All posts by Sharon Hinck

Learning the Lessons of Becky Miller


Lately, I’ve found myself feeling overwhelmed with a zillion details relating to my writing life. I’ve grown frustrated with myself because I don’t have enough energy, skill, or hours in the day for everything I could/should be doing as an author, wife, mom, church member, friend, neighbor, daughter.

This morning as I prayed and whined to God again about how little He has to work with in me (and why not make me smarter, faster, stronger–bionic?), I realized it was time for me to face some facts.

I AM a flawed, human, broken, limited person.

Ignoring that fact leads me to run faster and harder and spin my wheels in a frenzy of efforts that make me less available to love those around me.

That’s when it hit me. That was very much the struggle Becky Miller faced in The Secret Life of Becky Miller. She felt that as a Christian (with God’s strength at her beck and call) she should be able to perform at a superhuman level. She demanded it of herself.

Yet when God calls us to rely on His strength, He’s not inviting us to take His place. To try to BE God. He’s promising the resources we need as His little children doing our humble, clumsy best for Him. Big difference!

It’s a little embarrassing that I can write a whole book about a character trying to be Supermom (developed from my own warped overachieving of the past) and still continue to be clueless today about ways I’m slipping into that. I want to wear a “Superwriter” cape. But the truth is, the only SUPER One is God.

Lord, today we take off the mantle of “savior of the world and manager of the universe” and offer it back to you with repentent hearts. We are your children and that is enough. Guide us in each small way of service today, and let that service come from a heart of love. When we stumble and even when we fail, let us rejoice that your strength is made perfect in our weakness. Amen!

Blessings!
Sharon Hinck

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Fantasy Novels by Christian Authors

This week, several fans of Christian fantasy are highlighting the genre on our blogs.
I’ve added a link to Tim Frankovich’s “Focus on Fantasy” page. He has reviewed several of the major CBA novels to come out in recent years.

My love affair with fantasy began in my early reading years. In high school I stumbled across Out of the Silent Planet, Perelandra, and That Hideous Strength, all by C.S. Lewis. The power and beauty of these sci-fi novels showed me that Christian writers can use a variety of genres to tell stories that reflect the passion of their spiritual journey. Perelandra remains one of my favorite novels of all time, and did more to help me understand the issues of temptation, free will, the fall, and redemption that some of my college theology classes.

Because I read Stephen Donaldson, Anne McCaffrey, and other prolific fantasy authors, I was delighted to discover Stephen Lawhead. And of course, in college I immersed in Lord of the Rings (appropriately right before a rigorous back-packing trip…gave me true appreciation for all the hiking and slogging the poor fellowship endured).

Recently, Karen Hancock’s Legends of the Guardian King series has made me sigh with joy with the sheer pleasure of getting lost in a different world and following epic journeys that inspire me when my own life feels overwhelming.

Ted Dekker’s Black, Red, and White series has described another fantasy world that helps inform our understanding of the battle between good and evil.

If fiction is sometimes better able to convey truth than non-fiction (which I believe is true)…then fantasy fiction is especially powerful in conveying underlying truths–especially in themes of courage, quest, temptation, sacrifice, and hope against all odds.

Take a peek at Tim’s site, and the Edenstar website this week. If you’ve never dipped into a fantasy before, I encourage you to try it. Fantasy is not just for geeky high school boys. I’m a soccer mom. Not the typical demographic. But my life and faith have been enriched by fantasy novels.

BLESSINGS!
Sharon Hinck

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Playing “Let’s Pretend”

Jo in Little Women, Anne of Green Gables fame, Nellie Bly. In childhood, when I read about characters who were writers, my heart beat with a sense of recognition. Telling stories, searching for the perfect word, noticing life from unusual angles–it’s all part of the writing journey that fits me like an old tweed jacket with elbow patches.

But doing my first book signing for The Secret Life of Becky Miller challenged my brain. Part of me still feels like I’m playing “Let’s Pretend to be a Writer.” So I dressed up, arrived, and saw the huge sign with my picture and book cover in Barnes and Noble.

How did it feel?

Surreal! When would the store manager call security to chase the imposter away from the author table? When would a customer crack open a book and say, “Ah, ha! The pages are blank!”?

Once I realized that wasn’t happening, I had a blast. I loved chatting, handing out little freebies, and thanking people in person for taking a chance on purchasing a book from a new author. I felt incredible gratitude for this opportunity. There are MANY gifted writers who haven’t yet found a publisher. I know. I’ve read manuscripts far better than my books. I recognize that having a book in print is a rare and precious gift. So I appreciated every moment. These photos show me with author Allison Bottke who was also signing her debut novel, and my friend Becky McClain who gracious dressed up as BECKY MILLER to add some fun to the event.

Even better were emails I received the next day. “I started reading your book and couldn’t put it down. You describe feelings I didn’t know how to put into words.”

What an amazing example of God’s grace. He can stir a dream, provide support and open doors, and create something that can be a blessing to others–all out of our very ordinary, flawed lives.

Because of Him, we don’t have to play “Let’s Pretend.” We are truly loved, cherished, and called to a purpose.

Blessings,
Sharon Hinck

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The Birth of a Book

The Writing Life

Today I got a call from my dear editor. “Sharon, I’m holding your book in my hands. Do you want to come over and get a copy?”

Did I?

I raced the few miles over to Bethany House, hoping any police who might catch me speeding would understand that I was giving birth . . . to my first novel.

And there it was at the reception desk, waiting for me. Shiny, beautiful, REAL.

I fingered the raised letters, touched the glossy cover with awe, breathed in the sent of paper and ink . . .

And felt deep gratitude. It was only a few years ago that I was asking God WHY He had called me to write and IF anyone would ever read my stories besides a handful of family and friends. I would wander the book aisles in Target, Barnes and Noble, and our local Christian bookstore, and get weepy because of the longing God had planted in my heart–not a longing I had stirred up on my own . . . but one HE kindled–to one day see my book on those shelves.

Each step has been a miracle of God’s patience, guidance, and provision. God says that He remembers we are dust. Well, I’ve felt very “dusty” during the past few years. I won’t bore you with the details of just how frail, weary, and wobbly I often feel–or the weaknesses of mind and body and circumstance that have made this journey extra challenging. But I have to acknowledge them because it shows what a remarkable God we serve. The God who multiplies fishes and loaves, who celebrates a widow’s mite, who uses spit and mud to bring sight can bring good things where they are not deserved and don’t even seem possible.

Thank you, Lord, for loving us and designing myriad artistic ways to express that love. Thank you for the written word and for the gift of stories. Thank you that you planted a tale in my mind and helped me wrestle the sentences into order. I pray that my little story will give you pleasure and bring encouragement to others. Amen.

In Him,
Sharon Hinck

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Having a Mary Heart . . .


…In a Martha World.

While I was at Mount Hermon Writer’s Conference, I had the joy of meeting Joanna Weaver, author of Having a Mary Heart in a Martha World.

My women’s small group had just begun using this book for our weekly Bible study, and I recommend it to EVERYONE. In many ways, it shares the themes of The Secret Life of Becky Miller, but from a non-fiction direction.

I feel especially blessed to be studying Joanna’s book at this time in my life. As I prepare for my first book to launch, and have three others in the pipeline, I’ve never been more tempted to be a “Martha” and become “worried and upset by many things.” Anxiety threatens to steal my joy. Fear tempts me to doubt God’s sufficiency.

As I prayed about how overwhelmed I’m feeling, I realized I’m like a child receiving a big, shiny, new bicycle. It’s everything I’ve ever longed for. I’m thrilled. But it’s bigger than I realized and doesn’t have training wheels. How comforting that I can ask my Father to hold the bike for me as He teaches me how to ride.

Whatever new challenges you face this week, I pray you feel the secure hands of our God holding your handlebars and guiding you, and that you enjoy the excitement of wind in your face.

Blessings!
Sharon Hinck

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Seeing a Book Being Published




Today I had the giddy pleasure of getting a tour of Bethany Press and WATCHING while my book’s cover was printed. My Book Buddies will get the photo-tour (I took lots of pictures) so if you are interested, be sure to sign up to be a Book Buddy
But here are a few pictures. I’m standing by the place were 32-page bundles are assembled and glued to a cover. The second photo is of the cover proofsheet, with the various layers showing which part will be glossy and which will be matte, and which parts will be embossed. The final photo is one of a printer guy studying the colors on the test printing and the proof sheet for my cover. They were so kind to me, and gave me several test sheets to bring home. I told them all that they are doing a wonderful thing by creating books. I feel like I was in Santa’s workshop for a day, or Keebler’s cookie-tree. Clearly it’s a place where magic happens. 🙂
Blessings!
Sharon Hinck

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My First Review

The Writing Life


Writing a novel was fun. Having a publishing house decide to publish it was fun. But the realization that people would soon be reading my book hit me like a John McEnroe serve between the eyes.

So I’m HUGELY relieved and very grateful to have passed the milestone of my first review.

I’ve had authors who are also friends write kind things about my book, but this is someone I’ve never met who recieved my Advanced Reader Copy that goes out to reviewers. So I’m counting this as my first OFFICIAL review. 🙂

You can read the post at

NOVEL REVIEW

I don’t want to give away too much,
but here’s a clue.

I’m Snoopy-dancing around my office.

Blessings!
Sharon Hinck
The Secret Life of Becky Miller (Bethany House Publishing, 2006)

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A Bald Eagle


There are times I feel a hunger deep in my gut. Not for pizza or a salad, but for better words. For the ability to string those words together with more power.

This week my daughter and I saw something on the ice-covered pond behind our house. We live in the city, but are blessed to back up against some wetlands, so we often enjoy spotting critters. Bunnies galore, muskrats, Canadian geese, mallards, turtles, an occasional heron that takes my breath away, and snowy egrets. They all inspire me as a writer – to invent metaphors for their beauty, or their unique ways of moving, or their noisiness.

But this time we saw a Bald Eagle tearing up his dinner out on the ice.

In Alaska I once saw a dozen Bald Eagles circling overhead. But this was my own, fairly urban backyard!

My chest ached with the knowledge that my use of words wasn’t skilled enough to describe the experience.

I’m humbled to realize how far I still have to go in my writing skills. I often flounder to string together sentences that are adequate to share an insight, a moment, a tiny truth or experience. I’m also excited, because I know that for the rest of my life, I’ll have fun trying.

Blessings,

Sharon

–Sharon’s debut novel, The Secret Life of Becky Miller, is available to order now, and will hit stores the end of May.

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End Cap Musings

The Writing Life

Today’s photo shows a book store end cap display.
It’s a cardboard shelf unit that a bookstore has the option to buy. It sits at the end of an aisle and showcases special books.

The idea of an end cap has triggered some interesting emotions for me.

First of all, I’m thrilled. Thrilled that the publishing house cares enough about my book to include me with three other terrific authors. Grateful that they are making this investment . . . along with all the rest of the financial risk they are taking by publishing a brand new author.

Second, I’m scared. Will my book do what it’s supposed to? Will Bethany House Publishing House’s trust in me be justified?

Third, I feel oddly like a can of soup. You know those displays at the end of grocery store aisles? When I wasn’t a published novelist, I could think of writing as pure art. But as an author being paid for her work, the book becomes a commodity. That’s not an evil thing. If the publishing house doesn’t make money, they can’t afford their building, their staff, all the myriad expenses of creating books. But it’s still taking some getting used to. Especially on days like today when I’m not sure I’ll be able to crank out the next batch of soup.

I’m living in the place of tension between art and commerce. A book is a tangible item that can be sold – NEEDS to be sold in order to fulfill its purpose. But the creation of characters and stories is more ephemeral. More personal. More spiritual.

Maybe it’s okay to be a can of soup. Soup can be comforting, nourishing, spicy, fragrant. I hope when people grab my book from the end cap this summer and read it, they’ll think it’s “Mmmm, Mmmm, Good.”

By the way, if you didn’t see it yet, Novel Journey interviewed me yesterday, and I shared openly about my writing neuroses. Feel free to check it out!

Blessings!
Sharon Hinck

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