Five years ago when I began dabbling with the idea of a fantasy novel that had the tone of a contemporary women’s fiction, I immediately was confronted with the harsh reality that certain genres are more difficult to place with a CBA (Christian Booksellers Association) publisher (and that was the target audience of these stories).

I understood the market realities, but the story wouldn’t let me go. So I wrote the first three novels in the series. I kept praying, talking about the book with editors, and watching for an open door. Still, I often felt like a gawky junior high girl in a home-made dress sitting alone at school lunch and staring longingly at the table of “cool kids,” knowing I didn’t fit in.

Imagine my surprise and delight when I got my latest Writer’s Digest and read something I’ve suspected for quite awhile now. In an article about “Fantastic Fiction,” Jordan Rosenfeld wrote, “Recently, readers have been eager to read contemporary fantastic literature–and publishers are taking note.”

She quotes agent Simon Lipskar as saying, “Anybody being honest about the current market will acknowledge that fiction that’s not entirely of this world is red-hot.”

Indeed, my market proposal for The Restorer included mention of the many bestsellers in the general market that are written with a contemporary voice and include fantastical elements.

So far, the ripple of this trend has been felt in Young Adult Fiction (with fantasy authors Wayne Batson and Bryan Davis hitting the CBA best-seller lists in those categories) and perhaps the effect will build in the adult fiction readership of CBA as well.

I’m no longer sure if my stories are going against the tides or surfing the wave of a new hunger for imagination, metaphor, and the hero’s journey in fiction. I do believe that for the pure joy of being lost in a story, and for the inspiration that comes from vicariously experiencing epic struggles and courageous choices, the fantasy genre has a lot to offer. Happily, my adult contemporary fiction fantasy series found a home at NavPress and the first book releases on May 15, 2007.

Will it be a fantasy that gets invited to sit at the table with other genres? I’m not sure. I do know that I’ve run into MANY authors recently who’ve whispered to me, as if it’s a frightening secret, “I really want to write a fantasy novel one day.” These are successful novelists in other genres – but they are also hoping that doors will open for more speculative ficiton. Whether this change is driven by the authors who stubbornly keep creating these wonderful stories, or by courageous editors, marketing teams, sales staff, and store buyers, or by the public who search out and request these titles, I believe the tide is turning. In the meantime, here’s to all the great authors who are swimming against the tide, writing the books of their heart, and waiting to catch a wave.

Hugs,
Sharon Hinck

Ever wish you could “test drive” a book before buying it? Christian Author Network’s new online book club, “You’ve Got Books!” lets you do just that!

Here’s how this free service works. Once you subscribe to the CAN book club, you will receive a two minute sample of a book by great Christian authors via email each weekday. By the end of the week, you’ll have read a chapter or two of the book. By then you should have a pretty good idea if you’ll enjoy the rest.

Over the next few months we’re going to get a glimpse of some great novels by Judy Miller, Louise Gouge, Sharon Hinck, Judy Baer, Shelly Beach, Susan Marlow, Maureen Lang, Jill Nelson, Lori Copeland, Mary DeMuth, and Camy Tang.

Yes, you may have spotted my name there. 🙂 The first chapters of The Restorer will be featured in mid-May!

Click on over to “You’ve Got Books!” to sign up!

Blessings!
Sharon Hinck
The Secret Life of Becky Miller (Bethany House, 2006)
Renovating Becky Miller (Bethany House, 2007)
Two-Book Set

Return of the Guardian-King by Karen Hancock releases this month. Woo hoo!

Last month I shared how spec-fic author Randy Ingermanson made a huge difference in my entrance into the writing profession. God brought one other published author into my life who served as an example and mentor early on, and who deeply affected my approach to this calling. You guessed it. Karen Hancock!

I don’t remember now what first prompted me to get up the nerve to email her. I think it was to see if she would be attending Mount Hermon as I prepared to go to my first conference four years ago. Today when I rummaged through my files, I found print-outs of long, meaty email conversations from back in 2003, so it was early in my novel journey.

I didn’t get a chance to meet Karen in person until ICRS last summer. But I’d already learned she was wise, warm, funny, kind, gentle, and generous. Over the years, I’ve shared many of my questions and struggles with her about the emotional and spiritual challenges of being a writer. What I admire most is her tenacious focus on the truth that matters – on living lives of obedience and faith instead of striving and fretting.

If you read her blog, you’ve been blessed by her honesty about these themes, and about the temptations that rise up for writers to focus on deadlines, sales numbers, “fitting in,” reviews, and distractions. She’s been my role model of someone who withdraws from the clamor, listens to God, and writes. She also fits in-depth study of the Word into her daily life.

Perhaps that’s part of what makes her prose so rich–that and the tremendous gift God has given her. Some authors write fast-paced stories that are like magic-marker line drawings with a bit of color sketched in. Karen’s books are oil-paintings instead. Layered with colors and texture. If you haven’t yet tried her books, get The Light of Eidon and begin the series. You’ll be immersed in a journey that will feed your own courage and nobility.

Karen, thank you SO much for all the wisdom and encouragement you’ve shared – both by your example, and by the counsel you’ve offered me about specific questions! And thank you for obeying God’s call and writing such amazing books.

Be sure to visit the other participants in this month’s blog tour for reviews of her new book, interviews, and other interesting posts. I’ve listed their links in the right-hand column (scroll down to the CSFF Blog Tour list).

When I read the first book of the series, The Light of Eidon, I wrote this review – which applies even more to the other books in the series:

Her created world is alive with interwoven societies and people groups, conflicting loyalties, strange cultures, and creatures painted with vibrant description. Yet the novel never bogs down in those details. I believe that is because of Ms. Hancock’s power in sharing authentic and multi-faceted characters that we deeply care about. I felt a visceral level of shared experience as I traveled with Abramm through tragedy and hope.

A great book leaves me changed at some level. Light of Eidon, with its unflinching look at the battles of life, has inspired new courage in me for my own day’s challenges.

Blessings!
Sharon Hinck

Greetings, blog readers!

The photo shows Randy Ingermanson (on the right) signing some of his books at Mt. Hermon Christian Writer’s Conference with co-author John Olson.

Each month that I participate in the CSFF blog tour, I try to think of a unique slant to bring to my post. I was delighted to see that Randy Ingermanson and Double Vision were to be featured this month.

You see, Randy was a key part of my writing journey.

Several years ago, when I began writing The Restorer, I was discouraged by chatter on writer’s loops. One woman told me emphatically that a new author can’t break in with fiction – (that was before I found the ACFW loop! LOL!) and that I should create a nonfiction speaking platform before trying to publish a nonfiction book (that’s what worked for her). Others said that really stellar fiction by a new author MIGHT find some interest, but certainly not if it’s speculative fiction – I should write a historical romance instead.

Bill, a member of my local writer’s group, had recommended some great spec-fic titles for me to read, including Transgression and Oxygen. When I shared at writer’s group about the input I had heard about the futility of the book I was writing, Bill said, “You know, I’ve exchanged some emails with the author, Randy Ingermanson. He seems very approachable and helpful. Maybe you could email and ask him about this.”

It took me a while to get up the nerve, and in the meantime, I finished writing my novel and found Mt. Hermon Writer’s Conference and made plans to attend.

Somewhere in there, I finally sent a rather shy, stammering email to Dr. Ingermanson.

I’ll never forget the power of his email response. He addressed what I’d been told about needing to do nonfiction with an emphatic, “no.” He assured me that it might take time and effort, but if I was called to write fiction, I should write fiction. He gave me terrific advice, and since he was on the faculty of Mt. Hermon, his encouragement was what helped me take the huge risk of bringing my proposal and submitting it. I think without his coaxing and direction, I would have chickened out on showing anyone my work.

He didn’t stop there. At the conference (where I knew absolutely NO ONE) he took time to introduce me to people, and each time he saw me he’d ask how things were going. He celebrated with me when an agent offered to represent me (fighting back his laughter when I asked, “don’t they just say that to everyone?” Um… no.) He interpreted a culture and language of CBA publishing that I was clueless about how to navigate.

He offered to read my first draft of the Restorer – and coached me to dig out my copy of Dwight Swain, clean up my MRUs (Motivation/Reaction Units), and analyze the scene/sequel flow of the story.

A few years later when I got my first contract offer, he emailed his congratulations, but added, “Don’t be surprised if in a few days you suddenly feel panic. Feel free to call if you need to talk it through.” What wisdom! He was absolutely right. My normal writer angst escalated to crazy levels as I thought about the road ahead.

I’m about to head to my fifth Mt. Hermon writer’s conference. Four years have passed since I met Randy at my first conference with my sweaty palms gripping that first manuscript, and I continue to be grateful for the support he offered at a crucial time in my writing journey.

What does this have to do with his awesome novel, Double Vision?

1. Randy has found a great way to mentor LOTS of writers at once. He produces a monthly ezine for writers – visit his website for details.

2. If you’re a writer and want to pick up some “Randy wisdom,” Double Vision is a great novel to read. First time through for the pleasure of it. Second time through to analyze the deft way he creates a character, sets a pace, and pulls us into the story world.

I’ve read every one of Randy’s novels and admired them all. Double Vision is one of my favorites. Every person who struggles to figure out the rules for “living like a normal person” while feeling like the normal world is a strange planet, will deeply engage with his character, Dillon. Other Christian Sci-fi Fantasy bloggers will be giving great reviews and descriptions about the book, so be sure to check those out for more details about the book (see the column on the right side of my blog for links).

Randy, thanks for your contribution to the world of Christian fiction – both through your novels and your generous support to new writers!

Monday: Tried a spur trail and part of the Superior Hiking trail, but the snow was deep and not very packed. We’d opted to go without snowshoes and used ski-poles as walking sticks. But every third or fourth step, we’d sink in to our thighs. It wasn’t long before we decided a sauna at the lodge was a better idea.

I’ve decided there is some kind of genetic coding that makes me feel at home along the Northwoods lakeshore. My dad and his ancestors were from the Baltic Sea coast. I’m not surprised so many Scandinavians settled here in Minnesota – or in my family’s case – Latvian/Russian/Germans. Forests of birch and pine, snow, wide dark waters, sunlight in a searing blue sky, woodsmoke rising from the fireplace . . . and yes, even the pickled herring for breakfast made me feel a sense of belonging.

Tuesday: Hiked a section of the Superior Hiking trail. Snowpacked footpaths through birches led us into complete solitude. We spotted a bald eagle (see second photo – the eagle is peeking out) and watched it take to its nest. Near a half-frozen waterfall, we found a box where other hikers signed in with brief messages in a notebook. We read a few entries and discovered one signed by Becky Miller! That’s right, my dear character had hiked this same trail only a few weeks earlier. And people wonder why my characters feel so real to me. 🙂

Blessings!
Sharon Hinck

Sunday: Watched the sunrise over Lake Superior, then drove randomly through town until we found a church with services beginning in five minutes. We slipped in the door and found a pew, relaxing into the contemporary worship. All over the world, the body of Christ brings Him worship – sometimes floundering, sometimes awkward, sometimes slightly out of tune. And because God sees us as the pure, redeemed Bride, He takes joy in that worship and finds it beautiful. I felt God’s tender joy over that small gathering. The children who galloped forward for the children’s sermon, the list of events hosted by the church that week –I was delighted to see two different book groups and a writer’s group, along with Bible studies, support groups, mission guilds—the prayers of the church joining with brothers and sisters around the globe.

As we drove north, we stopped to admire ice floes along a stretch of shoreline. Foot-thick chucks of ice were tossed into huge piles by waves and wind, and in the sunlight, glowed with blue light.

More photos tomorrow! Aren’t vacations awesome?
Blessings!
Sharon Hinck

Notes from our getaway.

Last Saturday:

I confess. After five months of winter, I was coveting my friend Julie (author of Chocolate Beach) and her California beach life.

But who says Minnesota doesn’t have sandy beaches? Ted and I took a long hike along the shore of Lake Superior. If we squinted and looked only in certain spots, we could ignore the snowdrifts and ice floes and enjoy the sun and sand. (No, those aren’t frothy waves, or foam – it’s ice and snow).

At sunset, we sat and watched long blue shadows stretch out over the ice, as they crept out to find the open water far beyond the horizon. Someone put a dimmer switch on the sky, and it faded slowly through a range of pinks and dove-grays.

Nevermind that we were bundled in polar fleece and scarves and mittens – the expanse of shoreline and water spoke to my heart and reminded me of peace. More tomorrow (including amazing ice-floe photos!)

Blessings!
Sharon