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Warm greetings from my cozy home in rural North Dakota!
This is the page on my website where you can learn a little bit more about me and I will answer some of the frequent questions that I get asked. My task is to try and tell you about myself without sounding like my mother bragging about her oldest daughter! I'll try…but if you want the "scoop," talk to my mom!
As you've probably figured out by now, my name is Roxanne Sayler Henke. The thing is, everyone calls me "Roxy." The only people who ever called me 'Roxanne,' were my school teachers or my parents…when they were mad at me. Please, call me Roxy!
Except for a few years away at college, I have lived in the same small, ND town my whole life…Wishek, ND where our "national holiday" is Sauerkraut Day. Honest. The second Wednesday of every October we serve up a free noon meal of sauerkraut and fixin's. Everyone's welcome. You, too!
Oh, that's right, I'm supposed to tell you about myself.
Let's try this again…I'm going to post my "official" bio and hope that will give you the information you need. Here goes:
Roxanne Henke is the author of the popular, “Coming Home to Brewster” series published by Harvest House publishers. Henke’s first novel, After Anne, was named the Christianbook.com Favorite Book of 2002. Her second novel, Finding Ruth, quickly found a place on the Christian Booksellers Association best-seller list in 2003. Becoming Olivia, Henke’s third book was named an Inspirational “Top Pick” by Romantic Times magazine, and tied for third place honors in the Christian Retailers Magazine national “Retailers Choice” awards. Doubleday and Crossings book clubs also selected Becoming Olivia for its membership catalog. Always Jan, received a 4 ½ star rating from Romantic Times magazine. Of her novel, With Love, Libby, Romantic Times says, “Henke’s powerful prose shimmers…” and gives the novel their highest rating. About Learning to Fly, Aspiring Retail Magazine says, “…one of the most insightful parenting books a mom could hope for.” Henke's latest novel, On a Someday, deals with the timely topics of career-building and retirement.
Henke was named the “2003 Writer of the Year” at the Mt. Hermon Christian Writer’s Conference in California. She has also served on the faculty at the Glorieta Christian Writer’s conference and the American Christian Fiction Writer’s national conference.
She is a graduate of the University of Mary in Bismarck, ND with a degree in Behavioral and Social Science, and a graduate of the CLASS Christian Leaders, Authors & Speakers Seminar. With 140,000 books in print, Roxanne was awarded the prestigious Harold Schafer Alumni Leadership Award from the University of Mary in recognition of her writing accomplishments. In addition to writing, Roxy also speaks and teaches at conferences and events across the nation on the topics of friendship, depression, achieving goals, and writing. Roxanne is also a popular, inspirational columnist for North Dakota Living magazine.
Roxanne lives in Wishek, ND with her husband, Lorren and an annoyingly-friendly dog named, Gunner. The couple has two daughters and sons-in-law and a super-cute granddaughter.
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There you have it. That's my story and I'm sticking to it!
What's next for me? I'm not quite sure. I'm percolating a few ideas that aren't quite ready to put on paper. But I do know that big dreams can come true in small towns! I'm living proof.
Frequently Asked Question's
I get many questions from readers as I open my snail-mail and e-mail, and as I travel around the country speaking to a variety of groups. Here are the answers to the most frequently asked questions:
- Your stories seem so real. How much of them are true?
I feel called to write about issues and problems that I've struggled with myself. I'd say, that while my books are definitely fiction, there is a nugget of truth in each of them. For instance, in my first novel, After Anne, I really did have a close friend who had breast cancer. I walked with her through that journey and felt compelled to capture the essence of our friendship during that wonderful and awful time on paper.
In Finding Ruth, the subject is the search for contentment, something I desperately longed for as I lived out my life in the same, very small town where I grew up. I was convinced I could never achieve my dream of becoming a writer while I lived in such a small, rural area. God had a wonderful surprise for me!
My third book, Becoming Olivia, deals with the topic of clinical depression. Again, a topic I am all too familiar with.
The fourth book in the series, Always Jan deals with the topic of aging. I wrote that book during the year I turned fifty. What better time to explore the issues of growing older?
And the final book in the series, With Love, Libby, tackles the topic of "purpose." A subject I wrestled with often as I tried to understand why God had given me a desire to write and seemingly no way to use it. Oh, I was so wrong. And He was so, so right. My sixth book, "The Secret of Us," deals with the topic of marriage. After thirty-two years of wedded "bliss," I thought I just might have something to say about marriage! My book, “Learning to Fly,” deals with parenting. Living, loving and letting go. And, my newest release, "On a Someday," tackles the subject of building/leaving a career. People often say, "Someday I'm going to. . ." What happens when 'someday' is now?
I believe God has led me through these issues so that I can use my experiences to help others who are walking similar paths.
- Did you always want to be a writer?
Ever since I learned that letters formed words and words told stories I have dreamed of writing a novel. (Of course I didn't know that's what books were called way back then.) I started writing my first novel in fourth grade. Unfortunately, it bore an uncanny resemblance to the "Swiss Family Robinson" movie I'd just seen. Obviously, God knew I needed time for my imagination to develop! So, I spent many years writing everything BUT a novel.
I wrote bad poetry in junior high and sad love stories in high school. As a college student I loved doing research papers…gathering information and turning it into something all my own. Over the years I have written a humor column for several newspapers, radio commercials, material for a comedy duo and school lyceums, the narration for a wedding dress style show, the history for our town's centennial book…well, you get the idea. You name it, I probably wrote it! Little did I know that all that writing was teaching me the exact skills I was going to need to write my novel. God had a plan all along. Amazing!
- I've always wanted to write a book. What should I do?
First off, write it. Thinking about writing doesn't put words on a page. I've heard it said, "The art of writing is the art of applying the seat of your pants to the seat of a chair." So true. The writing doesn't get done unless you sit there.
That said, if you wait for inspiration to write your novel it will never get written. Inspiration gets you about four pages. Or, in my case, about a paragraph. Writing is a job and a calling, and you have to treat it as such. It's hard and wonderful all at the same time. I try to be at my computer by nine in the morning. I write for three and a half hours (with shorts breaks to run and get the mail, another cup of coffee, or to throw another load of laundry in the machine…it's surprising how a short break can lead to a new flurry of words.) I usually write for another hour, or two, in the afternoon, but my most creative time is in the morning.
I start a book by looking up all the Bible verses I can find that pertain to the subject I'm writing about. One or two "pop out" at me and become the "theme" of my novel. I write four to five pages a day (sometimes more) five days a week. I've found by not writing on the weekends I am more productive during the week. It's as if my brain needs a break to percolate the story.
About every two to three weeks I need to take a day off just to get caught up on what I call "regular life." Running errands, paying bills, clearing away the stack of mail that tends to pile up on my kitchen counter. Also, since I live in such a small town, about once every couple months I need to make a "Bismarck run" to shop for things I can't get locally. I've found driving time is a great time to gain perspective on my work-in-progress, and I usually return with a flurry of words at the end of my fingers. (I've been known to type--very carefully--on my Alphasmart while driving…but don't tell anyone!)
While breaks like this give me a chance to think, the actual work gets done by sitting in front of a computer on a regular basis…typing and praying and typing some more.
- I've written a book. How can I get it published?
First of all, you need to know it's not easy, so prepare yourself for the long haul and "thicken" your skin. More than likely you will get to know rejection first hand. It's all part of earning your "stripes" as a writer. Wear them proudly!
Next, I would advise you to read several books about editing, then apply what you've learned to your manuscript. The more polished and professional your writing is, the better chance it has of attracting the attention of a publisher.
Then, do your homework. Find out what publishers publish the kind of books you've written. You will want to find contacts at those 'houses.' Attend one (or more) writer's conferences. There you will meet editors who might possibly be interested in your story, and/or agents who might be willing to represent you. By taking classes and workshops you will learn about the craft of writing and marketing and (maybe most importantly) you will meet other writers you can offer encouragement, constructive criticism and support along your path to publication.
- Do you really still live in ND?
I get asked this a lot. Apparently, many people are like I was for so many years, not believing that someone could achieve a dream while living in a small, rural community in North Dakota.
Except for a few years away at college, I have lived in my same small town my whole life. It was a great place to grow up and a wonderful place to raise children. It still is!
It wouldn't be fair not to say that at times I do long for the activity of a larger community…the theatre, art galleries, a BIG mall, etc… But now that my children are grown, my husband and I have much more freedom to head to the big city…and then return home to my small town where it's quiet and perfect for writing.
- What do you like most about being a writer?
For me, the best part of being a writer is knowing that I am doing what God planned for me to do. As much as I always wanted to write, there were many years when I doubted God's plan for the gift He'd given me. If He'd meant for me to write, why did I feel so frustrated? Why wasn't He using me for something more than all the "piddly stuff" I was writing? Now, that my novels have been written and published, I understand all that "piddly stuff" was part of His plan, teaching me to write…and I know the complete joy that comes from using my gifts for His glory! Ahhhh.
The second best thing about being a writer is the mail I get from readers. To know my stories touch people, make them think, and even sometimes change their lives is utterly amazing…and humbling.
- What are you working on now?
After writing a novel-a-year for eight years I heard God saying one word to me: "Wait." So I did. It's a good thing I listened. My mom had a serious stroke. A few weeks later my mother-in-law had a heart attack. A short time later my sister-in-law passed away and two weeks later my mother-in-law died. To say it was a harrowing few months is an understatement and I was so glad I had the time (without the pressure of deadlines) to tend to the family issues thrown my way.
I tip-toed back into writing my becoming a columnist for the North Dakota Living magazine. And am waiting to see what God has planned.
In between my "regular life" and writing, I did quite a bit of public speaking. I talked to school and book groups about how an idea gets turned into a book, and how a book moves through a publishing house and gets into a bookstore. I also spoke to a variety of groups on the topics of friendship, facing fears and following dreams, and depression. I liked to incorporate my humor background into my talks, along with personal stories, to share how God has worked in my life
Believe me, if God called me to writing, He PUSHed me into speaking. Most every time I had to claim the verse in Ephesians that tells us to "stand and speak WITHOUT fear!" I've learned God is sufficient…and definitely dreams much bigger than I do!
- Are you married? Do you have a family?
Glad you asked!! The answer is, "YES!" to both questions. I'll have been married to the cute guy I met in a college ballroom dance class for thirty-three years as of this February! (He's still cute, by the way!)
We have two daughters who are very cool, charming, and self-supporting, I might add. Both have graduated from college…Rachael has her MBA and works in the international marketing department in the computer industry. Tegan has completed her Master's degree in Marriage and Family Therapy, and works in the Health and Human Services Department for the state of Texas. Both of our daughters got married in 2006 to two wonderful young men, Cory and Dave. After years of praying, I was super-excited to welcome two sons-in-law into our family! And, since August 9, 2010 (8-9-10 if you're into numbers) we have the cutest-granddaughter-in-the-world, Simone!
I can't talk about our family without mentioning our English Cocker Spaniel, Gunner. He came into our lives as a partial result of "empty nest syndrome" and has captured all of our hearts. He is the perfect (albeit hyper) dog and we love him!
- What do you like to do for fun?
As odd as it may sound considering all the time I spend writing, I love to read! Reading has always been a passion. I just wish there were more hours in the day, or I could stay awake longer!
When I need a break from the computer I take one of two options…curling up with a book, or going for a walk. I love walking outside in my small town (when the weather cooperates). And I have mastered the art of reading-while-walking-while-walking-the-dog. Yes. Really. (Fair warning: Don't try this if you don't want to deal with double-takes from passing motorists~!) Fresh air and exercise. Ahhh. I enjoy visiting with my daughters and sisters (by phone-none live nearby…sigh.), or stopping in to see my mom who lives in an assisted-living apartment with my step-dad. I also treasure my e-mail friends.
Occasionally, I go on a piano-playing streak, but my middle-aged eyes have made seeing small notes more difficult and my can't-memorize-for-the-life-of-me brain hasn't improved one iota over the years. When the weather is nice I like to hop on my three-speed bike, complete with a large, back-fender basket, and run errands around town.
I also greatly enjoy spending time at our lake cabin in northern Minnesota. Feet on the deck, a great view, a cup of coffee and a good book…does life get any better than that?
Whatever I'm doing, I somehow always end up back at my computer…writing, which is (sometimes) fun, too.
If you have any other burning questions, you can e-mail me through the contact page on this website.
Wishing you good books…and time to read them!!
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