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Author Interview

Janet Smith Interviews Lynne Hinton

This month of April 2003, national best-selling author, Lynne Hinton, releases what is sure to be her next best seller, Forever Friends, in her third and final book of the Hope Springs Trilogy.

In the first book of the trilogy, Friendship Cake, (published in May 2000) we found the heartwarming story of five special women as they struggled with everyday problems. These women came together and formed a committee to create a cookbook. They embarked upon a project more meaningful than any of them could ever have imagined.

The second book of the trilogy, Garden of Faith (newly titled, Hope Springs), released in April, 2002, was welcomed with open arms by adoring fans, drawing them in once again to share the sorrows and joys in the lives of five special women who live in the Hope Springs community.

Lynne Hinton enjoys balancing her role as pastor of the First Congregational United Church of Christ, in Asheboro, North Carolina with being a writer. She writes with a warmth and sensitivity that touches readers, allowing them to believe that good things really can happen.

It was my pleasure to interview Ms. Hinton and share this candid and introspective visit with T-Zero readers.

T-Zero: Was it your goal to write a trilogy when you first wrote Friendship Cake?

Lynne Hinton: When I wrote Friendship Cake, I had no plans for a series. Harper San Francisco offered me that lovely deal. I found that I enjoyed getting back to Hope Springs and the characters that had much more to tell us, but no, it wasn't my original idea.

LH: I do love meeting folks who read the books I write, but ‘the tour’ can be quite grueling. Last year I was in sixteen airports in twelve days. I was searched in every city because I was using one-way tickets or changing airlines, an automatic selection for security searches. I was lonesome, homesick, and finally had a bit of a breakdown in Oklahoma City. It was a difficult time.

LH: I am looking forward to the release of Forever Friends. There's more excitement about this book, now that all three are out. There will be church events along with the bookstore events, a raffle and a contest, bringing lots of new energy.

LH: My characters do seem like real people to me, however, they are not based on real folks. I try to keep my church folks and encounters separate from the fictional ones.

LH: I let the stories evolve. If I have a plan or agenda, that's a sure sign that I'll be throwing those pages away.

LH: Some of my favorite authors are Toni Morrison, Louise Erdrich, Barbara Kingsolver, Pam Duncan, Amy Tan, Frederick Buechner and Ann Lamott.

LH: I would never have been noticed by editors if I didn't have an agent. It has been most necessary for me. I have a fantastic agent and a talented editor. If I pass muster with them, I'm pleased.

LH: I don't really know enough about e-books to comment. I know I just like to smell my books when I'm reading and like to feel the pages in my hands.

LH: Writing sermons and fiction are the same in that I must move myself and my agenda aside. Good writing, both fiction and sermons must be about allowing the story to come through me. I am just the vessel. The content however, is different. Fiction is just telling a story. My sermons have an element of teaching in them with practical information on how to live a more abundant, more faithful life. I'm a little more directional in my sermons. I don't intend to teach or inspire or challenge in my writing. I'm just telling a story.

LH: When I was young, I was planning to be a missionary doctor, but that was soon out of the question when I took Freshman Chemistry.

LH: Other interests: I'm a runner and a gardener and I love engaging in deep, personal conversations.

LH: Future plans? Well, I'm moving west to Santa Fe, New Mexico. That's been a dream of mine for many years and now I'm able to see it fulfilled. I don't know what else I'll be doing other than writing, but I look forward to new opportunities to love life and learn.

LH: Thank you for the opportunity to blab away!