Episode 457 - Bella Ellwood Clayton - Her gripping debut novel, Weekend Friends is Unputdownable

DR. BELLA ELLWOOD-CLAYTON was born on Valentine’s Day in Melbourne, Australia; the daughter of avant-garde composer and playwright, Syd Clayton, and enlightenment-seeker, Gwenda Ellwood.

At a young age, Bella moved to Vancouver, Canada, with her mother. They lived in Kits (Kitsilano) in different basement suites. Bella’s mother went back to school, studying IT. Bella had a chaotic childhood with lots of freedom. She loved dancing and being with her friends.

In elementary school, Bella had a bad knee accident and on the way to the hospital, wrote her first poem—a topic fitting a Vancouverite.

Raindrops on the window meet like lovers after a long separation

During her recovery in the hospital, a friend’s mother visited Bella and read aloud Dylan Thomas’ poem, “Do Not Go Gentle into that Good Night,” as well as gifting her a book of poetry. From that moment on, Bella never stopped writing. She always had a journal and found deeper companionship with the page than almost anything or anyone else.

After high school, Bella moved to Montréal and completed a Bachelor of Arts from Concordia University, majoring in anthropology. Her honours thesis examined beauty historically and cross-culturally. She received first class honours and was the recipient of the Mark Doughty Scholarship. She had a studio apartment in the McGill Ghetto, a long-distance (toxic) relationship, and a desire explore the world.

Her first short story was published, as well as some poetry.

Soon after, with a crew from National Geographic, Bella took to the jungle to explore tattoo and social change in the Mentawai Islands of Indonesia. This documentary continues to air from a wide range of international locations.

Her nonfiction book, Sex Drive: In Pursuit of Female Desire, was published by Allen & Unwin. She published more short stories and poetry and wrote for The Huffington Post and Daily Life, and frequently appeared on radio programs such as Triple M and TV programs including, The Project and Sunrise. She’s given many talks about relationships, including a TEDx talk.

Bella hosted The Science of Sex Drive on Love Destination, a global video-on-demand network on 8 million devices.

Now, Bella is the Head of Editorial at NAC (New Authors Collective) Literary Agency and has a freelance editing business, Dr. Bella Editorial. She was the resident creative writing teacher at Kensington Neighbourhood House.

After writing her first poem about raindrops all those years ago, her debut novel, WEEKEND FRIENDS, was published in November 2023 (Post Hill Press/Simon & Schuster).

https://www.drbella.com.au/

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podcast produced by: https://truemediasolutions.ca/

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Episode 456 - Jenny Sanders - Driving A Tank Bucketlist Item, Polished Arrows and Helping Kids Write

For the last few years I’ve been living wherever I hang my proverbial hat, currently between the UK and South Africa.

I’m a writer, speaker, imperfect follower of Jesus, wife, and mother of four grown-and-flown children, and a thousand other things besides.

My passions are for authenticity, integrity and justice. I love to ‘see the lights come on’ for people when they grasp truth that makes a daily difference.

These days, I have more time and write for a number of magazines as well as working on book projects.

For twelve years I had a monthly column for a local newspaper. I’ve also written a series of four devotionals around the themes of the sea, the city, the countryside and the mountains – each with six weeks of material. Contact me if you’d like to order a copy (details below).

MY BOOKS:

Spiritual Feasting (Instant Apostle May 2020), explores Psalm 23:5, asking how it’s possible to take our assigned place at God’s table and ‘feast’ even when life serves us a bitter or sour ‘menu’. It’s written for those who ‘recognise that Jesus never promised a trouble-free life, but want to experience the reality of living life to the full with Him.’ With Biblical and contemporary examples of those who’ve done just that, it’s a book that will challenge assumptions and comfort zones while encouraging you to pursue authentic intimacy with the Host of the banquet. ‘Taster questions’ alongside each chapter give an opportunity to dig in to the nourishment of the sections more fully – ideal for small groups or an individual reader. Published by Instant Apostle, it’s available through good bookshops and on-line; you can find it here: https://instantapostle.com/books/spiritual-feasting/

Polished Arrows (Instant Apostle May 2024), is based on Isaiah 49:2, it unpacks the arrowsmith’s art of taking an unpromising stick and crafting it into a lethal weapon; a powerful illustration of the journey of faith and discipleship. God, both Master craftsman and skilled archer, shapes us for His purposes so we can be fired with impact into our culture and contexts. Are we willing to be arrows in His hands? Each chapter of Polished Arrows closes with ‘Target questions’ followed by a biblical example of the process described in the text. Great for personal or small group use. Available from good book shops, on line and here: https://instantapostle.com/books/polished-arrows/

https://jennysanderswriter.co.uk/

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podcast produced by: https://truemediasolutions.ca/

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Episode 455 - Meredith Ritchie - Author of Poster Girls - A Historical Fiction Focused On Women's Empowerment

Hello, I’m Meredith Ritchie

I’ve lived many places, but Charlotte was the first I called home. After discovering how my hometown forgot its own amazing WWII herstory, it became the perfect setting for my first novel.

I have made a career in business communications and wrote my first novel, Poster Girls, as a cure for acute "empty nest syndrome." I live near the heart of the Queen City with my husband and two cats, who encourage my curiosity of the forgotten triumphs of the spirit, especially those found in our own backyard.

After an unwanted southern migration, an upside-down world in 1943 offers military wife and mother, Maggie Slone, a job at Charlotte’s largest wartime employer––the massive and dangerous Shell Assembly Plant.

Meanwhile, military wife and Alabama native, Kora Bell’s steadfast determination enables her to navigate the challenges she faces as a Black woman seeking employment under Jim Crow.

A shared love of literature spurs an unlikely friendship between Kora and Maggie, and the two work together to unify the plant’s workforce. Stringent rules are necessary when the air is charged with gun powder and polite society, until Maggie and Kora must break them in order to support their families, end the war, and bring their husbands home.

Told from two perspectives, Poster Girls is driven by the true but forgotten events and accomplishments of a diverse group of ordinary American women, both relevant and necessary to stop modern cycles of misunderstanding.

https://www.meredithritchie.com/

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https://livingthenextchapter.com/
podcast produced by: https://truemediasolutions.ca/

Coffee Refills are always appreciated, refill Dave's cup here, and thanks!
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