All posts by Sharon Hinck

ACFW Book Club


Click here to learn more about the ACFW Book Club

Ever want to chat with others online about a book you’re reading? This is a great group to join – and it’s free! You can send a blank email to

acfwbookclub-subscribe@yahoogroups.com
to join.

A new book by a Christian fiction author is selected each month by the members.

I’ve been asked to help spread the word because the October genre of choice is fantasy/sci-fi.

Five books have been nominated as possibilities – and voting is going on today and tomorrow:

The Restorer by Sharon Hinck

Through Gates of Fire Volume II: Hovering Presence by Steve Bonenberger

Mason’s Link by Bill Andrews

Light At The Edge Of Darkness by Daniel I. Weaver & Others (Anthology)

Hoven Quest by Michelle L. Levigne

The voting to select the book for October from this list is going on now at the Book Club yahoogroup – until August 10th. After you join, be sure to visit the October Poll to cast the vote for the book you’d like to see chosen for October.

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Why I Write

The Restorer, The Writing Life

Snippets from a sampling of reader mail (from men, women, young and old) about The Restorer in the past few weeks:

“… it helped me battle the hopelessness, to know the source of the lies plaguing and strangling me. It was a reminder desperately needed.”–R.K.

“… Thank you for making me more aware of the awesomeness of the One who loves us more than we realize and provides just what we need just when we need it.” – D.W.

“… i luv the way u use susan to portray the way God takes care of + protects us……………The Restorer has really been kinda inspiring 2 me because i haven’t been givin God much time lately + ur book is helpin me realize how much he cares.” – H.W.

“Thank you so much for writing a book that is an encouragement and light in such a dark society.” –R.P.

“I just finished your book, The Restorer, and want to thank you for the wonderful story. I’ve been drawn to Scriptures about God as the Restorer; and to think about the ministry of restoration as a result.” — M.B.

“How do you describe my life…to a Tee…when we’ve never even met?? LOL…with tears in my eyes…because what you write is so true right now…”–D.P.

“Oh, how I love this story! How wonderfully the characters draw me in to their world. I’m on page 85, where Susan feels lonely and not belonging and I’m having a wave of the same feeling sweep through me about my work. God is using your writing to speak to me about what is real and to make me think and see things differently.” –C.B.

“… I’m bawling with empathy at the lies of the Rhusicans and Susan’s aloneness. I’m in awe that God brought this book to me for this time. Thank you for writing this story. God is powerful in it and is using it in powerful ways!” –A.W.

“…What I really loved about the book was the familiarity of the book of Judges framed around the familiarity of today’s world confronting an ordinary person’s desires & fears. Even without that though, I would still have fallen in love with the characters.” –E.R.

“… Most of all, I love how you used the verses to defeat the power of the Rhusican! Such a wonderful and vivid application in our own lives, and one that I will claim as the “poison” gets in my life. *g* I even used that example as a devotional last week.” –S.W.

“You know how sometimes you just happen to come across one of those books where you find yourself as the character; you’re speaking and maybe acting what you’re reading in the book? Well, ‘The Restorer’ has got me doing that. It’s come to me at the most opportune time in my life.” – J.C.

======

Thank you to EVERYONE who has written to me in the past weeks. I cherish your words. They are precious gifts that encourage me when I’m disheartened. But they are also needed reminders to me that God is able to do beyond what we can imagine with our simple, flawed service. He is truly our One, our Strong Tower, and our Restorer.

Blessings and gratitude!
Sharon Hinck

The Secret Life of Becky Miller (Bethany House, June, 2006)
Renovating Becky Miller (Bethany House, February, 2007)
The Restorer (NavPress, May 2007)
The Restorer’s Son (NavPress, September 2007)

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Becky Miller in the MOPS Shop!


My cousin wrote to tell me she saw the Becky Miller books at the Mothers of Preschoolers website. I’m delighted, because even though both men and women, and readers of many ages have enjoyed the books, I think young moms especially come away with the feeling, “someone GETS it!” and I have prayed for The Secret Life of Becky Miller and Renovating Becky Miller to be an encouragement for weary supermoms.

The Secret Life of Becky Miller (Bethany House, June, 2006)
Renovating Becky Miller (Bethany House, February, 2007)
The Restorer (NavPress, May 2007)
The Restorer’s Son (NavPress, September 2007)

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How Does My Garden Grow?

Author Deb Raney is featuring some of her writer friends with their gardens. You can see me in my vegetable patch at her cleverly-named blog, The Plot Thickens. Be sure to browse her site to see her other friends and their beautiful “plots.”

Now I need to go tackle some weeding. And stem the tide of monster zucchini that are taking over. I may need to take my sword to them.

Happy weekend! Sharon Hinck

The Secret Life of Becky Miller (Bethany House, June, 2006)
Renovating Becky Miller (Bethany House, February, 2007)
The Restorer (NavPress, May 2007)
The Restorer’s Son (NavPress, September 2007)

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Minneapolis Bridge Collapse

To all who have emailed or called –
my family and I are safe, and as far as I know so far, no close acquaintance was on the bridge.

But will you join me in praying for those injured, missing, and mourning?

Dear Lord,
Bring healing to those who were wounded and are in pain. Bring answers to those waiting for word. Comfort those who face the shock of sudden loss of a loved one. Lord have mercy. Christ have mercy. Lord have mercy. Amen.

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ACFW Book of the Year Finalist


Great news!
The Secret Life of Becky Miller (Bethany House, 2006) is a finalist in the “Lit” category for the American Christian Fiction Writer’s Book of the Year award. Placements will be announced at the annual conference in Dallas the end of September.

As academy nominees are fond of saying, “It’s an honor to be nominated!” It truly is. This organization is an amazing collection of Christian fiction writers in all genres who are deeply committed to quality craft in writing. I’m so happy for this dear story, and red-caped Becky who is so special to me!

The Secret Life of Becky Miller

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Fantasy Fiction Tour Day Ten (July 18, 2007)

The Restorer, The Writing Life

I’ve visited New York a few times over the years, and always find rain on the city streets romantic. Walking from a neighborhood restaurant to the mission after breakfast, I was tempted to burst into a lamp-post leaping version of “Singin’ in the Rain.”

Christopher, Jennifer, and I thanked our terrific hosts and headed to Manhattan for our last book signing, where we’d meet up with Wayne and Bryan and their daughters.

My emotions were a piece of fabric stretched between eagerness to get home after two weeks away, and melancholy at the completion of what had been an amazing tour. A visit from an “uptown girl” who has read all my books kept me joyful, and the warm wonderful staff also filled me with gratitude. We had the added excitement of learning about Wayne’s great coverage in the Washington Post, and his invitation to do a television interview. But in spite of the whirl of conversations and interactions, suddenly, the time was up. Friends of Bryan graciously offered to drive me to LaGuardia so he and his daughter could start on his long drive home. Wayne stayed in NY for his upcoming interview. Christopher and Jennifer headed home – their arms itching to hold their babies again. Our goodbye was a quick shuffle of rearranging suitcases in the parking lot near the store, amid the chaos of NY traffic and the sound of horns and sirens.

I had several hours at the airport to sip tea and jot down thoughts, then more time on the runway after they let us board the plane, but then pulled us over. Thunderstorms had caused plenty of delays. But finally, I was in the air, marveling at the adventure of the past weeks.

Each conversation was precious. Each new friendship was a treasure. I haven’t blogged about some of those specifics out of respect for people’s privacy, but those one-on-one encounters were the truest blessing of the trip.

We authors hoped to support our publishers, encourage book sellers, build our readerships, and draw attention to the genre of fantasy fiction written by Christian authors. But more than those goals, we wanted to serve Christ in any way we could along the road, and be open to any ways He might choose to use us. I pray that He continues to bring fruit from our tour, and also from each author’s books. Thank you to EVERYONE who prayed, who came out to events, who followed the tour from a distance, and who cheered us on. Your support is a precious gift that has fueled all of us.

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Called to tell a story?

Devotional Musings, The Restorer, The Writing Life


This morning, I received a lovely letter from a reader of The Restorer and she asked some great questions. I enjoyed mulling the answers, and after writing to her, realized that these thoughts might bless others, as well.

She asked about what the journey has been like, and her core question was, “What would you tell another Christian young woman with a God-given story burning in her heart?”

As I looked back at the years while The Restorer “brewed” – before I began writing it, and the process that brought it to publication, I remembered how painful that time was. Debilitating health problems, burn-out and feelings of disillusionment after years in a ministry that drained everything from me, then years of seeking Him for new vocational direction with no answers.

I don’t know if it’s true for all writers (although many of my writer friends tell similar stories) but it seems a lot of stories are born in the crucible of affliction.

I’ve always been involved in the arts (music, theatre, dance, writing) and yet had several years of NO open doors in any form of expression. Desert days. God whispered to me to “write” many years before He guided me to what kind of writing to do. When He slowly nudged me toward writing a novel, and that door opened, it was like a race-horse when the gate goes up. Exhilarating. Frightening. Intense. Then as the book took shape and people were being blessed by it, He guided me to seek publication–even more frightening and challenging – and then four years of prayerful DAILY seeking for that open door (in the face of the statistics of how many manuscripts are submitted and how few are ever published).

On the practical side, I’d studied writing in grad school, written non-fiction for magazines, etc., and then went to writing conferences for four years to meet editors and agents and learn about the industry. But the faith journey was the REAL challenge. Being willing to invest the work and time knowing I was primarily writing for an audience of ONE. Trusting Him to glorify His name in spite of human measurements. Seeking to give my very best…seeking to hone my skills to better honor Him – yet also knowing that it will never fully convey all the wonder of who He is (our art is so limited compared to His awesomeness).

Honestly, that is STILL a daily struggle for me. To feel God’s passion for a story (as you may have felt for the one He’s placed in your heart) and to pour out sacrificially to help birth the story – and yet to release any “results” to Him. I treasure each letter from a reader that hints that He is using this story for His purposes.

So what would I tell a woman with a God-given story burning in her heart?

SEEK HIM!
In each step.

I asked Him for a Christian writer’s group (I knew I needed accountability, support, and feedback). It took years of prayer before I found one. After I’d joined the group, God released me to begin the novel – finally gave me clear direction. After I finished the first draft (about six months) I prayed about the next step. He led me to a writer’s conference where I went with every ounce of teachability I had – to discover what publishers were looking for and if my writing had the skill needed to even be thinking of publication. He continued to provide direction for each next step. The most challenging years of my life.

I learned so much in those years of studying, working full-time at writing, and pursuing His will for my stories. I wrote, revised, and honed eight complete manuscripts (seven are now contracted with two different publishing houses), read books on writing, editing, and proposal-writing, and listened to what marketing teams, acquisition editors, agents, and others were saying about the kind of authors they sought to work with.

For all the practical resources that helped me, I have a page of “encouragement for writers” on my website with recommended books, conferences, etc.

But it’s the faith journey that is the real challenge. Daily showing up – giving God my availability. When I teach writing, I mention two qualities that are vital: availability and authenticity. God’s grace pours out of the broken places in our lives.

Are you called to tell a story for Him? I pray He will guide you even as He has been stirring the story to life in you. I KNOW He will comfort you on days of discouragement (because those will come) and send you wise counsel at the right moments as you watch for it.

I’ve talked about the crucible of affliction, but I want to also say that writing The Restorer was FUN! It was joyous to discover the themes of God’s grace weaving through the characters and their adventures. It was exciting to show up each morning wondering where God would direct my thoughts and words that day.

I long for my stories to accomplish God’s purpose – which might look different for each reader, but I hope include giving glimpses of His wonderfulness.
—
Have a blessed day!
Sharon Hinck …
…stories for the hero in all of us

The Secret Life of Becky Miller (Bethany House, June, 2006)
Renovating Becky Miller (Bethany House, February, 2007)
The Restorer (NavPress, May 2007)
The Restorer’s Son (NavPress, September 2007)

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Fantasy Fiction Tour Day Nine (July 17, 2007)


We left the spacious, beautiful home of Bryan’s friends after a wonderful breakfast, and headed to New York City. I rode with Christopher and Jennifer. We were constantly rearranging who was in each car, for optimum mixing and fellowshipping during the drives. More shop talk about the work of writing, but also lots of great discussions about God stuff and ministry.

Our destination was a mission in Brooklyn. Driving into the “Big Apple” would have been exciting anyway, but on the outskirts (when traffic was still blitzing along) we had some extra excitement. A car in the left lane had to brake suddenly, and was hit by another, and smashed violently by a third. Christopher (in the second-to-left lane) had no time to brake, and so accelerated past the sparks, crumpling metal, and scream of burning rubber. If the accident had slid further into our lane, we would have had nowhere to go.

Once we reached the burroughs, Christopher really showed off his New York driving skills. Yellow cabs dart in and out of lanes like minnows, and Christopher did the same as we wove our way toward the mission. I loved the music of the car horns. They were a constant conversation.

At the mission, Jennifer and I trekked up to the third floor girls’ dorm, to find the bunks where we’d spend the night. Then we relaxed with the rest of the team (who again were jumping at a chance to update their blogs and answer emails…and practice bad Rocky impressions and Brooklyn accents). Soon it was time to navigate to the Timeless Treasures bookstore attached to the Brooklyn Tabernacle.

The time at the store was warm, wonderful, and uplifting. I loved the staff and the folks I got to chat with. But the highlight was the prayer service. We were given a quick tour of the Brooklyn Tabernacle at around 5pm – and folks were already gathering, kneeling at the altar, praying…in preparation for the 7pm prayer service. When we joined them later, the music and heart of worship carried me a couple steps over the threshold of heaven. Tears ran down my face as I praised God, and had one of those “close encounters” with His heart. It was so deep, that I felt like it was a precious gift that washed away a year of some very tough circumstances. Hard to put into words–even for someone who makes a living as a writer.

We weren’t able to stay long, but I savored each moment.

One other thing spoke to me that night. The night before in Delaware, we’d enjoyed luxury. Huge rooms, comfy beds, and even a basket of toiletries in the bathroom. I felt welcomed and cared about. The hospitality was palpable and such a blessing.

As I made my way into the bathroom on the third floor of the mission, in this rough building being transformed by love and hard work, construction material was propped in the corner. Broken windows leaked in the rain. Duct-tape held down the edge of the carpet. But on the bathroom counter was a basket of toiletries. The love, the hospitality, the welcome of our vagabond group was every bit as palpable and every bit as much of a blessing.

Since I’d been sick and was overtired, I crashed for the night while Christopher and Jennifer visited with our hosts who run the mission. But the next morning I got to meet them and learn more about their work. Pastor Ron shared that one of the biggest needs if for volunteer staff – folks who can raise support and come to work with them. If you have a calling for urban ministry and God has been nudging you to find a place to serve, email me through my website, and I’ll give you their contact info.

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A Visit from Gail Martin


Today, I’m welcoming Gail Martin to talk about her new novel. In His Dreams, the 3rd book in the Michigan Island Series released by Steeple Hill Love Inspired.

Gail Gaymer Martin is an award-winning novelist for Steeple Hill and Barbour Publishing with over one million books in print and forty fiction novels or novellas. The second book in the Michigan Island Series, With Christmas In His Heart, was recently honored with the 2007 National Readers Choice Award in Inspirational. Her book, Writing The Christian Romance will be released in December from Writers Digest.

Book Blurb:
Escape to beautiful Beaver Island could be the answer to Marsha Sullivan’s need for a fresh start. Since her husband’s death four years ago, Marsha had lost her way, but on Beaver Island, she had good memories to help guide her. Running into Jeff, her brother-in-law, in this paradise turned out to be a blessing. Not only did they share grief in losing their spouses, but also a warm bond began to form between them. Did God want her to love again? The only thing she knew for sure was that being with Jeff and his daughter felt like family.

A few questions for Gail…

1. Why did you write this story?

Michigan is blessed with the Great Lakes and a multitude of islands. I’ve enjoyed a number of them and I began to think about the thing that intrigues people about islands. As I thought, I realized islands might make an interesting setting for a series. My first book was set on Harsens Island in Lake St. Clair, was based on a real experience of mine, and I used it to spark a story idea. The second book, With Christmas In His Heart, was set on Mackinac Island, a charming and amazing island that’s like stepping back in time. Mackinac has no motorized vehicles, and people who live there walk, ride bikes, horseback, or horse and carriage. This book was inspired by my visit to the historical island which an amazing history. I’d spent a week in a chalet which I used for my heroine Marsha and many of the places mentioned in the book are real. The final book to be released in January 2008 is set on the awesome Les Cheneaux Islands and Drummond Island in northern Michigan. The series was such a joy to write.

2. How do you write? Do your characters come to you first or the plot or the world of the story?

How a story comes to me is not consistent. I might hear a Bible verse in church, notice something in a stained glass window that strikes me. I can get a story idea from song lyrics or an article in the newspaper. I might hear a real life event or situation that brings a story to mind. I might meet someone who has an interesting take on life. Sometimes I visit a place and think that I’d like to set in a story there. Whichever comes first, close behind are the other aspects of what I need. If I have a setting, the plot will be on its tail and then the kind of characters needed to make the story work. My last three book series proposals were based on location. I have completed the Michigan Island series — stories set on four different Michigan Islands as I mentioned. The next book series came to mind while spending time in the Monterey area where my nieces live, and finally, my travels have resulted in a new series idea for Steeple Hill Love Inspired set partially in the U.S. and partially in a foreign country.

3. What do you love about being an author? Is there anything you dislike?

I love writing and creating, and I enjoy meeting readers and receiving their letters.. Sharing my faith in stories that entertain is a blessing for me, and touching people’s lives with the message in the story is an honor. I am awed that the Lord has blessed me in this way. What I don’t like are the pressures of deadlines when they overlap. Then my life becomes so very stressed, especially when I find myself working on two or three books at one time. Then it’s not fun.

Thanks for visiting, Gail!

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