We sat down with Meraki Press's newest debut author, Heidi Hinnenkamp, to ask her about her new book!
Tell us a little about yourself.
I’m Heidi, a wife and mom of six, homeschooling in the Lowcountry. We moved out to a little farm to grow our own food, keep bees and let our kids run wild and free. At the heart of me is still the same little girl who liked playing with worms in storm puddles and chasing butterflies until they landed on a flower or stopping to notice a mushroom (every mushie deserves her picture taken!). This life can feel too heavy and serious sometimes, but creating beautiful things and noticing others makes the load feel lighter. Fun fact, I was born in Cape Town, South Africa and I like to think being born there instilled my love for adventure and nature and all things beautiful.
What inspired/led you to write your book?
This book was simmering under the surface for a long time, and at times, it felt like a volcano ready to erupt but I couldn’t quite articulate the right words. I would sit in church Sunday after Sunday, the passion bubbling up inside of me to share the deeper truth that there’s so much more to the Bible and so much more depth of God than what was being preached.
What is your favorite part of writing?
Writing is like spring cleaning, it clears my mind and untangles all the thoughts I want to share. For some-one who has filled the pages of many journals, I’m not good with words (guess that’s why I write!). My mind can be at true rest when I’m writing and the clarity of thought pours out from deep inside.
Do you have a piece of advice for someone who wants to write a book?
If the words are simmering on your heart, let your mind truly rest and just start. Take one step, see where that step leads to. Sometimes we just have to let the story unfold as we trust the Lord to lead the way.
What was the easiest and most difficult part of publishing?
I loved the road of hybrid publishing. It was more personal to walk with someone who is passionate about the writing process and taking it step by step. The hard part was letting go of a story that I held inside for so long and surrendering to what the Lord wanted it to be. It was so much harder than I could imagine narrowing down the specific purpose for this specific book, it felt like staring up at an impossibly high mountain, but it forced me to rely on the Holy Spirit and let it be.
If you could go back to the beginning, is there anything you would’ve done differently to get this book published?
Looking back, I would’ve had a better vision of what I was trying to say or did a “brain dump” draft before jumping in with a publisher and I should’ve asked for prayer more. At the same time, we don’t know what to expect when we are asked to take a leap of faith and sometimes we need to just go forward. I do believe in some seasons we are meant to walk with shaky legs and foggy vision so we will rely on God more for direction. We can’t always wait until we have a perfect plan.
Is there anything else you’d like to share?
Share the story, even if it’s not perfect or feel ready, it may never be fully ready in the way you think but faith teaches us to trust and obey each step. We are all uniquely gifted and have different spheres to love others through Christ.
Tell us your favorite book or give us some recommendations.
Elizabeth Elliot has been an author who has shaped my heart, she wrote Passion and Purity and Loneliness. Her podcast is very encouraging! Missionary stories are another great read to help us see God’s bigger plan and purpose, I recommend Under-standing the wounded Heart by Marcus Warner, Screwtape Letters by C.S. Lewis (it gives such a great perspective on how our enemy slimes into our thought life). Awaken Love by Ruth Buezis, it awakened our young marriage and set us on a more Godly path together. Authentic Beauty by Leslie Ludy was transformative when my faith was young.
Do you think you'd ever write another book?
I hope so, Lord willing
Anything else you'd like to share - tips, tricks, favorites, what got you through, etc!
Be faithful in what the Lord is leading you to do, even if it doesn’t make logical sense. Walk by faith, not by sight. If you can get a chunk of time to just write and think then accept that gift of time. I asked for one weekend at home by myself and that weekend was such a gift. It allowed me to pray and think and eat the best burger in town without anyone asking for a bite. It gave me the clarity I needed to go forward. It’s good to learn from other authors, publishers are a wonderful support and resource, editors can help refine your wording but stay faithful to the path you are being lead to walk, not comparing yourself to anyone else’s path.
And Lastly, where can readers find your book? Or learn more about you?
Beauty in the Honey: Finding Freedom in God's Goodness is available online everywhere books are sold: Barnes & Noble, Walmart, Amazon, & Target!
Thank you, Heidi Hinnenkamp for sharing your time and insights with us!
If you would like to follow along with Heidi's book and further updates, you can find her on social media at: @bee_rooted_farm
You can preorder her debut book here: Beauty in the Honey: Finding Freedom in God's Goodness
Available everywhere September 13th, 2024!
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