Past Featured Author
Allison Quattrocchi
Scottsdale, Arizon, USA
Profession:
Publisher of:
Divorce-In-A-Nutshell series of short, concise, hands-on books, each on a particular divorce-related issue. Each has been written by an expert and eight have been published to date. They are available at: www.divorceinanutshell.com or Amazon.com.
Author of:
"How to Have a Successful Divorce," "Taking Control of Your Divorce," "Other Ways to Get a Divorce," "Dividing Your Marital Home, Retirement Assets, and Debts," and co-author of "How to Talk to Your Children About Divorce"
Most Important Philosophy:
Attitude is the only thing over which you have total control.
Most Important Professional Accomplishment:
Having been a pioneer in the field of mediation before anyone, including most attorneys, even knew what the word meant. I challenged the traditional legal process, prevailed, and have watched the mediation profession come into its own. It was like watching a child grow up. My Arizona peers refer to me affectionately as the "grand dame" of mediation.
Most Important Personal Accomplishment:
Besides raising three successful children, I returned to law school after having been out of school for seventeen years. My youngest was twelve and I was a single mom. It wasn't easy, nor were the years after graduation when I was building a solo practice in a new field. But, if there is any lesson I learned, it is "persistence and passion will manifest the dream."
Most Important Hobbies:
Travel: A road sign Bhutan reads, "Thanks! Travel not only broadens one mind but also widens human sympathies." (Bhutan is a small Buddhist country in Asia without traffic lights.)
Photography: To become immersed by what is in your camera lens connects you to the world with uncompromised intimacy and often profound joy. Both travel and photography require significant funding, at least to do them in the manner I prefer, so either I keep working or don't eat or wear clothing.
Most Memorable Moment:
There are many. A more recent one is a Pavarotti concert where I had the opportunity to sit in the tenth row. I cried throughout the entire concert. What a magnificent voice!
Most Embarrassing Professional Moment:
Working in my professional capacity as a divorce mediator, I was sitting with Husband, John, and his wife. I, however, kept confusing John with another client named Dick who had a similar profile. His wife finally asked, "Who is this 'Dick'?" Realizing my error I apologized profusely, explained the reason for my confusion, then turned to John and said, "I guess you will always be a 'Dick' to me." There was a moment of dead silence. Then, we all broke out laughing.
Most Embarrassing Personal Moment:
It was my first French kiss—many years ago. All I remember saying is, "Yuk!" I have since changed my mind.
Advice to Other Authors:
Writing isn't even the half of it! Be prepared to be a bulldog. Don't quit your day job. Write anyway.
Favorite Quotes:
"If you obey all of the rules, you miss all of the fun!" Katharine Hepburn. "I would rather be kind than right." Wayne Dyer "It is not what you are called, it is what you answer to." Unknown
If you could change something about yourself, what would it be?
I would remain calm at all times.
What is your greatest fear?
That human beings will ultimately fail to realize their highest potential and learn to value compassion above all other virtues--so the hate will go on.
What is your pet peeve?
The intrusion into my home of unsolicited telephone solicitations--especially when I have an unlisted number which, apparently, is about worthless.
When are you your happiest?
When I engage any of my senses fully, am with my grandchildren, feel my mind stretch and be wonderfully surprised by the wisdom that can occasionally spring forth, capture a marvelous photographic image, know I have touched someone and made a difference, am surrounded by incredible scenery, have close (but safe) encounters with wild animals, feel cared about--and much more, including when I fill my mouth with rich and creamy, totally decadent ice cream.
What do you feel guilty about?
Filling my mouth with rich and creamy, totally decadent ice cream.