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Chautona Havig

Chautona Havig

Using story to connect YOU to the Master Storyteller

It’s Not Easy Going Green: How Characters Can Irritate

by Chautona Havig · 4 Comments

Green Schmeen (whatever that means):

Something happens to authors when we begin a new novel. We see words, scenarios, situations–we see them all in entirely new ways.  Take the word “green.”  When I was a kid, if you said someone was “green” it meant they were new, unsophisticated, and likely from the country. On the other hand, we also had “green Christmases” but none of those ever made it into song.  You could have a white one or a blue one, but otherwise, nope.

not easy being green

Note: Links in this post may be affiliate links and as such, I may receive a small commission at no extra expense for you.

But in the past decade or two, a new green has emerged. First, people were “conservationists” or “environmentalists.”  Later, you heard about “tree huggers” in reference to those who tried to prevent the destruction of forests. Then they became “eco-conscious” (and I’m laughing because I didn’t hit the “B” hard enough in became and it came out “ecame” which… is kind of funny considering).  Things good for, or at least not bad for, the environment became “eco-friendly.”  Over time, green became the color of the “save the planet” movement.  So people talked about “going green” or “being green.”  (And I fully admit that the order of these could be jumbled.  It’s just my memory, not careful research).

I have a daughter (#3) who read one of Siri Mitchell’s books, The Cubicle Next Door and promptly refused to use a straw ever again.  She’s quite passionate about never using straws and a bunch of other things, but straws began it and so it’s why I think of her when I think “green folks.”  And really, that’s where my 365 Days of Green began.  I had a plan for an eco-free character who, in a move that made Kaye Harper from Confessions of a De-cluttering Junkie look like an underachiever, decided to spend a year proving that this eco-stuff didn’t really  make a difference in the grand scheme of things, and it wasn’t that hard.

But I didn’t like the title.

I tried dozens.  None satisfied.  I finally chose The Green Dare and tried to make a cover I liked.  I even did a screen capture of it.  And this is what happened:

Of course, I decided, by the end of it, that I hated the cover and the title.  I do that.  It’s an illness, I tell you.

I went with her name.  Cassandra (Cassie) Wren.  I started thinking of other things she likes–thrifting, sale-ing, and other ways of spending money on the lovely things of the past.  You know.  Antiques and vintage stuff.  Cassie Wren the Vintage Queen.  Vintage.  Wren.  I got it!!!!  The Vintage Wren was born.

It’s a slow write.  I won’t pretend it isn’t.  There are long gaps between episodes.  Partly because I’ve allowed myself to be over-committed this year.  Partly because this series takes place in 4-5 week volumes.  That means each episode is a week.  So, for a full-length novel, each episode needs to be 20k or more words.  That’s 5k more than most of the HearthLand episodes.

But it’s time.  I said when the first volume was released and the half-week in it that becomes Week 5 was done, I’d start them free.  It took a couple of weeks, but here we are!  From now on, we’ll be doing “Wren Wednesdays” but I didn’t get the promo set in time.  OOPS!  So, I opted for Thursday over waiting another week.

I’m going to be blunt.

Some people LOVED the first episode.  Others, not so much.  But while they’re free, please download.  Read the first one or two… maybe three.  They don’t cost you anything ,but I think the first sets up the scene and the rest share the story, if you will.  ðŸ™‚  Just to get a feel for it, here are a few quotes:

green week 1

and then there’s:

going green 2

Of course, I would love if you’d share this series with your friends.  Remember, these are FREE for a limited time at regular intervasl.  They’re my gift to my readers.  I so appreciate all the kind words you send, the way you share my books with others, and yes, I appreciate the checks I get at the end of every month. I won’t pretend I don’t.  But these serial novels that I give away are special to me because they’re a reminder of who I am and why I do this.

I am a giver.  I LOVE to give.  And, I write to encourage Christians in their faith.  I don’t write to become rich. I don’t write to get fame or whatever other reasons people may write.  For me, it’s about encouraging believers.  That’s the key.  I won’t pretend that we don’t appreciate those royalties, but if I have to choose between blessing the body of Christ and the money, well.  There is no choice for me.  It’s already decided.  ðŸ™‚

No

What “green” thing do you think you’d find the hardest to do?  Maybe you’ll give me a new idea!

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Comments

  1. Alicia says

    August 26, 2016 at 7:35 pm

    I Iove Cassie and all that she represents. I love the idea of her “going green” or “living green.” I have to say I am like her. I see all this stuff that can be recycled and it drives me crazy that there isn’t a way to recycle at most public places. I take mine to a public recycling bin. I used to use the one at the house I was renting regularly and it drive me nuts my roommates girlfriend ALWAYS threw so many recyclable things away. There is enough in our landfills that will sit there forever. Even if each one of us did a little it will still be a bigger impact.

    I live your banana story. It is also healthier. :). And all that packaging drives me crazy. I bring my own bags now because it is easier if you are walking but all thise plastic bags generally go to waste. I use maybe 10/month if that for trash bags. Otherwise it is all reusable bags that I wipe clean afterward and have out for the next time. Plus you never leave one by mistake. 🙂

    Just me. We all have our own “passiions,” but the more I read the more I realize that if we change things even a little as individuals we will leave a better earth to those of the next generation. 🙂

    Aside from all that I loved the blog post. And you are getting it done even having over committed yourself. ??

    Reply
  2. Angela Martin says

    August 26, 2016 at 10:47 am

    I love your comment on blessing the Body of Christ vs receiving a paycheck. While I’m firmly against treating God as an ATM machine, I’m firmly for the fact that everything we have is His. When we do what we are supposed to do, He takes care of the rest. Prosperity doesn’t always meet a worldly definition in the upside-down Gospel of Jesus but it is an amazing prosperity to be highly desired. Thank you for your faithfulness to His kingdom call.

    Reply
  3. Emma Filbrun says

    August 25, 2016 at 12:38 pm

    I loved the first episode. I’m still planning to put a review on Amazon. Hopefully soon! Thank you!

    Reply
    • Chautona Havig says

      August 26, 2016 at 12:29 am

      Thank you! I appreciate that! 😀

      Reply

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