YOU KNOW THAT KID? Who wanted nothing more than to curl up with a book and shut the world away? I wasn’t that kid.
MOVIES WERE MY PASSION. Especially the dark, violent ones I wasn’t supposed to watch.
BOOKS CAME LATER. Once I discovered that books could be thrilling, action-packed and crazy romantic, I was hooked for life.
I DOZED IN CLASS a lot because I stayed up late writing stories of my own. Still, I managed to get my work done, and I went to university to study English. But:
SHAKESPEARE WASN’T MY THING. Neither were most of the classics I had to read. So I became a History major because what really excited me was real-life drama.
SHAKING THINGS UP was always a hobby of mine. So when I heard of an opportunity to teach in Brooklyn, New York, I jumped at it. I went to an interview and signed up on the spot.
I WASN’T STUPID. I knew teaching at an inner-city school notorious for violence wouldn’t be a cake walk. But I’ve always thrived on a challenge.
ALL THAT DRAMA gave me plenty of material, and I started writing books for teens.
AFTER SOME WILD ADVENTURES in New York City and a brief romance with then-struggling actor Channing Tatum, I returned to Canada. Which is where:
I MET MY HUSBAND and had two babies. And I got a job teaching at an alternative high school.
OKAY. So the Channing Tatum part isn’t true. I just wanted to spice things up.
AS I WRITE THIS I’m working on my 8th book.
AND THAT’S MY STORY…for now.
Allison van Diepen is the author of Street Pharm, Snitch, Raven, The Oracle of Dating series, The Vampire Stalker and Takedown. Her novels have been named ALA Quick Picks for Reluctant Readers and New York City Public Library Books for the Teen Age. She holds degrees in History and Education, and teaches at an alternative school in Ottawa, Canada.
- Number 10
As a kid, I learned in school that if you catch on fire, you need
to STOP, DROP and ROLL to put out the flames. That information
saved my life.
- Number 9
In fifth grade, my best friend was not allowed to play with me
because my stories gave her nightmares.
- Number 8
I was once a bouncer at a Republica concert. I stood in front
of the stage with my arms crossed feeling ridiculous and yet,
somehow, powerful. I even stopped a fight by pleading with a drunk
guy to leave.
- Number 7
My favorite shows of all time are: The Wire, Breaking Bad, Dexter,
and Sex and the City. You can probably tell a lot about me from
that.
- Number 6
I believe in ghosts. I believe there is another side to this world
that certain people are tuned in to. But I don’t “dabble”
in anything paranormal. I would be afraid of the consequences.
- Number 5
I stick to my guns. I once got fired from a distress hotline because
I refused to lie to callers about their calls being listened in
on.
- Number 4
I sat beside Mike Myers (of SNL and Austen Powers) at a restaurant
in New York City and we got to talking. He looked astounded when
I said I was a high school teacher. He said I looked twelve years
old. I didn’t appreciate it.
- Number 3
A premonition saved my life. One night while I was driving, a
voice in my head said that a car was going to run the next red
light. Sure enough, when I came to the intersection, a red sportscar
sped through. I slammed on the brakes just in time.
- Number 2
I do not skate or ski, which has caused many people to question
whether I am truly Canadian.
- Number 1
Some of my past nicknames include V Dep, van Sleep-in, and Ali
Lama. But most of my friends just call me Al.
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