Who are you? Tell us about yourself.
Hi! My name’s Russ Allen and I’m the Student Ministries Pastor at a large church in Pennsylvania. I have a wife and two daughters and love every minute I get to spend with them. In my free time – which is few and far between these days – I like to read, write, and work out.
How did your upbringing impact your future as a writer?
I grew up in central Pennsylvania and was encouraged to read lots of books! This early emphasis laid the foundation for a future in writing. In order to be a good writer, you first have to be a good reader!
What is a little-known fact about the way you write?
With a full-time job and two kids under 3 years old, I don’t get a lot of extensive time to write. So, I’ve developed the ability to consistently write small amounts over long periods of time. Most weeks, this means I can only write 2-3 pages… but after 2-3 years, this results in a book!
What’s the best advice you’ve ever been given?
The best advice I’ve ever been given is to be faithful to God in all the small things of life. These are the things that build our character and grow our relationship with God.
What is your favorite book?
My favorite book of all time is The Lord of the Rings. There is a lot of Christian symbolism in the story and it’s brilliantly written.
What’s your biggest weakness as a writer?
My biggest weakness is that I sometimes desire the finished product more than I desire the process. This can lead to rushing too quickly through projects and not seeing through all the necessary steps.
What do you like to do when you’re not writing?
When I’m not writing, I like to spend time with my awesome family! I also enjoy working out and staying active.
What’s the first story you remember reading?
One of the first stories I ever read was The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe by C.S. Lewis. Reading it took me into a new world and invoked deep emotion in me. Since then, I have become a big fan of Lewis’s writing.
What are you up to right now?
Right now I am writing articles regularly for several websites, including my own – The Work of Redemption. I am also continuing to promote my recently released inspirational Christian memoir, The Bonny Lane Club.
What are two words that describe your writing style?Two words come to mind when thinking about the tone of my writing: REAL and REDEMPTIVE. I don’t want to use overly ornate language and “bumper sticker theology,” but instead write about the real issues and struggles that people face. However, I want to do this with a redemptive lens, pointing people to the hope we have in Christ.
Writing Website/Blog: https://theworkofredemption.com
Amazon Author Page: https://www.amazon.com/stores/Russ-Allen/author/B0DC4YPGVK?ref=ap_rdr&isDramIntegrated=true&shoppingPortalEnabled=true
Instagram Profile: https://www.instagram.com/russ_allen__/
Bookbub Author Page: https://www.bookbub.com/profile/russ-allen-d0f95c34-c558-495b-911e-a4dc7dc59dfe
Goodreads Author Page: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/52493674.Russ_Allen