Interview with ALLISON FLEN
THE ROCK: Who is Allison Flen?
Lynn: I am one of seven children born to
the parents of Mae Holmes Allison and Levi Parker Allison (deceased).
I am the author of the book Quitting Is Not An Option which is something
my mother told us almost on a daily basis. Additionally, I am the Chief
Executive Officer for Allison Flen Consultants, Inc.
THE ROCK: Where are you from and currently
residing?
Lynn: I was born in Berryville, Virginia
and currently reside in Atlanta, Georgia. I attended and graduated from
Clarke County Public Schools in Virginia.
THE ROCK: Are there any other writers in the
family?
Lynn: No, I am the first in the family
to write anything.
THE ROCK: When did you start writing?
Lynn: Strange as it may sound, I woke up
one morning and decided that an experience I had was worth writing about
and began writing my book. Before I knew it, I had five chapters and
shocked myself.
THE ROCK: What prepared you to become an author?
Lynn: Preparation from high school, college,
and my experience as a Program Director on my present job prepared me
to become an author.
THE ROCK: What inspired you to become a writer?
Lynn: I had a wonderful experience working
with a group of homeless men. The experience taught me a lot about myself
that I didn’t realize existed. It helped me find the true Lynn
Flen and even inspired me to open my own business.
THE ROCK: What inspired you to write your
book?
Lynn: The homeless men I worked with were
the reason I wrote my book. As I helped them to prepare for the workforce,
I learned so much from their experiences that I felt I needed to write
it all down.
THE ROCK: Tell us about your newest creation?
What is the premise?
Lynn: I am writing a book called Mama Mae.
It is a book about a mother who loses her husband and raises seven children
alone. In an effort to keep the family together, the mother is always
telling the family to “do you best in all you do, regardless if
it is washing floors”. The mother has a high school education,
cleans houses for a living, and goes back to school at age 59. The book
describes her struggles and successes along the way!
THE ROCK: Any publishing contracts in the
working?
Lynn: No, not at the present time.
THE ROCK: Have you ever self-published? Why
or why not?
Lynn: My book, Quitting Is Not An Option,
is a self-published book.
THE ROCK: What are “traditional publishers”
looking for?
Lynn: I am not sure what “traditional
publishers” are looking for. I self-published! I never looked
for a publisher.
THE ROCK: If you were a publisher, what would
be your niche?
Lynn: If I were a publisher, I do not think
that I would have a particular niche. I like all type of books and stories.
Variety is important for everyone to be exposed to.
THE ROCK: For an author, is having a publishing
contract with a “traditional publisher” important professionally?
Lynn: Since I am self-published, I can’t
answer that question.
THE ROCK: What are some of your professional
and personal achievements?
Lynn: I am a graduate of Saint Paul’s
College in Lawrenceville, Virginia and I am preparing for my Master’s
Degree. I am certified in Management and Customer Service. I won the
Hammer Award for developing a form for the State of Georgia from the
Clinton Administration. Additionally, I have been awarded Alumni of
the Year by the United Negro College Fund Inter-Alumni Council (which
consist of the 40 UNCF Colleges) and the Atlanta Chapter of Bennett
College. Presently, I am a Program Director at the Woman Infant and
Children Program for the State of Georgia.
THE ROCK: Who are some of your favorite authors?
Lynn: My favorite author is Stephen R.
Covey. Other authors I admire are Tavis Smiley and Richard Carlson,
Ph. D.
THE ROCK: Where do you want to be in five
years?
Lynn: In the next five years, I want to
complete my Master’s Degree in Business Administration, complete
my next book, and become a Director over a program.
THE ROCK: Where can readers find you?
Lynn: Readers can locate me at allison_flen_inc@yahoo.com.
My website address is
www.geocities.com/allison_flen_inc
THE ROCK: Thank you, Lynn Flen.
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