Roxanne Rustand Interview

Q: Let me start with asking you to tell us a little bit about yourself.
A. My husband and I have three children, and live in the Upper Midwest on an acreage with our three horses, plus our rescue dogs and cats. I worked as a dental hygienist for several years, then received a master’s degree in nutrition and public health, and worked as a registered dietitian until my husband encouraged me to stay home and write.

Q: When did you first realize you wanted to be a writer?
A. I always liked to write—dabbling in poetry and short stories while growing up, but never gave a thought to actually being a writer. It never occurred to me until a friend introduced me to my first romance novel—an early Judith McNaught historical—and dared me to put the book down once I started reading. I did put it down, but not until four the next morning when I reached The End. I was completely entranced. I began devouring everything I could get my hands on—historicals, contemporaries, romantic suspense—and then the same friend asked if I’d like to join her little writers’ group. I started writing and loved that too, but never gave the smallest thought to the possibility of actually being published…until our group learned about RWA (Romance Writers of America) and we all joined. After that, my entire focus was on learning, improving, and striving to become a writer.

Q: Could you give us the highlights of your professional writing career including how you got your first writing break?
A. As I mentioned above, I stumbled into the business because of a friend, and soon became dedicated to the goal of being a writer. I bought writing books galore, found local conferences to attend, and joined several RWA chapters that sent out newsletters every month with writing articles. It became rather like a self-guided graduate school program, though I still doubted I would ever be good enough to sell. I knew I could never compete with the wonderful authors I loved to read.

The big moment of change was the day I read about the 1995 Golden Heart in the RWR magazine, and I thought it would be a way to see if I even measured up—even a little bit. If I got terrible scores, I’d then know I wasn’t good enough and should give up.
Unbelievable though it was, my entry made the finals…and then it won. I was stunned. Elated. Thrilled beyond measure….but afterwards I also began to feel like a fraud, because I couldn’t imagine that I deserved it. The Golden Heart was an incredible gift—leading to requests for the full ms by four editors. It was ultimately rejected by all four, but one of those editors judged the final round of the Golden Heart a couple years later, when I made the finals with a second manuscript (but did not win), and that led to my first sale of two books.

By the way—I was completely wrong about thinking a single contest should decide my future. I encourage all beginning writers to never, ever give up—just keep learning, keep working. The only way they’ll guarantee their failure to reach their dreams is to give up!

Q: Would you tell us about your book release A Montana Legacy?
This is a romantic suspense involved a wounded cop on medical leave, who discovers she has inherited her estranged grandfather’s ranch. Though when she arrives, she learns that there’s another heir…a cowboy who worked for her grandfather for years. And then danger comes calling…

Q: Where did you get your inspiration for A Montana Legacy?
A: This book is part of my Shadows of the Rockies romantic suspense series…which includes COMEBACK COWBOY, with another six titles in the series coming in 2020. All of my books involve small towns, rural settings and often ranch country—ranchers, veterinarians, small town folks. It’s the kind of life I live and love completely. I’ve owned a horse since I was six years old and love animals, so I enjoy writing those types of stories.

Q: What is the main thing you hope readers remember from this story?
A: Forgiveness, hope despite all odds, and the possibility of rebuilding a new life no matter what has happened in the past.

Q: What inspires you to write?
A. It simply makes me happy to be writing, and makes me feel fulfilled when a story comes together. I am so grateful if I receive a letter or an email from someone who says they enjoyed one of my books. That means as much as any award!

Q: Would you share with us what you are working on now?
A. I’m working on a five-novella indie Christmas series for this year, plus have rights-reversions to twenty of my romantic suspense novels from Superromance, Heartwarming, and Love Inspired Suspense. I plan to update, revise them and indie publish them those books during the next two years.

Q: When you’re not writing what do you like to do?
A. I’m an avid cook, love photography, and love to travel. But what I love most is spending time with our family!