(Fourth in a series of interviews with the Motiv8 Fantasy Fiction Tour authors.)

Sharon Hinck (www.sharonhinck.com) writes stories about ordinary people experiencing God’s grace in unexpected ways. She was named “Writer of the Year” in 2007 at the Mount Hermon Christian Writers Conference. She is the author of many books, including the Sword of Lyric series. Recently, Mrs. Hinck took time out of her busy schedule to do a short e-mail interview with Incredibooks.

Incredibooks: Have you always liked writing, or was it an acquired taste?

Sharon Hinck: I wrote my first story (very derivative of The Three Little Pigs) in second grade. It’s always been one of my favorite means of expression.

IB: What were some of your favorite books growing up?

SH: Louisa Mae Alcott, Jack London, Mark Twain, Robert Louis Stevenson, Sir Arthur Conan Doyle, C.S. Lewis, Catherine Marshall, Madeleine L’Engle. And I still adore Harold and the Purple Crayon.

IB: When you were younger, did you ever imagine that you would become an author?

SH: I found an old journal entry from eighth grade where I shared how I dreamed of writing a novel one day…but to me it was such a lofty dream, I didn’t really imagine it could happen. 

IB: Why did you choose fantasy to work with instead of some other genre?

SH: I love adventure, sword fighting, and stories of heroic choices – but I also like contemporary and relatable characters. So I enjoyed combining a modern American family with an “alternate universe” fantasy adventure. It’s a story that explores the good that can happen when our faith is stretched and we’re willing to surrender ever more deeply to God. 

IB: Who is your favorite character from all of your books so far, and why?

SH: I think I’ve enjoyed Kieran the most, because he was never predictable. In some ways, he reflected my own times of wrestling with God…struggling to understand His purposes (and feeling mighty cranky about it at times). 

IB: Do you ever write something that you love, only to look at it later and discover it’s not as good as you thought?

SH: Most days. :-)

IB: How do you work allegory or Christian themes into your books without it being blatantly obvious or sounding preachy or clichéd?

SH: Madeline L’Engle said that fiction is revelatory. I believe that’s true. In an odd way, fiction reveals the truth with more potency than nonfiction. What I as the author believe about God’s love and power will bleed through into any story I write – because that is the nature of storytelling and storytellers. The spiritual journey of my characters is as integral as their external plot threads – because in my own life, the spiritual journey is a vibrant and important as what is happening in my external life. 

Stick around! Our next interview is with Christopher Hopper.