• Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar
  • Home
  • Bio
  • Bookshelf
    • Audio
    • Complete List of Chautona’s Books
    • The Rockland Chronicles
      • The Vintage Wren
      • The Aggie Series
      • The Hartfield Mysteries
      • Sight Unseen Series
        • Sight Unseen Series Archives
      • The Agency Files
      • Christmas Fiction
    • Legacy of the Vines
    • Meddlin’ Madeline
      • Madeline Blog Archive
    • Ballads from the Hearth
      • Ballads from the Hearth Blog Archive
    • Legends of the Vengeance
    • Journey of Dreams
    • Wynnewood
    • Webster’s Bakery
    • The Not-So-Fairy Tales
    • Heart of Warwickshire
  • Start HERE
    • If You Like…
    • Characters
    • Suggested Reading Order
    • Free Books
  • Blog
  • Contact
  • Podcast
    • Advertising
    • Podcast Guest Information
    • Podcast Interview FAQ
  • Merch Shop
  • Nav Social Menu

    • Email
    • Facebook
    • Instagram
    • Pinterest
    • Twitter
    • YouTube
  • Bonus
  • Speaking
  • New & Coming
Chautona Havig

Chautona Havig

Using story to connect YOU to the Master Storyteller

Controversy & Writing the Hard Stuff

by Chautona Havig · 7 Comments

Let’s face it.  The world loves controversy.  You’ve seen the news.  They don’t report on how everyone agreed on something.  They report on how the city council broke out in a shouting match over which road gets paved next or the color of napkins at the next mayoral dinner or whatever.  Seriously, sometimes I just want to curl up with earbuds and listen to Anne Murray’s “A Little Good News.”  Here it is.  For those who haven’t heard it.

But, I’m just as drawn in as the next person.  

Controversy & Writing the Hard Stuff

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

I take situations and explore them through fictional eyes.  Such is the case with my favorite book–Not a Word. I’ve had people ask if I’m not perpetuating the idea that rape isn’t “that big of a deal.”  I disagree.

In fact, I think the reverse is true.  I think, by not hiding the fact that sometimes women do lie about it, I am validating the women who have suffered at the hands of men (and the reverse does happen as well, though not nearly as often).  That’s why I wrote the book–to show how forgiveness, even for such a heinous lie, is a beautiful thing.

I wrote the book to show that while most accusations of rape are not false, it does happen, and men are at the mercy of women in those cases. Additionally, I also wrote the book to address what I consider to be a serious problem in America–the erroneous idea that only our young men have sexual temptations.

So often, to listen to some of the lessons taught in our churches, you come away with the notion that young men are ravenous sexual creatures who only manage a modicum of purity because young women aren’t tempted and can easily “say no” for both of them.  What about those young women who are tempted?  Who is going to “say no” for them if young men are just animals without self-restraint?

You want controversy?  

Hint that maybe, just maybe, girls were created as sexual creatures, too.

As I wrote it, my heart broke for young people and the temptations they’re fighting.  People act like this is the first time in history that these things have been an issue.  I say it’s just the first time in a hundred or two years that it’s “open.” Ever heard of Rome?  I rest my case.

Victorian young men had the same issues.  Victorian young women dealt with the same thoughts, feelings, and temptations.  But because they couldn’t discuss them frankly, they were treated for “female hysteria.”  It’s the same old, same old.

Solomon said it well.  “There’s nothing new under the sun.”  There’s nothing new in human sexuality, either.  I’m just throwing that out there.  Just remember Noah.  God found ONE righteous man.  One.  Thanks to Jesus, we’ve got millions more than that today.  It’s not as bad as it was in the days of Noah.  That always reassures me.

But I have to admit, I really didn’t think that I’d ever write such a difficult, controversial book again.  I was wrong.  Let me just get this out there now.

This year’s Christmas novel is heartbreaking, hard-hitting, and frankly, half the time I don’t want to write it.  

I just don’t.  As I watched the devastation that adultery causes the church–not just the marriage or family but the entire church–I decided it was time to show it.  I mean, that’s what we authors strive to do.  We take controversy and lay it open in story form to show sides of it that, as humans, we hope we never see.  We do it to make it real.  To make it possible to sympathize and empathize when, otherwise, we would be clueless.

I’d appreciate your prayers during this time.  It’s a hard book to write.  I’ve walked this path beside friends devastated by it, so I have a glimpse of just how horrible it is, but I’ve never lived it.  Let me tell you I pray I never do. I try to remember that no one is immune to temptation.  That it could.  I work to remember that I need to keep my heart open and bare before the Lord.  That I need to “take heed” or I may discover that I’ve fallen as well.

Writing it–seeing the devastation in a fictional family?  That’s more than enough for me.  MORE than enough.

controversy over divorce

Share67
Pin
Tweet
Email
67Shares
Share
Pin
Tweet
Email
67Shares

Related

Filed Under: General Information

Previous Post: « OCCWC: or what I did this weekend
Next Post: Meddlin’ Madeline: Five Fun Facts »

Reader Interactions

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Or, you can subscribe without commenting.

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Comments

  1. Elaine says

    April 23, 2016 at 8:54 am

    Gluttony, no one talks about it.
    Potluck dinners encourage it, in my opinion.
    I’ve never heard a sermon on it
    I’ve fought this battle, and our Lord has set me free.

    Reply
    • Chautona Havig says

      April 24, 2016 at 4:01 pm

      Gluttony is a huge American problem, and the church seems to be in knee-jerk reaction to the world in correcting it by almost encouraging it more. That is a HUGE, sweeping, broad generalization that isn’t fair, really. But that’s why I used the word, “seems”

      Reply
  2. Rebekah says

    April 19, 2016 at 8:24 am

    I need to re-read Not A Word. It was a powerful story of forgiveness and redemption. Thank you for not shunning these hard issues as you wrote NAW and now, Christmas Embers.

    Reply
    • Chautona Havig says

      April 21, 2016 at 9:24 pm

      I did that today–reread it. There were things I’d forgotten. That’s always fun.

      Reply
  3. Judy Becker says

    April 19, 2016 at 8:12 am

    I absolutely loved Not A Word! My heart breaks for all of us in this fallen world, but the Good News of Christ’s completed work for us on the cross and His resurrection gives me that blessed (certain) hope of one day falling before Him, worshipping and thanking Him face to face. I love all your writings, it is just that some hit closer to home than others, but all are more than worth the time to read. Prayers for your daughter’s pregnancy are ascending even as I type. I look forward to your Christmas book. God bless you and all your family.

    Reply
  4. Kim Gregory says

    April 19, 2016 at 6:15 am

    My tablet spell checked me, “cautions” should be your name! LOL! Ah, technology.

    Reply
  5. Kim Gregory says

    April 19, 2016 at 6:13 am

    Cautions, I’m praying for your daughter and the baby. The Holy Spirit knows that baby intimately and will be with him /her. (Ps. 139). I pray all goes well and that God is glorified in the midst of your trial. Love in Christ, Kim

    Reply

Primary Sidebar

The Because Fiction Podcast

The Because Fiction Podcast
The Because Fiction Podcast

Taking the pulse of Christian fiction

Episode 216: A Chat with Jaime Jo Wright
byChautona Havig

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

  • Apple 
  • Castbox 
  • Google Play
  • Libsyn 
  • RSS
  • Spotify
  • Stitcher
  • Amazon
  • and more!
Episode 216: A Chat with Jaime Jo Wright
Episode 216: A Chat with Jaime Jo Wright
March 28, 2023
Chautona Havig
Episode 215: A Chat with Henry O. Arnold
March 24, 2023
Chautona Havig
Episode 214: A Chat about After the Shadows with Amanda Cabot
March 21, 2023
Chautona Havig
Episode 213: A Chat about Daughter of Eden with Jill Eileen Smith
March 17, 2023
Chautona Havig
Episode 212: A Chat about Code Name Edelweiss with Stephanie Landsem
February 28, 2023
Chautona Havig
Episode 211: A Chat with Lynn H. Blackburn about Under Fire
February 24, 2023
Chautona Havig
Episode 210: A Chat with Jennifer Deibel about The Maid of Ballymacool
February 21, 2023
Chautona Havig
Episode 209: A Chat with Tracie Peterson about Remember Me
February 17, 2023
Chautona Havig
Episode 208: A Chat with Author, Hallie Lee
February 14, 2023
Chautona Havig
Episode 207: A Chat with Daniella Rushton about Portal Fantasy
February 10, 2023
Chautona Havig
Search Results placeholder

Love Audio Books?

audio book ad

Check out the Sparrow Island novels. A tiny island with a lot of heart

independence islands series

Featured Books

A Ransomed Grete

A Ransomed Grete
Buy This Book Online
Buy from Amazon Kindle
A Ransomed Grete
Buy now!

Twice Sold Tales

Twice Sold Tales
Buy This Book Online
Buy from Amazon
Buy from Amazon Kindle
Twice Sold Tales
Buy now!

Under the Hibiscus

Under the Hibiscus
Buy This Book Online
Buy from Amazon
Buy from Amazon Kindle
Under the Hibiscus
Buy now!

Upcoming Posts

Sorry - nothing planned yet!

Or just subscribe to the newsletter

Recent Blog Posts

  • What Is More Terrifying than an Author with a Sharp Tent Peg?
  • Why I Can’t Wait to Read the Secrets of Sweetwater Crossing Series!
  • What Kinds of Lessons Can We Learn from the First People?

I buy my stickers here! (affiliate)

Custom Stickers, Die Cut Stickers, Bumper Stickers - Sticker Mule
Reading this right now. Just started last night, Reading this right now.  Just started last night, and I am already engrossed. 

Reposted from @lianaygeorge Get to know Perfectly Placed! Book 2 in the Hopeful Heart Series, it continues Nicki’s adventures in China and has her falling in love in ways she never imagined!

•
•
•

books book tropes convincing you to read perfectly placed hopeful hearts series contemporary christian fiction women's fiction ebook paperback
Stickers by Lorna will eventually be part of the n Stickers by Lorna will eventually be part of the next Bookstrings giveaway (this fall).

Reposted from @lornaroseboutique Link to these designs are in my bio!!!
#resbubbleartist 
#ilovestickers 
#artwork
How often does Biblical fiction go back in time... How often does Biblical fiction go back in time... before time? Not often in my experience, but Jill Eileen Smith's Daughter of Eden takes a bold step to imagine the creation of the angels... of even Michael the Archangel!  Listen in while we chat about Eden, Eve, her children, and the war between those banished from heaven and those who remained to protect those made in God's image.
@revellfiction
@Jilleileensmith
#BecauseFiction
#ChristFic
#BiblicalFiction
#DaughterofEden
#BookishPodcasts
Neville LongBarkem got a trim the other day, and h Neville LongBarkem got a trim the other day, and he's still worn out. Plus, he misses @lornarose9 si we thought we'd say hi.
#NevilleLongBarkem 
#TheShediffice
This one was a 5-star, couldn't-put-it-down wonde This one was a 5-star,  couldn't-put-it-down wonder. Soooo good. Do not wait, do not go past your co machine (computer), and you won't have to spend 200 dollars,  either!
Reposted from @patriciaraybon Spring sprung! But a deeper, mysterious vibe still sets the mood for my Annalee Spain Mysteries.

Set in Colorado's bad Klan days, the novels feature Annalee Spain—a young Black theologian who’s a Sherlock fan—solving curious intrigue and mystery while facing down dangers!

Available now! Find bookseller list here https://bit.ly/3JBenGY
Thanks and happy reading! 
#Historicalfiction #HistoryMystery #mystery #mysterybooks #mysteries #mystery #christianfiction #historicalfiction #historicalmystery #historicalmysteries #womensfiction #bookrecommendations #bookclubbook #bookstagrammers #blackbookstagrammers #blackhistory #readmorewomen #readmorewomenofcolor #Colorado #readers #getinspired #BlackStoriesMatter
So... here's tonight's literary lineup... Letters So... here's tonight's literary lineup...
Letters from the Lighthouse by Emma Carroll 
Little Shop of Found Things by Paula Brackston 
And
Perfectly Placed by @lianaygeorge 
#AmReading 
#ThinMints
So much for not finishing. Can't stop now. Some b So much for not finishing.  Can't stop now. Some books just hit the spot like a cool glass of water on a hot day or a hot bowl of stew on a cold one. 
#Amberwell 
#AmReading
  • Home
  • Bookshelf
  • New & Coming
  • Blog
  • News!
  • Disclosure & Policies
  • Privacy Policy

Copyright © 2023 · Chautona Havig · All Rights Reserved · Coding by Gretchen Louise

Don't go before you grab your FREE short story collection!