variety!
| #6. What is the craziest thing you've done in the name of research? Oh, this is my most favorite question! I’ve done some really amazing things. The most unique was learning to walk a tightrope from a member of the famous Wallenda family for one of my parenting books. I’ve learned how to pull an espresso from a world-ranked barista, learned how to crack a bull whip from a weapons expert at a circus arts school, done aerial acrobatics in a stunt plane, been in a stampede on a bison ranch, and am currently trying to get my hands on super-exclusive vicuña yarn for my mystery series. Research with fascinating experts is the best part of what I do! |  |
#7. If you could give your younger self one piece of advice what would it be?
Don’t fret about how others are doing it. Get sound advice, but do things how they make sense to you. And, I wish I could tell my 14-year old self that it won’t be the problem I thought it’d be to be six feet tall.
Don’t fret about how others are doing it. Get sound advice, but do things how they make sense to you. And, I wish I could tell my 14-year old self that it won’t be the problem I thought it’d be to be six feet tall.
#8. Tell us something funny, sad, embarrassing, whatever, that has happened in your life as writer.
I had the blessing to be on national television for one of my parenting books. On the flight home, one of the other passengers kept staring at me, and I thought, “this is it, someone is finally going to recognize me…this is what it’s like to be famous.” He did come up to me and say “I recognize you.” But he went on to say “You’re the lady with the tiny laptop computer from my flight out earlier this week.” So…not exactly the fame I thought I had. It was definitely an ego check that I can laugh about now.
I had the blessing to be on national television for one of my parenting books. On the flight home, one of the other passengers kept staring at me, and I thought, “this is it, someone is finally going to recognize me…this is what it’s like to be famous.” He did come up to me and say “I recognize you.” But he went on to say “You’re the lady with the tiny laptop computer from my flight out earlier this week.” So…not exactly the fame I thought I had. It was definitely an ego check that I can laugh about now.
Bonus. Share with us a thought, Bible verse, whatever is on your mind/heart.
I am always asked to give writing or professional advice, and I always say the same three things:
I am always asked to give writing or professional advice, and I always say the same three things:
- Hush up and write. Don’t fret or overthink—just write. Nothing makes you a better writer than writing.
- Nine times out of ten, the right business strategy is just to figure out the next right step and take it.
- Eat more pie. Pie makes everything better.
 Allie Pleiter | Bestselling international author Allie Pleiter honed her talents in the world of popular fiction, where she still releases multiple books a year. Allie has over 50 published titles to her name, and over 1.5 million Allie Pleiter fiction and non-fiction books have been sold around the world. Her well-known Chunky Method system trains writers at every level to formulate plans and meet deadlines in a way tailored to their unique working style. Allie runs an active coaching practice helping writers and all kinds of creative people be more productive, as well as training productive people to be more creative. Already a national speaker among writing associations, Allie now extends her reach to entrepreneurs, speakers, consultants, and anyone who needs to bolster their productivity and creativity in a demanding marketplace. |
| Allie is an avid knitter, confirmed coffee junkie and firm believer that “pie makes everything better.” She holds a BS in Speech from Northwestern University and lives in the suburbs of Chicago with her husband and the world’s most adorable dog. |
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