Today we’d like to introduce you to Dr. Allison Teicher-Fahrbach.

Dr. Allison, we appreciate you taking the time to share your story with us today. Where does your story begin?
For as long as I can remember, I have always loved reading and writing. It all started when my mother began reading to me at an incredibly young age. I was mesmerized by the way she would tell me different stories and read to me each night. She continuously encourages me to pursue education and writing, and I am eternally grateful that my mother inspired me to become the woman I am today. For anyone reading this, read to your children. It doesn’t matter if you don’t have money for countless fancy books; head to your local library and take out a few different things to read. Your children will thank you for reading to them, even if you read the same five books to them over and over again. Reading opens windows to the worlds that are waiting to exist. Reading is fuel for the imagination, and can take someone to new heights. Please, please read. Find the time. Find the energy. It’s important.

As I moved throughout elementary school, I found peace and power in writing. Writing and reading provide information. They help someone build upon their understanding of their character, their values, and their knowledge. As I read and wrote throughout elementary and high school, I asked, “What am I teaching the world?” and “What is this teaching me?” Reading and writing are a constant cycle of learning, knowing, and using information to blossom into the person you are becoming. These skills help you determine who you would want to be in the future… and sometimes, if you are brave enough, writing and reading can help you amplify your understanding of the world in order to show others what can be possible in the world.

And, as I have learned through my passions for reading and writing, sometimes they lead you down a path to discover the person you do not want to be. I had been a part of a series of huge projects that took a lot out of me in terms of time, creativity, and my overall spirit. I trusted that those around me saw my potential and would collaborate with me as a means of making the world a better place. Thoughout the project and as it came to a close, there were a series of warning signs that things were not aligning with my values and my voice. I didn’t listen to the warning signs as they continued to arise, and by the time I realized how misaligned things were, I had to figure out how I was going to reclaim my writer’s voice. After many days and nights of wondering what to do, I found that sometimes the only way out is the way through. Then I watched my writing get ripped from my fingers, and I never got a chance to say goodbye. Sometimes, you need to learn to accept apologies you will never receive.

For a while, I stepped away from writing. It was a painful burden to carry, but I felt that I needed time to clear my head. Stepping away from my passion was really tough, though I realized it had to happen. I needed to take a pause. Prior to the writing pause, the major projects I worked on took a lot out of me. I lost my voice. I lost my writing. No one really realized how much I had stepped away from writing because I continued to publish works that I had been crafting for years upon years. In the midst of my “writing pause,” I worked tirelessly to reclaim my writer’s voice again. It took a long time to find it. I had to hit a writer’s rock bottom to see that the only way to go was up – once you hit the bottom, you can’t go any further below… you have to go up. So I did. I rose. In small, unnoticeable steps, I reclaimed who I was as a writer.

I wrote up a list of rules that I follow daily to ensure I would never feel like I would lose or waver my writing, my passion for writing, ever again. Some of the rules I follow include staying true to my values and voice, being mindful of those who sincerely choose me and my talents, and essentially following Mel Robbins’ “Let Them” theory (even though the book came out recently and I have not read it yet, all that I have seen about the book so far makes it seem like I had been following this idea for quite some time).

When I started to align more sharply with my values and my voice, I noticed certain people and bouts of negativity start to shift away from me. The moment I knew I had truly made it through the fire, flames, and ashes was when I received a voicemail from someone who heard about one of my major achievements that I had been working towards for quite some time. She left me a message that said, “Congratulations, I guess.” I stopped listening after I heard that. I deleted the message and never responded back to the person. Many years ago I may have responded differently to her, but my peace and the tranquility that surrounds me and my close-knit circle are important. I have seen this person in the months that have followed, and she either ignores me, shoves past me to talk to others, or makes comments to others about me while I am present. I still move forward with my work, my values, my peace, and my writing, and I am mindful of all of the experiences in my life and how they help inspire or feed into my writing.

We all face challenges, but looking back would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
It has not been a smooth road, but some of the best stories have been created out of the most challenging roads. Some of my struggles included people taking advantage of my writing abilities, my kindness, and my passion for creating impactful pieces of writing. Still, I am thankful for all of those experiences. They have helped me to become the person I am today. I appreciate all who have been a part of my writing journey, no matter how big or small, as now I have a greater understanding of the stories I want to tell. I know, in my heart, that it is important to show the positive impact that can occur when you grow through what you go through. I know how important it is to surround yourself with individuals who support you and see your worth for who you are, not for what you can do for them. It is also important to surround yourself with people who do not always see eye-to-eye with you. For instance, someone had once told another person that I was the “yin to her yang.” When she said that, I did not understand at first. However, over time, I realized that I was her contrast: the person was consumed with negativity, values that did not reflect mine, and all-around behaviors that were disrespectful. I was proud to be her contrast, the yin to her yang, because it meant that I was different than her. I was thankful I got to see that.

Thanks – so what else should our readers know about your work and what you’re currently focused on?
I do and create a lot of different things, but what I am currently working on include poems for different poetry anthologies, and a huge mystery/suspense book called Three Sides. Here’s the synopsis of my upcoming book: Daniel Nelson has it all: fame, fortune, and the adoration of millions. A celebrated actor and author, his latest book, The Lighthouse: Becoming a Beacon of Light in the Darkness, is hailed as the literary masterpiece of the century. However, beneath the glitz and glam, Daniel carries the weight of personal tragedy: his twin sister’s death close to their seventeen birthday, his father’s recent passing, and his mother’s mysterious disappearance years ago. Just as he begins to rebuild his life and climb the ladder of success, Daniel becomes the target of an unknown stalker, whose relentless torment threatens to unravel his sanity.

Meanwhile, in the same city, a woman vanishes after leaving work one night. She seems to have been somewhat of a recluse, yet the investigators on her case realize that the stories of Daniel Nelson and Geraldine Parker somehow intertwine. As Daniel navigates a web of fear and the story of the missing woman is told, their fates twist together in unexpected ways. Is Geraldine Parker’s disappearance linked to his tormentor, or is it another cruel coincidence in a life full of loss and agony?

Told through multiple perspectives, Three Sides is a story of obsession, hidden truths, and the realization that things are not always as they seem.

It may change a little bit, but we will see where it goes. I am also looking forward to being featured in two different poetry anthologies that are coming out in 2025, with hopefully more anthologies and projects to follow.

Can you tell us more about what you were like growing up?
I felt I always had a book in my hand. I always loved learning, knowledge, reading, and writing. I credit my elementary school teachers, Mr. Contratti and Mr. Miller, to helping support that in elementary school as well as the support I received from home. I lost touch with those wonderful teachers as the years progressed, but each day I am thankful to them for their in-school inspiration to continue to learn and write. They helped me become the educator I am today. I hope, wherever they are now, that they are continuing to do the things that they enjoy in life.