Allison Larkin

What do you create? I write fiction about strong women for strong women. This comes through my historical novels, magazine articles, and my charity. Using my writing, my voice, has given me a way to create a movement called Girls Love Mail. We collect letters for women newly diagnosed with breast cancer. Letter writing is such a lost art. Creating these special gifts is a way for women to help empower each other   Why do you create? I want to give people hope and support. With my charity, I think we’re fulfilling a need, and having such a strong purpose for my work inspires … [Read more...]

What do you create? I think I create stories that inspire, intrigue, terrify, rivet, and ultimately uplift people. I write fiction and nonfiction, and to me, my goal is the same in both, which is all of the above.   Why do you create? I create because of the reason I said above, I create to inspire people and help them believe that they can overcome the obstacles in their life. I say this because I’ve written about thirty novels and in everyone an ordinary man or woman is faced with an unusual situation, but one that could occur, and they have to overcome it, simply by dint … [Read more...]

What do you create? Whether through my new novel (Destiny Lingers), my news stories (with Dr. Drew on HLN), podcasts, paintings, acting (will be on BounceTV's "In the Cut"), stand-up comedy (will be at The Comedy Store on April 1), voice-over work (as Professor Wiseman on "Curious George," announcer on "Divorce Court," and Warrior Priestess Illaoi on League of Legends video game), or speeches, I create good stories that enlighten, inform, entertain, and hopefully move people in a positive way.   Why do you create? I create because I just can't stop! I'm like an energizer … [Read more...]

What do you create? Novels with strong female protagonists.   Why do you create? The most magical part of reading is finding that rare book you don’t want to put down. That special story you can’t wait to get back to, the one you think about all day long. The book you’re disappointed to finish because it might be a while before you find another one that’s as good. I love finding those types of books. And that’s why I write. I want to create that magical book. The one that calls the reader back to it after they’ve put it down, and that preoccupies their mind until they’ve … [Read more...]

  What do you create? Novels that take you to the core of local society of my city, Dubai. There are not many books written about this small corner of the world, despite all the publicity surrounding it and the portrayals of what it has become: a glittering metropolis that not many realize was a small desert town just twenty years earlier.   Why do you create? I am a television director by profession, and I spent over twenty years producing features and documentaries from all over the world. It was the best combination of pleasure and work—giving free reign to … [Read more...]

What do you create? Women’s fiction with a side of magical realism. Although we are taking a slight left turn with what we are writing next—women’s fiction with a healthy dose of suspense!   Why do you create? For as long as we can remember, we’ve had stories knocking around in our heads—ideas, insight, antidotes we want to share. It’s a release to get our plots down on paper, to craft characters and dig deep into our imaginations; to channel real-life observations and experiences into fictional dilemmas. We create because we can’t not create.   What do you … [Read more...]

What do you create? I make great humans. Two to be exact. One male, one female. And, interestingly, they’re incredibly superior to the sum of my parts. I create chaos on occasion. I try to minimize it as I mature (coughs) or, rather, channel it for good. In my work. I create nothing much of value with my hands, other than the words I type. And, potato latkes, chicken soup and parm, and the meanest brownies, anywhere. I swear. I can’t sculpt, paint or draw… I can’t even read my own handwriting… but, I do express my thoughts and feelings with uncensored abandon to the horror of … [Read more...]

What do you create? Books, mostly. Which is funny to me, because growing up, I couldn't even write a poem that was longer than a page or two. That's what I used to write, poems. But about ten years ago, I had an idea that wouldn't leave me alone. I wasn't sure what it was—a short story? A thinly veiled memoir? Just something I had to write down? After I had about 20,000 words, I decided to see if I could turn it into a novel. Although I've read consistently my whole life, I wasn't exactly sure what that meant. How many words? Was I capable of the feats of imagination required? Could I … [Read more...]

What do you create? I create novels about women who don't wait (or want) to be rescued. After realizing they're in or have created a big mess, they help, redeem, save, and transform themselves.   Why do you create? I have ideas, characters, and dialogue rattling around in my head all the time and I have to write it all down and get it all out to make room for more, and to make sure I don't forget! I eavesdrop, remember, and internalize everyone and that needs somewhere to go!   What do you consume? Too much television of all kinds. Good books of all kinds. … [Read more...]

What do you create? Stories about ordinary people who find themselves in extraordinary circumstances often in the darkest places imaginable.   Why do you create? I am a nurse and a humanitarian aid worker, and I write to share the stories of people I’ve met as they struggle to survive crisis after crisis in a world that’s grown weary of so much misery. The people I meet are not so different from all of us and that is what I hope my readers will take away from my stories.   What do you consume? Books—like so many other writers, I am an avid reader. But, I am … [Read more...]