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Chautona Havig

Chautona Havig

Using story to connect YOU to the Master Storyteller

How Is My Dad Spinning in His Grave but Not Dead?

by Chautona Havig · 9 Comments

It began innocently enough with a parody on the “If you give a mouse a cookie” books. Just an innocent look into the mind of an author with a new character idea.

The next year, on October 31, while I was handing out candy to ghouls masquerading as kids–or vice versa, it’s hard to tell which sometimes–I began playing with The Night Before Christmas.  But about NaNoWriMo.  Every year since then, it’s gotten harder and harder. Here’s a list of those in case you’re also trying to drag out the hours before NaNoWriMo starts.

  • If You Give an Author a Character
  • The Night Before NaNo
  • The Raven: NaNoWriMo Style
  • How to Butcher a Poem in 3 Easy Steps

Well, for the 2018 NaNoWriMo parody, I started with “O, Captain, My Captain,” skipped over to “The Tiger,” bounced back to “Paul Revere’s Ride,” and even “The Animal Fair” (yes, “I went to the animal fair. The birds and beasts were there…” etc.). When that failed, I thought of poems I knew that had time in them.  I had a choice between Robert Herrick’s “To the Virgins: Make Much Use of Time” and “My Grandfather’s Clock.”

Since my time was flying past, I chose the one I knew best.  One my dad actually sang sometimes.  Poor dad. First I butchered his “Trees” by Joyce Kilmer last year and now “Grandfather’s Clock.”  I’m a terrible daughter.

But… the 2018 NaNoWriMo parody is done and I’m quite pleased with it.

How Is My Dad Spinning in His Grave but Not Dead?

Note links in this post might be affiliate links that provide me with a small commission at no extra expense to you.

How Is My Dad Spinning in His Grave but Not Dead?

Well, first, I should note that it’s not because it’s still “Halloween.”  He’s not in the front yard in an open casket scaring kids walking by.  We don’t really “do” Halloween in our family.

No, it’s because… yeah.  This:

Till November

My laptop, it seems in anticipation gleams
As it waits for the clock to strike twelve.
The plot is all planned; it e’en has a theme
Then into the new story, I’ll delve.
It is wrought on the night when the world is a fright
And resistance is oh, such a chore.
But I’ll pause, wait, not write a word
Till the morrow bursts in through the door.

Ninety minutes are lumbering, tick, tick, tock.
Those seconds I’m numbering, tick, tick, tock.
But I’ll pause, wait, not write a word
Till the morrow bursts in through the door.

While planning and plotting the story you know
I devise oh, such perfect delights.
The scene list it forms and then it doth grow
Until I just can’t wait to write.
I’ll use adjectives here and metaphors there.
I’ll add subplots and subtext galore.
But I’ll pause, wait, not write a word
Till the morrow bursts in through the door.

Ninety minutes are lumbering, tick, tick, tock.
Those seconds I’m numbering, tick, tick, tock.
But I’ll pause, wait, not write a word
Till the morrow bursts in through the door.

My laptop it yearns to get started right now
But I still won’t be tempted to cheat.
The minute hand crawls, but I just won’t allow
Myself to type what I’d then must delete.
The time rushes past; soon I’ll be having a blast,
And this night won’t remain such a bore.
So I’ll pause, wait, not write a word
Till the morrow bursts in through the door.

Ninety minutes are lumbering, tick, tick, tock.
Those seconds I’m numbering, tick, tick, tock.
But I’ll pause, wait, not write a word
Till the morrow bursts in through the door.

It’s ‘leven fifty-nine by the clock on the screen
How my fingers they itch for release.
My eyes watch the sweep of the hand and they scheme
Of a night where I never will cease.
Just a few seconds left, no longer bereft.
I’ll tell tales of yore and of lore!
I won’t pause, or wait, I’ll write all the words.
Now November has burst through my door!

Ninety words a minute-ing, click, click, clack.
The word count it keeps growing, click, click, clack
I won’t pause, or wait, I’ll write all the words
Till I reach fifty-thousand or more!

But WAIT!  There’s MORE!

As promised, here’s the video of me singing this little ditty.  It is what it is, folks.

And if you want to know how it SHOULD sound… here’s one of my favorite versions of the real song:

And if you want to hear the Von Trapp children singing it, you can find it HERE. Meanwhile, this is this year’s NaNo project.

Synopsis:

Not everyone can elucidate for hours on the life cycle of a dung beetle, the bladder habits of mammals, and the mating habits of chimps–thank goodness.  If only Heath didn’t have all those random facts stuck in his mind, maybe one his hundred and one first dates might have had a second.  Or, *gasp* even a third.

But his sister has a plan up her sleeve–one to help him over his awkwardness and into the perfect relationship.  Somehow.

And stay tuned for the story of how I got this book idea.  Trust me. It’s a doozy.

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Comments

  1. Ryoko says

    November 2, 2018 at 11:21 am

    Your singing made me smile. Enjoyed the wide eyes and other expressions.
    I appreciated the links to the previous years’ parodies and the musical links.
    Waiting eagerly for this tale. Happy writing!

    Reply
  2. Lila Diller says

    November 1, 2018 at 5:12 pm

    How fun! And I love your singing, too. 😉 (Well, maybe “love” is a little strong.) 😀 <3

    Reply
    • Chautona Havig says

      November 1, 2018 at 8:04 pm

      Yeah… it’s a little strong. While I’m not horrible or amazing, this does not put me in a good light. LOL

      Reply
  3. Chrys Mosley says

    November 1, 2018 at 6:42 am

    That’s a great parody! My husband just introduced our 7 yr old to Tennessee Ford. I can’t wait to share this with her. Blessings on this year’s NaNoWriMo project. I know it will be great!

    Reply
    • Chautona Havig says

      November 1, 2018 at 7:21 am

      Thanks! I have so much fun with it!

      Reply
  4. Phyllis says

    November 1, 2018 at 6:00 am

    I adore that cover, Chautona! And the name is perfect. I can’t wait for this to come out. 🙂

    Reply
    • Chautona Havig says

      November 1, 2018 at 7:22 am

      I really do love the cover, too. It’s sappier than I usually prefer, but I like it.

      Reply
  5. NZ Filbruns says

    November 1, 2018 at 12:12 am

    Can’t wait to read it! I remember the story that sparked it.

    Reply
    • Chautona Havig says

      November 1, 2018 at 7:23 am

      😀 I’m so excited.

      Reply

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The Because Fiction Podcast

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Episode 204: A Chat with Sarah Sundin about The Sound of Light
byChautona Havig

A chat with Sarah Sundin is always fun, so when I learned we’d be discussing her upcoming release, The Sound of Light, last October, I was excited. Well… we chatted, and it’s finally time to share that interview. Listen in to what the title means, where Sarah came up with it, and the delightful story that she’s got waiting for us. I’m glad this episode came out in time for me to get the 40% off and free shipping deal from Baker because I apparently didn’t order it back when we chatted!

Note: links may be affiliate links that provide me with a small commission at no extra expense to you.

How I Fell in Love With This Haunting Title

I didn’t know much about Denmark and WWII, so chatting with Sarah about The Sound of Light shed definite light (no pun intended) on the history of the Danes and how they stood up to Hitler… and got away with it (for the most part).

The Sound of Light tells the story of a physicist who meets a “slow, dull” guy who intrigues her in spite of herself. Come on… if that doesn’t grab you… Maybe the fact that this slow dude is really an Olympic rower in disguise who uses his father’s company as a front for who he is and how he helps Jews escape?  Yeah. That.

As always, Sarah Sundin has done her research and the result is a gripping story of resistance, protection, and ultimately love for God, our fellow man, and maybe… each other.

I don’t know about you, but I can’t wait for my copy of The Sound of Light to arrive.

The Sound of Light by Sarah Sundin

When the Germans march into Denmark, Baron Henrik Ahlefeldt exchanges his nobility for anonymity, assuming a new identity so he can secretly row messages for the Danish Resistance across the waters to Sweden.

American physicist Dr. Else Jensen refuses to leave Copenhagen and abandon her research–her life’s dream. While printing resistance newspapers, she hears stories of the movement’s legendary Havmand–the merman–and wonders if the mysterious and silent shipyard worker living in the same boardinghouse has something to hide.

When the Occupation cracks down on the Danes, these two passionate people will discover if there is more power in speech . . . or in silence. Bestselling author of more than a dozen WWII novels, Sarah Sundin offers pens another story of ordinary people responding to extraordinary circumstances with faith, fortitude, and hope for a brighter future.

You can also grab this book from Baker Book House at 40% off with free shipping! (which is cheaper than the Kindle version!)

And you can learn more about Sarah Sundin on her WEBSITE.

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