Get to know Allie…

An avid knitter, coffee junkie, and devoted chocoholic, Allie Pleiter writes both fiction and non-fiction. The enthusiastic but slightly untidy mother of two, Allie spends her days writing books, buying yarn, and finding new ways to avoid housework.  Allie hails from Connecticut, moved to the midwest to attend Northwestern University, and currently lives outside Chicago, Illinois.  The “dare from a friend” to begin writing has produced two parenting books, fourteen novels, and various national speaking engagements on faith, women’s issues, and writing.  For more info, visit her website.

Let the conversation begin!

Outliner or seat-of-the-pantser?

I’d love to go entirely “Pantser,” but the world of category romance demands a detailed synopsis.  My favorite phrase to use is “events conspire,” which is synopsis-speak for “I have absolutely no idea how it happens.” 

What piece of advice would you give young writers?

Don’t get all whooped up because you sold your first novel to a major publishing house.  Up high is a long, long way to fall, and the true hurdle in this business is staying published, not getting published. That, and make sure you always have an extra ink cartridge in the house, especially the week your book is due. 

If you could throw any kind of party, what would it be like?

My husband and I just threw ourselves a dual 50th birthday party.  We were born a year apart, so we threw a party exactly halfway between our two 50th birthdays.  It was a grand time–mostly because I’m the one who hasn’t turned 50 yet. 

What’s the hardest thing you’ve ever done?

Mothering my son through Stage IV Hogkins Lymphoma.  Childhood cancer is one of the world’s most lamentable evils.  He’s fine now–16 and almost 6 feet tall, but it was an enormous challenge for everyone.  Pediatric oncology doctors nurses are nothing short of angels. 

The best part of waking up is?

When the Keurig machine is on!  Any flavor coffee I want in 14 seconds.  Ain’t technology grand? 

If you could meet anyone, living or dead, who would it be?

On my “bucket list” is meeting David Tennant, the actor who played Dr. Who. I think he’s been brilliant in every single thing he’s done, and he seems like such a genuinely nice guy. 

What age did you become an adult?

I feel like I became an adult when my father died–I was 19 at the time, and still stupid in all the ways only college students can be, but something shifts when you loose a parent that never shifts back.

Ever had something happen that you thought was bad, but it turned out to be for the best?

Believe it or not, many things about my son’s illness and recovery are precious to me now.  So many adventures were given to us, we learned so much about life and love and compassion, and he’s the most extraordinary young man I’ve ever known because of what’s he’s been through.  Even he’ll tell you it frightening and very hard, but it’s given all of us gifts I don’t think you can’t get any other way.

What mischief did you get into growing up?

Nothing I’d ever own up to in a public forum!

If you could do anything and get away with it, what would you do?

Sneak backstage at the Oscars.