• Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar
  • Home
  • Bio
  • Bookshelf
    • Audio
    • Complete List of Chautona’s Books
    • The Rockland Chronicles
      • The Vintage Wren
      • The Aggie Series
      • The Hartfield Mysteries
      • Sight Unseen Series
        • Sight Unseen Series Archives
      • The Agency Files
      • Christmas Fiction
    • Legacy of the Vines
    • Meddlin’ Madeline
      • Madeline Blog Archive
    • Ballads from the Hearth
      • Ballads from the Hearth Blog Archive
    • Legends of the Vengeance
    • Journey of Dreams
    • Wynnewood
    • Webster’s Bakery
    • The Not-So-Fairy Tales
    • Heart of Warwickshire
  • Start HERE
    • If You Like…
    • Characters
    • Suggested Reading Order
    • Free Books
  • Blog
  • Contact
  • Podcast
    • Advertising
    • Podcast Guest Information
    • Podcast Interview FAQ
  • Merch Shop
  • Nav Social Menu

    • Email
    • Facebook
    • Instagram
    • Pinterest
    • Twitter
    • YouTube
  • Bonus
  • Speaking
  • New & Coming
Chautona Havig

Chautona Havig

Using story to connect YOU to the Master Storyteller

A Day in My Life: Wednesday

by Chautona Havig · 9 Comments

Sorry… this is a bit late.  Last night at about midnight, I lost Internet access.  UGH.  So, I found myself just working and not worrying about it.  The theme for the week continues, no?

Okay, so the obvious.  Got up, got dressed, ate, made the bed–all that jazz.  Then I started editing–made it through chapter 12 before I realized that the editor has only  made it through chapter 11.  Thud.  Found this nugget in there, though…

wed1

Favorite part of editing–silly notes from my editor.  Sometimes they’re teasing me about stupid mistakes (pretty sure I had a “put on the breaks” in there.  Proof that I do type what people around me say instead of what I mean to write.).  This one was a good one.  Oh, and I found a line I’d forgotten I wrote. Posted that on Facebook.  It goes: “Khorinka threw a frosty glare in the man’s general direction. “You would know the name of someone who walks around popping her butt out after every accomplishment.”

Andra needed things from the store, Lorna had a chance to go play with the boys her sister nannies, and I needed to drop books off at the Bread of Life.  Pat, the owner, is a sweetheart.  Here’s a picture of us from last fall.   😀

bolimage

Oh, I was writing The Matchmakers of Holly Circle that day.  If it matters.

Once home, I went back to the whole editing thing.  Here’s how my screen looks during editing.

wed12

See that red line? I put it on the picture to show what I do.  I make the words FILL my laptop (about 200%) until no words drop off the sides, but it stretches all the way across.  Then I scroll one line at a time.  I  ONLY read that bottom line.  This keeps my eyes from getting ahead of my brain and missing stuff.  I still do.  Okay, let’s face it. My brain knows what it thinks (or meant) to type, so it doesn’t always see what didn’t get typed or what got typed incorrectly. However, it DOES help a lot.  A WHOLE lot.  😀

Okay, so then things got REALLY exciting.  I got weak.  Seriously couldn’t stand weak.  Hubby is wondering what’s for dinner, and I’m wondering if I’ll collapse before I get to the kitchen.  That’s when I realize that I had yogurt for breakfast (shocker there, right?) but nothing else.  See, I woke up at 1:20 and by the time I got ready, it would have been 1:45 (because I’m not coherent when I wake up, you see).  And a 5 minute drive to the Bistro… means they have 10 minute to closing.  Yeah.  Not doing that.  So, I didn’t eat.  I often forget to eat.  It’s why, when I remember to eat more, I actually lose weight.  Weird, but hey.  It fits me.  I’m weird.

So, Kevin drove out to Inyokern to the new “Classic Burger” place and got me a BBQ & Swiss burger.  YUMMY.

I promptly fell asleep at 8:00 and slept until 9:45.  This isn’t unusual, especially when I don’t go to bed until almost 6:30 a.m. (stayed up an extra couple of hours on Tuesday night).  Then it was time for the big project of the day.  Blood sugar restored meant that I could actually do it!

So my annual writer’s retreat is pretty awesome.  This year, we’re doing gifts for each other.  I fell in love with this little book of letters you write to yourself when I was at Barnes & Noble a few weeks ago.

wed2

We usually have about 12 of us or so, so I didn’t want to buy one for each person.  I paid 15.00 for mine and that would be nearly 200.00.  A bit pricey.  But, Amazon sells them for 12.41 and now we only have 6 this year  I could have managed that.  Oh, well.  I’d already decided to make them and bought the stuff before I learned that.

Look at these cool things!

wed3

wed4

wed6

So, I started cutting and folding.  First I took this book of paper…

wed13

And cut 108 sheets into 8.5×11 sheets.  Then I printed notebook paper lines on the backs of all of them.

Then it was time to score and punch.

wed8

For those who might want to make their own, put the top of the paper to the right and score at 3.5 and 8″.  😀

wed7

Punch the top corners with a corner chomper or corner rounder.

wed10

wed11

SERIOUSLY recommend the Corner Chomper by We R Memory Keepers.  I also am using the Martha Stewart Score board–amazing tool.

Then I folded… all 108 of those suckers.

wed9

Okay, so that’s a total lie.  There were 3 sheets of each paper style.  So I cut all of them at once, but I scored, chomped, and then folded each set of three and set them in piles.  It needs 12 for each set of letters.

Then I made stickers for the backs.  These stickers say what the letter is about and when it’s written/should be read.

wed14

wed15

I actually made 9 sets, so if only six people really come to the Barn, I’ll be giving away a set or two to commenters on this thread.

I still have to decorate the fronts to look like actual letters AND I have to make something to “keep” them in.  I’m thinking some kind of folder thingie.  We’ll see.  😀

Then I crashed and burned.  Yep.  That was my day.  And here it is at 3:00 p.m. on Thursday and I’m still typing up WEDNESDAY’s post.  Still haven’t even read email.  Time to get to work!  See you all tomorrow!  Have a fabulous day.

*prays no one notices the lack of gym-ness*

Share
Pin
Tweet
Email
Share
Pin
Tweet
Email

Related

Filed Under: General Information

Previous Post: « 5 Things I Hate about Writing (Number 4 is the worst)
Next Post: A Day in My Life: Thursday »

Reader Interactions

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Or, you can subscribe without commenting.

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Comments

  1. Emily G says

    July 27, 2015 at 11:42 am

    I loved the last line you wrote… 😉 Yep, I’m right there with you. No gym-ness. 🙂

    Reply
  2. Alicia says

    July 24, 2015 at 1:11 pm

    What a great gift to your writer friends. You are so artistic and creative, Chautona. And so caring. One of the many amazing qualities about you.

    The red line is a great idea!! I have that read ahead problem and have tried lots of things. Will have to remember that.

    You have such a great team around you helping and supporting you. That is awesome.

    Ahhhh… BBQ and Swiss…now I’m hungry. You keep the strangest hours, my dear!! And how you add in home teaching in a few mo this I have no idea. LOL. But you get so much done in your day.

    I have that same thing where I forget to eat when I am so focused on things. Bad habit… LOL

    I have loved these blog posts!!

    Have a good Friday. :). And upcoming weekend. ????

    Reply
  3. Alicia says

    July 24, 2015 at 1:10 pm

    What a great gift to your writer friends. You are so artistic and creative, Chautona. And so caring. One of the many amazing qualities about you.

    The red line is a great idea!! I have that read ahead problem and have tried lots of things. Will have to remember that.

    You have such a great team around you helping and supporting you. That is awesome.

    Ahhhh… BBQ and Swiss…now I’m hungry. You keep the strangest hours, my dear!! And how you add in home teaching in a few mo this I have no idea. LOL. But you get so much done in your day.

    I have that same thing where I forget to eat when I am so focused on things. Bad habit… LOL

    I have loved these blog posts!!

    Have a good Friday. :). And upcoming weekend. ????

    Reply
  4. Courtney says

    July 23, 2015 at 9:16 pm

    These posts make me smile. Thanks for sharing!

    Reply
  5. Terresa M. says

    July 23, 2015 at 8:18 pm

    I LOVE the idea of writing the letters to my future self! I’d love to win a set if you only have 6 there at The Barn!!! Seriously, might need to go to Amazon & look at these for my small group!!!

    Reply
  6. Mari says

    July 23, 2015 at 7:23 pm

    I gain weight when I don’t eat and lose when I do as well. I’m loving your posts! And those letter books are wonderful! I’m going to see if I can find one. Thank you for letting us share your life!

    Reply
  7. Ava says

    July 23, 2015 at 5:38 pm

    What a fun idea!! I love all the pretty paper and neat gadgets!

    Reply
  8. Lucinda says

    July 23, 2015 at 4:03 pm

    Pretty neat concept! I could see doing this for a baby gift, writing letters during his/her first year, or wedding gift to journal the first year together (his and hers?) a first year in school to be opened on graduation…..pregnancy, the opportunities are endless!

    Reply
  9. Christy Heal says

    July 23, 2015 at 3:37 pm

    What a great idea. I have lots of cute paper here to use!

    Reply

Primary Sidebar

The Because Fiction Podcast

The Because Fiction Podcast
The Because Fiction Podcast

Taking the pulse of Christian fiction

Episode 265: A Chat with Karen Witemeyer
byChautona Havig

Nothing says fairy tale like a sweet western romance by an author like Karen Witemeyer… unless it’s a fairytale retelling set in Texas in the late 19th century, right?  Fairest of Heart takes the familiar “Snow White” and turns it on its head with retired cowboys, a self-absorbed actress, a Texas Ranger, and a sweet girl who knows the true Source of her beauty.  Listen in to see all the genius Easter eggs Witemeyer planted in this book.

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

Sometimes All a Girl Needs Is a True Change of Heart

I fell in love with the cover of Karen Witemeyer’s Head Over Heels a few years back (only to learn it’s much older than that, even), and meant to read that book.  I didn’t.  #BecauseIdiot. Well, that’ll be rectified just as soon as I’m done listening to her first book in a trilogy of fairytale retellings. I loaded it up on my Audible app tonight and wheeeeeeee. Here I go! So much for no new books until October. HA! 

Karen talks about her heart for young women today and how they’re taught by every bit of media blasting at them that they need to use their bodies to get what they need or want when the Lord has a better plan. And I can’t guarantee it, but I strongly suspect she does it without preaching. SQUEE!

Fairest of Heart by Karen Witemeyer

Once upon a time in Texas . . .

Beauty has been nothing but a curse to Penelope Snow. When she becomes a personal maid for a famous actress whose troupe is leaving Chicago to tour the West, she hides her figure beneath shapeless dresses and keeps her head down. But she still manages to attract the wrong attention, leaving her prospects in tatters–and her jealous mistress plotting her demise.

After his brother lost his life over a woman, Texas Ranger Titus Kingsley has learned to expect the worst from women and is rarely disappointed. So when a young lady found in suspicious circumstances takes up residence with the seven old drovers living at his grandfather’s ranch, Titus is determined to keep a close eye on her.

With a promotion hanging in the balance, Titus is assigned to investigate a robbery case tied to Penelope’s acting troupe, and all evidence points to Penelope’s guilt. But Titus might just be convinced that the fairest woman of all has a heart as pure as her last name . . . if only he can prove it.

You can learn more about Karen Witemeyer and her books on her WEBSITE. Don’t forget the book is 30% off on BakerBookHouse.com.  

Follow Karen on BookBub and GoodReads.

And don’t forget her Posse Group on Facebook.

Like to listen on the go? You can find Because Fiction Podcast at:

  • Apple 
  • Castbox 
  • Google Play
  • Libsyn 
  • RSS
  • Spotify
  • Amazon
  • and more!
Episode 265: A Chat with Karen Witemeyer
Episode 265: A Chat with Karen Witemeyer
September 29, 2023
Chautona Havig
Episode 264: A Chat with Romance Author, Sarah Monzon
September 26, 2023
Chautona Havig
Episode 263: A Chat about The Love Script w/ Toni Shiloh
September 23, 2023
Chautona Havig
Episode 262: Chatting about The Legacy of Longdale Manor with Carrie Turansky
September 19, 2023
Chautona Havig
Episode 261: Chatting with Christian Youth Fiction Author, Candice Yamnitz
September 15, 2023
Chautona Havig
Episode 260: A Chat with Rachel Hauck
September 12, 2023
Chautona Havig
Episode 259: A Chat with Debut Author, Laura Conaway
September 8, 2023
Chautona Havig
Episode 258: A Louisiana Christmas to Remember
September 2, 2023
Chautona Havig
Episode 257: A Chat with Fantasy Author, N. Ford
September 1, 2023
Chautona Havig
Episode 256: A Chat about Summer in the Spotlight w/ Liz Johnson
August 29, 2023
Chautona Havig
Search Results placeholder

Love Audio Books?

audio book ad

Check out the Sparrow Island novels. A tiny island with a lot of heart

independence islands series

Featured Books

A Ransomed Grete

A Ransomed Grete
Buy This Book Online
Buy from Amazon
Buy from Amazon Kindle
A Ransomed Grete
Buy now!

Twice Sold Tales

Twice Sold Tales
Buy This Book Online
Buy from Amazon
Buy from Amazon Kindle
Twice Sold Tales
Buy now!

Under the Hibiscus

Under the Hibiscus
Buy This Book Online
Buy from Amazon
Buy from Amazon Kindle
Under the Hibiscus
Buy now!

Upcoming Posts

Sorry - nothing planned yet!

Or just subscribe to the newsletter

Recent Blog Posts

  • What Would Make a Tropical Vacation More Exciting? Find Out!
  • Sometimes All a Girl Needs Is a True Change of Heart
  • How Does an Intense Christmas Competition Lead to Love?

I buy my stickers here! (affiliate)

Custom Stickers, Die Cut Stickers, Bumper Stickers - Sticker Mule
Just another hour... Tea is Pumpkin Masala Chai fr Just another hour...
Tea is Pumpkin Masala Chai from Marcella's Enchanted Cottage and blueberry cinnamon roll courtesy of #6daughter
, @andralane0129 
#AmReading 
#AnnetoberReadAThon 
@teri_blake_author 
#womensfiction
Yum... seriously the best beef ever. So glad we go Yum... seriously the best beef ever. So glad we got some,  but so many missed out. 
Thanks @robsogbbq
Instagram post 18282011413151971 Instagram post 18282011413151971
If you haven't read Seek and Hide by @amandagsteve If you haven't read Seek and Hide by @amandagstevens , stop everything and order this book. Then schedule dinner delivery the day it arrives and dive in. Chilling,  inspiring,  and proof that Amanda is a stellar Storyteller.
#AmReading 
#ChristFic
Reposted from @beccawierwille Less than one month Reposted from @beccawierwille Less than one month until release day for Road Trip Rescue! 🚘 🐶 Mark your calendars for Tuesday, October 24 to help me celebrate sending this story into the world. 

Also, prepare for more posts than normal. I’m excited to launch this book. 🥳
I think the moon is embracing autumn, too. I think the moon is embracing autumn,  too.
Reposted from @lisaphillipsbks Woot! Happy release Reposted from @lisaphillipsbks Woot! Happy release day, @lovereadwriterepeat
  • Home
  • Bookshelf
  • New & Coming
  • Blog
  • News!
  • Disclosure & Policies
  • Privacy Policy

Copyright © 2023 · Chautona Havig · All Rights Reserved · Coding by Gretchen Louise

Don't go before you grab your FREE short story collection!