Posted on January 25, 2012 - by Brenda Anderson

Chatting with Sharon Hinck

When I first began writing, I joined a local group, the Minnesota Christian Writers Guild (MCWG). About that same time, local author and fellow MCWG member, Sharon Hinck, was releasing her debut novel, The Secret Life of Becky Miller. I immediately found Sharon to be very approachable and I periodically e-mailed her questions regarding writing. She ALWAYS e-mailed me back, and that was before she knew who I was.

Since that time, I’ve gotten to know Sharon and find her to be one of the most genuine people I’ve met. She inspires me with her heart for God, and she’s become a mentor, offering  advice, and critique with encouragement and gentleness. I’m so excited to have Sharon visit with us today at Inkspirational Messages!

Since Sharon’s debut release in 2006, she’s published six additional novels in a variety of genres–fantasy, contemporary, mom lit–and she writes them all well. In October of 2011, she re-released THE RESTORER through Marcher Lord Press as an expanded edition. Here’s a little snippet about The Restorer-Expanded Edition:

Susan Mitchell thought she was an ordinary homemaker. She was wrong. When she’s pulled through a portal into another world, she finds a nation grappling for its soul and waiting for a promised Restorer to save their people.

She has always longed to do something important for God, but can she fill this role?

While she struggles to adapt to a foreign culture, she tackles an enemy that is poisoning the minds of the people, uncovers a corrupt ruling Council, and learns that God can use even her floundering attempts at service in surprising ways.

This new expanded edition of The Restorer includes an in-depth devotion guide for readers who want to dig into the spiritual themes of the book, bonus scenes providing glimpses of the story through a variety of characters, and fun extras including links to songs and recipes.

Sharon, I read The Restorer when it initially came out, along with the two other books in the Sword of Lyric Series (The Restorer’s Son and The Restorer’s Journey), and loved them all. I’m looking forward to reading the expanded edition. I’m curious, what was it like developing new material for this new edition?

I loved these stories and characters so much that it was a treat to revisit the world beyond the attic. It was fun playing with scenes from new angles and exploring other character voices. The interactive devotion guide was rewarding to write, because it helped me dig deeply into the Biblical themes that inspired elements of the books.

How did you decide which bonus elements to add?

It was important to me that people would feel that it was worth the investment to own The Restorer-Expanded Edition, even if they had a copy of the original edition. I drew from all the mail I’ve gotten from readers about these books and created the things that I felt would do the most to enhance their experience of The Restorer.

Since many readers share that the spiritual themes had a big impact on them, I created the devotion guide to show the foundation of those themes – and also to give more glimpses into the way that Susan Mitchell is loosely inspired by Deborah in the book of Judges. The Bible study and journaling and prayers allow readers to go on their own spiritual adventure as they are reading the novel.

I also had fun creating new scenes from the perspective of minor characters. Since the book is in Susan’s first person point of view, it was fun giving other characters like Wade, Tara, Kieran, Nolan, and Tristan a voice. My publisher had suggested including “deleted scenes,” but anything that had been deleted from the original manuscript when the book was first published needed to be deleted. So writing fresh material from a new slant seemed like the way to go. I hope it’s as fun for readers as bonus material on a DVD is for me.

We also tried something innovative in using QR codes so that people with smart phones can hover over the symbol and go to a page to heart the music of a song in the story, or read a recipe for a meal that is described in the book.

Now, I’m even more eager to re-read it! Sounds like more than a novel, but rather what I’d call an interactive experience. What do you hope people experience in The Restorer-Expanded Edition?

God can use ordinary people in unexpected ways. I truly believe that many women live lives of quiet heroism – whether their battleground is caring for aging parents, raising a child with a disability, fighting a long-term illness, volunteering at their church, or supporting a friend through difficulty. My hope is that Susan’s adventure in an alternate world breathes inspiration into anyone feeling that the road has been difficult in his or her world.

Love it–I believe Susan’s character does accomplish that goal.

What are you working on now? And what do you see in your future?

I just turned in all the bonus material for The Restorer’s Journey-Expanded Edition (due out in October 2012), and have begun working on new material for a fourth book that I’d love to complete, Lord willing.

I for one, am rooting for the fourth book. The characters you created became like family that I want to revisit.

On another subject, if you hadn’t become a writer, what would you want to be?

Great question.

I would have loved to dance with the New York City Ballet company, but alas, that was not to be.

Another secret vocational dream would be to be a midwife. I always thought it would be awesome.

Instead, I’ve found ways to be a “midwife” in the birthing process of books for other authors – by doing some free-lance editing and mentoring.

I love your analogy of authors being midwives. I’ve met many writers who would fit that role and they’ve had a great influence on me. Who has influenced you most in your writing career?

I’ve always appreciated the authors of the books I devoured as a young reader. They have truly been mentors and influences without ever knowing the impact they had in my life, and I’m so grateful to each writer who poured their heart into stories. In recent years, I’ve been privileged to get to know several contemporary Christian authors as friends, and am so inspired by their example of sacrifice, faith, service, and humility.

Thanks again, Sharon, for stopping by Inkspirational Messages today, and thank you for being an inspiring influence in so many writers’ lives. Bless you!

~*~*~

Sharon Hinck writes “stories for the hero in all of us,” about ordinary people experiencing God’s grace in unexpected ways. Known for their authenticity, emotional range, and spiritual depth, her novels include contemporary fiction such as The Secret Life of Becky Miller or Stepping into Sunlight and the groundbreaking Sword of Lyric fantasy series which includes The Restorer–Expanded Edition. She’s been a Christy finalist and has won three Carol awards.

Sharon’s undergrad degree is in education, and she earned an M.A. in Communication. When she isn’t wrestling with words, Sharon enjoys speaking to conferences, retreats, and church groups. She loves interacting with visitors at her website and blog: sharonhinck.com.

You can find Sharon’s books at:

www.sharonhinck.com

http://sharonswriting.blogspot.com/

To order The Restorer-Expanded Edition: http://www.marcherlordpress.com/books/the_restorer_se.html

Kindle version: http://www.amazon.com/dp/B005VM4XL4?tag=sharonhcom-20&creative=384345&linkCode=kin