The Imaginative Mind of the Writer

While at ICRS, I was reminded that we writers inhabit a world of "normal" people, but we often view it from a slightly off-center location.

When my dear roommate and I went over to the convention center to pick up our badges the day before the event, we were dropped off at a back door. We walked into a deserted lobby and I said, "I wonder where we are in the convention center?"

Immediately a gentleman's voice from the ceiling answered, "You're in the west concourse."

Of course I looked skyward and called, "Thank you!"

Then he said, as we rode escalators up, "Welcome to the convention center. Remember you entered via the west entrance."

"Thanks, I will!"

By then my roomie was shaking her head at me. I later explained to her children that there was a very kind man in the ceiling who answered questions, and he was probably sad at how often he was ignored. I encouraged them to speak with him when they visited the next day.

Meanwhile, we reached a long corridor. There was a truly interesting sign over the entrance...worthy of a fantasy novel's "Beware ye who dare enter."

The fuzzy photo (I'm not great with my camera) shows what it said: "Stand clear. The door may roll down at any time."

Or course I made my roommate stand under it while I took a picture (that photo didn't turn out). I'm not sure why that sign struck me as funny. It was kind of the convention center to warn us that a door could randomly drop at any moment. But it made me feel like I was in some sort of Tron game.

Life is never dull when you have an over-active imagination.

It might be hard to find roommates to put up with you, though.

Blessings!
Sharon Hinck

The Christy Awards

The photo shows me (on the left) with my remarkable Aussie friend Lisa McKay, in the interview room after the Christy dinner. It was a joy to reconnect with her. We met in Camy Tang's LONG book-signing line a year ago at ICRS.

Here's my impressions of my first experience at the Christy dinner.

I hadn't planned to attend ICRS this year, but when I received the delightful shock of learning The Restorer was named a Christy finalist, I wanted to show my respect for the honor by trying to get there. My agent also encouraged me to attend, and said it was a very special experience.

Then my church small-group all chipped in and gave me a check to send me. So I went with a sense of all of them experiencing this with me. They have believed in this book since the first manuscript and prayed over it for many years. So I enjoyed celebrating this for all of us.

The warm camaraderie in the room was energetic and sincere. Authors, editors, publishers, publicists and agents greeted each other and buzzed from table to table. I was delighted to get to meet my author relation's contact, Kris Wallen, in person for the first time.

I also enjoyed seeing familiar faces. Looking around the room, I felt surprised by how many people I've gotten to know in the last two years since my first book, The Secret Life of Becky Miller, released. I kept thanking God for the dear friends and acquaintances that have enriched my life.

All too soon, we had to take our seats. I wanted many more hours of chatting. :-)

Phyllis Tickle made a beautiful presentation of the Christy Legacy Award to honor Carol Johnson who has semi-retired from her position at Bethany House. It was a beautiful tribute and heart-warming to see the whole room give her a standing ovation for all she has contributed to Christian fiction in our lifetime.

Somewhere early on (it's a bit of a blur) all the nominees were asked to come stand by the side of the stage. Each was called on stage to receive the finalist medal. Amazing how gawky a person can feel standing in front of so many people in your field that you admire and respect. I loved how they made each of us as finalists feel special as we dipped our heads like Olympic athletes to receive the ribbon and medal.

The dinner was delicious, but each time I'd take a bite, someone new would come over to say hello, and I'd forget all about food in the joy of interacting. Someday I need to learn how to eat and fellowship at the same time.

Karen Ball, Carol Johnson, Dave Lambert, and Michelle Rapkin did a sort of panel discussion, answering questions about Christian fiction, about their own experiences (projects they passed on, some they fought for that didn't do well financially, but they were still proud of). It was a great behind-the-scenes peek into the Christian publishing industry. As they discussed the history of key events, authors, and books that have been significant, it was like a retrospective of my own life. When CBA stores had one shelf of fiction (Grace Livingston Hill, Eugenia Price, Catherine Marshall, and a few others) I read those books. Then Jeanette Oke, then Frank Perretti, Bodie Thoene, Jan Karon. And I felt incredibly grateful to be a very tiny piece of this ministry of stories.

They announced the top winners quickly, and speeches were brief and heartfelt. I had expected Stephen Lawhead to win in the Visionary category, and could only feel that it was appropriate when it was announced. He has been the inspiration to so many for decades. As my adult son said, "Mom, I'll always respect you for being on a list with Stephen Lawhead."

After a prayer, quick photos and chats with friends, the finalists were all directed upstairs to do a few media interviews. I was having so much fun, I once again forgot all about decorum and being concise. I babbled like the giddy person I was.

Altogether an uplifting and fun evening, including sitting in the hotel lobby chatting and giggling with a large group of writing friends afterwards. My tap shoes remained comfortable. (Those of you who read my blog know that since I haven't found any high-heel shoes that are comfortable except my tap shoes, he kindly removed the taps for me so I could wear them). I felt relaxed and at ease most of the time. (Thanks, I'm sure, to the prayers of my friends). And the evening was everything an awards event should be -- a celebration of God's goodness and hand in our lives, and the multiple and diverse talents He has given the Body of Christ.

Blessings!
Sharon Hinck

A Few Highlights from ICRS

Honestly, the trade show for the Christian Booksellers is about retailers and publishers, not about the authors. And for authors, the experience can feel a bit squelching since topics of "bottom line" and sales numbers don't nestle comfortably next to our artistic vision and creative spirits.

This was the third time I attended, and I went knowing God would most likely use some difficult experiences to reveal aspects of my character in painful ways... a great opportunity for repentance and growth.

There were certainly some of those opportunities. There were also lots of fun moments.

Here are a few:

*Sharing a bus ride with a gentleman from New Zealand who had read my books.

*Meeting a store manager who had told one of my publishers how much my books had meant to him - so they contacted me and had me come over to meet him. What an encouragement!

*Listening to Robin Parrish try to convince me that his seven-month-old baby can speak full sentences. He pulled out a recording for me to listen to that he claimed was "I love you Dada."
For the record, I heard, "ah wa da da da da da da."

*Responding to the man in the ceiling when he answered my question about where I was in the convention center. (Okay, so my roommate claims it was a recorded greeting- but I choose to believe otherwise)

*The wonderful writer's retreat I was able to attend before ICRS.

*Hearing a recap of Christian fiction throughout my generation at the Christy dinner - and feeling such joy about how it has developed and deeply honored to be a tiny part of it.

*Talking Robin Lee Hatcher into doing a tour jete' in her Birkenstocks in the middle of the street.

*Cuddling Cara Putman's new baby. Ah, sweet soft baby head nuzzled under my chin.

*Giggling with my roommates.

*Multitudes of conversations with the delightful people that populate the writing world.

There were more special moments but those are a few that pop into my mind. I'll get some pictures up soon... laundry awaits.

Blessings!
Sharon Hinck

Fantasy Fiction Tour Day One

The Meet and Greet of the Fantasy Tour.

Although I'd met Bryan four or five years earlier at Mount Hermon, and had emailed for months with Christopher and Wayne, this was my first chance to meet them all in person.

Once we'd thanked John Cooper for the excellent swords and shields, visited with the Tsaba house folks who were graciously hosting the event, and handed out bookmarks to curious passersby, I had to hurry back to the NavPress booth. It was hard to pull away, but I knew I'd soon have many hours in the van to get to know each of the fine authors.

They each had their own agenda of meetings, media, and signings during ICRS, but we already felt a sense of "we're in this together."

That afternoon, I had my next cool "God gift."

I was in line to support my friend, Camy Tang, as she signed her awesome Asian Chick-lit novel, Sushi for One? A woman next to me, from Australia, chatted with me to pass the time. She kept looking at my name tag. "I think I know you from somewhere..."

Then she saw my shoulder bag (which has my book covers displayed in clear pockets).

"You wrote The Secret Life of Becky Miller! I love that book! I read it while on a mission trip in Nairobi. Each night I'd go back to my tent and it was the right mix of humor and inspiration after a tough day training humanitarian aid workers about stress and trauma."

Turns out this amazing woman (who spends a lot of time doing BIG THINGS for God) is also an acclaimed author, Lisa McKay.

I'll be honest. I often find the writing life very discouraging. I question the value of what I do, my skill to do it, and God's purposes. That's okay. Being full of questions and doubts comes from the same part of me that wrestles things out through stories. But I thrive on those moments of reassurance that God is using the books to bless others. My conversation with Lisa was a HUGE gift from God to me. For my little story to serve someone on the "front lines" of hard-core ministry...it doesn't get better than that. Lisa told me she's hanging on to Renovating Becky Miller to read on her next mission trip. And in that huge crowd at the convention, what are the odds we would end up next to each other in a line long enough to have a good chat? It's a GOD thing.

Prayer Request

Yesterday was another super day. Wonderful conversations, lots to learn.
I started feeling head-achey (pretty normal with the travel and lack of sleep)...but last night got a BAD sore throat.
Please pray for healing. I have almost two weeks of non-stop converstaions, speaking evenets, and interviews ahead.
It would be lovely to manage more than a painful croak. :-)

Today booths begin going up at the conference center, and I'll be heading over there to pick up my badge and get the lay of the land for all of Monday's and Tuesday's events.

I'll be moving to a different hotel, and won't have my roommate's computer to borrow anymore, so it might be awhile until I can post again.

THANK YOU so much to all who are praying.