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Chautona Havig

Chautona Havig

Using story to connect YOU to the Master Storyteller

How a Dear Friend Inspired an Interesting Minor Character

by Chautona Havig · 1 Comment

I met her on a homeschool message board—one of those old-school things where great long multi-nested threads went on and on about everything from math curricula to that oh, so annoying, “But what about socialization?” question.

She was a quiltmaker.  So was I.  She loved dressmaking.  So did I. She liked mysteries and well-written literature.  And so did I.

Alas, I liked Jane Austen and she preferred Georgette Heyer. I forgave her.  She may someday forgive me.

Cathe SwansonWho is she? 

Author Cathe Swanson—quilter, seamstress, author extraordinaire, and a dear friend for almost twenty years.

When I first met her, she lived on a hobby farm in Wisconsin.  She had a goat. Chickens.  A garden.  And she made wedding ensembles for the great, heaping gobs of young folks who got married in her church every year.

A perfect inspiration for one of my minor characters.

In the Hartfield Mysteries, Alexa Hartfield needed a seamstress—a dressmaker whose skills extended to pattern making and design. She needed Cathe!  So, I created a woman who lived on a farm in rural Wisconsin. I gave her chickens, a goat, and a church full of people who kept getting married all the time.

She just needed a name.

One of Cathe’s favorite authors is Elizabeth Peters—particularly the Amelia Peabody series.  So, when I went to create “Cathe’s” name, I wanted to honor those.  Amelia Peters was just a little too on the nose for me, so… I played with names for a bit and got Adelaide.  I liked it because if you took off the “Ade” you got “Laide.”

You know, like “Lady Peters.”  It fit Cathe’s regal persona—particularly when elbows up to dirt in her garden, you.

How a Dear Friend Inspired an Interesting Minor Character

Links may be affiliate links that provide me with a small commission–doesn’t cost you anything extra, though!

But there was one subtle thing I threw into that mix that most people miss.

Alexa Hartfield isn’t really much like me on the surface.  She’s single. I’m married with 9 kids.  She’s estranged from her messed up parents.  I have a wonderful, loving relationship with mine.  She’s wealthy as all get out.  Me… not so much.

However, we do have similarities. We’re both introverts. Alexa loves and wears beautiful antique and vintage fashion.  I admire from afar. We’re both pretty much, “I don’t care what you think of me” unless you have a problem with me because I’m in sin!  And we’re both pretty eclectic.

What does this have to do with people missing something?

Alexa Hartfield is from Ridgecrest, California.

And so am I. So, while she’s not a representation of me, there is a certain connection between us that makes a friendship between her and Laidie feel just like a murky shadow of the friendship between Cathe and me.

And while some who have read Crime of Fashion might think we won’t see much more of her, lovers of Cassie, HearthLand, and the Hartfield Mysteries might just want to pay attention to crossovers coming soon.

Yes, for the curious.  That does mean there’s a fifth Hartfield Mystery in the works.

Shh…

And these days, Cathe and I also share another interest. Writing.

Cathe’s novels and novellas are full of quirky people, hilarious scenes, and poignant situations that bring to light how Christians ought to shine in this darkened age. Her book, Snow Angels is one of my favorite books of all time.  Her Baggage Claim is an interesting and compelling suspense novel with hilarious and lively children… and a babysitter we should all cheer!  Stay tuned for my upcoming review of her Christmas novella from last year, Hope for the Holidays.

You can find Cathe at CatheSwanson.com (and as catheswanson on all major social media)

Check out our Hartfield Archives for more posts about the Hartfield Mysteries!

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Previous Post: « How One Fluffy Read Betrayed Me & Why I’m Thrilled
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Comments

  1. Cathe says

    August 15, 2018 at 11:09 pm

    I look forward to collaborating on the next book.

    Reply

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The Because Fiction Podcast

The Because Fiction Podcast
The Because Fiction Podcast

Taking the pulse of Christian fiction

Episode 217: A Chat with Biblical Fiction Author, Terry Garner
byChautona Havig

Terry Garner joined me tonight to chat about his fascinating Biblical Fiction series, Magi Journey. Starting way back in Assyria, through Babylon, and into Persia, the series chronicles two timelines–first that of the Israelite kings, and then of a fascinating family back in Persia… Listen in to see the hope this Magi family found in Scripture and how it led them to Bethlehem. 

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

This isn’t just another “traveling to Bethlehem with gold” story of the Magi. No, Terry Garner links the Israelite kings from Ahaz through the destruction of the temple and into captivity with a family who discovers that God has promised redemption for those outside Israel as well. Follow a physical and a faith journey across the ages all the way to the hope of an age.

With extensive and meticulous research, Terry Garner looks at Scripture and compares it with historical secular accounts. Even more exciting, however, are the things he discovered along the way. He talks about Jewish historians discounting Scriptural accounts of historical events to explain away the supernatural as if God Almighty… isn’t!

And then, Terry explains how he’s also writing a nonfiction book to help readers pull all the pieces from Scripture and see what God has promised us… so that we may know His plans. I’m excited about that book, but I confess, learning he’s working on a spinoff of the Magi series excited me even more. EEEP!

Terry Garner has all his books on sale right now!

The paperbacks are on sale for 9.95 and the box set (also available on Kindle Unlimited) is on sale for 4.99!

Magi Journey by Terry Garner

A sweeping historical saga from the courts of Tiglath-Piliser III in Assyria to the sleepy town of Bethlehem. History is seen through the eyes of the Magi as they journey from 734 BC to -0- AD.

Explore with the Magi the prophecies of Isaiah, Jeremiah, and Daniel. Witness God’s judgment on Israel, Assyria, and Babylon. And rejoice in the redemption of Israel and the coming of the Messiah.

Join the Magi as they answer the question that is critical to every man and woman, “Who Is This Messiah?”

Learn more about Terry on his WEBSITE.

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

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Episode 217: A Chat with Biblical Fiction Author, Terry Garner
Episode 217: A Chat with Biblical Fiction Author, Terry Garner
March 31, 2023
Chautona Havig
Episode 216: A Chat with Jaime Jo Wright
March 28, 2023
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Episode 215: A Chat with Henry O. Arnold
March 24, 2023
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Episode 214: A Chat about After the Shadows with Amanda Cabot
March 21, 2023
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Episode 213: A Chat about Daughter of Eden with Jill Eileen Smith
March 17, 2023
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Episode 212: A Chat about Code Name Edelweiss with Stephanie Landsem
February 28, 2023
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Episode 211: A Chat with Lynn H. Blackburn about Under Fire
February 24, 2023
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Episode 210: A Chat with Jennifer Deibel about The Maid of Ballymacool
February 21, 2023
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Episode 209: A Chat with Tracie Peterson about Remember Me
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Episode 208: A Chat with Author, Hallie Lee
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