Author Interview: Roxanne Henke

Plug time. What book or project is coming out or has come out that you’d like to tell us about?

My newest book, and the last in the Coming Home to Brewster series, With Love, Libby, will be released in January. I’m so excited about this final book in the series. The theme of it is purpose, something I think most people are searching to find.

Tell us about your journey to publication. How long had you been writing before you got the call you had a contract, how you heard and what went through your head.

Oh goodness, how long do you have?

I wrote in some form or another for thirty YEARS before my first novel was published. That’s a long time!

I’m going to give you the “fast-forward” version…I went to the Mt. Hermon Christian Writers Conference, met an editor from Harvest House there and ‘pitched’ my novel. About three weeks later I got a phone call saying they wanted to publish After Anne, and they wondered if I had ideas for more books.

To say I was excited is an understatement. I know now, that all those years of waiting, hoping, dreaming, praying, were all part of God’s plan. Having to wait so long to see my stories in print only make the accomplishment all the sweeter!

Do you still experience self-doubts regarding your work?

Everyday. It goes like this: What should I write today? What should happen? If “this” happens now then what about “that?” Is this any good at all?

I think self-doubt is the plague of most writers.

What’s the best advice you’ve heard on writing/publication?

“The art of writing is the art of applying the seat of your pants to the seat of a chair.” I don’t know who said it, but they knew what they were talking about.

What’s the worst piece of writing advice you’ve heard?

You have to be inspired to write.

Baloney…writing is a “job,” and it doesn’t happen unless you show up and work at it.

What’s something you wish you’d known earlier that might have saved you some time/frustration in the publishing business?

I’ll tell you what I’m glad I didn’t know…how hard writing is. If I had known how hard it would be from day-to-day, and book-to-book, I think I would have been too scared to actually write my first book.

Do you have a scripture or quote that has been speaking to you lately?

Here’s a quote I have hanging by my computer: “A job should not be your identity. It should be an environment to exercise your gifts.” T.D. Jakes

Is there a particularly difficult set back that you’ve gone through in your writing career you are willing to share?

I quit writing at least three times over the years. It was simply too hard, too frustrating and I prayed that God would remove the desire to write from me. He did…but never for long. I’ve learned when God calls you to do something, it’s best to do it.

What are a few of your favorite books? (Not written by you.)

Most recently it’s, Levi’s Will by W. Dale Cramer. I wish I’d written that book. Anything by Francine Rivers or Deborah Raney. I keep a list of my favorite books on my website: www.roxannehenke.com Click on the “Roxy Reads…” page to see what I’ve enjoyed lately.

If your authorial self was a character from The Wizard of Oz, which one would you be and why?

Oh, it has to be Dorothy. Like her, I live in a very small, rural community and always had BIG dreams of going off somewhere else to find “fame” and “fortune.” It took awhile, but I learned there really is “no place like home.”

What piece of writing have you done that you’re particularly proud of and why?

My first book, After Anne. I dreamt of writing a book for as long as I can remember…to finally do it was a dream come true. Also, my third book, “Becoming Olivia,” is the fictionalized account of my struggle with depression. It’s my most personal book and the reader mail I get, thanking me for telling that story, is amazing!

Do you have a pet peeve having to do with this biz?

Marketing can drive me nuts. I always thought a publisher took care of all that sort of thing. But the fact of the matter is, there are SO many books out there these days, that unless an author pitches-in and gets the word out about a new book, it’s much too easy to have it simply evaporate on a bookshelf.

I don’t like comparing myself to other authors. Wondering what their sales are like, etc… I often remind myself that I am not writing for the money, I’m writing for the message. But, bottom line, if a book doesn’t sell, a publisher won’t want to publish more…and there goes the message. It’s a vicious circle.

See what I mean??

Can you give us a view into a typical day of your writing life?

I’m at my computer by nine a.m., write until twelve-thirty, break for lunch. In an ideal world I will have written four-or-five pages by then and can putz for the afternoon, usually I need to write another page, or two, before I can call it quits for the day.

There is also reader mail to answer, speaking engagements to line up. There is so much more to this than I dreamed.

If you could choose to have one strength of another writer, what would it be and from whom?

I’m not sure who it would be, but I would like to write faster. Much faster.

Do you have a dream for the future of your writing, something you would love to accomplish?

As long as God keeps giving me ideas, I plan to write. When He calls me to do something else, I hope I have the fortitude to know it’s time for me to step aside and let someone else tell the stories God wants told.

Was there ever a time in your writing career you thought of quitting?

I did quit…three times. Every time I start a new book, I wonder whether I can do it again. Then I start writing…

What is your favorite and least favorite part of being a writer?

My favorite part of being a writer is knowing I am doing what God created me to do! I also love reader mail!

My least favorite part?

Staring at a blank computer screen, knowing I have 400-plus pages to fill and wondering HOW that will ever happen??

How much marketing do you do? Any advice in this area?

I do a lot of speaking about the stories-behind-the-my-stories. Each of my books is about an issue I’ve dealt with in my own life…issues we all deal with. (Friendship, contentment, depression, aging, finding purpose.) Speaking is a good way to connect with readers and let them feel a personal connection to my stories.

It’s easy to get caught up (and driven nuts) by the constant pressure to make people aware of my stories. I like to remind myself that God is the Ultimate Marketer. If He wants someone to read my books, He will make sure they do.

I do what I can, then let Him do the rest.


Parting words?

There are many stages in a person’s life. I talk to many young women who have the desire to write, but they have to work and/or have small children at home. They struggle with finding time and energy to do it all. My advice is to do what you are called to do right now. If you have kids…now is the time to raise them, nurture them. They will grow up and leave…you will have plenty of time to write later. (Believe me, I’ve been-there-done-that.)

If God has called you to write…you will. His timing is perfect. Trust Him.