Discover how personal loss and spirituality shape Allred’s compelling narratives
Tara C. Allred discusses how personal loss, spirituality, and empathy shape her writing, emphasizing storytelling’s power to heal and connect while balancing vulnerability and self-protection in her life.
Tara C. Allred is a multifaceted talent whose work as an award-winning author, story coach, and instructional designer has touched the lives of many. Based near the picturesque Wasatch Mountains of Utah, Allred’s literary achievements include being a Kindle Book Award Finalist, a Whitney Award Winner, and a recipient of the Howey Awards for Best Adult Book and Best Adult Author. Her stories are celebrated for their depth and emotional resonance, often exploring themes of heartache, healing, and hope. Allred’s ability to weave these elements into her narratives has earned her a devoted readership and critical acclaim. Her passion for storytelling and education shines through in her work, making her a guiding light for those seeking meaning and connection through literature.
In this issue of Reader’s House Magazine, we are delighted to present an insightful interview with Tara C. Allred. She shares her personal journey, the profound impact of loss on her life, and how these experiences have shaped her writing. Allred also discusses the essential elements of fulfilling relationships, the role of spirituality in her life, and the delicate balance between vulnerability and self-protection. Join us as we delve into the mind of Tara C. Allred and explore the legacy she hopes to leave through her creative and professional endeavours.
What life experiences have had the most profound impact on your personal growth, and how have they shaped the person you are today?
When I was 19, my dad passed away. When I was 24, my sister passed away. During six years, I lost them plus four grandparents, an uncle, an aunt, and a cousin—nine emotional funerals. Death became very real during this time. With the reality of death there also are growing questions about the purpose of life and how to make life have meaning. I continue to visit these questions regularly. Why are we here on this Earth having these experiences? This inquiry has shaped all I do in my life including my writings.
How do you find meaning and purpose in your work, and what drives you to continue pursuing your passion, especially in the face of challenges?
Friends and colleagues have noted how I carry a deep passion for certain things. Two of my great passions are stories and education. I’m continually amazed by how stories serve as powerful tools for communication, allowing us to gain new insights into our lives.
One universal human emotion we all share is heartbreak. So, how can stories help us learn, grow, find hope, and develop purpose and meaning while we navigate grief and heartache? This question drives me in my exploration through life and in my efforts to learn the art and craft of storytelling. When I write, I seek to provide stories that explore the concept of heartache but also address healing, hope, and other aspects about the good parts of life. I believe in contrasts, and the best writing offers those contrasts of hard things and beautiful things that bring value to the human experience.
In your opinion, what are the essential elements that make a relationship—whether romantic, familial, or platonic—truly fulfilling and lasting?
Mutual respect.
Giving a person respect is an invitation to see someone in their own individual journey. With this respect, we offer a trust that the person is doing the best they can with the tools and resources they have to work with while living life. Respect allows others to learn and grow through their journey. And it allows people to embrace who they are while feeling support and love from those who are championing them forward.
To validate that respect, ongoing trust must be demonstrated from both sides.
What role does spirituality or faith play in your life, and how does it influence your decisions and interactions with others?
My faith or spirituality is everything to me. It’s where I find meaning, how I find strength, and what gives me purpose and clarity. Through my faith, I gain the ability to dream, take risks, and believe that this life I’m living matters—not just now, but beyond mortality. Grief, pain, and suffering lead to empathy. Through empathy there are connections. Connections provide a sense of belonging and love. Belonging and love provide fulfillment. This fulfillment offers motivation and meaning.
How do you navigate the balance between vulnerability and self-protection in your personal and professional life, especially when dealing with difficult situations or emotions?
Recently, I read an account of two armies. One was dressed in breastplates, arm shields, helmets, and thick clothing for protection. The other army wielded swords, bows and arrows, and stones to attack, but for protection, they were naked. No doubt the first army felt their attire was cumbersome, heavy, and difficult to put on. The second army likely felt liberated and free as they ran out to fight. But as these two armies fought, guess which one handled the blows better?
Bit by bit, I’m learning what my own breastplates, arm shields, helmets, and thick clothing are. This line of work requires vulnerability, and sometimes I don’t want to properly dress for battle. But to survive, there has to be self-protection.
So, my responsibility is to know what my “dress for battle” is. Then I need to dress appropriately. When I publicly share my writings, I enter a battlefield. Much of that battle is a mental game. So, as I move forward, I must prepare to engage correctly. For my writing to improve, I have to be humble and open to learning. But I also need to be resilient in protecting myself around my goals and self-worth. Seeking balance and self-love is critical. Otherwise, I would never survive, professionally or personally.
What legacy do you hope to leave behind, both in your personal life and through your creative or professional work?
My husband and I wanted children, but sadly, it didn’t work out for us. This brought its own form of grief until I transformed the noun “mother” into the verb “mothering,” which in part means supporting, caring for, and championing others forward. Now, I seek to mother in healthy and productive ways, and much of this has spilled over into my professional work.
Though my legacy may not be through direct descendants, I hope to contribute to a long line of ripple effects. This is how we help one another through the human experience—through simple acts that create larger impacts. Many people have improved my life, and I aim to follow their example. In the end, we are all connected. We all have the opportunity to leave a meaningful legacy simply by being good people and doing our best to love others.
