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Chautona Havig

Chautona Havig

Using story to connect YOU to the Master Storyteller

C-haracters

by Chautona Havig · 8 Comments

They define my writing.  I have often wondered about that.

You see, I can’t start a book without a title.  No, really, I can’t.  Even if I later change that title, without a strong, working title, I can’t start writing.  I freeze.  I have the words, they’re in my brain, I’m aching to send my fingers flying across the keys before I forget them, but… nope.  No title.  Must. Get. Title.

So, with that kind of obsession over a title (even though sometimes that title gets changed before publication), you’d think that I’d be obsessed with calling books by their titles, right?  Nope.  USUALLY, my books are known by one of the characters.  Noble Pursuits is “Grace” to me.  Manuscript for Murder is “Alexa” which gets interesting because so is Crime of Fashion.  Talk about confusing when talking about the books!

I talk about my characters as if they are real.  “Aggie would love that.”  “Man, Alexa would so wear that.”  “Hey, there’s William’s ‘Vette.”  (That was for you, Barb.)

So, I wonder… does that mean my books are character driven?  And, if my books are character driven, does that mean that the plots are pathetic?

Oh, and for fun, I thought I’d find a picture of what I think one of my characters look like.  So, meet Adric.  He’s going to be published soon.  This is what I think he looks like but…

  1. His hair is more silvery even than this
  2. His eyes are grayer
I bought the brother to this one for the cover. JBryson at Istockphoto.com is GREAT.

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

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Comments

  1. SharleneT says

    April 3, 2012 at 4:44 pm

    Hello, Fellow Challenger. I have to sharpen all my pencils, first. Now, mind you, I use a computer, but there’s something about a cup full of well-sharpened pencils that just gets me going. I can understand obsession. I’m #424 from Rockin’ Chair Reflections. Come visit when you can.

    Reply
    • Chautona says

      April 3, 2012 at 5:00 pm

      I am now channeling my inner “You’ve Got Mail” and murmuring with a glazed look in my eye, “Bouquets of sharpened pencils…”

      I’ll dash over to see you.

      Reply
  2. Fareeda Alhady says

    April 3, 2012 at 1:07 pm

    This is the second blog on ‘Character’ I’ve read today. Chautona, your insights are interesting. I want to write my family story, but I don’t have a title in mind. I’m banking on it emerging later – perhaps hitting me like a lightening bolt?
    PS: Would so love to own the real McCoy (comfy convenient couch) too…

    Reply
  3. Laura Barnes says

    April 3, 2012 at 10:52 am

    I can’t write without a title either. It is so much of what my books are about. Of course, if I ever get published, the publisher may change it just like that. Sigh.

    Reply
    • Chautona says

      April 3, 2012 at 11:43 am

      I’ve already changed titles… Argosy Junction was originally “Not as I Was” but hey. It was a valid title. It is nice to see someone else with my quirky “malady” regarding titles. Keep writing!

      Reply
  4. Andi-Roo (@theworld4realz) says

    April 3, 2012 at 10:47 am

    I’m not a published writer, so I don’t know that my opinion counts here, but I’m certainly an avid reader, so I’ll offer up my thoughts as the end-user. Books absolutely MUST be character driven when I’m working my way through a story — I have to forget they’re imaginary so I can imagine conversations with them. Of course, this won’t happen if the plot is weak; anyone who writes strong characters is going to have to learn quickly how to carry its people across the literary morass, or else risk leaving a gorgeously drawn, realistic person stranded in the dessert.

    Reply
  5. JENN says

    April 3, 2012 at 10:26 am

    ok your stories are NOT lame! they rock!
    are either Alexas available? i haven’t heard of those! i keep thinking with her name popping up in EVERY book, you’ve gotta have one about her sometime…
    that is not how i imagined Adric. how about a smiling one? maybe that will help me picture him better. do they have that guy smiling?

    Reply
    • Chautona says

      April 3, 2012 at 11:44 am

      I’m sure they do, Jenn. That’s why I avoid putting pictures on covers. I don’t like defining what someone looks like to the reader. We all have different ideas, and that’s what makes it COOL.

      None of the Alexas are ready. They’re not even in “rough draft” stage. Not really. Both have to be 100% rewritten. They’re that bad. However, they are also some of my favorites. They WILL be good. Someday.

      Reply

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The Because Fiction Podcast

The Because Fiction Podcast
The Because Fiction Podcast

Taking the pulse of Christian fiction

Episode 215: A Chat with Henry O. Arnold
byChautona Havig

I had a chat with actor and author Henry O. Arnold a while back, and boy did we have a lot of fun. His Song of Prophets and Kings series features the advent of Israel’s kings from Samuel’s birth through David hiding from Saul (so far) and onward. Listen in as we chat about his most recent release, The Singer of Israel.

 

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

What Made David Such a Man after God’s Heart?

I think this series will show us. I love that Henry O. Arnold started back at Samuel’s story to prepare us for the story of arguably the most influential king of Israel. Yes, Solomon was the wisest and richest, but David offered something that Solomon didn’t have. He was an average guy—a shepherd, no less—chosen by God to lead his country.

In a sense, it’s kind of the ancient Jewish version of a poor, everyday guy growing up to become President of the United States. If you know what I mean.

This five-book series is available as an eBook, in print, and as an audiobook, too! Henry read a snippet of it to us, and boy you get a feel for his love of Scripture and God’s people as he reads.

And if that wasn’t enough, he even gave us a hint of his upcoming Christian suspense/thriller “series. He says he has two books planned for sure, so… at least a duology, but maybe we can talk him into a trilogy at least? Get those odd numbers and everything?

The Singer of Israel by Henry O. Arnold

A singer’s voice inspires a troubled nation…A shepherd’s courage vanquishes a giant

The last official act of the prophet of Yahweh was to secretly anoint a replacement for the king of Israel who has been brought low by an unbalanced mind. The great prophet of Israel lives in fear of the wrath of the king. Then out of the hills of Bethlehem emerges the last-born son of a family of shepherds to become the unforeseen hero of Israel.

When David sings of the glory of Yahweh, this shepherd wins the hearts of the royal family and restores King Saul’s troubled mind. But when the singer/shepherd defeats the champion of the Philistines in single combat, David becomes forever known as “the giant slayer.” Saul quickly sees that David is now a threat to his kingdom and secretly plots to have him killed.

David may be the champion of the people of Israel, but he must live under the constant threat of Saul’s wrath until he is finally forced to flee for his life.

The Singer of Israel is a tale of triumph and tribulation, deepest love, and burning rivalries; the new epoch is given a voice…and it is The Song of Prophets and Kings.

You can learn more about Henry on this WEBSITE.

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Episode 215: A Chat with Henry O. Arnold
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