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Chautona Havig

Chautona Havig

Using story to connect YOU to the Master Storyteller

When Did I First Know I Had to Be a Writer?

by Chautona Havig · 10 Comments

What does Ventura CA in 1982 have to do with turn-of-the-20th-century Brooklyn? Not much—only a defining moment in my life. via @chautonahavig

What do salt breezes, palm trees, sand outside the door, and the Santa Ana winds have to do with turn-of-the-20th-century Brooklyn? Not much—only my introduction to Betty Smith’s A Tree Grows in Brooklyn, a defining moment in my life.

When Did I First Know I Had to Be a Writer

(This is a revised post from 2014 and contains affiliate links from which I  may receive a small commission at no extra expense for you.)

I’ve never resonated with a character as much as I did with Francie Nolan. She was a bookworm—like me. She romanticized life—like me. But she also, yes like me, was pragmatic. I realize that pragmatic and romantic don’t usually mix well, but that’s the beauty of humanity. We don’t always make sense.

Somewhere in my twelfth year, Mom showed up in my room with a book. She just handed it to me and said, “It was my favorite book when I was a kid.” Mom knew how to make you want to read something by stating something about it, making it available, and dropping the subject.

As a kid, I devoured books in the space of just a couple of hours.

A Tree Grows in Brooklyn was no different. I don’t think it took more than three or four hours to get through it, but I did something different with that one. I immediately read it again and with an eye to one particular scene.

When I say a “defining moment”, I’m not joking. I probably rushed past less compelling places, but I distinctly remember slowing as I read about Francie and her father walking to the school she’d decided would make her life perfect.

Then the scene appeared—the scene that changed my life.

I’ve read it countless times since. Francie and a packed classroom of other poor, hungry children watch as the teacher holds up a tiny pumpkin pie—I always imagined it the size of a Banquet Pot Pie—and offers it to the class. No one was willing to admit they wanted it. Those tenement kids had pride, I tell ya.

Just as the teacher started to drop it into the trashcan, Francie jerked her hand up, asking for it. The other kids snickered, feeling superior in their ability not to take a handout, but Francie’s solution was to explain that she wanted it for someone else.

And she promptly devoured it on the way home.

Monday morning, the teacher asked about how the people liked it. And Francie concocted a story about twin girls who had been on the verge of death by starvation until they had that little pie. The teacher listened and pulled a “Mom” on Francie. She simply said, “That’s an awfully little pie to save two lives.”

Of course, Francie confessed it all. The poor girl was convinced she’d get a sound spanking—or worse, a letter home. But that teacher said something that still whispers in my heart when I’m writing. She said,

“Francie, a lot of people would think these stories that you’re making up all the time were terrible lies because they are not as people see the truth.  In the future, when something comes up, you tell exactly how it happened, but write down for yourself the way you think it should have happened.  Tell the truth and write the story.”

It’s interesting how a defining moment in my life was also one in hers.

That day, I discovered that I wanted to be a writer (not why I wanted to write… that I share HERE. No, this was THAT I wanted to write). Finally, I had a solution for what I hated about life. I hated the truth. It was never how I thought it should be. I hated lies even more. What’s a girl to do? That teacher knew.

Write.

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Filed Under: General Information, Writing

Previous Post: « Through a Kid’s Eye–Sorta
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Comments

  1. Alicia says

    October 13, 2014 at 6:12 am

    Oops…posted on the wrong blog. Well the above post is now in the correct place and the above blog response I have NO IDEA how to move…

    This one was also great to wake up to. I can totally envision this whole scene with the beer cans and then the black widow spider. Gold thing you just got a slight burn. LOL

    The youngest son of my second family was given a BB gun when he was about 10 or so. Every one was so surprised that he would be given one allot with all the rules. He was a kid with a ton of energy and one to think after he did something.

    He would often go out with his dad shooting. One day he saw a spider, not a black widow, but a spider on the inside of the sliding glass door. No he didn’t smack it or push it out the door. He went to get his BB gun and shot the sucker. Like you he hit it… But unlike you he shattered the whole sliding glass door. LOL. That phone call to his dad did not go over well. Needless to say the BB gun was put away for a few years and he had to work off paying back for the widow VEEERY SLOWLY through chores and other things… (Think he probably paid a small dent in the actual cost, but it made its point. When he finally got his BB gun back a few years later he always took it outside…)

    I can totally envision this whole scene with you and the black widow. It is so very you in a great way. 😉

    Reply
    • Chautona says

      October 14, 2014 at 1:51 pm

      Aw, who cares which one? You commented. That makes me happy!

      Reply
  2. Alicia says

    October 13, 2014 at 5:59 am

    Alicia says:
    October 13, 2014 at 5:57 am
    I love this blog post. A Tree Grows in Brooklyn is one of my favorite books, as well.

    I love the scene with the pumpkin pie and the teacher. They always did know how to “find things out,” even in more realistic situations. LOL.

    Francis is such a great character. I can see how parts of you would relate to her, especially in regard to your creativity.

    Loved this. Great addition to your other blogs, but these are more about you and your experiences.

    Thanks for passing this along…. A nice piece to wake up to.

    Reply
  3. Alicia says

    October 13, 2014 at 5:57 am

    I love this blog post. A Tree Grows in Brooklyn is one of my favorite books, as well.

    I love the scene with the pumpkin pie and the teacher. They always did know how to “find things out,” even in more realistic situations. LOL.

    Francis is such a great character. I can see how parts of you would relate to her, especially in regard to your creativity.

    Loved this. Great addition to your other blogs, but these are more about you and your experiences. 😉

    Thanks for passing this along…. A nice piece to wake up to.

    Reply
  4. Bernadette says

    October 13, 2014 at 4:03 am

    I think there must be a group of us as romantic,but pragmatic. Having a blind mother who never saw me but taught me to describe the world to her must have caused part of that. My father was never able to finish school,as he had to care for his family when his parents died,but was one of the most intelligent men I ever knew. He devoured books and gave me A Tree Grows In Brooklyn. I never knew we were poor. I loved buttered saltines. I never fit in at school, older than my years and so serious. That you for sharing. You are a blessing to us.

    Reply
  5. Kelly Arabie says

    October 12, 2014 at 12:25 pm

    I love-love-love learning about new books & people. So glad we “met” this weekend, and can’t wait to hear more from you. Can tell you’re a kindred-spirit-word-girl! Gonna go find this one!

    Reply
  6. Anne says

    October 12, 2014 at 12:19 pm

    Just this morning, I thought of the scene where Francie and Papa walked to the new school. We were driving through a small town on our way home after a weekend away, and we passed a house that immediately made me think of the one Francie chose to be her fake address. I almost laughed out loud just now when I saw that you’d referenced that scene. What are the odds?

    I love that book. I’ve probably read it over twenty times. You captured it beautifully.

    BTW, it had never occurred to me before reading A Tree Grows in Brooklyn to butter crackers, but real butter, slightly soft, plus a nice, crisp Saltine equals a delicious little treat!

    Reply
    • Chautona says

      October 12, 2014 at 12:38 pm

      That was one of our favorite snacks when I was a child! Buttered saltines. mmm…

      Reply
  7. Charlene Barnes says

    October 12, 2014 at 9:48 am

    Thank you for sharing. I’ve never read the book, but have had many very hungry children in my home, who have made up stories of how much food they always had to eat. I knew it wasn’t true, and later they would come to me and tell me so. They said it makes it easier to pretend your having a big meal, when all they really shared was a little bit of cat food. My heart and soul went out to these many children, and the short time of love I could give them, and share about how much God loved them, and He would always be beside them and protecting them. Most went home again, very few get adopted. I wish I could make sure we never had children go hungry, but I just have to trust that God will tale care of them. I get told so many times by well meaning friends, that I can’t save the world, but I haven’t quit trying. Chart on a, keep writing, Your such s inspiration to me.:-)

    Reply
  8. Cathe Swanson says

    October 11, 2014 at 8:39 pm

    Thank you for sharing that.

    Reply

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Episode 42: A Chat with J'nell Ciesielski
by Chautona Havig

The cover got me first.  It was “my” Madeline, but of course, no one could tell if they didn’t know the photographer’s work. So, combine WWI, poppies, and “my” Madeline… well, I had to read it, right?  Yeah. Among the Poppies (review here) by J’nell Ciesielski was the best debut novel I’ve ever read.  Bar none.  I became an instant fan of J’nell Ciesielski that day, and I’ve read everything she’s written ever since.

So, when I heard about her newest release, of course, I wanted to read it.  I wanted to talk to her about it–all the things. So, let’s talk about this book.

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

My First “Top Book” of 2021 Begins HERE!

I had a wonderful discussion with J’nell about her newest release (as in releases TODAY!), Beauty Among Ruins, about her vision for writing Christian fiction, and the goals Thomas Nelson/Harper Collins has for some of their Christian fiction titles/authors!

Let’s start with this book: Beauty Among Ruins.  Guys… this book. Lily and Alec just hit the top tier of favorite characters ever. Not only that, but J’nell Ciesielski adds depth and richness to her cast by having supporting characters that I’m dying to know more about.  Sequel perchance?  I’d love that. Just sayin’…

We learned the history of the book, how it got its title… hint, the original was hilarious but um… yeah.  Not one that I’d grab off the shelf unless I saw J’nell’s name on it!), and some of the research she had to do to keep her from using the hackneyed old solutions to familiar problems in early 20th century England… well!  WHEW!

Oh, and speaking of those problems… One of J’nell’s most brilliant skills is taking the spine of a story you think you’ve read before and turning it into something fresh and new. For example, in Beauty Among Ruins, you have an American heiress, an aristocratic family who are floundering to keep up the family estate, a crumbling manor house turned into a hospital, and wounded soldiers.  Sound familiar?

It’s not. And that’s the brilliance of J’nell.

Add to that a storyline that keeps you guessing and full of rich history that never weighs you down with preachiness (seriously, preachy fiction isn’t just for Bible. It also happens with science, politics… and history!

Speaking of preachy fiction…

As much as I loved talking about her book, one of the highlights of the interview is getting an insider’s understanding of where Thomas Nelson is taking some of their fiction.

I’ve been an outspoken critic of the lack of spiritual content in the Christian Fiction coming out of Thomas Nelson in recent years. When you buy “Christian fiction,” you expect to find something other than just “clean fiction.”

In my discussion with J’nell, she described the publisher’s goal of using fiction with a Christian worldview and subtle elements to bridge the gap between Christian fiction and the general market. Knowing this is the plan rather than just a watering down of faith or something. Knowing that those elements are woven into subtext to be a gentle reach to readers who otherwise might not pick up Christian fiction makes that lack of overtness much more palatable.

Additionally, J’nell didn’t just write a “clean” book. The spiritual elements are in there. They’re just layered into that subtext. I found myself going to the Bible to see what it said about several things.  This is what I want from my Christian fiction.  I don’t’ need a token prayer or Bible verse.  Those do nothing for me. But give me something to chew on for a while, and I’m thrilled.

J’nell Ciesielski does that beautifully and has from the very first book of hers I read.

She also told me about a book coming out this summer… The Ice Swan.  Isn’t that cover GORGEOUS?

I’m so excited about Beauty Among Ruins  that I’m also giving away a copy of J’nell Ciesielski ‘s book to one commenter.

Go to https://chautona.com/because-fiction-42 and tell me if you’ve ever read anything by J’nell and what your favorite was if you have. I’ll try to draw next week when I do episode 43.

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

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Episode 42: A Chat with J'nell Ciesielski
Episode 42: A Chat with J'nell Ciesielski
January 13, 2021
Chautona Havig
Episode 41: A Chat with Jennifer Pierce
January 5, 2021
Chautona Havig
Episode 40: My Favorite Book of 2020
December 8, 2020
Chautona Havig
Episode 39: A Chat with L.K. Simonds
December 1, 2020
Chautona Havig
Episode 38: Dan Smith & Saving Ebenezer
November 24, 2020
Chautona Havig
Episode 37: A Chat with Sara Beth Williams
November 17, 2020
Chautona Havig
Episode 36: A Chat with Jennifer Beckstrand
November 10, 2020
Chautona Havig
Episode 35: What Is This NaNoWriMo Thing All About?
November 3, 2020
Chautona Havig
Episode 34: 5 Cheap & Easy Ways to Feed a Book Habit
October 27, 2020
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Episode 33: 2020 Christmas Collections
October 20, 2020
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Justified Means: book one in the Agency Files, is on tour with Celebrate lit. Visit celebratelit.com to find a link to follow the blog tours and check out the reviews. 
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Who wouldn't want it?  Justified Means: book one Who wouldn't want it? 
Justified Means: book one in the Agency Files, is on tour with Celebrate lit. Visit celebratelit.com to find a link to follow the blog tours and check out the reviews. 
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Reposted from @becausefictionpodcast Episode 42: A Reposted from @becausefictionpodcast Episode 42: A Chat with J'nell Ciesielski

I had a wonderful discussion with J'nell about her newest release (as in TODAY!), Beauty Among Ruins, about her vision for writing Christian fiction, and the goals Thomas Nelson/Harper Collins has for some of their Christian fiction titles/authors!

Stay tuned for more in depth show notes in just a bit!

© © Chautona Havig 2020
@jnellciesielski
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#christianfiction
Kind of depressing but true... Justified Means: bo Kind of depressing but true...
Justified Means: book one in the Agency Files, is on tour with Celebrate lit. Visit celebratelit.com to find a link to follow the blog tours and check out the reviews. 
#christiansuspense
#christianfiction
#Christfic
#KindleUnlimited
Justified Means: book one in the Agency Files, is Justified Means: book one in the Agency Files, is on tour with Celebrate lit. Visit celebratelit.com to find a link to follow the blog tours and check out the reviews. 
#christiansuspense
#christianfiction
#Christfic
#KindleUnlimited
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