Mindy Halleck
Mindy Halleck’s relationship with words began in her childhood, nurtured by her newspaper editor grandfather who had a deep appreciation for literature. "He revered Edgar Allan Poe and read poetry to me since I could sit upright in a chair," Mindy recalls with fondness. Growing up in the 1950s and 60s, her grandfather’s influence was profound, teaching her to love the sound of words—whether spoken or read. This early exposure to literature sparked a lifelong passion for storytelling, one that would evolve through various forms and genres.
Exploring the Written Word
Mindy is an author who refuses to be confined by a single genre. Her body of work spans novels, short stories, essays, and poetry. "Exploring different genres and styles of writing informs my writing craft and opens my mind to possibilities in story creation," she explains. Each genre offers a new way to express ideas, with poetry in particular enhancing her ability to create vivid imagery and convey complex emotions succinctly.
Recurring themes in Mindy’s work often mirror her personal quest for balance in an unbalanced world. "Nearly all my stories, whether short, long, or even poetry, deal with the delicate balance of life and death," she shares. As she crafts her narratives, she finds herself returning to motifs of justice, overcoming loss, and female empowerment. "These themes parallel my life journey," she adds, emphasizing how her personal experiences and worldview shape her storytelling.
A Writer’s Identity: Transformations and Inspirations
Mindy draws inspiration from a wide array of authors, each offering a different lesson in the craft of writing. "The haunting writing of Barbara Kingsolver in Poisonwood Bible taught me how to use a lyrical tone in writing the human experience, much like evocative poetry," she notes. Pat Conroy’s Prince of Tides and Janet Finch’s White Oleander also played significant roles in shaping her approach. "The best craft lessons are in reading the books that you love and figuring out how the authors crafted them," Mindy advises.
One of the most transformative moments in Mindy’s life came over twenty years ago, during a month-long writer’s retreat in Ireland. On a train ride from Galway to Dublin, she found herself seated across from five nuns. As they shared a conversation, one nun encouraged her to declare, "I am a writer." "I had never said out loud that I was a writer," Mindy recalls. But with the nuns’ encouragement, she spoke the words, and it was a moment of revelation. "You’re a daughter of Ireland, a writer, and now it’s been exclaimed to the universe—you can never take it back," the nun told her. That moment solidified her identity as a writer, a title she has proudly embraced ever since.
Mindy Halleck’s journey as a writer is a testament to the power of words, the importance of embracing one’s identity, and the endless possibilities that come from exploring the written word. As she continues to craft stories and poems that resonate with readers, her work stands as a beacon of creativity, resilience, and the enduring human spirit.
Creative Process: Finding Inspiration
Like many writers, Mindy has faced creative blocks, but she has developed strategies to overcome them. "By reading—most likely poetry but also great novels—I get my creative flow going again," she says. She also finds inspiration outside of the written word, taking trips into the city from her small island home to visit art museums, galleries, or attend concerts. "Art and music stir my soul and generate creativity," she shares.
When it comes to writing long-form projects like novels, Mindy has learned the importance of planning. "Writing novel-length projects taught me that a little planning and outlining can keep you from getting lost in your story," she reflects. Though she admits to occasionally getting lost, she now leaves a "trail" so she can find her way back. "As the writing world question goes, are you a pantser or planner? I’m mostly somewhere in between."
A Measure of Success
For Mindy, success as a writer isn’t measured by book sales or critical acclaim but by the impact her stories have on readers. She recalls a memorable experience after a bookstore event, where a group of five women asked her to join them for dinner to discuss her debut novel. "They all had their copies of my novel, already read and highlighted, on the table," she remembers. For three hours, they discussed her characters, particularly her protagonist—a war hero turned reluctant priest—exploring his struggles and the story’s themes. "That was when I knew I had created something that evoked emotion, desire, and curiosity in the minds of others. That is my measure of success," she says.
Looking Forward: Aspirations and Future Projects
Mindy’s aspirations for the future of her work are deeply personal and resonate with her own experiences. As a six-time cancer survivor, she is particularly focused on writing about the lives of women—ordinary and extraordinary alike—and the choices they make. "I write more about women aging now that that’s my journey," she explains. Her work aims to serve as a guide and encouragement for younger generations, passing on the wisdom of a "female warrior" who has gone before.
Currently, Mindy is working on a book of poetry exploring the female experience through the mythology of mermaids, selkies, and shieldmaidens. She is also writing a book of short stories about five women in 1969 Portland, Oregon, who must make decisions that challenge the patriarchal norms of their time. With two novels also nearing completion, Mindy continues to embrace the many facets of storytelling.
