Ask the Author: Roberta Reb Allen
Answered Questions (5)
Roberta Reb Allen
My inspiration to write has come from my interest and concern about specific issues. I wrote Examined Lives because I felt that mental illness is rampant in this country, but is so often pushed under the rug and stigmatized. I wanted to provide a no holds-barred look at it and what it takes to work through it.
Coming to Amerika has grown out of the current discussions about immigration. It is a reminder of what our country was built on.
I felt there was a need for a biography of Montgomery Ward, a man who worked his way up from nothing, was principled and quietly generous, in the current political environment.
Coming to Amerika has grown out of the current discussions about immigration. It is a reminder of what our country was built on.
I felt there was a need for a biography of Montgomery Ward, a man who worked his way up from nothing, was principled and quietly generous, in the current political environment.
Roberta Reb Allen
I am currently working on two books. One is called Coming to Amerika, which is a real-life family saga about my emigrant forebearers from 1850 to 1950. It is based on thousands of family letters and documents, some just translated from the Old German.
I am also working on a biography of Montgomery Ward, the man, not the company. Much has been written about the company, little about the man. My research has already turned up information that I have not encountered elsewhere.
I am also working on a biography of Montgomery Ward, the man, not the company. Much has been written about the company, little about the man. My research has already turned up information that I have not encountered elsewhere.
Roberta Reb Allen
Read a lot and write a lot. Although it is not conscious, I have found that there is a direct relationship between reading well-written works and my own writing style. And to get better at writing, you have to write, share it with perceptive friends and colleagues and rewrite and rewrite again. Writing is a craft. I can be learned. In college I was terrible at writing on subjects handed to me by teachers. I twice did not pass out of beginning writing courses. But when I wrote about what truly inspired me, my writing grew better and better with some good mentorship.
Roberta Reb Allen
Writing is a way of thinking. I often do not know what I think or feel about something until I am forced by the discipline of writing to create clarity. I can surprise myself! Writing is also a way of sharing. Obviously I must believe in the importance of what I am writing about and having such a passion in life is exhilarating.
Roberta Reb Allen
I walk away from the computer. Just having time to clear my mind and focus on what my goal is in the particular chapter I am working on really helps. Also, I work on several projects at a time. So if one is "stuck," I focus on another one. I do not feel ready to write, I immerse myself in research and that sparks ideas.
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