I love to chat . . .
long rambling conversations on the phone with friends
brief exchanges in line at the store
heart-to-hearts over cups of tea

So when many authors started blogging a few years back, it felt like an easy addition to my list of “things authors do that support their readers and their books;” book launch parties, tours, signings, websites, newsletters, speaking engagements, teaching at conferences and . . .

. . . blogging.

I quickly learned from the collective wisdom of the sages that a good blog should have a theme, serve a unique felt need, be updated frequently, not focus on personal details that no one is interested in . . .

The list went on and on.

I also learned that it was important to build blog traffic, which meant lots of links, participating in blogrolls and events and blog tours, using various techniques to measure and build that traffic.

Hmmm….

If I did everything the right way, my fun side venture would become a full-time job.

So I’m making a public confession. I’m a half-baked blogger. And I’m not going to change.

Sometimes I have included book reviews and “toured” new novels of my friends – although there are so many other blogs that do that (much better than I) that I’d rather not do that very much.

Sometimes I write heartfelt devotions – which I’d love to do more of (but often don’t have time to do).

Sometimes I forget to post an upcoming event until the night before, and folks don’t get the info in time (by the way, I’m going to be part of a multi-author signing this Friday, November 7th, at 7pm at the Northwestern Bookstore in Maple Grove, MN).

Sometimes I go for weeks without posting. Sometimes I post three in one day.

I’ve accepted that it’s not my priority (or my calling) to build up a large blog following.
God has (for now) asked me to focus on writing novels. I get quite a few visitors here. Sometimes I get a lot of comments. Often I don’t – and that’s okay.

I like having some things in my life that I recognize I’m not doing the right way. I’m a sloppy tennis player. My guitar playing is basic and inexpert. I’m an improvisational, forgetful, and sometimes disastrous cook.

As much as I agree with the heart-cry to create work of excellence for God, I have too often been caught in the bondage of accomplishment and perfectionism. So maybe it’s good for me to strive for excellence in a few things and let the rest be a little half-baked.

What do you think? Have you been trying to “get it all right” in EVERY area of life, and feeling exhausted and inadequate? Do you joyfully celebrate a few things that you don’t do well?

Oh – and the photo is from the TBN studio in Seattle, right before shooting a brief T.V. interview about The Restorer books. It was part of the Motiv8 tour in October. I get a kick out of the combo of blue jeans with baldric, sword, and cloak. 🙂

Blessings!
Sharon Hinck

I’ve always loved books. Growing up, authors were mysterious and amazing gifts to my little world. So once I became a novelist, one of my favorite perks was the opportunity to get to know other authors and spend time with them.

Each week for the next two months, I’ll share a little about one of the authors from the Motiv8 Fantasy Fiction Tour. I toured with these authors from October 3-12, 2008, all over the West Coast. You get to know a lot about an author when they get up at 4:00 a.m. to hit the road for another long day of events, or you see them sit beside a child in an oncology unit to share a book, or you teach an English class side-by-side with them. I hope whatever genres you read, you’ll enjoy hearing about the HEART of each of these authors.

This week I’m showcasing Bryan Davis.

Bryan is a prolific author with a testimony of incredible persistence. You can read all about his many books at his website, and interact with other readers at his forum.

But after touring with him twice, I can share that one of his special qualities is that he has a passionate father-heart that extends beyond his own family to all young people. Even with his busy writing schedule and huge commitments of writing, teaching, and traveling, he gives many hours of time each week to chatting with youth at his forum, mentoring young writers, and praying for young people seeking Christian truth in a difficult world.

On the recent tour, I got to hear amazing stories of risks he took in order to step out in faith and obey God, and about miraculous answered prayers. But what touched me the most was when he spoke at the Calvary Chapel service about his longing to provide stories that will help young people who have been tormented by the enemy. He is a man with a heartfelt calling and pushes himself beyond the limits to carry out that calling. I teased him that he’s an android, because I’ve never known anyone who can function on so little sleep, work so tirelessly, and continue to write at such a pace.

While many different ages read and enjoy his books, his series are particularly geared toward teens. My teen daughter gobbles up his books, so I’m glad he writes as fast as he does!

Blessings!
Sharon Hinck

Sort of…

My Aussie friend from Relz Reviews hosted a book club that read and discussed The Restorer.

I often visit book groups via speaker phone, (if you’re part of a book group, feel free to email me and request a visit if you’re discussing any one of my books!)

For my visit Down-Under, because of time differences, the women gave all their questions to Rel, who emailed them to me. She’s posted my answers here – some fun inside scoop about The Restorer and about me.

They asked some unique questions…and I learned a lot, too.

Who knew that Aussies don’t enjoy Chex snack mix? 🙂

And who knew that women in another hemisphere would identify with the faith journey of a middle-American mom? Isn’t it neat that way that God weaves us all together?

I hope you enjoy your “visit” with my Australian friends, too!

His,
Sharon

When I was in high school, I memorized Romans 12 in the King James Version.
In fact, I did a lot of memorizing in my childhood – all KJV. Now I use the NIV, so I get hopelessly muddled when I seek to call scripture to mind; but that’s another story.

Some of the KJV wording just sticks.

One phrase that has been floating through my thoughts lately is “having then gifts differing . . . ” It’s a call to use the unique gifts God has given to serve the Body of Christ. If you have the gift of teaching, then teach, if the gift of service, then serve, etc.

As I’ve processed the Motiv8 tour, thinking back over the days on the road with seven other authors, I rejoice in the diverse gifts God gave even this band of writers. We traveled together because we have in common that we are Christians, that we have a passion for using the written word to communicate about our faith, that we all write fiction, and that we specifically write fantasy fiction. That’s a lot to have in common.

Yet even among this homogenous group, the variety of callings, spiritual gifts, and artistic talents was immense. Several of the group are teachers, and their skill at speaking to grade-school or middle-school audiences was obvious. One of the group is a youth pastor, and his ability to grab the hearts of high-school students was tremendous.

Me? I generally speak to church women’s groups, book clubs, writer’s groups, and retreats, so as far as our programs, I appreciated the last evening’s event where I could share a brief devotion with adults.

I took away a few thoughts about “having then gifts differing.”

* Seeing the beautiful talents of others being used (music, acting, story-telling, writing for children, counseling youth) helped me appreciate that God is doing amazing things around the world through His people.

* Serving in ways that are not my calling is so good for creating humility. Too often, I embrace opportunties to use my gifts that allow me to shine. Doing work that I was clumsy at was a good reminder of how flat and lifeless my efforts are if they aren’t anointed by Him.

* I have a new appreciation for the times that God matches up the gifts He’s given me with an opportunity to serve. That’s a privilege, not a right. I’m looking forward to upcoming speaking events with new enthusiasm.

* Frederick Buechner wrote, “The place where God calls you to is the place where your deep gladness and the world’s deep hunger meet.” I’ve always liked that explanation of vocation. But above and beyond that, I’m a servant. And sometimes God calls me to a place that isn’t such a good fit – and then my job is to obey and lean on Him even more.

Blessings!
Sharon Hinck

I drew names from those who commented on the post about Starting From Scratch,
last week and the winner is Cheryl K.

Congratulations!

The authors will be sending you an autographed copy of the book.
I’ve had an opportunity to read several of the true stories in the book (and know some of the women who shared their stories) and it is truly encouraging and inspiring.

Blessings!
Sharon

I recently heard from my publisher that ForeWord journal will include a favorable review of Stepping Into Sunlight in their Nov/Dec issue.

In part, the reviewer wrote, “. . . At this moment, Penny’s long journey of healing begins. If this were all the book had to offer, the author’s language and pacing would be enough to carry it forward, but Penny confronts not only the fear prompted by her brush with death, she also discovers pockets of shameful judgments she holds about people.”

I loved that the reviewer commented on some of the secondary character-growth themes that mattered to me in the story. I’m always tickled when someone catches what I’m going for in a story (besides my mom or my wonderful editors).

I’ve been so humbled and blessed by the positive reviews from Publisher’s Weekly, Library Journal, and other journals like ForeWord. You can read professional reviews and endorsements here.

But I’m also delighted when I hear from readers.

Here are a few thoughts from recent emails about Stepping Into Sunlight:

“Your writing reached so deep into the hurting places of my own life that I could only read a chapter or so at a time. I could so identify with Penny and her pain. Yet, hope shone through, too.” — Judy

“I have NEVER related so deeply with a fictional character before… that was so perfectly descriptive…I even had my husband read some of the passages because you were able to articulate things I have been unable to.” — Robin

“You gave voice to the broken and showed how beautiful we are in God’s eyes.” — Amy

I treasure mail from readers and am in awe that God had a message of hope for various people who picked up the book with a variety of needs. He’s amazing that way.

Blessings!
Sharon Hinck