Edenstar’s Cheryl Bader – An Interview


SH: This photo shows the smiling faces of Bill and Cheryl Bader, the creators of Edenstar. Cheryl has gracious stopped by for a visit today.

Hi, Cheryl! Thanks for visiting my blog for a chat.
Edenstar features a wonderful assortment of Christian speculative fiction. Who are some of your favorite authors, and why?

CB: Well, you can probably tell from the site that I’m partial to Tolkien and C.S. Lewis. The Narnia books and Lewis’ concept of a “supposal” (as in “Suppose God had created the world with different creatures than those we’re familiar with,” etc. – as opposed to a strict allegory) have inspired my own writing in many ways. I also find fascinating Tolkien’s idea of writing as an act of “sub-creation”: Creating and populating fantasy worlds is something that flows naturally out of our being made in the image of God.

SH: Do you think there’s hope for more fantasy to be published in the CBA?

CB: I believe that fantasy with Christian themes will continue to be published. Whether the CBA will continue as a market distinct from the general market, I’m beginning to wonder…

SH: A large percentage of the aspiring novelists at my regional Christian writer’s guild want to write speculative fiction–time travel, fantasy, sci-fi, alternate history scenarios. If so many people want to read and write speculative fiction in the Christian community, why do you think writers are having a hard time getting this kind of work contracted? What can we do about it?

CB: I guess what we keep hearing from publishers is that speculative fiction doesn’t sell well in the CBA. What can we do? For starters, buy the books by today’s CSF authors that are available, and support them through blog tours like this, web forums, posting reviews at online booksellers, etc.

But let’s not abandon the general market, either. After all, that’s where we find Tolkien’s and Lewis’ books. Can we as a community write books of such quality and vision that we capture the imagination of people from all walks of life? Now there’s a holy calling! (and not one for the faint of heart, either)

SH: What is your dream for Edenstar? What interesting experiences and conversations have resulted since the site went live?

CB: My hope for Edenstar is that it provides encouragement for today’s Christian authors of speculative fiction, and a resource and connecting point for their readers. I’d like the Edenstar site to represent a community of readers and writers that sends a message to publishers that there is indeed a market for good, clean science fiction and fantasy.

As for interesting experiences… well, one of the more unusual experiences was receiving a letter from a child addressed to C.S. Lewis. We had to break the news gently that Mr. Lewis is no longer receiving mail here on earth.

SH: Anything else you want to share?

CB: I’d like to invite readers to email us with suggestions for books or other materials that would be appropriate for the site. I’m afraid we haven’t had time to do reviews and interviews like we used to, but we are trying to keep up with new releases as best we can. Bill is the Keeper of the Database – feel free to email suggestions to him at bill@edenstarbooks.com.

Side note: Another area of interest for me is in games (video, computer, board games, puzzles, whatever) with a Christian speculative fiction theme. I’m interested in adapting and applying Lewis’ supposals and Tolkien’s sub-creations to the world-building of computer games.

SH: Cheryl, thanks so much for taking the time to answer my questions. I know folks have enjoyed listening in on our chat. And thank you for creating Edenstar!

Don’t forget to visit other bloggers who are participating in this tour!

Jim Black
Jackie Castle
Valerie Comer
Bryan Davis
Beth Goddard
Leathel Grody
Karen Hancock
Elliot Hanowski
Katie Hart
Sherrie Hibbs
Sharon Hinck
Jason Joyner
Tina Kulesa
Kevin Lucia
Rachel Marks
Shannon McNear
Rebecca LuElla Miller
Cheryl Russel
Mirtika Schultz
Stuart Stockton
Steve Trower
Speculative Faith

Blessing!
Sharon Hinck

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Store Visit

Devotional Musings

The photo shows me with Bev Snyder (the bubbly family events coordinator at the Maple Grove Northwestern Bookstore) and Jill Elizabeth Nelson (the romantic suspense novelist) during our visit to the store last Saturday. Bev’s enthusiasm for our books was a HUGE blessing–another of those “God sightings.” Thanks so much, Bev! We had a great time during our visit.

I recently included the following devotional thought in my free e-zine, which I send out on the fifteenth of each month. If you don’t already receive it and would like to, just go to my Contact Sharon page and leave your name and email to be a Book Buddy. Book Buddy’s get all sorts of fun info in the e-zine.

Blessings, Sharon
www.sharonhinck.com

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The Blessing of Community

Novelists spend a lot of time with imaginary characters, so it’s good to get out of the house once in a while and interact with REAL people.

Last weekend, author Jill Nelson and I popped in to several bookstores in the Twin Cities area to meet managers and thank them for carrying our books and autograph their shelf copies.

We also did three book signing events at Christian bookstores in the area. Here is Jill (on the left) and myself with Greg Borgen (in the middle), the manager of the Woodbury Northwestern Bookstore.

Jill and I were blessed by getting to know the wonderful men and women who believe in the ministry of books by Christian authors and work hard to provide them to the community. The gracious welcome by the store staff at each place we visited, reminded us that we aren’t working in isolation. We’re part of a community. Now THAT’S an encouraging God-sighting.

Have you spotted any special gifts from God into your life this week? Please post a comment and tell me about it!

Blessings,
Sharon Hinck

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More of God’s Treats

Devotional Musings


Last Thursday, gifted author Susan Meissner was in town and able to stop in to visit with Patti Hill and me. What a treat! We held hands, sang “Come to the Waters” and prayed for each other, for Christian publishers, and for our editors and marketing teams. We mostly laughed and chatted and savored being with friends who love Jesus.

Susan’s latest book, A Seahorse in the Thames, is another gem.

I’m so grateful for wonderful novels that ease my journey on difficult days, and also for wonderful friends who make the hike easier just by walking alongside for awhile.

Do you have people in your life who are God’s special treats to you? Men or women who make you smile when your paths cross? Feel free to post a comment about someone who touched your life today!

I’ll be posting more God Sightings in the coming days. Stay tuned!

Blessings,
Sharon Hinck

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God’s Special Treats

Devotional Musings


(The smiling gardener in the photo is my friend, Patti Hill.)

The last few weeks have been rough. Lots of normal life struggles including back-to-school schedules, a sick child, and piles of work on my various writing projects. Honestly, I’ve been feeling a little beaten down.

And it’s during those times that God surprises me with how tender and personal His love is for each of His children.

Over the next few days, I’ll share a few “God sightings.” Please feel free to leave a comment about your own special treats from God. Sometimes we just have to hold still and open our eyes to see these gifts that He pours out in the midst of our most cranky, weary, miserable days.

The first special treat I want to share was a visit from author Patti Hill. She was in town to meet with her publisher, and was able to stop by for a visit. We took a lovely walk in a wooded park, talked about the writing life with all its ups and downs, and shared God Stuff in the way that only kindred spirits can. She also gave me a hot-off-the-press copy of her new book, IN EVERY FLOWER, and showed me my endorsement on one of the front pages. It was like cradling a new baby, and it had the lovely new-book smell. I love Patti the author, and I love Patti the person, and I know you will, too.

When things are tough in my life, it can sometimes be hard to hear others crowing about the wonderful blessings they are enjoying. So in the coming days, while I list some special treats from God, I’m also sensitive to the fact that many who read this blog face painful struggles that threaten to squeeze the breath from their lungs. I’m not sharing God’s Special Treats to flaunt them while others are hurting. I’m hurting, too. Together, let’s ask God for a small gift to bring us comfort while we wait for the BIG answers to arrive, and please post a comment to let me know if you stumble across a blessing.

Patti’s visit was a blessing that walked up and rang my doorbell. In future blogs, I’ll share some other ways that God’s Special Treats have arrived in my life.

Hugs,
Sharon Hinck

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Checking in with Friends

Every now and again, I love to pop around to the blogs of friends and see what they are thinking about. I have to ration myself or I’d never get my writing work done. But this week, I took a bit of time off on my WIP (Work In Progress) and did some visiting.

My friend, Kelli, shared some heartfelt thoughts on this year’s Christy awards. If you were there, you’ll want to read her take on it, and post a comment.

A woman whose intelligent and passionate views on Christian speculative fiction have encouraged me for quite a while, wrote about THE SECRET LIFE OF BECKY MILLER on her blog. Her name? Becky Miller (no relation!). She’s also been posting some great thoughts about critical thinking, critique, and being kind – they don’t have to be mutually exclusive.

Karen Hancock wrote some powerful and encouraging words about fear – something every writer spends time battling. If you have a moment, drop by her blog and be uplifted.

My irrepressible friend, Camy, did an interview today with one of my critique partners and writing buddies, Jill Nelson. You can enter a drawing for a free book if you stop by Camy’s site! And Jill has some cool goodies on her new website. She and I are planning some book signings together this fall (more info on that to come!)

Over at Faithchicks (where I blog once a month), author Judy Baer is joining the party. She’s a Minnesota author, so you KNOW she’s cool! And be sure to scroll down and read Sharon Dunn‘s awesome post, “Icky, Icky.” Her humble wisdom always blesses my socks off. And no, I’m not biased because of her name.

Then I visited Meredith Efken’s blog and saw that I’VE BEEN TAGGED! This means I need to answer her question (“If you could write a novel about ANY topic, what would it be?”) and then tag some other friends.

Okay, some of my FAVORITE kinds of story are the “step into the book and live it,” sort. Or the “character steps out of the film and comes to life” story (ala Purple Rose of Cairo). Better yet, a “create it and make it happen” story. Harold and the Purple Crayon for adults. That would be a novel I’d love to write!

So I’m tagging Jill Nelson – because she’s bursting with energy after getting her very first copy of her very first novel in the mail yesterday.

And anyone else I mentioned in this blog who wants to play. 🙂

See how much fun it is popping by a friend’s virtual front porch for a visit?

Blessings,

Sharon Hinck

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A Few Writer Trials

The Writing Life


Last night I kept waking up from stress nightmares: free-falling elevators, long chase-scenes through abandoned buildings.

What had me in a cold sweat?

I needed to get some new head shots taken today.

Okay, you can stop laughing now.

See, I don’t usually wear make-up. Didn’t really own any until Saturday when I stood and stared stupidly at the shelves of cosmetics at Target wondering what I needed to buy to look like a semi-professional grown-up. Appearance isn’t one of those high-value issues in my life. Which can be a good thing. I have a friend who used to spend a full hour each day on hair and make-up.

My splash-water-in-my-face-and-head-out-the-door approach has given me an extra hour to do the things that my life has been rich and full with. Things I wouldn’t have had time for if I did a lot of fussing.

I also don’t do much with my hair. So when I NEED it to look good, I have no wealth of experience to draw from. And clothes? Because of twenty years of teaching ballet, I like to wear something I can do the splits in. Anything stretchy and cotton and completely comfortable.

Yet today I needed to choose clothes, fix my face, tame my hair – and take a picture that would embody what I want to convey as an author. Last year’s photo was used on posters, in newspapers, on blogs, in book catalogs, websites, business cards.

Ha! Talk about pressure!

Ted came to my rescue. As a video project manager, he knows lots of make-up artists and called a friend to come help me out. That was a surprising treat. She didn’t turn me into a caricature. She really fixed my face to be me – but a me that would look better for the camera.

Then daughter Jenni and I headed to an inexpensive mall studio, where a bubbly high-school junior was the photographer.

I tried some “serious-intelligent-author” looks, and quite honestly, the photos looked like I was a sad-eyed Basset Hound. I tried some mysterious smiles and only succeeded in looking nauseated.

So I gave up and just did the same old smile as my past head-shots.

I know, I know. It’s a tremendous privilege to get to write books, and I don’t mean to gripe. And isn’t God good to let me have a career where I don’t usually HAVE to gussy up to do my work? And I’m thrilled that my husband loves the flower-child-throw-back natural style that is me.

But we all have things that stress us out, don’t we? Experiences that are a snap for others, are just not part of our comfort zone.

Whatever scary thing you had to face today – congratulations! You did it!
And I pray that if you have anything scary to face tomorrow, God will send you support in many forms, just as He sent me a kind make-up artist, an enthusiastic photographer, and a family that loves me the way I am.

Blessings!
Sharon Hinck

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A Few Writer Joys

The Writing Life

(Photo is of my daughter on a zip-line – pure joy!)

As an avid reader all my life, I often fantasized about the lives of the brilliant people who created the stories I enjoyed so much. Crowded study, a cozy wing chair, pipe smoke and a leather-patched jacket? Perhaps ambling through a Scottish moor, hair whipped by the wind, jotting notes as inspiration swirled? Sitting at a local coffee-shop, disheveled and bleary from a long night of creating epic work, carrying on erudite conversations with fellow authors?

So when I got my first contract, I looked around at my life and scratched my head.

It was so . . . well, normal.

And on top of that, some new pressures arrived. Critics and sales numbers, appearances and interviews. Self-doubt that climbs higher with each paragraph I write.

But there ARE writer joys. For those of you sharpening a new pencil each day to scribble your tales: it IS worth the effort.

The most humbling and joyous surprise is receiving letters from readers.

“WOW! I could swear you have been eavesdroping in my home…Thank you so much for writing this book. I’ve been able to share things from the book with my husband and discuss my feelings and inaequacies as a wife and stay-at-home mom.”

“It was incredible. Life changing for me…I had to know what happened to the lovely family you created, but especially Becky.”

“I’m reluctant to finish it. It will be like losing a good friend. I find me in so many areas of Becky Miller’s life.”

“I LOVE, LOVE, LOVE the book . . . it has so ministered to me…words/feelings that I didn’t know how to verbalize.”

To me this reflects God’s amazing ability to take simple things (like my goofy little stories) and transform them into blessings. And to watch that happen fills me with awe and gratitude. I still don’t have a wing chair and a leather-patched jacket. Brilliant words don’t drip from my fingers as I type. I chew my nails when waiting to hear what my editor thinks of my rewrites. I obsess about where I fit among genres and styles in the publishing world. I recognize my insignificance in the face of the “real” writers – the best sellers, the award-winners, those with a hundred books to their credit.

But I also feel joy that my work today includes playing in the sandbox of words, and that at least a few people have found my first book, read it, and enjoyed it.

If you’ve read a book lately that blessed you, take a moment and let the author know. That writer might need a little bit of joy today. 🙂

Blessings!
Sharon Hinck

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Elk in Yellowstone


Last week we returned from family vacation. To me a perfect vacation happens when I’m struck to my marrow with the beauty and variety of God’s creation. The canyons, waterfalls, and animals of Yellowstone National Park did that for me.

I was especially delighted to get up close and personal with some elk, because in my fantasy series, THE RESTORER (due out in May, 2007, from NavPress) Susan (the hapless heroine) gets to ride a lehkan – which is an elk-type animal used in battles.

Which brings me back to the site that is being featured by friends of Christian sci-fi and fantasy work this week.

Christian Fandom is a site that celebrates all sorts of genre fiction. Give them a visit this week. If you click on the link to interviews, you can read great insights from my agent (Steve Laube) my editor (writing as Jefferson Scott) and some of my favorite writers and friends, (Karen Hancock, Randy Ingermanson, Donita K. Paul, and others).

If you visit my blog post from yesterday, please post one (or a few) of your favorite speculative fiction titles! I’ve posted a few of mine.

Because God is so awesome and multi-faceted, it’s no wonder that we need a variety of art forms and a variety of styles of literature to communicate about Him!

Blessings!
Sharon Hinck

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Christian Fandom Site


The photo is of my two teens climbing on the rocks outside a small town in Wyoming. The picture evokes high adventure for me–stories about struggles and overcoming and facing the unexpected. Stories about God’s beauty reaching down to touch us.

For the next few days, (July 24-26, 2006) several bloggers (including me!) who love Christian Fantasy and Science Fiction (and every variation and combination of speculative fiction) will be featuring a terrific website that showcases and reviews works by some of my favorite authors.

You can visit all the bloggers involved to read their take, but most of all, be sure to visit Christian Fandom

It’s an amazing and comprehensive site!

After you visit, let me know your favorite “speculative fiction” books.

Blessings!
Sharon Hinck

Here are the other bloggers participating:

Valerie Comer
Kameron Franklin
Beth Goddard
Rebecca Grabill
Leathel Grody
Karen Hancock
Elliot Hanowski
Katie Hart
Sherrie Hibbs
Sharon Hinck
Pamela James
Tina Kulesa
Shannon McNear
Rebecca LuElla Miller
Mirtika Schultz
Stuart Stockton
Steve Trower
Speculative Faith

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