CWD Highlights - October to December 2020

Christian Writers Downunder is a diverse group of writers, editors, bloggers, illustrators. As a group we support each other through our Facebook page and blog.


Today's blog will highlight some of the achievements of our members from October to December 2020

Awards

CALEB Awards

Congratulations to the the winners of the 2020 CALEB Awards for unpublished authors.

The award ceremony was held in October

Adult Nonfiction

Susan Barnes for 10 Blessings of God

Young Adult Fiction

Jean Saxby for The Craving

Adult Fiction

Mindy Graham for To Dance in the Shadows

New Releases & Cover Reveals

Elizabeth Klein

Elizabeth Klein published another book in early November.


Self-published Symphony of Star Songs: eBook 4th Nov; paperback 11th Nov. through Amazon.

Evil hunts brothers Dougray and Robbie as they seek the invisible Citadel of Gallenbreigh for the next crystal. Traps await them and time is slipping away.

As the brothers separately embark on their quest to rid the world of evil, increasing perils are sent to stop them. Morgran is growing more powerful and is releasing deadlier demons from the Abyss to overrun Galfane.

Will Belle and the brothers find the Citadel in time and escape the poisonous hunter tracking them? Find out as the story escalates and races toward its riveting climax.

Buy link: https://www.amazon.com/-/e/B07ZBTVVX4

Besides having written many short stories, articles, plays and poems, Elizabeth Klein also authored 17 young adult and junior fiction books, as well as 4 educational books.

Reading Stones

Reading Stones released the 3rd part of the Homes of Healing series – The Writer’s Retreat by Olwyn Harris, back in August, It’s the story of how Tess, a romance writer, finds the story of Elizabeth and her family and God. 

 

Buy link: https://www.amazon.com.au/Writers-Retreat-3-Olwyn-Harris/dp/0648893820/

Helen Brown’s 2nd Edition of Reflections was released in September, this is a devotional, from the memories of her father.

Buy link:https://www.amazon.com.au/Reflections-Australian-Stories-Fathers-Past/dp/0648893847/

My Name was Called, An Autobiography, by Graham Redman will be released on the 30th December.

This autobiography by Graham Redman takes a long hard look at life in Australia from the 40s through to today. A man who was raised in the Christian faith, who fell and failed, and yet, God picked him up, time and again, and proved His faithfulness through all of life's ups and downs. Come on a journey with Graham as he shares his failures and his triumphs and throughout it all, the never-ending love of God.

Buy link:https://www.amazon.com.au/dp/0648893863/

David Malcolm Bennett

In October, David Malcolm Bennett released his first volume of a biography of Catherine Booth

Catherine Booth: From Timidity to Boldness tells the story of Catherine Booth's dramatic early life, and how a timid young woman rose from a home damaged by alcohol to become a dynamic and popular preacher, campaigner for the rights of women and, with her husband, founder of The Salvation Army. Author David Malcolm Bennett has spent much of his life studying Catherine and William Booth and the early days of The Salvation Army. He makes significant and revealing use of the letters that Catherine and William Booth wrote to each other, the letters she wrote to her parents, and Catherine's diary and reminiscences. It is the first biography of Catherine Booth to make use of the complete transcribed editions of each of these works. In Catherine Booth: From Timidity to Boldness, Catherine is allowed to speak for herself and what she says is frequently dynamic and, at different times, insightful, deeply spiritual, and, occasionally, controversial.

David Malcolm Bennett has written over 20 Christian books, mainly biographies and church history. His book “From Ashes to Glory” was a joint winner in the CALEB AWARDS, biography section, and his “William Booth and his Salvation Army” was a finalist in CALEB. That book about William Booth has sold over 25,000 copies in its three editions, English, American and Australian. His book “Hudson Taylor and China” is a finalist in this year’s CALEB. His latest book Catherine Booth: From Timidity to Boldness was published in 2020.

Nola Lorraine

Nola Lorraine released her debut novel, Scattered in October. 

To lose her family was unthinkable ...
To find them will take a miracle.

While working in Europe, nineteen-year-old Maggie never dreamed that her family would be ripped apart and scattered across the sea, with her young brother and sister sent to Canada as part of the Home Children Migrant Scheme. Desperation sends Maggie on a search from England to Canada, with a harrowing shipwreck leaving her stranded on Sable Island. Eventually arriving in Halifax, Maggie is devastated to discover the trail to find her sister and brother has gone cold. An offer of help from industrialist Thaddeus Tharaday seems like an answer to prayer, but is the wealthy Tharaday her benefactor or nemesis? Set in Victorian-era Nova Scotia, Scattered weaves together elements of mystery, adventure, faith, and romance to take readers on a journey of hope and courage that will resonate with their hearts today.

Nola Lorraine (aka Nola Passmore) has had more than 150 short pieces published, including poetry, devotions, inspirational articles, true stories, short fiction and academic articles. Her debut novel Scattered was published by Breath of Fresh Air Press (https://www.breathoffreshairpress.com/)  on 20 October 2020. She also co-edited the Glimpses of Light charity anthology with Jeanette O’Hagan. When she’s not engrossed in her own writing, she’s helping other writers through The Write Flourish, a freelance editing business she runs with her husband Tim. She is passionate about faith and social justice issues, and loves weaving words of courage and hope.

Other News

Jeanette Grant-Thomson

Jeanette Grant-Thomson's true short story, 'That Wonderful Peace', was published in Stories of Life's 2020 anthology, The Swimmer, in November, 2020. It was also chosen to be read aloud ( by Jeanette with a croaky allergy-afflicted voice) for radio and online. It was published by Immortalise.

Jeanette says, 'The story is set in the beautiful Rabaul that used to be before the volcano buried it in ash in about 1994. I 'happened' to be holidaying there when my sister was flown in from another island as a medical emergency. God's peace preceded the news for me, to my amazement.'

Jeanette Grant-Thomson has been writing in various genres all her life and have had many works, long and short, published.

Elizabeth Klein

Elizabeth Klein's  Firelight of Heaven was picked up by Rambunctious Publishers for their Storymancers (fantasy books chosen for their UK readers) on 7th Nov and her short story: Carrot's Misadventurous Day was published by Storm Cloud Publishers in their Christmas Tales 5 Anthology on 1st Dec.

Stories of Life

Stories of Life anthology (Tabor) The Swimmers and Other Stories of Life was launched in November, including stories from a number of CWD members Anusha Atukorala, Rhonda Pooley, Lisa Birch, Jeanette Grant-Thomson, Jo-Anne Berthelsen, Julia Archer and Esther Cremona

CALEB Awards 2021

The 2021 CALEB Award will cover books published during 2019 and 2020 in the following categories:

• Picture Books
• Early Reader and Middle Grade*
• Young Adult Fiction
• Adult Fiction
• Biography and Memoir
• Other Nonfiction*

Note that the categories marked *will also allow entries from books published in 2018, to ensure every book has the opportunity to enter once.  Entries will be opened in late March 2021

Omega Writers Book Fair (Brisbane) 2021

Despite to the disruptions of Covid-19 , the Book Fair will be held next year (God willing) most likely in early June (rather than March) 2021.

Congratulations to all our members for your milestones and achievements

Behind the Scenes: Catherine Booth by David Bennett

Today we go 'behind the scenes' as Jeanette (Jenny) O'Hagan interviews David Malcolm Bennett about his recent release of his biography, Catherine Booth: From Timidity to Boldness.

Jenny: Congratulations on your recent release, David. What inspired you to write Catherine Booth: From Timidity to Boldness?

David: It’s a long story Jenny, so I’ll just give the highlights. Our family church in London was close to Chalk Farm Salvation Army, which had a magnificent band that often paraded round the streets, with a string of children following. That impressed me. My working-class mum and dad had a great admiration for the Salvos, which I came to share. I originally wrote a small biography of Catherine’s husband William. Then some years later I wrote a two-volume biography of William Booth. I also transcribed, edited, and published the letters that they wrote to each other (and please believe me there are many of them), plus Catherine’s diary and reminiscences. Then years later I transcribed, edited, and published the letters that Catherine had written to her parents. At that stage, I had no intention of writing a biography of Catherine. I was preparing the tools for someone else to do it. But when that work was completed, I said to a Salvation Army friend “The background material is now all to hand, so it is time for someone to write a good biography of Catherine Booth.” He said, “You should do it.” So, I did. (Hopefully, it is “good”.)

Jenny: Can you tell us three less known facts about Catherine Booth?

David: She was a poor speller, and her punctuation was hopeless, but she was a powerful writer. Strange, isn’t it? When she felt passionately about a subject, say, women’s issues, evangelism, or the importance of the family, in writing or speaking she was brilliant. Powerful!

She and William had eight children, but they adopted two more, despite her (their) extremely busy lifestyle.

Middle class and wealthy people loved her, even though she spoke very boldly to them, and could be quite fierce in her denunciation of the wickedness of the rich.

  
Jenny: You recently edited an extensive collection of Catherine’s letters and have been involved in editing another collection of Booth letters. What other sources did you use for your biography and how did you combine them with what you learnt from the letters?

David: Yes, as I said above, I have had the privilege of transcribing the letters Catherine and William wrote to each other, Catherine’s diary and reminiscences, and Catherine’s letters to her parents, which, of course, gave me many valuable insights into Catherine’s life and personality. It is also now possible to get online access to many nineteenth century newspapers and magazines, including Methodist and Salvation Army publications, and even birth and marriage certificates. (The Booths were originally Methodists, hence the value of the Methodist mags.) These gave extra information, but they were also useful in checking and finding dates and discovering different opinions. It’s all very well finding out what the Booths said about an event, but what did others say? Listen to both sides of an argument (or event).    

Jenny: You’ve written an impressive number of biographies and theological books over the years. How did you get started as a writer and what keeps you going?

David: I was brought up to read and love books, and I was a bookseller for many years in England and Australia. This gave me a taste for writing. I read many wonderful books, but to be frank, some I read were poor, and the wicked thought came to me, “I could do better than that.” So I tried. Whether I have succeeded, others must judge. What keeps me going? I am nearly 79, and I am well aware that the party has to end sometime. But, I suppose, I am just passionate about writing on Christian issues. I love it. And it is easy to do things one loves. 

Jenny: Any tips on how to approach writing a biography or historical work?

David: I think with non-fiction history and biography you need to first have a passion about, or at least a deep interest in, a subject before you start to write about it. This assumes that you already know something about your subject. Also remember that because it is non-fiction doesn’t mean it’s meant to be boring. Non-fiction, even history (indeed, especially history) can be exciting. Present it that way.

I write two kinds of biographies. The first is what I call “dramatic”. These are usually fairly brief: 50,000 words perhaps.  With these I usually begin with an exciting incident in the character’s life, and then go back to talk about their birth and childhood. It is a strategy to get the reader’s attention. Draw them in with something exciting. In my biography of John Wesley, I begin with an account about when his home was burning around him and he had to be dramatically rescued. I then go back to tell of his family (more dramatic than you would expect) and his birth. After that I concentrate mainly, but not entirely, upon the exciting and the dramatic.

The other kind of biography that I write is more detailed, quotes a wider range of sources, and has footnotes, a bibliography and an index. While not ignoring the exciting (never ignore the exciting), with these I seek to present a fuller and more detailed account of the person’s life. My new book about Catherine Booth fits into this category and is the first of two volumes. I have tried to present the authentic Catherine Booth, something which I don’t think has been done before. Most of the earlier books about her have been “too adoring”. I have not rubbished her, but I have presented a “warts and all” account of her early life. 

With regard to historical research, bear in mind that not everything you read is true. With experience, you begin to get to know which authors write honestly and who is fudging the truth. And some things don’t quite add up; don’t sound right. So be careful. I usually like at least two seemingly independent accounts of an event before I regard it as true. (Isn’t it great that there are five contemporary and, at least partly, independent accounts of our Lord’s resurrection?) If I can’t find two independent accounts that say the same, or more-or-less the same, I would usually say, something like, “some say, …, while others say”. However, I remember finding two similar accounts of one event that I was thinking of quoting as authentic. Then I discovered that document “B” was quoting document “A”, so I was back down to one. I have only ever quoted that matter with caution. 

One last thing: avoid Wikipedia, or at least use it with extreme caution. Some of the articles are rubbish.

Jenny: Catherine Booth: From Timidity to Boldness, is book 1. What can we expect in the second book on Catherine? And will there be any more books after that?

David: Volume 1 takes Catherine Booth’s life from her birth in 1829 to 1865 when her husband began the Mission that became the Salvation Army. These were, mainly, her Methodist years, some of which were extraordinarily dramatic, and I found them exciting to write, so I hope they are exciting to read. Volume 2, “Catherine Booth: From Boldness to Glory”, will cover the years 1866 to her death in 1890. These are The Salvation Army years, though that Army was originally a mission led by William, and it did not become The Salvation Army until 1878. Catherine had considerable influence upon the development of that Mission/Army, making sure that women were regarded as equal to men, with rights to vote at meetings, and that suitable women were allowed to preach and lead Mission stations. Indeed, the work that some of these women did was remarkable and heroic. Catherine developed into a major and influential preacher and lecturer, and became the darling of the rich, who attended her lectures in London’s West End in the early 1880s. As with the first volume, I allow her to speak. I hope that volume 2, almost completed, will be published at the end of 2021.

After that … I don’t know.

Jenny: Thanks for giving us a peek behind the scenes, David. I'm looking forward to reading Catherine Booth's story and whatever book comes after.

David Malcolm Bennett has written over 20 Christian books, mainly biographies and church history. His book “From Ashes to Glory” was a joint winner in the CALEB AWARDS, biography section, and his “William Booth and his Salvation Army” was a finalist in CALEB. That book about William Booth has sold over 25,000 copies in its three editions, English, American and Australian. His book “Hudson Taylor and China” is a finalist in this year’s CALEB. His latest book Catherine Booth: From Timidity to Boldness was published in 2020.

CWD Highlights - July to September 2019

Christian Writers Downunder is a diverse group of writers, editors, bloggers, illustrators. As a group we support each other through our facebook page and blog.

Today's blog will highlight some of the achievements of our members from July to September 2019

Awards

Christie Awards:

Congratulations to David Rawlings - Christy Award finalist for The Baggage Handler in the First Novel category. See more HERE

CALEB Awards:

Congratulations to the CALEB Award finalists including our CWD members - Kirrily Lowe, Katrina Roe, Nikki Rogers, Rosanne Hawke, Penny Jaye, Cecily Anne Paterson, Phillip Cook, Christine Dillon, Hazel Barker, & David Malcolm Bennett. 

  Winners will be announced at the Omega Writers Conference Oct 11-13, Edward Rice Centre, Mulgoa (near Sydney)

Check out the full short list here HERE

New Releases & Cover Reveals:

Christine Dillon - Grave in Deep Waters

Christine's Dillon's third book in the Grace series -  Grace in Deep Waters - was published in August.

Blurb:

William Macdonald is at the pinnacle of his career. Pastor of a growing megachurch and host of a successful national radio programme. Clever and respected, he’s a man with everything, including a secret. His wife has left him and he can’t risk anyone finding out.

Blanche Macdonald is struggling. Her once rock-solid marriage is showing cracks. She promised to love her husband for better or for worse, but does loving always mean staying? Blanche desires to put God first. Not William. Not her daughter. Not herself.

When is a marriage over? When do you stand and fight?


You can buy it HERE

Bio:  Christine is from Sydney but lives in Taiwan where she squeezes in writing novels around her telling of Bible stories to anyone who will listen.

Leanne Woods - The Belonging

Leanne Woods has published a Christian novel The Belonging on 1st August, 2019

Blurb:  

The Belonging is a story for adults and young adults. It’s a journey of understanding that deals with issues most can relate to; death, confronting personal problems and coming to understand yourself.

You never know who, or what, will change your life until it happens. 

After the death of his wife, home health care worker Robert Jackson must re-evaluate his life in Sydney. Facing an uphill battle with grief, he contemplates suicide. 

However, his wife’s best friend Shirley won’t let him give up. But how well does he really know this caring neighbour? And what about the eccentric recluse and the pretentious middle-aged woman whose path he is destined to cross? Appearances can be deceiving. 

The Belonging is a story of four broken souls thrown together by chance and one man’s journey to discover the truth and meaning of his own existence. 

You can buy it HERE.

Bio:
Leanne Wood is a poet, an avid reader and the author of five novels, with an extensive background in business, law and psychology, Leanne said goodbye to her corporate career and has spent the last five years devoted to writing stories about life and on subjects’ people can relate, stories that evoke emotion and take readers on a journey.

Cate McKeown - Memphis Grace

Novel: Memphis Grace by Catriona McKeown
Releasing October 2019 through Rhiza Edge
Available in all good bookstores or through the publisher at
https://www.rhizaedge.com.au/memphis-grace


Memphis Grace is the second Young Adult novel by Queensland author, Catriona McKeown.

Graceland was named after the King of Pop’s mansion by her Elvis- obsessed mum. But she’s not rich, not famous and definitely not noticeable.

She’s always just been Mikaela’s best friend.

That is, until Mikaela leaves school without explanation and Graceland finds herself noticed by Cooper Dally. Popular boy and Mikaela’s ex-boyfriend. Now she’s the centre of attention: big parties, new dresses and girlfriend to Cooper. Graceland is finally changing her stars.

But Cooper has expectations Graceland can’t meet. And when the truth behind Mikaela’s leaving comes out, Graceland realises Cooper might not be the guy she thought he was. Worse, it could cost Graceland more than she’s willing to give to be noticed.

  

Hannah Currie - Heart of a Royal

Hannah Currie's debut YA novel, Heart of a Royal, will be published by WhiteSpark Publishing (a division of WhiteFire Publishing) 15 October 2019. 

Blurb:

Brought to the palace as a newborn, the royal life bestowed upon Mackenna Sparrow was never meant to last forever. With Princess Alina engaged to be married, Mackenna’s presence as companion is no longer required and, like it or not, she must return to the birthright which should have been hers – that of a commoner.

But not everyone at the palace wants her gone. When the truths she’s based her life on start crumbling as fast as her future, will she find the courage to trust, both herself and the prince she’s fallen in love with?

You can buy/pre-order it HERE.

Bio: Aussie author, Hannah Currie, loves God, family, people (in small numbers, let’s not go crazy here!) and writing. She and her husband live with their three adorable kids in Queensland, where it really is beautiful one day and perfect the rest. Except during heatwaves. They're not so fun.

Other

Also, Faith Oxley's book “Blessed is. Psalms of faith” will be release on Amazon next month 

 

And Jan Morris has a beautiful new release coming next month. Heaven's Journal's has poetry from my book Heaven is all about Him as well as places to write with special areas for your prayers and wonderful scriptures tying it all together....all on a background of meadow flowers.
 

Events & Opportunities:

Wombat Books Conference

CWD members Penny Reeve, Rosanne Hawke, Katrina Roe, Kathy Hoopmann & Cecily Paterson will be among the speakers with other Wombat Children's authors & featured author Kate Forsyth at the Wombat Books Conference this weekend (26-27 September 2019). Find out more HERE

Other News:

Rendered Realms at Oz Comic Con

Rendered Realms - Lynne Stringer, Jeanette O'Hagan & Adele Jones - had a fabulous time at Oz Comic Con (Brisbane) this year - interacting with fans, selling books & enjoying the cosplay.  

(Top photo taken by Wayne Logan).

David Malcolm Bennett

David Bennett has had Catherine Booth: Form Timidity to Boldness, a biography of Catherine's Booths early years and ministry, accepted for publication. Due for release in 2020

Helen Brown

Helen Brown, Wendy Wood and Olwyn Harris recently formed a great team to publish and release a book “Matt’s Boys of Wattle Creek”. 

Olwyn has been writing for over 20 years and has finally taken the plunge into publishing. Helen Brown and Wendy Wood have started an Author support business called Reading Stones Publishing. Matt’s Boys of Wattle Creek was released on the 4th September and is available on Amazon in both Paperback and Ebook HERE.

Boys of Wattle Creek  tells of the spiritual journey of Matt’s three boys as they enter into adulthood and how the rest of the small town gets to learn about the grace of God.

Helen also had a phone interview with Cooloola Christian Radio which can be accessed on her Still More Water into Wine page at her website. www.hbrown1956.wixsite.com/helenjeanbrown/still-more-water-into-wine

Elizabeth Klein

Elizabeth Klein is celebrating a number of wins over the last couple of months:


1) In July, Five Senses Education contracted Elizabeth for four more non-fiction textbooks titled:

Comedy Theatre for Lower Primary Teacher's Resource Book,
Comedy Theatre for Lower Primary Student Book,
Comedy Theatre for Lower High School Teacher's Resource Book,
Comedy Theatre for Lower High School Student Book

Elizabeth says, 

"Having taught in the classroom and as a tutor for almost three decades has taught me that children enjoy humour. From libidinous references to belches and farts, to wicked names that conjure up ridiculous characters and situations, children love surprise and shock. What’s more, they like to express humour in their own flamboyant exuberance.

The purpose of this book is to provide children with a collection of quirky, nonsensical plays which they can read and perform in the classroom or as an end-of-year activity. As an educator, I have seen even the most reluctant child blossom in confidence through drama. My hope is that teachers utilize these plays to motivate and encourage their students in creativity and reading skills."

2) Storm Cloud Publishers included Elizabeth's short story titled Max's New Book in their Open House 3 Anthology also on Monday 22nd of July.

Blurb: Max the mouse is writing another book after being rejected (yet again) by Sally Squeaker, publisher of Grey Whiskers Publishing Hole. His new story is called Mouse in Boots and sounds even quirkier than a pirate grandmother going to sea with a crew of meerkats which has nothing to do with the story whatsoever! However, this time Sally Squeaker enjoys Max's tale so much she is pleased to publish it. It's the story of a writer's travail and failed attempts to find the perfect home for their novel, ending in success.

3) Elizabeth did a book signing at Collins Bookshop in Sale, Victoria on Saturday, 7th September.

Bio:  

Elizabeth Klein:

Writer

Daydreamer

Reader

Intrepid explorer

Seeker of wondrous realms

Wanderer and sky gazer

Eater of chocolates

Lover of God and life

You can visit Elizabeth at bethloria.com.au

Save the Date:

Omega Writers Book Fair 2010 - Save the Date

Save the Date: Omega Writers Book Fair 2010 will be on Saturday, 14 March 2020 Along with a range of local authors, scavenger hunt, book readings and a colouring competition, Simon Kennedy will present a workshop of Script Writng & Kathy Hoopman, Jenny Woosley & others will be on a panel Writing Difference and Disability. 

Congratulations to all our members for your milestones and achievements

Exploring Genre: Christian Biography & History

by David Bennett

History is not boring

Many people think that history is boring. It is usually only boring if it is told badly.

Hudson Taylor went to China at the of 21 to take the gospel to the Chinese. He arrived in the middle of a war and his life there was in constant danger. I have written a book called Hudson Taylor and China (Rhiza Press). Is it boring? How could it be?  It is dramatic and at times exciting.

History is full of fascinating people, exciting events, disturbing incidents and great drama. I write church history and biography with a major focus on nineteenth century Britain and the missionaries sent from there.

Christian Biography and History

With some genres one can point to major authors who write in a particular field, but while this is possible with church history, it is harder with biography. With biographies one tends to look for a book about a particular person rather than who wrote it.

Two Australian examples of biographies where the subject is more famous than the author are Mr Eternity by Roy Williams and Elizabeth Meyers (Shortlisted for the 2018 Australian Christian Book of the Year Award), and The Man the Anzacs Revered by Daniel Reynaud. 

The first is about Arthur Stace, a Christian man, who became a legend by writing the word “Eternity” on Sydney’s footpaths over a period of many years. Stace was an ordinary man, but he did something that was extraordinary. 

The other book is about William “Fighting Mac” McKenzie, who was a Salvation Army chaplain in the First World War. He was a remarkable man who was famous between the two world wars, but is sadly les known today. If you want to read a good biography about a great Australian, read The Man the Anzacs Revered, for the Anzacs did not revere many outside their own. “Fighting Mac” was special.

Two of the best writers of modern church history are Mark Noll (America) and David Bebbington (Britain). Both are clearly excellent at research and write well. (I understand that Bebbington’s son was once asked what his father did, and the son said, “He writes about dead evangelicals.” I do the same as Bebbington senior.)

Research and Sources

Research is a vital aspect of writing history or biography. Research has never been easier and never harder than today. It is easier because there are lots of good modern books and articles available on most historical figures and events of interest, and the internet has opened up access to the text of many out of print books and given us access to many worthwhile articles. 

But this presents two areas of difficulty: firstly, there is a lot to wade through; secondly, as always with the internet, you have to be careful, for there is a lot of ill-informed rubbish out there. Check and recheck your sources.

David's Projects

One of my major projects has been the history of The Salvation Army and its founders, William and Catherine Booth. William Booth was originally a Methodist evangelist, who won thousands to faith in Christ Jesus. His preaching was dynamic and the results often dramatic. Catherine also became a Methodist preacher and was (no surprise) one of the early Christian feminists. They were very different from each other, but in their own ways colourful. As The Salvation Army came into being, they attracted around them a ragtag collection of odd people, male and female, who excite, intrigue, and, at times, make you laugh or cry.

Catherine was a difficult person to argue with. She was smart and always seemed to have her arguments ready. On one occasion she had just preached at the opening of a new Salvation Army mission hall. Afterwards a man cornered her and said, “Did you know, Mrs Booth, that the Apostle Paul told the Corinthians that women should not speak in the church?” She responded, “Yes, but I am not a Corinthian and this is not a church.” Wow! I wouldn’t want to argue with her.

I have written two biographies of William Booth, a smallish one called William Booth and his Salvation Army (Even Before Publishing) and a two-volume book, The General: William Booth (Xulon Press). I have also edited, transcribed and published their letters to each other, Catherine’s diary, her reminiscences and her letters to her parents, which are all full of their love of Christ and their great desire to make Him known. 

I am now writing a two-volume biography of Catherine. The first volume, Catherine Booth: From Timidity to Boldness, has been accepted by Morning Star Publishing.

Making it Readable

I write two different kinds of biography. One I describe as dramatic. That is, whilst sticking to the main incidents of the subject’s life, I, in some cases, invent dialogue and assume people’s emotions, to make it read (hopefully) like fiction. The other type I write are more authentic, detailed and analytical, but still (I am told) very readable.

I think one of the tricks with non-fiction writing is to make it readable, which is easier than most people think. There are always plenty of exciting and dramatic events going on now and in the past. Write about them. What interests and excites you will almost certainly interest and excite others. And don’t use lots of long and complicated sentences. While some sentences should be long, keep most fairly short and some very short. Variety in sentence length is important in all forms of writing. 

Two people have told me that my PhD dissertation (The Origins of Left Behind Eschatology) was very readable. I confess that when I heard that, I thought, “It’s a PhD dissertation for goodness sake. It’s not meant to be readable.” You see, even some complicated subjects can be made readable.

David Malcolm Bennett has written over 20 Christian books, mainly biographies and church history. His book “From Ashes to Glory” was a joint winner in the CALEB AWARDS, biography section, and his “William Booth and his Salvation Army” was a finalist in CALEB. That book about William Booth has sold over 25,000 copies in its three editions, English, American and Australian. His latest book “Hudson Taylor and China” is a finalist in this year’s CALEB.

Meet Our Members - David Malcolm Bennett

Each Thursday in 2018 we will be interviewing one of the members of Christian Writers Downunder – to find out a little bit more about them and their writing/editing goals.

Today interview: David Malcolm Bennett

Question 1: Tells us three things about who you are and where you come from.

I’m English/Australian and I’m old. I am also a leading authority on three areas of Christian research: 1/ William and Catherine Booth and the early Salvation Army; 2/ changes in evangelistic methods over the last 180 years; 3/ the origins of the ideas presented in the Left Behind books.

Question 2: Tell us about your writing (or editing/illustrating etc).  What do you write and why?

I write Christian non-fiction, primarily in the areas of church history, biography and theology. Some of my books are academic, which are a bit heavy, but still readable, while others are written in what I call “a dramatic” or popular style. In that latter style, the characters and incidents are meant to jump off the page and hit the reader in the eye, as in the best fiction. I have written biographies of William Booth (Salvation Army) and Edward Irving (look him up) in the heavier, longer style. Even those books still have their fair share of drama. My “dramatic” biographies are about William Booth (again), Moody and Sankey (American evangelists), C.T. Studd (founder of WEC International), John Wesley (founder of Methodism), Charles Spurgeon (great Baptist preacher) and Hudson Taylor (founder of CIM/OMF).

I wrote “The Altar Call: Its Origins and Present Usage” (my M.Th dissertation, awarded with merit – now published by the University Press of America) because I believe that there is something seriously wrong with modern evangelistic method and I wanted to see how and why most evangelists do what they do. See https://sinnersprayerbook.com

I wrote my “The Origins of Left Behind Eschatology” (my PhD dissertation – now published by Xulon Press) because I thought Left Behind ideas were a misunderstanding of Scripture and I wanted to see how they emerged. See https://originsofleftbehind.wordpress.com

Question 3: Who has read your work? Who would you like to read it?

My book on the altar call has probably been my most quoted book. It has been quoted or referred to in at least 23 other books and dissertations, plus journal articles and websites. My smaller book on William Booth has inspired a radio drama in Canada and a documentary here in Australia. There has also been talk about making a film of a major incident in my Booth books, and one group was intending to use my Hudson Taylor book for a film about Taylor, but I understand this has now been changed to a documentary. It will be nice if those two things happen, but I am not losing any sleep over them.

Altogether my books have sold over 60,000 copies. My bestsellers are “William Booth and His Salvation Army” (including its two earlier editions) and “Moody and Sankey: Evangelists.”   

Question 4: Tell us something about your process. What challenges do you face? What helps you the most?

Research is the first key issue. Whatever style I am writing in, I like to carry out some initial research on the topic, and I am a good researcher. Mark Noll, a leading church historian, called my altar call dissertation “Good writing based on very good research”. Once the initial research is done, I research and write each section, usually in the order they will appear in the book, though sometimes I jump ahead if, for example, some information is not immediately available. I always try to bear in mind that books are written to be read, so I am aware that whatever I write should be interesting, even exciting, to read, and I like to think that I achieve that.

In my more controversial books (the altar call and Left Behind books) I am aware that others disagree, often strongly, with my views. Therefore, I must have strong, well-researched arguments for my case, otherwise I am spitting in the wind. I also firmly believe that I must treat those who disagree with me with respect.   

Question 5: What is your favourite Writing Craft Book and why?

“Eats, Shoots and Leaves” by Lynne Truss. While this book is primarily about punctuation, it must be stressed that punctuation matters. Incorrect punctuation can cause the reader to misunderstand you. It can even can cause a serious moment in your book to be the cause of much laughter. And none of us want that. Lynne Truss also writes with lively humour.

Question 6: If you were to give a shout-out to a CWD author, writer, editor or illustrator – who would they be?

My daughter, Lynne Stringer, is also a writer. She writes mainly science fiction. Are you telling me that you have not yet read her Verindon series?  Buy them and read them. Those who have done so have been well pleased with them.

Question 7: What are your writing goals for 2018? How will you achieve them?

I am not writing a book at present. I am transcribing and editing the letters that Catherine Booth (of The Salvation Army) wrote to her parents. They have been sitting around for 150 years and I thought it was time someone did them, so I’m the “Joey Muggins”. This task, however, is fraught with difficulties. One problem is she used erratic and confusing punctuation. She was highly intelligent and a brilliant arguer, but only had two years formal education. In her writing, full stops are rare, and she could write a four or six-page letter in one paragraph and even sometimes in one sentence. These letters take a lot of sorting out in that and other ways, but I love doing it.

Question 8: How does your faith impact and shape your writing?

I have been a Christian for 57 years (I had to stop and think then to work it out), and my faith is behind and within all my books. I studied at the Bible College of Queensland in 1988-90. I had already begun my writing career, with one book published and another on its way, but I when I left college I had to decide what specific direction my writing should take. Should I write Christian books for non-Christians, evangelistic books I suppose, or Christian books mainly for Christians? By then it was apparent that I was a teacher not an evangelist, so I decided to write primarily for Christians. However, some of my “dramatic” books (see above) have been read by non-Christians and I inserted the gospel message in those books with that hope in mind. 

David Malcolm Bennett is an evangelical church historian, who has the gift of doing thorough and painstaking research and presenting the results in a readable form. He was born into a Methodist family in England during WWII, failed at school and drifted into the book trade. His first job was working on a W.H. Smith bookstall on, believe it or not, platform 10 of London’s King’s Cross railway station. (And he can tell you that J.K. Rowling got the layout of the station’s platforms wrong.)

He then went to work for the Epworth Press (the Methodist Publishing House) in London where he met a dark-haired Australian, named Claire Wilkie, who was to become his wife. In 1973, he Claire and their two children migrated to Australia. Or as some would have it: London to Brisbane, or even Lord’s to the Gabba. He worked for QBD for 12 years and in the Bible Society Bookshop for a similar period. In between he spent three years at the Bible College of Queensland and gained a B.Th degree. Further studies earned him a M.Th (with merit) and a PhD.

David has written about 20 books (he can’t be bothered to count). He is now retired and facing his last chapter. But old writers never die, they only run out of ink. Or should that be toner?

See also:

www.williamandcatherinebooth.com

www.edwardirving.org