Meet Sheala Henke

Today we’d like to introduce you to Sheala Henke. 

Sheala, we appreciate you taking the time to share your story with us today. Where does your story begin?
Unlike the mark, many successful writers leave on the page, or out on the literary scene, my own personal journey with writing has never been enriched or inspired by fame or fortune. In fact, for most of my writing experience, the opposite has been true. Although I’ve enjoyed my own share of success, that was never what inspired the stories I write. I’m in love with the creative process. I like to bend the rules and step outside the box. I see creating in any capacity as a freeform experiment with little to no boundaries or barriers. For me, writing is liberation. 

Since childhood, growing up in my mother’s in-home daycare, imagination and creativity have been a part of who I am following me into adulthood. It’s what eventually led me to the classroom where I’ve spent the last 23 years. The origins of my writing didn’t stem from the love of language or an early poetic prowess. As a matter of fact, I didn’t even identify myself as a ‘writer’ until I was almost 40 years old. The fact that I can say (out loud) that I’m an author is somewhat of a surprise, even now after publishing seven books. 

My intention with the first book I ever published was never to publish. It was just a story I wanted to share with my students. They were the only ones I trusted my words with and soon they began trusting me with theirs. This exchange blossomed into a forum for young writers to speak their minds, bare their souls, and open their hearts to writing. In tribute to them, I still teach and publish with my students to help bring their words into the world while I myself aspire to keep creating stories full of magic, love, nature, adventure, and the misadventure of courageous young individuals like them. 

Alright, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall, and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
The most difficult part of what I do is remembering why I do it. I have to show up for my writing every single day, no matter what. I’m a dawn-cracker, waking early with the sunrise to greet each day with words. Even though they don’t always find me, and I’m left with a quiet morning to meditate, I never stop searching. Long ago, I promised myself that I don’t write for someone else. I write for sanity and grace and perhaps for that certain someone who might be moved or changed by my story. 

The effort to make a story work and have it come together in a coherent way are standard steppingstones on the path toward publication, but the work to stay the course, even when the words don’t come, or when those that do are clearly a pile of rubbish, is the real challenge. I’ve met pages that wrote themselves, but that’s a rare event. It’s when I meet an empty page that looks back at me in a taunting stalemate, that the truth comes out, and I ask myself, “Do you still have what it takes?” 

As I ponder this, I come to realize that writing for me is a sort of sacred communion. It is a raw, naked exposure of my soul in a humble effort to connect with the world. 

Alright, so let’s switch gears a bit and talk business. What should we know about your work?
I would qualify most of what I write as experimental fiction. Many who know me both as a writer and educator would say that creativity is the seed of every decision I make. Sometimes that creates challenges that have a way of holding me back, but I am attuned to how the two intertwine in my life. Fortunately, in the duality of my profession as a teacher and writer, this works for me. Since the first day I stepped foot inside a classroom and again at the inception of my first book, I’ve followed a route in trust of the muse. I find that even with my own reading choices I am always hunting for something unique and special. I don’t necessarily jump to the bestseller list. I’m always looking for something that stands out among the cookie-cutter stacks. It’s often when I’m in the reading rut and I can’t find what I’m looking for, that the muse starts talking. I take it upon myself to experiment and then see that these kinds of niche stories find their way onto the shelf. This kind of thinking certainly hasn’t won me fame or fortune, but that was never the intent. I write from a space that feels completely authentic, and it continues to guide me and give me a richer sense of myself, and a refreshing perspective my students and readers continue to enjoy. 

Any advice for finding a mentor or networking in general?
I find that professional writing communities are a wealth of support and knowledge. Having been a member of the Northern Colorado Writer’s Association for over ten years has provided me with the networking opportunities I need to stay attuned to the industry norms and to engage with those who have a shared passion for this work. Groups like this are a treasure trove of handpicked resources that you have at your disposal anytime. I feel it’s critical to have a host of support in spaces like this, both virtual and in-person. This is where I find critique partners, editors, and even potential readership. Through these avenues, I’ve made critical alliances that continue to nourish my work while I’ve come to realize that my stories are never crafted in isolation. As a creative introvert, I struggle with this. Writing is a solitary act until it isn’t. The work we do needs more than one pair of eyes to see it to fruition. Writers need other writers in a hive mind of support to grow and evolve. 

Contact Info:

• Email: shealahenke@yahoo.com
• Website: http://sdhenke.com/
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/shealadawnhenke/?hl=en
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/sheala.henke
• Twitter: https://twitter.com/HenkeSheala?fbclid=IwAR0tC4KpOEtP7jXcOfbeqpgvuiQPl88JTy3CFgD4cIrWjIo4VyyPhfv4nSs

Image Credits
Mona Maser photography