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Chautona Havig

Chautona Havig

Using story to connect YOU to the Master Storyteller

B-elieve

by Chautona Havig · 6 Comments

Believe is a cool word.  Unlike it’s quieter brother, belief, it’s an action word.  It jumps up and does something where belief stands quietly and says, “This is who I am.”  Believe says, “This is what I do.”

My books are one way that I show what I believe.  There are little nuances in them that many people have caught and asked me about–others didn’t need to ask.  They knew me before the books.  I thought I’d share a few of those things for those who were curious but hadn’t asked.

Church-  People in most of my books attend churches without traditional names.  They attend “The Church” or “The Assembly.”  The Mission is a mission, but it isn’t associated with a denomination any more than the others are.  One woman asked if it was meant to be inclusive of all denominations.  It isn’t.  It’s actually a reflection upon my personal beliefs about fractions in the church.  I don’t believe in calling myself “Lutheran, Calvinist, or Campbellite.”  For one thing, I happen to know that Luther and Campbell were against those titles.  Why would we disrespect them that way if we respect their teaching?  For another, Paul made a pretty strong statement against naming ourselves after apostles, so why would we do it with theologians?  Titles like “Methodist, Presbyterian, or Baptist are explanations of methodology and not just for Methodists, but I still have a problem with it.  So, in my books, I’ve enjoyed putting my characters in names of churches that would make me feel comfortable.

Sin-  Several people have asked why I have such flawed people in my books.  My characters fail.  They get angry.  They don’t swear outwardly, but that’s just because I don’t care to read it myself so I’m not about to make my readers do it.  They do sometimes struggle with swearing in their heads though.  They aren’t all Christians.  They do things that you wouldn’t think Christians would do.  Why?  Because life is like that.  People fail.  People lie.  The get convicted of that sin and prayerfully, they repent.  I don’t want to glorify sin, but I want to acknowledge it and show the consequences.  I want to remind people that it can be overcome.

So… Believe.  What do you believe that permeates your writing, your interests, your life?

To see what other bloggers are doing this month, check out the HUGE list of bloggers HERE!

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Comments

  1. Kimberlee Turley says

    April 3, 2012 at 7:59 am

    I’m religious myself and so I believe in avoiding the name of God in all swearing or excited exclamations. I also won’t write sexual scenes or graphic violence.

    I also believe in divine consequences for sin and so I hold my characters more accountable for their actions. When they offend someone, I want them to feel sorry and bad instead of living their life like there’s no Heaven or Hell.

    Reply
    • Chautona says

      April 3, 2012 at 11:28 am

      Yes… those are definitely elements I keep in my books as well. It is always nice to find other authors with the same standards!

      Reply
  2. Andi-Roo (@theworld4realz) says

    April 2, 2012 at 11:47 am

    I love your description of “church”. I happen to agree with your assessment. I used to follow the teachings of a pastor who taught along these historical lines, & I enjoyed going to “church” every Sunday to learn more. Because of the un-churchy way he spoke, we called our group Paradox. Sadly, he moved out of state, & Paradox quickly fell apart without his leadership. I haven’t found anyone who quite fills that empty space. You’re the first to speak directly to what has been missing. Thank you for sharing your thoughts on what it means to “Believe”. I find I’m now motivated to start looking again for a new church, even if it’s just online if I can’t find something closer to home.

    Andi-Roo /// @theworld4realz
    http://www.theworld4realz.com/
    [email protected]

    Reply
    • Chautona says

      April 2, 2012 at 12:00 pm

      I find the “Paradox” kind of funny since that’s what I call my personal blog– Paradoxology.

      I hope you find a group that delves into the Bible and just infuses those words into your lives! That’s the best thing out there!

      Reply
  3. Nicole says

    April 2, 2012 at 10:40 am

    You are so right – believe is an incredibly strong word! I try to carry it through into my own writing and characters, and I really admire authors who are able to convey that strong, passionate sense of belief in their characters, too.

    Reply
    • Chautona says

      April 2, 2012 at 11:15 am

      Thank you! I think everyone does it, but it’s always fun to see little nuances that define the author as well as her characters.

      Reply

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The Because Fiction Podcast

The Because Fiction Podcast
The Because Fiction Podcast

Taking the pulse of Christian fiction

Episode 283: A Chat with Debut Author Denise L. Barela
byChautona Havig

Having the chance to chat with a dear friend about her book is always a treat.  So when Denise L. Barela chatted to me about her mystery, Silencing the Siren, I knew we’d have a lot of fun. Boy, did we. From the first ideas on this mystery through the new series she’s considering, and where she wants to take her writing in the future, Denise has a lot to share.  Listen in to learn about her writing and how you can listen to her book free!

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

Why an Almost Love At First Sight Mystery Actually Works!

Denise L. Barela’s debut novel is the seventh in the Ever After Mysteries. These fairy-tale retellings set in the twenties (and now the forties!) feature fun mashups of those beloved tales with some kind of mystery. Denise chose “The Little Mermaid” and went to town combining 1920s New York City and Coney Island with that fairy tale and a freak show attraction that causes all kinds of trouble in various ways.

One thing I liked is how the “love at first sight” aspect of the original story played out in Denise’s. She focused on Annabel’s character and, being so different from the superficiality he lived with, it drew him in.  No, it’s not a romance, but this mystery does have romance in it, and Denise made that tough trope work.

The research Denise did involved widely differing topics–from novelty gifts (doorbells, folks!), to car technology advancements, to just how hard it was to find a map of New York City for the era!

Of course, that sparked a discussion on research for her other book and how she discovered rewritten history ruining her plans for it.  Enter rewrites. Sigh.

Finally, we discussed the sorts of books she wants to write, her conversation with Jaime Jo Wright, and where she plans to take things after she does one more mystery-themed series.  Clue is coming like you’ve never seen it.

Silencing the Siren by Denise L. Barela

Andrew Grayson thought he had everything… until he met her.

The indulged son of wealthy parents, Andrew has always gotten whatever he wanted almost before he knew he wanted it—clothes, gadgets… even a car! What more could a young man desire?

Enter Annabel Thompson. Freakshow mermaid extraordinaire… in a wheelchair!

Of course, her beauty attracts him. How could it not? Add to that a kind heart, and Andrew can’t help but fall for her.

Annabel’s connection with the freakshow repels his parents and their society friends. They want him to sever all ties with her and his new friends. Oh, and marry the “right” girl with the “right connections.” But he won’t do it. He’ll defy them and marry his little mermaid.

When Annabel turns up missing, declared dead, things don’t add up, Andrew begins asking some difficult questions, the most important being, “What happened to the little mermaid of the Coney Island freak show?”

Find out in this next book in the Ever After Mysteries, combining beloved fairy tales and mysteries. Silencing the Siren offers a retelling of “The Little Mermaid” that will keep you gripped to the edge of your seat as you watch the story unfold.

Learn more about Denise L. Barela on her WEBSITE and follow her on GoodReads and BookBub.  You can listen to Silencing the Siren free on her YouTube Channel.

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Episode 283: A Chat with Debut Author Denise L. Barela
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