Christmas Letters

Christmas letters are the subject of some mockery:

The curriculum vitae-type list of each child's achievements in pages of fine print.

The collage of photos of people you only vaguely remember.

The glitter-sprinkled rendition of "here's what happened this year."

I've sent them all on various years.

But I love Christmas letters.
Today I pored over dozens of letters and was grateful for each, because they always speak to me about our human condition.

Whether the letters are full of delightful vacations and career accomplishments, or the somber news of illness and death, they are always scented with a hint of bewilderment.

Has another year really gone by already?
When did our children grow from cuddly babies into college students?
How do we pick up the pieces now that a dear one passed away?
Is our turn coming soon?
Why does life change so much?

And because many of my friends share my Christian faith, the bewilderment often leads to a shift of focus. Yes, the year was full of births and deaths, vacations and lay-offs, delights and horrors. Yes, time is grinding past in relentless pace. But above it all, God is unfolding His plan. For the universe. For our lives.

And I see glimmers of that unfolding as I press open the creases of another Christmas letter. Friends give testimony to it in large fonts.

If you sent me a Christmas letter, I thank you. I cherish the summary of God's grace unwrapping in your life this past year. It gives me hope.

Because my life also feels bewildering. And it doesn't stand still while I struggle to make sense of it all. So breathing deep of the wonder, confusion, and bewilderment that my friends also face, comforts me.

Enjoy reading the cards and letters you've received. Breathe deep of the wonder of another year full of life. And thank God that He is writing a story that brings meaning from it all.

BLESSINGS!
Sharon Hinck
www.sharonhinck.com

The Secret Life of Becky Miller (Bethany House, 6/2006)
Renovating Becky Miller (Bethany House, 2/2007)

Order Discounted Copies Here:

Sharon's page at CBD - all books

Merry Christmas!

My deadlines are met, my presents are wrapped, and I just threw a batch of Cherry Pecan bread into the breadmaker. Carols are playing on the stereo. Ah. Christmas vacation. BLISS!

The photo is a view of my front yard from last spring. Today, my corner of Minnesota is bereft of much snow. We got a smidgen yesterday, but not enough to fully coat everything.

Where-ever you are this Christmas, I pray that you will hear echoes of the angel choir. Gloria in excellis deo!

His, Sharon

P.S. I've added some new links to my blog. Have fun exploring! You may make some new friends.

Yield

I've been thinking about this word a lot.
When you read the second book in the Restorer series, you'll learn why. (That's the manuscript I'm doing revisions on today).

I don't like the concept of yielding when I'm driving.

I don't like it in life, either.

Yesterday, God and I had a long talk about my problem with yielding to Him.

As a newly published writer, I've discovered a specific area where I'm wrestling with this. One of the first surprises for me after being contracted, was learning how many things a writer has no control over. Many decisions are made on behalf of the book, marketing choices are made by wiser folk than me, editors ask for changes, covers are selected, and I've learned to yield fairly easily. I appreciate the help and support and the experience of the team that makes decisions about my book.

But there is one major thing an author can't control that is TOUGH for me. Opinion. A writer has NO control of how a reader, reviewer, agent, editor, or critique partner will feel about a book.

Yield.

God whispers it to me.

Let go of your need to convince everyone to like you. Stand strong in my pronouncement that you are my beloved child. Stop believing you will shatter and die when someone is unhappy, disappointed, or angry with you.

Yield control of something you really never had control over in the first place.

I'm still wrestling with what that means. I know God isn't urging me to be careless in my work. Striving to write to the best of my ability is part of following this calling. But He is showing me how much chatter has invaded my mind, making it harder to write.

I joked with friends that this is a profession that gets harder--not easier-- the longer you do it. As I gain skill and knowledge as a writer, I'm that much more aware of the flaws in my writing, and it's more and more difficult to summon an atom of confidence. And writers need enough confidence to tell their stories.

So far, God has called me to pull back from some peripheral committments -- things related to my writing work, but not part of the core work of story telling. He's also working with me on avoiding too much input - my head is already swirling with the how-to books, the blogs about what isn't working in Christian fiction, the mentor's advice, the critique partners suggestions, the editors requests.

Yield.

My heart answers, "Yes."

Let the noise fall away for a little while. Helpful, wise insights. Important to listen to. But today, turn the volume down and listen to Him.

Is God whispering to you to merge more deeply into Him? Does it require yielding . . . a giving way?

Lord, give all of us the courage today to yield to your grace and tender love for us. Help us give way where you are nudging certain attitudes and actions out of our lives.
Amen.

Blessings!
Sharon Hinck
The Secret Life of Becky Miller (Bethany House, 6/2006)
Renovating Becky Miller (Bethany House, 2/2007)

Order Discounted Copies Here:

Sharon's page at CBD - all books

A Christmas Surprise!!!

It came!

In the bustle of Christmas and revisions for a different book due to be turned in by Friday, I haven't been thinking too much about my dear second book, RENOVATING BECKY MILLER, that is set to release February 1st. I've lined up a Book Launch event, and talked to someone about my blog tour, and sent postcards of the new "baby" in my Christmas cards. But February seemed a long ways off.

Then, today, a mysterious padded envelope arrived on my doorstep from Bethany House. I ripped it open and squealed.

Two glorious copies (hot off the press!) of RENOVATING BECKY MILLER. The red paint on the cover is slick and shiny. The ink smells amazing. Wonderful endorsements from author friends fill the front pages.

Does an author get blase' after her first book.

I can answer that with a resounding, "NO!"

I feel as giddy as the first time.

God certainly excels at wonderful surprises.

Have a VERY blessed Christmas, savoring all of God's gifts, especially the gift of His PRESENCE with us through His Son, Jesus.

His,
Sharon Hinck
www.sharonhinck.com

Order Here

Sharon's page at CBD - all books

Kathryn Mackel - Outriders and Trackers Part Two

Yesterday I shared how quickly I was captivated when I picked up Outriders a few months ago. So I was thrilled for Trackers to come out.

It has all the same great qualities I described yesterday, and I was happy to dive back into the adventures.

It also reminded me how diverse the tones within a genre can be--from Randy Mortenson's upbeat children's fantasy to Karen Hancock's powerfully detailed high fantasy with realism aimed at adults.

Trackers, even though it contains youthful protagonists, carries adult themes. Rapes, disfigurements, and all sorts of violence are part of the story’s landscape. That violence is a perfect reflection for a painfully lost world – but would be intense for young readers.

I've said before (to anyone who will listen) that as Christians we need a variety of art forms in our struggle to express the inexpressible.

We also need a wide range of genres within the art form of writing.

AND within the genre of fantasy/sci-fi it's marvelous to have a variety of tones and themes. Each speaks about unique aspects of God's nature, each will resonate in different ways with different audiences.

As someone who loves to watch imaginations spin, I was enchanted by the creativity throughout Mackel's books: Allusions to Jonah (as the rooks are delivered through a whale). Sleeping Beauty imagery (as the city is protected by a wall of living (though morged) thorns). “Out of time” shroud that protects. Myriad fascinating details about the way things work in the story-world.

One of the joys of fantasy is discovering the connections. Outriders and Trackers are full of analogy and symbol for spiritual themes and issues. Beth Goddard's interview with Kathryn Mackel highlights some of these, so be sure to visit her blog to hear some of the author's thoughts.

Other blog tour participants are sharing their thoughts as well:



Jim Black
Jackie Castle
Valerie Comer
Frank Creed
Gene Curtis
Chris Deanne
Janey DeMeo
April Erwin
Beth Goddard
Todd Michael Greene
Karen Hancock
Elliot Hanowski
Katie Hart
Sherrie Hibbs
Sharon Hinck
Joleen Howell
Jason Joyner
Karen and at Karen’s myspace
Oliver King
Tina Kulesa
Lost Genre Guild
Kevin Lucia and The Bookshelf Reviews 2.0 - The Compendium
Terri Main
Rachel Marks
Shannon McNear
Rebecca LuElla Miller
Caleb Newell
Eve Nielsen
John Otte
Cheryl Russel
Hannah Sandvig
Mirtika Schultz
James Somers
Stuart Stockton
Steve Trower
Speculative Faith
Chris Walley
Daniel I. Weaver

Blessings!
Sharon Hinck
The Secret Life of Becky Miller (Bethany 6/2006)
Renovating Becky Miller (Bethany 2/2007)
The Restorer (NavPress 5/2007)
The Restorer's Son (NavPress 9/2007)

Kathryn Mackel - Outriders and Trackers

Welcome to another month of the Christian Sci-Fi/Fantasy blog tour! We'll be featuring Kathryn Mackel for the next few days.

When I began work on The Restorer (NavPress 5/2007) over four years ago, my adult son, (a huge Stephen Lawhead and Ted Dekker fan) said, “Mom, whatever you do, don’t stop and explain things in the story. I love when the reader explores and discovers along with the character.”

The first thing I noticed when I read Kathyrn Mackel’s book, Outriders, was how well she set us loose in a story and had the confidence to not explain. Even her language choices were brilliant. The dialogue had the same wit and whimsy as the movie Serenity, where permutations of words sound familiar but still a little “different.” Different enough to set the foreignness of the setting/time, familiar enough to understand in context. Again, no explanations necessary. She reflected a shift in language (as occurs through time in all cultures), but she also used this to show the contrast between the new “rooks” and their "jangle" from the outriders and trackers who had been on the surface for some time. I loved that. This is how I want to write when I grow up.

I was captivated by her young, heroic, and flawed characters (yes, even the good guys struggle with rebellion, anger, doubt, and jealousy), and intrigued by the choice of having a community of key figures that are sent out into danger very young. The theme of corrupting the world with horrific attempts at creation really resonated with me. We are made in God's image and so are stirred to create things to His glory. But when we chose to create things in an attempt to BE little gods, the results are hideous. More tomorrow!

Meanwhile, check out her newest book, Trackers.

And visit these other blog tour participants:

Jim Black
Jackie Castle
Valerie Comer
Frank Creed
Gene Curtis
Chris Deanne
Janey DeMeo
April Erwin
Beth Goddard
Todd Michael Greene
Karen Hancock
Elliot Hanowski
Katie Hart
Sherrie Hibbs
Sharon Hinck
Joleen Howell
Jason Joyner
Karen and at Karen’s myspace
Oliver King
Tina Kulesa
Lost Genre Guild
Kevin Lucia and The Bookshelf Reviews 2.0 - The Compendium
Terri Main
Rachel Marks
Shannon McNear
Rebecca LuElla Miller
Caleb Newell
Eve Nielsen
John Otte
Cheryl Russel
Hannah Sandvig
Mirtika Schultz
James Somers
Stuart Stockton
Steve Trower
Speculative Faith
Chris Walley
Daniel I. Weaver

Blessings!
Sharon Hinck

What's a Writer to Do?

How about a moment of prayer?

Funny how I sought God for direction as I began to write my first novel . . . how I prayed for wisdom about what to do with it when it was finished . . . how I lifted up editors, publishers, and other authors in CBA on a regular basis because I'd been deeply changed by the works of Christian authors over the years and saw it as valuable.

There was never any doubt that the constant work of a writer was prayer.

Then I got busy.

Book launches, interviews, deadlines. One galley arriving in the mail to proof-read while another manuscript is flying through cyberspace to its editor. Rewrites to do on a book while editing for several critique-buddies and reading books to endorse. Characters from seven different books (all at seven different points in production) all scampering around my brain day and night. What's a writer to do?

I told God it was too hard. I told friends it was too hard. I told my family I was going to become a Doula instead (assisting women during childbirth - at least the screams would be some one else's).

Then I remembered about prayer.

Instead of whining, I asked for help: Lord - I'm weary. I feel a deep need to get away somewhere for a few days. But you know my budget. You know my health issues. You know my schedule problems. But here I am. Asking for something my heart craves.

Like a good "Do-Be" I googled, I researched. Why do I always think I need to help God along with His answer? I found B&Bs (too far and too expensive), I found group retreats (too social). I gave up.

Weeks later, as more and more work piled up and my shoulders drooped further under the weight, a cheery emailed arrived. "If you ever want a place to get away and write, we have a little writer's studio on our farm an hour west of you. We love to offer this space as a ministry to Christian writers."

So this morning, I head out to a place of quiet and solitude with my Bible and the manuscript I need to revise before Christmas. And I have no doubt God will be there to meet me.

What's a writer to do when self-doubt roars louder than words for the page? When her eyes cross from sorting through hundreds of pages trying one more time to make things "just right." When deadlines keep moving forward in spite of sick kids, holidays, health issues?

What's a writer to do?

Pray.

Sorry I forgot about that for awhile, Lord. Sorry I started to muscle in to do better and faster and more in my own power. Thank you for your gifts of love everyday, and especially this concecrated time to catch up - with you AND with my writing.

Amen.

Has God answered a specific prayer in your life recently? I love hearing about the creative, timely, pitch-perfect treasures He brings our way. If you're willing, post a comment and share!

Blessings!
Sharon Hinck
Available to pre-order now: RENOVATING BECKY MILLER (2/2006)