One of the best compliments I get is when someone sends me an email or leaves a review that says, "I like how your books are clean and point us to Jesus, yadda yadda yadda, but are not preachy." So what's so bad about preachy Christian fiction? (I'm a Christian fiction author, for cryin' out Continue Reading
Writing
7 Famous (or should be) First Lines
There it is, a shiny new book, or perhaps an old, crusty one. You crack it open to the first page of chapter one and read: "Who is John Galt?" You know, the minute you read those words, that something about it is important, but you can't possibly know what. So you're left wondering. And that Continue Reading
Seeking Inspiration: A Christian Writer’s Toolbox
One of the most common questions I get in emails from readers is, "Where do you get your inspiration?" Now it isn't always phrased like that. Sometimes they ask if my characters are based on me, my family, friends, acquaintances, or from history. But the idea remains the same. What inspires me Continue Reading
Speaking Scripture into Our Hearts
As a Christian fiction author, one of the most important things to me is that the entire content of what I write reflect the influence of the Word in my novels. While I don't want my fiction to be that dreaded word, "preachy," I do have a goal for my fiction--to encourage fellow Christians in their Continue Reading
Juana Briones: a California Heroine (Deepest Roots of the Heart)
Another research gem that I unearthed while writing Deepest Roots of the Heart was an amazing Californio woman, Juana Briones. I do not remember Briones from my study of California history. I don't know if she simply wasn't included or if somehow I missed her (I suspect the former), but this is Continue Reading
Historical Surprises: Deepest Roots of the Heart
Historical fiction requires a completely different writing process from contemporary fiction that takes place in completely fictional locales. My research for the Rockland Chronicles is usually limited to ensuring that I have the right style of phone for the era, seeing how to make candles from Continue Reading
Inspiration for Legacy of the Vines
(note: links in this post may be affiliate links, and I may receive a commission at no cost to you) When I was fifteen, we moved out to the middle of the Mojave desert (in Mojave, California, no less) and lived there in an eighteen foot travel trailer--no electricity or running water. I was in Continue Reading
Book Trailer (Deepest Roots of the Heart)
When I first started to work on the trailer for Deepest Roots of the Heart, the title was still Casa de Sueños, and I was still trying to remember to hit Alt+164 to get the ñ in the word. I found the grapes right away--perfect. But finding other videos proved difficult. They were either too Continue Reading
Why So Many Books? : Author Q & A
Many Books Make Much Work? People often ask how I get so many book ideas, but Lisa S had a slightly different question. (Note: this is a revision of a post made January 8, 2015) She sent me this question in July: Dear Chautona, Have enjoyed your books, but notice you seem to Continue Reading
Why Do I Write Christian Fiction?
One of the most surprising questions I receive as a Christian fiction author--and from Christian readers, I might add--is "Why do you write Christian fiction?" Don't get me wrong. It's a valid question. But it still surprises me every time I hear it. First, I think I should clarify something. Continue Reading
Night Before NaNo: A parody
It's that time! Time for this year's NaNoWriMo poem! T'was the Night before NaNo T'was the eve before NaNo And all through the house We were frantically cleaning-- Even my spouse. The blue bowl was filled With candy to spare In hopes that costumed darlings Soon would be there. The Continue Reading
3 Ways I Torture Characters
I get emails almost weekly--often multiple times a week--and the question invariably goes something like this. "How could you do that to him/her?" In other words, "How could you torture that character like that?" So, I thought I'd give you a bit of insight into why I do the torturous things I do. Continue Reading
