Story & Lesson Highlights with Brook Allen

We’re looking forward to introducing you to Brook Allen. Check out our conversation below.

Brook, it’s always a pleasure to learn from you and your journey. Let’s start with a bit of a warmup: What are you chasing, and what would happen if you stopped?
I am pursuing a full-time writing career now. I recently retired from full-time music Education. Thirty-six years was a long service, and now I’m chasing my dream. Too many writers have said, “I can’t do this… I’m not making any money.” Or, “I can’t get traditionally published, so I’m not going to bother.”

If I don’t write, the stories inside of me don’t get told. I will not stop. I can always publish traditionally. There are plenty of historical readers out there who love my work. I’m not going to write just to get traditionally published or win a Pulitzer. I’m doing this because I was MADE to write. It’s in my bloodstream, and I have stories than are demanding to be written.

Can you briefly introduce yourself and share what makes you or your brand unique?
If you love reading historical fiction, then please jot my name down! I’m Brook Allen and I am a historical fiction author. So far, I have written four books, but three of them were a trilogy on the life of Roman statesman, Marc Antony. The fourth is a novel that could also fit nicely in historical romance. It’s called WEST OF SANTILLANE and is about the early marital years of Julia Hancock and her famed husband–explorer William Clark of the Lewis & Clark Corps of Discovery. It takes place in my own county, right here in Virginia.

Amazing, so let’s take a moment to go back in time. Who saw you clearly before you could see yourself?
I have a friend who is married to my cousin. All three of us are really close. But Mary truly saw the real me, probably before anyone.

When I was ten years old, Mom suffered a brain aneurysm. This was back in 1971, and it was in the infant days of neurology as we know it today. My Mom was totally incapacitated for over two months–in a coma for six weeks, actually. Mary came to our home to stay with me while Dad worked. She made sure I got to school, got fed, got to my riding lessons, and we became really close.

When I was only at the age of ten, she saw in me abilities that today I treasure–my ability to ride and manage a horse, music, and my love of reading. When I was a teen, she was no longer with me all the time, but both she and her husband, (my cousin Mike) recognized my love for literature. I think they believed in me before I believed in myself.

What’s something you changed your mind about after failing hard?
I didn’t exactly “fail”. However, about eight/nine years ago, I had a dreadful incident with a parent while teaching, I was dragged over the internet and let’s just say that it nearly caused me to completely quit. I didn’t, and I soldiered through those nightmarish weeks, feeling totally alone and misunderstood by administration and colleagues. It was without a doubt, the worse month of my entire life.

However, once the dust settled a bit, I realized that I was “done”. My career ended in the way I had always managed the program. It had more to do with where education was headed, than my appreciation for teaching. I began seriously planning my exit, which was still a ways off, but never had LEAVING a position given me as much relief as it did last year, walking out of that room for the final time.

Now that I look back, I am really glad I didn’t quit during the incident. It developed me more character-wise and I still had wonderful students. I would have left them too soon. At present, I feel I’m able to look back and say that the timing of my leave-taking this past spring, was perfect.

I think our readers would appreciate hearing more about your values and what you think matters in life and career, etc. So our next question is along those lines. Whom do you admire for their character, not their power?
I highly admire my mentor and favorite writer, NYT bestselling author, Margaret George. She has become a dear friend, giver of great advise, and support through the writing of all of my books.

Her humble spirit is a great inspiration to me with all of the honors and world renown that she has received. She sees me as just as adept a writer as she is and whenever we wind up at conferences together, saves time to sit, chat, or do dinner. I know enough about the publishing industry to know that this lady is about integrity and character, not fame or power. Every writer could take lessons in humility and kindness from her.

Okay, so before we go, let’s tackle one more area. What do you understand deeply that most people don’t?
I journeyed through the loneliness of infertility in the early years of my marriage. While all of our friends and colleagues were raising families, we were not. Those twenty years or so were horrible. I began meds for depression, became much more of an introvert, and often avoided parties and crowds. I still can’t handle Mothers Day.

Now, I hope that with my teacher career mostly behind me, that I’ve left a lot of kids with a love for music. However, what I see as a legacy that will outlive both my students and me are my books. The stories I’m able to complete from now until I’m not able to write anymore are my gift that I want the world to continue to enjoy and read after I’m long gone.

Contact Info:

Image Credits
I own all rights to these photos.

Suggest a Story: BoldJourney is built on recommendations from the community; it’s how we uncover hidden gems,
so if you or someone you know deserves recognition please let us know here.
Highlighter Series
Life, Lessons, & Legacies

Shari Mocheit Put God first and trust the process. See God in everyone and everything.

Highlighter Series
Are you doing what you were born to do—or what you were told to do?

Del Kary Definitely what I was born to do. Since I can remember, movies have

Leadership Development
Increasing Your Capacity for Risk-Taking

The capacity to take risk is one of the biggest enablers of reaching your full