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Chautona Havig

Chautona Havig

Using story to connect YOU to the Master Storyteller

How & Why I Make Reading a Huge Priority in My Life

by Chautona Havig · 2 Comments

So many books, so little time.

I’m one of those voracious readers who tends to inhale books rather than savor them.  Though I try to learn to stroll through the pages, take my time, enjoy the journey, I can’t always do it.  In fact, the longer it’s been since I’ve read a book, the more starved I am for the words.  I miss a lot because of it.

When I spend all day writing, I tend to forget to allow myself the privilege of reading.  It’s a mistake.  I had someone ask me if I needed to read any more; would it compromise my own writing by giving me ideas that belong to someone else?  Now, I’m not arrogant enough to think that I cannot be influenced by what I read.  We all are.  However, I am not so very influenced that I cannot use my own imagination.

Reading does enhance my writing, though. 

It keeps me out of just one style.  Additionally, it keeps me from narrowing my focus so much that I lose sight of all that is around me because my own words are crowding it out.  My writing is strongest when I’ve spent time in well-written books.  They inspire me to craft a sentence.

[clickToTweet tweet=”In fact, a single well-crafted sentence is all I need to tempt me to read something.” quote=”In fact, a single well-crafted sentence is all I need to tempt me to read something.”]

Deanna Raybourn- Lady Julia Grey SeriesFor example, in Silent in the Grave, Deanna Raybourn opens the book (and the series) with:

“To say that I met Nicholas Brisbane over my husband’s dead body is not entirely accurate. Edward, it should be noted, was still twitching upon the floor.”

It sold me on the entire series.  I bought it all without knowing anything else about it (and have subsequently learned that there are a few unnecessary words or moments.  I still haven’t read it, though, so… just sayin’. This isn’t a recommendation of the series… yet.  I’ll review that later!)

I want to be that writer.  I love combing through a manuscript, fixing sentences and such, and finding a comment from my editor that says I’ve written one that really spoke to her.  That’s the goal!  Those sentences that so perfectly convey what you want them to–they’re best learned by reading others who do that well.

The problem?

How to find time to do that reading in the middle of life, writing, homeschooling, life, writing, cooking, life, writing, cleaning… you get the picture.  I’ve learned a few things over the years.  Maybe they’ll help you when you are missing time with a good story.

How & Why I Make Reading a Huge Priority in My Life

Note: this post was originally posted in 2012.  It’s been edited and updated for 2018.  Oh, and links may be affiliate links that provide me with a small commission at no extra expense to you.

How & Why I Make Reading a Huge Priority in My Life

  • I let myself be sick.  When I’m sick, I used to try to work through it– do well.  Keep going.  Now, I grab a book, go to bed, read a little, sleep a lot, read a little.  It’s not often, but hey, it happens.
  • Take a book and go read somewhere.  I don’t do that often either, but you know what, sometimes I just have to do it.  Sometimes I need an hour alone with a good book.
  • Read while the family is sleeping.  This is my favorite and most used option.
  • Sign up to be a review blogger for sites like Tyndale, Net Galley, and my favorite, Celebrate Lit.

Filling your mind with positive ideas, exciting words, and intriguing plots is a great way to see everything else you read with new, fresh eyes. 

It makes the words I put on “paper” have greater meaning and “life.”  In fact, I see the deeper underlying themes of stories–even of the Bible–better because of the time I spend in books of all kinds– fiction and non-fiction.

Writers must write.  We must.  For years, my writing was all in my mind, but I still “wrote.”  Now, I write them down the minute I think of them–I make them a part of my future plans so they aren’t lounging around in there, cluttering my brain.  And then I really dive deep into those stories and make them come alive on the page.  Well, that’s the goal, anyway.

However, as a human who thrives on story.  It feeds my heart and soul.  Through story, good story, anyway, I am drawn back to the feet of the Master Storyteller. And that’s what it’s all about, isn’t it? That’s why I write.

Reading is a huge priority in my life.  Writing just helps me process it.  Or something like that.

I’m curious, though.  Is reading a priority in your life?  If so, why? (And what should I read next?)

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Comments

  1. Laura Hile says

    April 14, 2018 at 8:07 pm

    Such a refreshing post. I read because I need to remember what it is I am inviting readers to do. That is, to lose themselves in the pleasure of an entertaining, escapist, imaginary story of my making.

    Sometimes — often — i become too caught up in the “work” of storytelling. Oh, how we need to experience the joy of a good book.

    Reply
    • Chautona Havig says

      April 19, 2018 at 2:21 pm

      It can happen so quickly. We need that wonder and joy that a good book gives as inspiration to be sure to give that joy and wonder!

      Reply

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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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young—except the ones who destroy her beloved books. You could say she doesn’t have a very nice 
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