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Chautona Havig

Chautona Havig

Using story to connect YOU to the Master Storyteller

Lessons Learned from Alexa

by Chautona Havig · 7 Comments

2Alexa’s Background:  Manuscript for Murder was one of the first things I started to write.  Those who know me well have often “suggested” that I might have literary ADD–the inability to keep my attention fixed on one work in progress at a time.  It’s one reason I have several dozen books in progress at once.  So back when I was first working on Aggie and Grace (and Margaret whom none of you have met as yet), I suddenly had an idea for a character.  At first, she was just a person who intrigued me.  Her name was Millicent, and she lived in a yellow cottage in a tourist town.  At this point, I hadn’t even named Fairbury yet.  Millicent was a writer–that much I knew.  What she wrote, I didn’t know.  I suspected it would be incongruous to her personality and character.  I tried desperately to create a character in her fifties with an eclectic taste in clothing (with a particular fondness for the Regency period) and she had a dog.

But something happened as I took it from those initial notes to trying to decide what I’d do with her.  So, I decided to do what all authors do.  I created trouble for her.  I sat thinking one night, “What would be the worst thing that could happen to a successful author?  My answer: make her life a cliche.

Sometime around this point, Millicent became Annette  Hartfield.  There was only one problem.  I couldn’t call her Annette, and that name refused to leave.  At that moment, her background became very clear, and I decided to have her grow up where I live for contrast and to ensure accuracy in anything that took place in her childhood.

Characters:  I expected to like Alexa–maybe even Joe–but as characters arrived on scene, I found myself falling in love with all of them–even the ones I hated.

Alexa:  Alexa’s character taught me to be comfortable in my own skin in new ways.  I’ve always been very “me.”  My parents taught me not to care what anyone thought about me with the notable exceptions of the Lord and my direct authorities (at the time, that would have been them.  Hee hee).  And while I had my own eclectic sense of fashion as a teen (I learned to sew so I could have Nancy Drew’s wardrobe!), walking around in period clothing to the extent she did is something I could only dream of doing.  I wouldn’t quite go that far.  Well, I might.  If I ever lose enough weight not to look ridiculous in the process.  😉

Joe:  Joe taught me acceptance.  His acceptance of who Alexa is and how she lives her life blesses me.

Chief Varney:  I think Chief Varney understands Alexa in a way that many don’t.  He holds the same value of old ideas that Alexa does.  While hers is showcased in fashion, his is in traditional police work.  He found a way to blend the old (cops walking a beat) with modern police practices.  He taught me to embrace the best of the old and the new without apology.

Lorie:  Oh, to have Lorie’s zest for life amid such trials.  I love how she has learned to embrace her life as a gift.

Theme:  Justice.  At the core of the book is the concept of justice–true justice and misguided justice.  A secondary theme would be community amongst the church.  I think I was doing a bit of self-reprimanding when reading it.  It’s very easy for me to remain too deeply in my own shell.  Writing Alexa taught me to remember that God created me to be a part of a community of more than one.  😉

Response:  I am always astounded at the response to The Hartfield Mysteries.  Alexa has some very loyal readers.  In fact, I even have a couple of readers who have left reviews of other books that said essentially, “It’s okay–not Alexa, but not bad” or “Don’t bother–just go read Alexa instead.”  Those always make me smile.

I loved this book. I’m not sure if Alexa is my favorite character by Ms. Havig, but she is in the top 3 at least. I cannot wait til the next one comes out. I’m already saving up to buy it… I know I won’t be able to hold out for a free one!  ~RJD

Wow!! Chautona is amazing! Her writing just draws me in and won’t let me go!! I love how the characters come to life. I found myself missing Alexa and Joe when I had to put the book down and, man, how I wish I could meet these facsinating people in real life!  ~Jonathan Taylor

As I was reviewing the list of books by author Chautona Havig, I discovered I’d neglected her series “The Hartfield Mysteries”, so I went to amazon.com and purchased the first one, “Manuscript for Murder”. I was drawn in by the characters so completely that as soon as I finished, I went back and purchased the second, “Crime of Fashion”…..This has enough twists and turns to keep the story line fresh and moves right along, and enough romance to satisfy the incurable romantic in all of us. I am NOT so patiently waiting for the third book in the series, “Two O’Clock Slump”!    ~Lucinda

I don’t usually read mysteries but if Ms. Havig writes it, I’m going to read it.

I almost quit reading it early on. I was so upset with how A. Hartfield was acting…Good thing I got over it and kept reading. I would have missed out on a good mystery.  ~JWilly

I look forward to spending time with Alexa, Joe, and Aunt Faye in Fairbury again.  Faye’s going to shake up the place.  🙂  Well, and there’s that cryptic message from Alexa to Joe.  What was that about?  I can’t wait for her to tell me.

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Comments

  1. Mary Tedder says

    April 10, 2014 at 3:23 pm

    When will we be able to get the next episode?

    Reply
    • Chautona says

      April 10, 2014 at 5:55 pm

      Book four of Alexa, I’m not sure where it is in the lineup. I’ll have to ask Ashley!

      Reply
  2. Alicia says

    March 27, 2014 at 12:39 am

    I love all three and the characters within them. They do teach you lessons within such wonderful and engaging books. You have an amazing talent, be it mysteries or Willow’s journey of bringing the past forward or Aggie and Luke teaching is about the joy and trials of such a large household… Such varied themes and lessons within all of your books and they NEVER fail to engage the reader so fully and so miss the characters at the end. I so often feel like if I just drive to Fairbury or Rockland I can meet these wonderful people in person and live in such a warm and magnificent place. You truly have a talent for drawing the reader in…

    I look forward to Alexa’s next book and Aggie’s as well as the new titles you are bringing into your wonderful collection of novels. I truly got lucky when I happened to come upon you on Amazon…I am always anxious for the next book or series… You are a gem…as a woman, an author, and a distant friend.

    Reply
  3. Laurel S. says

    March 24, 2014 at 12:30 pm

    woohoo! book #4! i keep thinking about having a wardrobe of Whatever I Want… that’s such a freeing thought!

    Reply
  4. Patty-anne Lea says

    March 23, 2014 at 4:01 pm

    I am waiting for book four. I have learned to wear what I have with grace and confidence. I do not need to be a clone.

    Reply
  5. Jaime says

    March 23, 2014 at 2:22 pm

    A book 4?!?!? I am on cloud nine now. I am such a big fan of your books but Alex and Joe are my favorite ones.

    Reply
  6. Barbara says

    March 23, 2014 at 7:23 am

    i’m so excited for book #4…how did i not know you had that one planned?

    Reply

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The Because Fiction Podcast

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Episode 163: A Chat with Naomi Craig about Ezekiel's Song
byChautona Havig

Before I began the interview with Naomi Craig about Ezekiel’s Song, I kind of went crazy and left it in to give you a chuckle. But Naomi and I chat about her upcoming release, why she chose to write about Ezekiel, and what areas she focused on. Listen in and hear her heart for the Word and for stimulating readers to love it and live it.

Oh, and that song I couldn’t remember? Well, I found it after a BUNCH of hunting on YouTube. Here you go!

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

Has Ezekiel Always Confused You? How about a Little Fictional Clarity?

There’s SO much to write about in Ezekiel, but after talking to Naomi Craig, I feel like I got a pretty good grasp of where she’s taking this book without feeling like I don’t need to read it now that we chatted, and that’s always great. Naomi shows service in the temple, how Ezekiel could have had a mentorish relationship under Jeremiah, and even what kind of woman his wife might have been.

Personally, I love the “Darcy-ish” meeting where he totally insults her and accuses her of being an idolatress. Let me tell you something. I cannot wait to read that! Seriously!

God had Ezekiel do a lot of weird things, and I always wondered how he managed some of it, but Naomi brings out possibilities by focusing on this wife that we don’t know much (anything) about. How cool is that?

Naomi also gave us a couple of glimpses into what’s coming next!

She’s #TeamBlue in the Keeping Christmas novella collections, writing about Herod’s palace and the wise men’s appearance looking for “the King of the Jews.”  And… from a scribe’s perspective!  How cool is that?

Also… next up is a book about a woman in Ephriam’s lineage who built three cities. A woman credited with the building of these cities!  I cannot wait! I love how Naomi focuses on how strong Biblical women were. So often we think of them as downtrodden and little more than cattle, but God shows how much He loves His daughters in the Word, and He definitely allows them to shine. We saw that in Naomi’s debut novel Rahab’s Courage.

Ezekiel’s Song by Naomi Craig

A prophet’s heart broken, a woman’s joy gone. What does Yahweh have planned for His people?

On the brink of Jerusalem’s demise, devoted priest, Ezekiel, sees the insincerity of Judah’s worship. Despite his efforts to call the people back to true worship of Yahweh, priests, artisans, valiant warriors, and royals are exiled to Babylon. When God gives him messages of continued judgment for the people in his homeland, his heart breaks. How can he minister to the people from so far away?

The presence of the Lord is tangible when Shiriel sings in the temple, and her voice prepares the hearts of many to worship. When she is exiled to Babylon, her faith is shaken. Does the Lord’s presence extend beyond Jerusalem and His holy temple?

Ezekiel is struck mute and paralyzed as he begins his prophetic ministry, and Shiriel devises a plan to get the Lord’s message back to the unfaithful people of Judah. Shiriel struggles with discontentment as serving the Lord looks nothing like she’d imagined. Can she provide for her family and carry out her husband’s ministry when her joy is gone, and her own dreams are placed on hold?

How will Yahweh save His people from themselves? Find out in Ezekiel’s Song!

Ezekiel’s Song is available at 30% off paperback and at a discount for Kindle, too through release week, so visit Naomi’s WEBSITE for more information.

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Episode 163: A Chat with Naomi Craig about Ezekiel's Song
Episode 163: A Chat with Naomi Craig about Ezekiel's Song
August 12, 2022
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Reposted from @tabithabouldin Reposted from @Sarah Reposted from @tabithabouldin Reposted from @Sarah Monzon The entire Carrington Family series is on sale for only 99¢! (Free with #kindleunlimited ) 

Split-time romances with high stakes and even higher rewards! 

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Harper Brevig has two skills—picking out snarky bookish t-shirts and alienating customers. 
Oh, and racking up bills out of thin air. Make that three skills. She loves the elderly and the very 
young—except the ones who destroy her beloved books. You could say she doesn’t have a very nice 
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save this bookstore?
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Fascinating moon tonight. Fascinating moon tonight.
If only owning a bookstore didn't mean dealing wit If only owning a bookstore didn't mean dealing with people.
Harper Brevig has two skills—picking out snarky bookish t-shirts and alienating customers. 
Oh, and racking up bills out of thin air. Make that three skills. She loves the elderly and the very 
young—except the ones who destroy her beloved books. You could say she doesn’t have a very nice 
“book-side manner.” 
Milton Coleridge and his parrotlet Atticus (not Finch) come to the rescue… but is it too late to 
save this bookstore?
Twice Sold Tales: the first full-length novel in the Bookstrings Series releases on November 2, 
2022. Link to more information is in my bio! 
#amwriting
#amreading
#bookishbooks
#bookstrings
#comingsoon
#ChristianFiction
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While I was in Minnesota, I went to Red Wing for While I was in Minnesota,  I went to Red Wing for research,  and the shop manager of the salon I've appropriated for my bookstore in Twice Sold Tales was so encouraging and helpful.  She even gave @catheswanson a great bang trim.
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