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Chautona Havig

Chautona Havig

Using story to connect YOU to the Master Storyteller

Author Q & A: Any Regrets?

by Chautona Havig · 4 Comments

authorqa2The question comes from Angel:

Since you zip out your books so fast, do you ever later wish you had done something differently with them?

I love this question for a lot of reasons.  But I’m going to tackle something before I answer it. “What’s that,” you say?  Well, actually, most of my books that have been published in the past 3 years were written LONG before I ever started publishing. I’ve been writing for almost fifteen years but I didn’t start publishing until almost ten years after the first words of Aggie appeared on the screen of the old desktop that ran whatever there was before XP.  LOL.  Yes, I have written quite a few since then too, but not all the books I wrote back then are in print yet either.  (Some need WAY more work.  LOL).  Generally, I don’t write books as quickly as it seems, but a few have been, definitely.  So while it looks like I write a book every other week, I really don’t.

The answer, if I look at the majority of what I’ve written, is ….  (drum roll please)

no

Truly.  While there are little things I’d change (I’ve learned more about the craft of writing with each book), the core of what each book is and the story I wanted to tell, for the most part, wouldn’t change.  Would I rewrite some sentences in each one?  Definitely.  Would I check to see if my characters’ “voices” stayed consistent (I suspect the first ones all sounded a lot alike)?  Absolutely.  But the stories themselves… no.  I wouldn’t change anything, really.

There’s one glaring exception, of course.  Those who know me well know exactly which one I mean.  Part of the problem is that I never intended to publish it.  The book was an exercise for me–a lesson in exploring a less dialogue-driven plot. Unfortunately, my idea of how to do that didn’t work, in my opinion anyway.  However, some people love the book.  I  mean, I published it because one friend truly loved the book.  I did it for her.   Truer literary love hath no woman than this: to publish what she hates for her fan.  Snort.

The sad thing (for me) about that book is that it has what I consider to be the best scene I’ve ever written in it.  For a long time, I felt like I wasted that scene in the book, but the scene belongs there.  Anywhere else, it wouldn’t work–wouldn’t make sense.  So I’m glad there is one redeeming little nugget in it.  Yeah.  LOL.

I think also, part of the reason that I truly wouldn’t change anything, is because it’s part of my personality.  I tend not to be someone with regrets.  I can look back in the past and identify things I could have done better in every area of my life.  I evaluate and determine the course of action that would have made a much more positive difference in my life or the lives of those in my family.  But I really don’t get all worked up about it.  It’s over.  Past.  Can’t be relived. And really, I don’t want to relive them.  I enjoy seeing where the Lord is taking me next.  I wouldn’t be where I am now if I hadn’t walked the path I did then.

So… yeah.  The answer is no.

Thank you, Angel for a fabulous question.  I’m zipping you an Amazon Gift Card as soon as I hit submit.  Remember, if you send me an Author Q&A question and I use it, I will send that gift card as my thanks for playing along.  Have a great day!

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Comments

  1. Jen says

    April 26, 2015 at 5:59 pm

    That’s one of my favorites! So glad you listened to your friend!

    Reply
  2. Holly says

    April 22, 2015 at 7:40 pm

    Which book is it? Sorry but now I have to know?

    Reply
    • Chautona says

      April 22, 2015 at 7:42 pm

      Speak Now. 🙂

      Reply

Trackbacks

  1. Oh, Gracious! by Chautona Havig - Melissa Wardwell says:
    May 3, 2020 at 12:49 pm

    […] in that post about “regrets,” I said that as I learn, I definitely wish to improve sentences here, and […]

    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
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Episode 37: A Chat with Sara Beth Williams
November 17, 2020
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Episode 36: A Chat with Jennifer Beckstrand
November 10, 2020
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Episode 35: What Is This NaNoWriMo Thing All About?
November 3, 2020
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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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I can scribble!!! Justified Means: book one in the I can scribble!!!
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
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Reposted from @karitrumbo Repost from @tabithaboul Reposted from @karitrumbo Repost from @tabithabouldin
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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. 
#christiansuspense
#christianfiction
#Christfic
#KindleUnlimited
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
#becausefiction
#podcasts
#Christfic
#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
Lots of great books up for grabs for a lucky winne Lots of great books up for grabs for a lucky winner... not to mention that gift card!
Happy New Year to you!! To celebrate you along with the new year, I have teamed up with Celebrate Lit to do a special giveaway!

We want you to have a chance to win 40+ books or a $500 Amazon card to buy a ton of books yourself in Celebrate Lit's Have a Fab New Year Multi-Author Giveaway!

Click the link in my bio to enter!

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