Meet Christine L. Henderson

1. You’ve said your imagination is always tuned to the next story idea. Has storytelling always felt like part of who you are?

I’ve always been an avid reader. Often, as I’m reading, I wonder “What if the story twisted this way instead?” So even when I’m reading someone else’s story, my brain is in the story creation mode.

2. You write sweet romance, devotionals, and whimsical picture books. What draws you to such varied genres?

I read each of those genres (and more) and I’m naturally drawn to writing them. I’m also a big fan of cosy mysteries and I’ve got a basic outline for one, but that’s as far as I’ve delved into the story.

3. Your writing journey began with a college short story award, then paused for a season. What brought you back to storytelling?

My interest in writing began in my senior year of high school when I was asked to write some skits for a show. I loved doing that, and in college I took as many creative writing classes as I could. I never thought I could make a career out of it, so I got a ‘real’ job instead where my writing consisted of creating marketing materials.

4. Your work has appeared in more than 40 publications, including Chicken Soup for the Soul and The Upper Room. What has that journey taught you about faith and perseverance?

Although I’ve been in numerous publications, it took multiple submissions to each one before they were accepted. So, I keep on writing because I believe that’s what God has called me to do.

5. Faith is clearly central to your writing. How does your relationship with God shape the stories you tell?

As I’ve grown in my faith, I want to share my faith with others and that spills over in my writing, whether it’s in a devotional or a piece of fiction.

I’ve just written a picture book for kids, that released in May, that’s about the beach. I like adding Bible verses in my books, but the only idea that seemed to fit was the old hymn, “All Things Bright and Beautiful”and I wanted something more. Well, God directed me to something more.

My husband is a musician and plays at different churches, and I went with him to one of the services where he plays. That church has an 8-foot cross made of seashells (we live in a beach community) at the entry. A number of those shells are mentioned in my book, so I’m adding how that cross came to be in the back of the book with details about those shells, including the crucifix shell.

6. You host weekly interviews with authors on your blog. How has engaging with other writers enriched your own creative process?

Every time I do an interview, I learn something more about what it means to be a writer and get great writing tips. It’s a good learning process for me.

7. You’re launching your Our House on Jakaranda Laan novel on 25 September. What can readers expect from your contribution to the series?

It’s a contemporary story about an American TV and movie location scout who has been sent to South Africa to find shooting locations and locals for bit parts and as extras. She’s lost her joy for her work, had a bad breakup with her last boyfriend, and is having lots of issues with setting up location shoots. As an adult, the only time she’s been to church is for funerals or weddings. Her life is on a downward spiral, and she needs to find the light at the end of the tunnel, and will find that in a renewed faith.

8. If you could encourage both readers and aspiring writers in one sentence, what would you say?

Whatever you do in life as a career, do it in a way that will honour God, and you’ll be blessed for it.