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Chautona Havig

Chautona Havig

Using story to connect YOU to the Master Storyteller

A Unique, Hilarious Interview with Essie from Madeline

by Chautona Havig · 4 Comments

Interview with Essie

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

One of the things I love to do from time to time is do an interview with some of my characters to get a feel for their take on their stories–what would they do?  Why did they do this?  Why did someone else do that?  It’ a fun way to really get to know a character.  And, since I plan to make Essie a bit more prominent in the next Meddlin’ Madeline book, I started thinking about this interview.  You know, for the future.  But Essie has a mind of her own and wanted to talk NOW.  So here we are.

Essie Chandler, folks!

Me: Hi there, Essie!  So happy to have you today.

Essie:  Hello.

Me: So, you got to meet the almost infamous Madeline Brown.

Essie:  Yeah.

Me: *blinks*  Now don’t talk my ear off….

Essie: I won’t.

Me:  Some might say you and Miss Brown were a lot alike.  What do you say to that?

Essie:  I don’t think so.

Me:  Why not?  What’s different about you?

Essie: She’s smart.  And older.  And she has to be all proper.  I can just be a kid. Yeah. We’re different.

Me:  Do you think she would have been like you as a little girl if she could have been?

Essie: Probably– if her a’nt would let her.

Me: Have you met Mrs. Farnsworth?

Essie: No, but Jimmy says she’s the real meddler in that family.

Me:  Jimmy might have a point there.  Um… Did you have fun rowing on the pond?

Essie:  *looks around*  Not really–not until me and Jimmy toppled the boat.  Miss Madeline’s hair looked all funny half up and half hanging down.

Me: Do you think she’ll send you on more errands?

Essie:  Maybe–if Ma says I can.

Me:  Do you think she’ll have more adventures?

Essie: Yeah.

Me: *takes deep breath*  Well, what makes you say that?

Essie: That snake Smythe.  He’s still here, ain’t he?

Me:  Point taken.  What about Miss Merton.  Do you think Mr. Smythe will get back in her good graces?

Essie: *shrugs*

Me: Just give us your best guess.

Essie: Haven’t met her.  But I hear she ain’t too bright.  Prob’bly.

Me: Essie, are you nervous?

Essie: Wouldn’t you be?  That thing is recording me without anyone touching it.

Me: Oh, my tablet–it’s just…

Essie: I gotta go.  Ma needs me for… something.  Bye.

Well, there you have it.  Essie’s gotta go.  For something.  She’s not confident on Edith’s ability to withstand Vernon’s *ahem* charms, she’s fond of Madeline with her hair half-up and down, and she might be helping out with errands in the future.  Let’s hope “Ma” says it’s okay, shall we?

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Filed Under: Characters Tagged With: Meddlin' Madeline

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Comments

  1. Tina at Mommynificent says

    May 8, 2016 at 7:54 am

    Ha ha ha!! That was hilarious. I love that girl!

    Reply
  2. Faith Derickson says

    May 4, 2016 at 8:38 am

    Chautona, you are such a tease! 😀 But it’s so fun! Can’t wait to read Essie and can’t wait for the next Madeline book!

    Reply
  3. Courtney says

    May 4, 2016 at 8:09 am

    This made me giggle. Thanks!

    Reply
  4. Rita Neve says

    May 3, 2016 at 7:31 pm

    Cwhat fun. I like Essie. I’m looking forward to getting to know her better.

    Reply

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The Because Fiction Podcast

The Because Fiction Podcast
The Because Fiction Podcast

Taking the pulse of Christian fiction

Episode 591: A Chat with Jenny McLeod Carlisle
byChautona Havig

There are just not enough “rodeo” books out there, but Jenny McLeod Carlisle has climbed into the saddle and… yeah. I tried to do something other than “stepped up to the plate,” but it didn’t work. Anyway, you get the gist. Listen in to get the story about the story!

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

Family relationships can be hard, so maybe that’s why stories that explore them resonate so well. Stepping up when things are falling apart means doing hard things, and hard things make great stories. Throw in a horse or three and…

Hope Takes the Reins by Jenny McLeod Carlisle

They’ve spent their lives in the middle—now everything is asking them to step up.

O.D. Billings has always lived in the shadow of his brothers. Even his name feels like something to hide behind. But when his family’s future begins to unravel, O.D. is forced to take the reins in ways he never expected.

Hope Caldwell is doing everything she can to hold her family together after the loss of her mother. The rodeo that’s been her whole world is slipping through her fingers, and the future she counted on is suddenly uncertain.

Because someone is ready to walk away. And everything she loves is at risk of disappearing.

As lifelong neighbors, O.D. and Hope have always known each other—but now they’re seeing each other in a whole new light. With pressure mounting from every direction, they find themselves leaning on each other in ways neither anticipated.

But stepping forward means facing fears they’ve spent years avoiding. And trusting that God’s plan might look very different than their own.

In a world of dust, determination, and second chances, Hope Takes the Reins is a heartfelt story of courage, calling, and discovering that sometimes the middle is exactly where you’re meant to be.

Will they keep running from who they’ve always been…or finally step into who they’re meant to become?

Find love, purpose, and the courage to take the reins. Start reading today.

Learn more on Jenny’s WEBSITE and follow on GoodReads and BookBub.

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