Meet the Author Monday Interview with Helena Smrcek

Meet the Author Monday interview with Helena Smrcek.

Welcome to today’s Meet the Author Monday interview with Helena Smrcek. Helena is one of four authors featured in the Love Blooms on Valentines novella collection that released, quite appropriately, on February 14, 2025. Helena’s novella, Million Likes, is one of my favorites of this collection. I reviewed Love Blooms on Valentines last Friday for my First Line Friday review. If you’d like to know my thoughts on the collection, you can find them here: First Line Friday Review

I first had the pleasure of meeting Helena Smrcek at a writers conference. We chatted a bit and shared about what we were working on. Her work in progress at the time was not this novella. I kept up with Helena’s writing the way most of us do, through social media. So, when I saw she was taking launch team applications for her Million Likes/Love Blooms on Valentines, I knew I wanted to take part. Her story, and the whole collection, were perfect for Valentine’s Day reading.

Now, without further ado, let’s meet Helena Smrcek. Helena tell us a little bit about yourself.

I’m a storyteller. Just ask my friends. Once I start, it’s hard for them to get a word in. But seriously, I love stories. Jesus told stories and we keep learning from those for millennia. I was saved in a refugee camp by missionaries. It was Christmas time, and I received not only a shoebox filled with gifts and friendships that lasted for decades, but also the gift of understanding of the greatest story ever told. I take my calling to tell stories seriously and I love what I do. My prayer is that the stories God intrusts me with will make a difference in people’s lives. It is a great privilege to have someone pick up one of the stories I have written and spend their time delving into the pages. Time is the most valuable commodity we have been given, and I do not want to waste anyone’s treasure. That is why I work really hard to get good at what I do.

I love that you seem to understand the joy and the gift of putting words on a page for someone else to enjoy and that you want those words to mean something for the reader. Also, that you let that knowledge fuel you to grow as a writer. I feel the same way. Now, every writer has their personal method for writing and way the process works for them. I, personally, use visuals to help focus me. So, I enjoy finding out if other writers do the same thing. Do you have visuals of your characters while you write?

I do, in truth, once the story download is finished in my head, it plays out like a movie and I type it out.

I like to think if we, as the authors, can clearly see that movie that our readers can too. What part of being an author is most enjoyable for you?

I love the moment I finish the story.

There is nothing like seeing the end typed on the page and knowing the story is complete. You’ve shared a little about your outlook on your writing in a previous question. But why do you write the stories you write?

They come to me, I believe it’s the Holy Spirit, the creative power of God who inspires artists, author, and creatives. That makes us different from any other creature on this planet. So, I can’t take the credit for the work I do. I believe it’s a gift. My only responsibility is to steward it.

I love that our creative God allows us to be creative as well. While it is a gift authors have been given, it isn’t always an easy path. Frustration, discouragement, and creative or mental exhaustion can create hurdles the writer must overcome to continue. I’ve found in those times, encouragement comes through my own personal cheering section. Who is your biggest cheerleader in your writing life?

Cec Murphey. It is a humbling experience to be mentored by him. He is one of the kindest, most loving people I have ever met, but he is tough, really tough.

Any cheering section is a gift, but one who pushes you to grow and improve, as you put it, a tough one, that’s a priceless gift. That kind of mentorship and encouragement show up in a person’s stories. What else can readers expect when they pick up one of your books?

A good story. And I say that with humility. I have been gifted with the ability to tell stories. The skill, and the craft—well, that is hard work, as any author will tell you. But what is really important is the connection between our storytelling and our readers. A good story touches souls, and my prayer is that God would grant me the ability to continue to do just that.

I agree. It’s a wonderful gift to write stories that impact people’s lives and faith. In creating those stories, would you rather have to hand-write all your manuscripts or speak them into a recorder?

Handwrite. I tried to record my manuscript. It doesn’t work for me. I feel speech engages a different part of my brain than when I type.

I love that answer. I can’t imagine trying to speak my books to create them, even though I know there are authors who use this method all the time. It’s great how no matter how similar we are, God still gave each of us a unique design with our own preferences on how to get things done. And those preference include not only our writing but also our reading choices. Do you prefer physical books, eBooks, or audio books?

I’m a busy person. We live on a farm; I love to garden, and you know, there is the household, cooking, and so on. Audio books are brilliant companions.

I admire anyone who can use audio books to dive into a story while doing other things. Maybe I’m wired differently, but I haven’t been able to do that. To be able to take care of the day-to-day and still enjoy a great book, have one as a “brilliant companion”, for those tasks that are sometimes less enjoyable would be great. I saw your new release earned that #1 Bestseller banner in religious short stories and anthologies. That is a wonderful blessing many authors never enjoy. I’m sure it was an exciting surprise for you too. But what’s the biggest blessing you’ve ever received as an author?

I have to go back to the day in 2001. I have met Cec Murpehy. I have attended his class, and as a new author, I was desperate for direction. He asked me what I wanted to do. I said I want to write fiction, and he invited me to send his three pages to look at. He returned them to me covered in red ink. And that is where the journey began. Not only did he coach me through those first months of my struggles to understand how to write fiction, but he also committed to pray for me every day, for one entire year. My life had changed that year so profoundly, words cannot describe it.

What a powerful blessing for you as an author. To have someone pour their time, their talent, and their prayers into your life as a writer is no small gift. And after reading your novella, Million Likes, I feel confident in saying you’re using that gift well in the creation of your stories. Thank you, Helena Smrcek, for being here with me today.

Helena Smrcek’s Links

You can find out more about Helena Smrcek and her books at these links:                                                                                                                                                                                                                       Helena’s Website                                                                                                                                                                                                                   Helena’s Goodreads                                                                                                                                                                                                                               Helena’s Amazon Author Page

More About Love Blooms on Valentines and Million Like

Four Heart-Warming Christian Contemporary Romance Novels. One Exciting Valentines Collection.

Be My Inspiration – Chautona Havig
He’s just trying to salvage his career… and his heart.
Award-winning songwriter, Tanner Lawson, believes that avoiding romantic relationships is the secret to his success. When writer’s block strikes, he decides to win over a single mom at church. You know, for inspiration.
Dana Lyles thinks Linus is sweet—until she finds out he’s fake dating her. Sort of. Oh, and that he’s not who she thought he was. Then come the botched Valentine’s gifts. All fourteen of ’em.
With his secret identity (and his heart) on the line, Valentine’s Day just got all kinds of complicated.

Two Wrongs to Right – Katy Lee
Rubi Stone is a single mom who is navigating her recent widowhood as she keeps her charter boat business afloat in Royal Bay. Grady Andrews is only interested in taking down the billionaire tycoon who runs the seaside town and figures the locals will thank him for it in the end, even if they don’t realize it yet. With his plan set to destroy the beach club from the inside, all that’s stopping him is his growing concern for Captain Rubi and her little girl. His actions could send them both adrift in the storm he’s creating. But could Rubi’s love be the lifesaver he needs to set him on the right path…and into her arms forever?

Be Mine, Again – Gina Conroy
Rosie Santini, a cynical NYC obituary writer, lost faith in love after high school sweetheart, Rocco DeLuca, left for culinary school in Italy and never returned. Now stuck in a dead-end job, she’s given the chance to write a career-changing Valentine’s feature but struggles to write about a subject she doesn’t believe in. When past flames reappear, Rosie confronts unresolved heartaches and trauma surrounding Valentine’s Day. As she considers which ex to give a second chance, she realizes forgiveness might unlock both a future in love and her career, opening doors to possibilities with an ex or perhaps someone new.

Million Likes – Helena Smrcek
Amber’s Valentine’s Day challenge: earn one million likes to win her dream job as a show host. But returning to her Colorado hometown to create viral content brings more than she bargained for—especially when her ex, Lucas, is there.
To boost her chances, Amber enlists Lucas to play her “perfect boyfriend” in a series of romantic videos. Amid laughter, heartfelt moments, and reconciling her complicated past, Amber begins to rediscover her faith, confront her insecurities, and realize she’s more than her scars.
As love blossoms, Amber must choose: fleeting fame or a life rooted in faith, love, and true happiness?

Get your copy of Love Blooms on Valentines