Scrapbooking As Life

My friend Tasra Dawson has just released her book, "Real Women Scrap." It's a creative, fun look at ways to beautify our lives as well as our scrapbooks. Using the craft of scrapbooking as an extended metaphor, she examines issues in our lives like planning, simplicity, symmetry, boundaries, embellishments, journaling, perspective, and mistakes. As the reader gathers practical ideas that help to create beautiful scrapbook pages, she also discovers how these concepts reveal wisdom for living a richer more intentional life.

Tasra is running a contest on her site beginning November 1, 2006.

And good news!
I won't give away MY copy of her book (it's a keeper!) - but I have an EXTRA copy to give away.
If you leave a comment to this post (make sure to include a way I can reach you by email), you'll be entered in the drawing to win that free copy of the book.

Here's your Comment Challenge:

In the mental scrapbook of your life, what is one of your most precious snapshots? Describe it for us!

Hugs,
Sharon Hinck
avid rubber stamper and scrapbooker
author of
THE SECRET LIFE OF BECKY MILLER (Bethany House, 2006)

Soundtrack for Geese

I'm not wild about geese. On the city land behind our house, a pond attracts lots of Canadian geese. They enjoy strolling into our yard and coating it with goose scat (is that what it's called?). I prefer watching the heron that sometimes wades in the shallows, or the deer that often wander across the woods on the far side of the pond, or even the bunnies that romp all over our yard, even though they sneak into my vegetable garden.

But today I was at my desk working on some edits. When I write new copy, I don't usually play any music, but for the slow, methodical work of proofing and answering small questions, I clicked on my iTunes onto shuffle mode.

A beautiful flute concerto played, helping my brain cells dance and stay alert.

As I paused to sip tea and looked up from my manuscript, it happened.

During a sweeping phrase of the concerto - light and fluttering and airborne - a flock of geese flew in to land on the pond. Their wings synchronized for a few seconds with the meter of the music. The water sparkled as they made contact, and the splashes matches the trills of the flute.

It took my breath away.

Lord, give me a new soundtrack for all the mundane and annoying things in my life. Help me hear the orchestra of your love and grace which transforms a simple, common scene into a moment of transcendant beauty.

Thank you for creating geese, after all.

Blessings!
Sharon Hinck
author of THE SECRET LIFE OF BECKY MILLER (Bethany House, 2006)

Beautiful Vistas

One last photo of the autumn colors in northern Minnesota, because I need the reminder. Today the sky is gray and we've had some sleet and snow. Ugh.

I've been thinking of beautiful vistas this week. I realized that part of the pain of being an artist (whether with paint, dance, or words) is that during the process of translating an artistic vision into a medium that can be shared, the result doesn't always match up with the image. I find it particularly frustrating when trying to communicate about "God stuff." God is so beyond description that my efforts will always fall short.

I recently completed the revision work on The Restorer (due out with NavPress in May, 2007). There are transcendent moments in the story that almost capture truth, but there are other places where all I can see are clumsy words. They are the best words I was able to offer, but I'll probably never feel completely satisfied in their power, richness, and skill. In fact, I know I won't, because I'm never content with any of my work.

Then I remembered why I feel called to work in the arts (music, theatre, dance, and now writing). God is so awesome and multifaceted that we need a WIDE variety of means to communicate with Him and about Him. One means isn't enough. Give me a pipe organ, but also compose a work on electric guitar. Write a sonnet, but also a thriller. Every kind of art, every genre, gives us one more facet of His beauty, and one more means to convey the truth of our falleness and His grace.

Yes, the efforts will fall short, but the attempt is glorious, because as we study the beautiful vista in order to interpret it, we are changed by it.

So I'll continue the painful struggle of wrestling words onto a page, revising, and rewriting, with hope that readers will be transported to at least a glimpse of the beautiful vista I've seen - the beauty of God's grace at work within the reality of our sometimes ugly lives.

Blessings!
Sharon Hinck
Author of "The Secret Life of Becky Miller" (Bethany House Publishing, 6/2006)

Wishing On Dandelions

Today I'm welcoming my friend Mary DeMuth, one of the most authentic and tender voices among new authors today. Her latest novel, Wishing on Dandelions, has just released.

From the back cover:

God says I love you in many ways, some of which are hard to hear

Maranatha needs to hear God's voice. At seventeen, Natha admittedly has some
trust issues. Though the abuse by a neighbor boy has stopped, Natha is
anything but healed. Now her best friend has left for college, the trials of
dating have begun, and God, ever since he spoke to her underneath the pecan
tree years ago, has remained elusive. So when brash Georgeanne Peach blows
in to take over the only place that's ever felt like home, leaving a trail
of peach fabric swatches and cloying perfume, it's easy to understand how
something like a little ol' tornado might not be a big deal.

Like every teenager, Natha tries to sort out the confusing layers of love-of
friends, of family, of suitors, and, desperately, of God. Natha struggles to
find herself before she gives in to the shadow of a girl she used to be in
this moving follow-up to the critically praised Watching the Tree Limbs.

I had the privilege of reading the early galleys of the book. I was so moved, I truly couldn't put it down. Here's what I wrote about it:

Step into words so beautiful they hurt, pages of rich symbol, and emotions
so genuine you can't look away. Experience a powerful, lyrical voice in
contemporary fiction. Maranatha pleads, "Jesus, show me your love." Her
longing to be reassured of God's love will resonate with every reader as
they share her journey.

Mary's novels are rich experiences. When asked about the story she hoped to create for her readers, Mary said she wanted to show, "That redemption of a broken life takes time. We’re all on a journey of healing. Sometimes it’s slow going, but if we can endure through the dark times, God will bring us to new places of growth. I want the images and characters to stay with a reader for a long time."

She has certainly achieved that in this book. You can ask for the book in your local bookstore, or order it through christianbook.com or amazon.

I have to add that Mary's ministry with words extends beyond her lyrical novels and insightful non-fiction books, or even her whimsical and heartfelt blog. Mary has touched my life time and again with gentle, caring, and funny emails when I was in most desperate need of encouragement. Thank you, Mary! Blessings on every part of your life! And thanks for visiting today!

Sharon Hinck

Violette Between

Violette Between by Alison Strobel is a gentle book about grief, healing, and the courage it takes to step back into life after loss. I love that the book shows two different characters' ways of coping with grief. In my experience, people can respond very differently to the death of a loved one, and this story conveys that with sensitivity and realism.

Even though the topic is meaty, there was plenty of whimsy in the story. One of my favorite moments came when Violette insisted on changing her shoes for a visit to a specific beach-front town. She had bought the shoes from a store there, and promised the shoes she would bring them back for visits, so they wouldn't regret leaving their home. As someone who worries about a sweater having hurt feelings if I haven't worn it for a while, I found a kindred spirit in Violette.

Be sure to check out the book and visit Alison's blog and her website.

My own novel continues to find more readers and collect more reviews and articles at various sites. This week, I invite you to visit Jeanette Hanscome's blog for her thoughts on The Secret Life of Becky Miller.

Each time I hear from a reader who was encouraged or blessed by the story, I get goosebumps all over again. It amazes me that God's grace can travel between the cover of a paperback book.

Blessings!
Sharon Hinck
author of The Secret Life of Becky Miller (Bethany House Publishing, 6/2006)
and Renovating Becky Miller (Bethany House Publishing, 2/2007)
and The Restorer (NavPress Publishing, 5/2007)

Becky Miller in Wal-Mart

Fellow Bethany House author, Allison Bottke emailed me today. She was speaking in Spartanburg, SC and one of the event planners took her to Wal-Mart to see her book, A Stitch in Time, on the shelf. Allison sent me a picture because there beside her book was The Secret Life of Becky Miller. Thanks so much, Allison!

I love seeing Becky Miller in Wal-Mart. Here in Minnesota I've found her in Borders, Barnes & Noble, Northwestern Bookstores, and some small independent stores, but not yet in Wal-Mart.

I also got exciting news last week, that The Secret Life of Becky Miller is now an audio book. The narrator has read some New York Times bestselling women's novels, so I'm tickled to imagine her reading Becky's tale.

For any of you in the Minnesota area, I'll be speaking at the Minnesota Christian Writer's Guild meeting on Monday, October 9, 2007, 7-9 p.m. (my part is at 8 pm). I'd love to see you!

Coming soon on my blog: the CSFF blog tour for Kathyrn Mackel and a visit with Mary DeMuth.

My next free Book Buddy ezine will come out October 15. If you'd like a brief inspirational article, behind-the-scenes info on the writing life, recommendations on books I've read recently, and info on special gifts and prizes for Book Buddies, be sure to leave your name and email at the "contact Sharon" page of my website.

Blessings!
Sharon Hinck
author of The Secret Life of Becky Miller (Bethany House 6/06)
and Renovating Becky Miller (Bethany House, 2/07)

Hooray for the L.C.M.S.

I recently stumbled across "The Least Read Blog on the Web" and was delighted to find a Lutheran Church, Missouri Synod (LCMS) pastor who read The Secret Life of Becky Miller and liked it. :-) Denominational loyalty prompted him to check out the book, and he said he found it instantly engaging.

"Hinck's writing made me laugh out loud on more than one occasion and yes, I even teared up on two occasions (get to the twist toward the end and see how dry-eyed you remain, those who judge me!)."

Do you remember the old sit-com, "Cheers?" In one episode, Woody is traumatized to discover that he and his beloved Kelly are of "different faiths." Turns out they are both Lutheran, but belong to different "synods." You may need to be a Lutheran to understand the significance and why that episode was howlingly funny.

I'm deeply grateful to be part of the specific body in the Lutheran church that does a wonderful job of living out, "grace alone, faith alone, scripture alone," with integrity (okay, and a little bit of stiffness at times-but we all have our flaws).

"Least Read" blogger, Pastor John, also blogs about his search to find more LCMS authors (Paul Maier in one). At my very first Mount Hermon Writer's Conference 3.5 years ago, I was introduced to an LCMS pastor from Chicago who is a writer, as well as the delightful Christine Tangvald, who began her writing career with Concordia Publishing House (also LCMS). Now, I adore my Christian friends of all synods, and all denominations - but it is really cool finding out about writers among my own tiny "clan."

Oh, I should mention that another LCMS pastor has read The Secret Life of Becky Miller. My own pastor has been a staunch supporter and encourager of my work, through it's various ups and downs. If you live in the Twin Cities, Minnesota area and are looking for a great church, pop in to my congregation for a visit!

(P.S. The photo above is of Lighthouse Point in Duluth, Minnesota, another lovely view I captured on our brief trip in September.)

A Recent Interview

My hunky hubby on our recent hiking trip on the northern shore of Lake Superior. I'm still smiling about the wonderful time we had. Those little getaways are priceless.

A reader and blogger from New York interviewed me about my writing work at her blog,
"Inspiring Words." Pop on over if you have a moment. Thanks for your interest and support, Bren!

If there are any questions about me that remain unanswered, you're invited to a live online chat hosted by a Florida library on Tuesday, October 3, 2006, 7 pm Eastern time, 6pm Central time (and the rest of you can figure it out from there). Just visit http://www.ocls.info/loe .

Click on the link for "Chat with Author Sharon Hinck."

Blessings!
Sharon Hinck