CELTIC TREASURE - Liz Babbs - Free Book

I want to introduce you to my friend in the UK. Liz Babbs. She's been in America several times, and I've been privileged to spend time with her. Welcome, Liz. You are writing nonfiction. Do you also write fiction?


Yes I do. But I see myself very much as a beginner trying to write fiction. I’ve been on several courses, including the ACFW conference. I love the freedom of writing fiction, after so many years writing non-fiction. It is wonderfully liberating to be able to make things up!

What would you like for our readers to know about you personally?

That I’m a missionary and use my writing in outreach and evangelism, often deliberately writing books that will cross over into the general market, like my new gift book Celtic Treasure which is on sale in Barnes and Noble.

I did not have a deep longing to become a writer, I’ve been a dance fanatic for years and danced semi-professionally, but when I was healed through prayer of the illness ME (Chronic Fatigue Syndrome), I sensed God was calling me to write a book called Can God Help ME? Now at first I assumed I’d completed that task, because I wrote about my personal journey through ME for my Masters dissertation. This was bound and made into a book, as part of my degree. So job done! No. God soon showed me that is was a ‘real’ book that I was meant to write and so with knees knocking and heart pumping, I took my dissertation to a booksellers convention which many publishers attend. Fortunately, my idea was welcomed. But I was told that for my book to be a publishable book, it needed to be much less academic, and would require a complete re-write! Can God Help ME? was published in 1999 and has since helped thousands of sufferers and their carers. Some have even been healed through reading it!

What a wonderful testimony of the power of our marvelous God. Tell us about your family.

I’m single, but have 7 wonderful nephews and nieces that range from 2 - 17. And yes, I have changed the odd nappy in my time! My mother lives about 30 minutes away, too. I’d love to have pets, but I’m away too much.

Have you written other non-fiction books?

Yes, nine other books.

What other books have you written, and where can the readers of the blog find them?

I’ve written 9 other non-fiction books and some are popular gift books like Celtic Treasure while others are more in-depth books. I’ve even written a few fun pocket gift books with cartoons, which have done well in the general market and have even been translated into Chinese! My most well know book is Into God’s Presence (Zondervan 2005) which is an introduction to Christian meditation with lots of practical material. Even Hurricane Katrina victims contacted me to tell me how helpful this book was to them during their time of loss. My best-seller to date is The Celtic Heart (Lion Hudson 2003) which is a gift book including free CD. Random House bought the German rights to this book and so Oase des Friedens was born! The full range of my books and published CDs can be found on my website http://www.lizbabbs.com/

Do you have any other books in the works right now?

Yes. I am working on a book to help folk make space for God in their busy lives. It will be a very practical book and include creative ways of praying on the go etc. I’m also working on a spoken word and music album to accompany Celtic Treasure.

Where on the Internet can the readers find you?

http://www.lizbabbs.com/
http://www.celtictreasure.blogspot.com/

I’m also on Facebook, Twitter, MySpace and YouTube

I guess I should tell people that I'm on YouTube, too. I know there are at least three things up on the site. What kinds of hobbies and leisure activities do you enjoy?

I love comedy and perform a one-woman show called ‘Licensed to Chill’ which is a mix of performance poetry and stand-up comedy. Folks love it and can bring their non-Christian friends, and so it’s great outreach. It allows me to let my ‘Bridget Jones’ side out!

I also love going to the cinema and theatre. I enjoy visiting famous author’s houses like Jane Austin, Wordsworth, Shakespeare etc. I’ve even written poems in Wordsworth’s garden.

That sounds like it would be inspiring. Why did you write the featured book?

To be honest, I was not looking to write another Celtic book, but God had other ideas! He stopped me in my tracks and gave me a ‘picture’ of an ancient monastic archway, like the remains of Lindisfarne Priory on Lindisfarne. Through this archway, all kinds of people, who weren’t Christians, were coming to God. Some were even dancing and celebrating. And so Celtic Treasure (Lion Hudson 2009) was born. Writing it really strengthened my faith and I’m delighted that it is being distributed in the US as well as the UK.

What do you want the reader to take away from the book?

The amazing Christian heritage we have. One to be proud of. And that we have rich Christian treasures to share with a world that’s losing its way. Celtic Christianity is a bridge to the secular, so I’d love folk to buy this book for their non-Christian friends. Non-Christians are automatically interested in Celtic Christianity because it is less dogmatic and fits with our culture, where many seek a simpler less materialistic lifestyle. Celtic Christianity also respects God and creation, the Trinity and is focused on the message of the Beatitudes modeling love for our neighbor.

Thank you, Liz, for spending this short time with us.
 
Readers, check out Liz's website and blog.
 
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