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.
Where did you grow up, and how did this influence your writing?
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 was your journey to getting published like?
Writing my first book was fun, hard, and rewarding. It was hard because it required small, consistent effort over an extended period of time. It was also hard because my book is a personal memoir that deals with some difficult situations from my past – events that still carry with them a great deal of emotion. However, it was fun and rewarding to see my story finally come to life and have such a positive impact on so many people.
What’s the best piece of feedback you’ve ever received?
The best piece of feedback I've ever received is that my storytelling is captivating and invokes deep emotion in people.
What advice would you give to aspiring writers?
My biggest advice to new authors is to not rush. Take your time, refine your craft, do your research, and be patient for opportunities. We live in a culture where we’re used to things happening so quickly. It takes time to write a good book. Slow down. It’s worth it in the end.
What’s a fun fact about you that your readers might not know?
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 your guilty pleasure book or genre?
My guilty pleasure book/series is Alex Rider by Anthony Horowitz. It's a teen spy series that feels like watching a movie when I read it!
What’s your favorite quote about writing?
{"Always write (and read) with the ear, not the eye. You shd. hear every sentence you write as if it was being read aloud or spoken. If it does not sound nice, try again." – C.S. Lewis
When you’re not writing, how do you like to spend your time?
In my free time – which is few and far between these days – I like to spend time with my wife and two daughters, read, and wok out.
Do you remember the first story you ever read, and the impact it had on you?
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 has inspired you and your writing style?
From a religious perspective, the biggest influence on my writing is C.S. Lewis. I love Lewis’s writing – both his fiction and nonfiction – because it is simple yet profound. Lewis deals with difficult topics in a way that are sensible and enlightening. Interestingly, another big influence on my writing is Anthony Horowitz, a teen and young adult suspense/thriller author. Horowitz impacted my writing because his narratives are captivating and keep young readers wanting to read more. Although The Bonny Lane Club is not a suspense/thriller book, I hope it is written in a way that makes young people want to keep reading.
How do you deal with negative reviews?
I deal with negative reviews by remembering that I write firstly to glorify God and that my ultimate value and worth is found in who He's declared me to be. Negative reviews can help refine my writing skills, but they don't diminish my value as a person.
How do you connect with your readers?
I like to connect with my readers through my blog and on Instagram! @russ_allen__
What’s next for you as a writer?
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. I hope to release another book in the next couple years.
Are there any Easter eggs or hidden messages in your work?
I write with Christian themes, so there are often multiple layers of meaning and symbolism in my narrative that casual readers may not pick up on.
How do you approach writing dialogue for your characters?
I try to not only make my readers "hear" the dialogue, but also see it. Describing postures, gestures, and facial features adds helpful layers to the dialogue.
If you could share one thing with your fans, what would that be?
I would tell my fans that I will continue to be faithful to God and the responsibilities He's given me as a husband, father, pastor, and friend. Writing is just icing on the cake – a gift from the Lord and something I enjoy. I'll keep sharing what God lays on my heart and hope it's something that touches your hearts as well. Lots of exciting things are ahead!
Russ Allen’s Author Websites and Profiles
Website
Amazon Profile
Goodreads Profile
BookBub Profile
Russ Allen’s Social Media Links
Instagram
All information in this post is presented “as is” supplied by the author. We don’t edit to allow you the reader to hear the author in their own voice.