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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 had my life-long dream come true with the publication of my first novel, After Anne, in 2002, which went on to become the christianbook.com Favorite Book of 2002. My second novel, Finding Ruth, released in 2003, quickly found a place on the Christian Booksellers Association best-seller list. After Anne deals with the power of friendship during medical and family crises. Finding Ruth is about the search for contentment in the midst of daily life in small-town North Dakota. Both novels are now in second printings. My third novel, Becoming Olivia, was named an "Inspirational Top Pick" by Romantic Times magazine. It’s a story about clinical depression that is NOT depressing…promise! Countless letters from readers have attested to the hope this novel offers those struggling with depression and the real help that is available within this story. Becoming Olivia recently tied for third place in the Christian Retailer’s Magazine national Retailer’s Choice Award. The fourth book in this series, Always Jan, deals with the topic of growing older in a way that will have you embracing each stage of your life. Always Jan is on the Harvest House ‘Top Fifty’ book list! My fifth novel, With Love, Libby, and the last in the "Coming Home to Brewster" series, is about finding purpose…something most of us long for. My first stand-alone novel is The Secret of Us, a story about marriage and all its ups-and-downs. Ultimately, it is a story about love. My newest release is Learning to Fly, a novel about parenting. . .living, loving, and letting go.
I think you’ll enjoy reading about the way God can take our lives…messes and all…and use them for His greater good.
Since the publication of my novels, I've been speaking to a variety of groups on the topics of friendship, following your dreams, and depression, and to school groups about the writing and publication process. (If you are interested in having me speak to your group you can find more information on the "contact" page.) I graduated from the University of Mary in Bismarck, ND with a degree in Behavioral and Social Science, and I am a graduate of the CLASS Christian Leaders, Authors & Speakers Seminar.
I am currently at work on the third of three "stand-alone" novels for Harvest House. After that?? I'm not sure, 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! And my newest book, “Learning to Fly,” deals with parenting. Living, loving and letting go.
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?
I'm now at work on my eighth novel, the third of three stand-alone novels for Harvest House. The topic deals with retirement or, more accurately, pre-retirement. How will my characters decide when they are "done" with work. . .or are we ever 'done?' How much is enough? Or is there something more to work for? Right now I'm wrestling these ideas with my characters.
After that? I'll have to wait and see what God has planned.
In between my "regular life" and writing, I have started doing quite a bit of public speaking. I talk 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 speak to women's groups and church groups on the topics of friendship, facing fears and following dreams, and depression. I like to incorporate my humor background in 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 have 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!
If you'd like more information about my speaking you can contact me through this website (check out the contact page). You can find where I will be speaking by signing up for my e-newsletter. E-mail me at: roxannehenke@yahoo.com and ask to be added to my list. Every now-and-then I send out an update of my schedule and the latest book news. Don’t worry, you won’t get "spammed," I’m not nearly that organized~!
- 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, very cool and charming, daughters who are young adults…and self-supporting, I might add. Both have graduated from college…Rachael works in advertising and marketing and is completing her MBA degree, in Minneapolis. Tegan has completed her Master's degree in Marriage and Family Therapy, and works full-time doing risk assessments for at-risk children in the Chicago area. And, big news around here, both of our daughters got married in 2006 to two wonderful young men, Cory and Dave. After years of praying, I'm super-excited to be welcoming two sons-in-law into our family!
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! (If you'd like to know my favorite books, check out the "Roxy Reads…" page on this website. I'll update it with great reads when I find them!)
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, especially with my girlfriend/neighbor. Fresh air, exercise and conversation. Ahhh. I also like to meet friends for coffee or lunch. I enjoy visiting with my daughters and sisters (by phone-none live nearby…sigh.), or stopping in at my mom's, or to visit my Aunt, who lives in the nursing home. 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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