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Chautona Havig

Chautona Havig

Using story to connect YOU to the Master Storyteller

NaNo’s Raven Is Rapping:

by Chautona Havig · Leave a Comment

It’s become a habit of mine to write a parody of different poems or stories as a prelude to NaNoWriMo each year.  Some I posted on Facebook or private message boards, but you can find two of past years’ parodies HERE and HERE.  This year, I played with Edgar Allen Poe’s “The Raven.”  It’s not a good parody. But it was fun for me anyway.

88

NaNo’s Raven

Once upon an evening dreary, my fingers still and not weary
Anticipating and ready to write tomes of exciting lore.
While I waited, fingers tapping at the clock, there came a tapping,
As of someone impatiently rapping at my closed front door.
“Tis a trick or treater,” I sighed, “tapping at the front door—
Only this and nothing more.”

Ah, I remember oh, so sober, t’was the end of brisk October
And ugh, such a mediocre idea filled papers on the floor.
Eagerly I wished for midnight:–vainly I had fought a good fight
‘gainst the muse who screamed for sorrow—sorrow for the writer’s chore
For the rare and delicious story that the author calls a chore.
Writing thus for evermore.

And the told, not shown, scene withers till it keeps me in the dithers
Disgusted—unnerved me with editing terrors not felt before.
So that now, to still the beating of my heart, I sat repeating,
“Tis a trick or treater tapping at the cold front door.
That is it and nothing more.”

Presently my nerves grew stronger and hesitated no longer
“Tricks,” said I, “or Treater, truly your patience I implore;
But the fact is I was waiting, and so gently you came praying
And so earnestly you were praying for a treat from my open door,
That I scarce wanted to waver, so my voice it did here quaver
Unwilling to leave my page of lore.

Deep in the darkness peering, long I stood there wondering, fearing,
Doubting dreaming dreams no story ever dared to dream before;
But the child who made the request, (sounding much more like a behest)
And the only word there spoken were whispered words, “It’s a chore?”
This I whispered, and an echo murmured back the words, “A chore?”
Merely this and nothing more.

Turned I back and flung a shutter, when with many a flirt and flutter,
In the room stepped a Raven, a muse from past days of yore
Of no inspiration gave he, from plotting and conflict strayed he
But with my antagonist, played he as if a dreadful chore
Played and strayed and nothing more.

Then this worthless muse beguiling sent my fingers to compiling
A new story arch of intrigue, danger, romance and so much more.
“Though you’re heartless, truly craven, though you look like Poe’s ‘The Raven’
Blackened, grim and from stone graven, thou,” I said, “are misbehavin’
I plead for what’s truly missing from this tome of forgotten lore.”
Quoth the Raven, “Nevermore.”

Yet the Raven, the muse ne’er missing a chance to tease and not dismissing
The many worthless notions that make my passion seem a chore.
Oh, his eyes have all the seeming, of a demon’s that is dreaming,
Dreaming of plots that won’t become crumpled pages on the floor.
My heart within me shatters when a plot hole splatters on the floor.
Finish NaNo?—nevermore!

It begins in three hours.

NaNoWriMo 2016.  I’m so excited. This year’s book? Well… this is the official cover reveal!

New Year's Revolutions

I confess…. Wendy is just a bit too pretty on this cover.  She looks more like Rosie the Riveter than this gal, but I’m considering this that “Wow.  That’s the best picture you’ve ever taken” photo.  Yeah.  That.  🙂

Don’t forget! I’ve got 30 days of NaNoWriMo tips and encouraging words all lined up for you over on Instagram!

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The Because Fiction Podcast

The Because Fiction Podcast
The Because Fiction Podcast

Taking the pulse of Christian fiction

Episode 206: A Chat with Lisa Phillips about Her New Spin-off Series
byChautona Havig

Fans of Lisa Phillips’ Last Chance County series are doing happy dances following the release of an exciting new spin-off series, Last Chance Fire and Rescue. Expired Return brings back a few favorite characters and kicks off another of Sunrise Publishing’s author/mentor led fiction seasons! Listen in to find out what happens when an author brings back a guy she dropped a building on a couple of books back…

 

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

When Fans Want More Exciting Stories, Smart Authors Listen and Deliver!

Let’s face it. Authors might SOMETIMES be “done” with a series, but readers often want more… indefinitely. Well, with the brilliance of Sunrise Publishing’s mentor model, authors get to collaborate with authors they trust to do their “worlds” proud while still having time to write new, exciting things as well. And some of the Sunrise lead authors even write in the spin-off series–like Lisa Phillips and Trisha Goyer!

This new Last Chance County series promises everything we love about Lisa Phillips’ world–danger, intrigue, heart-stopping suspense, drama… you know… all the feels. But in addition to her own release, Expired Return, this series also introduces us to new authors who have been carefully vetted and selected to ensure they do justice to Lisa’s Last Chance characters. I, for one, can’t wait to check it all out.

Lisa and I chatted about what she plans for the series,Lisa hinted about a possible super-secret reveal coming soon, and I even poked her with the idea of a Last Chance Christmas.

Help me convince them on that, will ya?

But this new book… Whoa…

Expired Return by Lisa Phillips

Pepper stood up. “How dare you.” She could spit fire at him right now. She’d loved and supported Victory since the day she was born. “You know nothing about me.”

“What’s this?”

Pepper whirled around at that voice. Heart. Breaking. She loved that gruff, commanding voice more than anything else in the world.

He wore a look a lot like Aiden’s. Blank, which she knew—or hoped—had to do with protecting his heart because he still cared for her. Except he probably hated her.

Donaldson sat back in his chair. “Allen.”

Former police officer Allen Frees had both hands on the wheels of his chair. He wore a fire department uniform of slacks and a white shirt. Emblems. A badge. His life of service hadn’t ended when he landed in that chair after a building blew up over his head.

As far as she’d been able to tell, it barely slowed him down.

She’ll give everything to protect her family.

He always knew she was the one.

Veterinary tech Pepper Miller lives a quiet life in Last Chance County. She’s watching her niece until her sister shows up…if she ever does. When Victory’s father demands he take over her care, Pepper knows something has gone wrong. With a new drug in town, and her sister embroiled in a dangerous bargain, it’s up to Pepper to protect the people she loves.

Even if it costs every secret she’s ever kept.

Fire Department liaison Allen Frees lives with the injuries he sustained as a police officer in a raid gone wrong. He’s put his life back together but getting the truck crew and engine squad to succeed might be his toughest assignment yet. When Victory is nearly kidnapped at a community event, Allen steps in to help Pepper keep her niece safe. The one thing he couldn’t fix was the love he lost, but he isn’t going to let Pepper walk away this time.

No matter what walls he has to break down.

Last Chance County returns in this blazing new series from Sunrise Publishing.

Last Chance Fire and Rescue

  • Book 1: Expired Return
  • Book 2: Expired Hope (coming soon)
  • Book 3: Expired Promise (coming soon)
  • Book 4: Expired Vows (coming soon)

Last Chance County

  • Book 1: Expired Refuge
  • Book 2: Expired Secrets
  • Book 3: Expired Cache
  • Book 4: Expired Hero
  • Book 5: Expired Game
  • Book 6: Expired Plot
  • Book 7: Expired Getaway
  • Book 8: Expired Betrayal
  • Book 9: Expired Flight
  • Book 10: Expired End

Learn more about Lisa and her books on her WEBSITE.

Learn more about the different seasons (series) offered by Sunrise Publishing or how to audition with them on the Sunrise Publishing WEBSITE.

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

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Episode 206: A Chat with Lisa Phillips about Her New Spin-off Series
Episode 206: A Chat with Lisa Phillips about Her New Spin-off Series
February 7, 2023
Chautona Havig
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February 4, 2023
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February 3, 2023
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Episode 204: A Chat with Sarah Sundin about The Sound of Light
January 31, 2023
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Episode 203: A Chat with Heather Greer about Window of Opportunity
January 27, 2023
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Episode 202: A Chat with Historical Christian Author, Laura Frantz
January 24, 2023
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Episode 201: A Closer Look at This YA Dystopian Series
January 20, 2023
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Episode 200: Comparing & Contrasting Two Split-Time Novels
January 17, 2023
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Episode 199: A Chat about Karl May with Robert Stermscheg
January 13, 2023
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Episode 198: A Chat about Everything Is Just Beginning with Erin Bartels
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Hardly an ordinary day in the life of Poppy Hart.

My days usually consist of agonizing over my failing restaurant, worrying about my mountain of debt and nursing my broken heart.

Everything changes when I bump into a man in the coffee shop and claim him as my new boyfriend. To my absolute horror, he turns out to be hockey’s most renowned bad boy, Dallas Burke. To my absolute delight, he goes along with my story.

When his no-nonsense manager and meddling grandmother jump in the picture, they see a win-win solution for my failing restaurant and Dallas’s less-than-stellar reputation.

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But as I get to know the real Dallas Burke, who is not the man the press says he is, it becomes clear that if this isn’t real. . . someone better tell it to my heart.

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Heath Karras has a problem. Lots of eager first da Heath Karras has a problem. Lots of eager first dates... no second dates. With his propensity to spout random (and often bizarre) animal facts while nervous (he's always nervous around women) it's no wonder. 
His sister has a solution--lots of dates. Great, heaping gobs of them. Go ahead. Be awkward. Get used to it. Then... then try with someone you really want to get to know. He's not so confident, but when a man gives his word... (Note to self: no more agreeing to Selby's plans without knowing what they are!)
Find out what happens in Random Acts (or is it Facts?) of Shyness.

This book just got a fresh makeover, thanks to the genius of @PlethoraCreative & @PerryElizabeth.
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Reposted from @katherinereay My next novel A SHADO Reposted from @katherinereay My next novel A SHADOW IN MOSCOW will be available on June 13, 2023!! I can’t wait for you to meet Cold War spies, Anya Kadinova and Ingrid Bauer. You can pre-order your copy today!!
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Heath Karras has a problem. Lots of eager first da Heath Karras has a problem. Lots of eager first dates... no second dates. With his propensity to spout random (and often bizarre) animal facts while nervous (he's always nervous around women) it's no wonder. 
His sister has a solution--lots of dates. Great, heaping gobs of them. Go ahead. Be awkward. Get used to it. Then... then try with someone you really want to get to know. He's not so confident, but when a man gives his word... (Note to self: no more agreeing to Selby's plans without knowing what they are!)
Find out what happens in Random Acts (or is it Facts?) of Shyness.

This book just got a fresh makeover, thanks to the genius of @PlethoraCreative & @PerryElizabeth.
There's a link to how to find it in my bio.
#ChristFic
#ChristianRomCom
#InspiredByATrueStory
Reposted from @sarahsundinauthor The Sound of Ligh Reposted from @sarahsundinauthor The Sound of Light is now available from @revellfiction , and it received a starred review from Booklist!

In WWII Denmark, Baron Henrik Ahlefeldt assumes the identity of a common shipyard worker, rowing messages to Sweden for the Resistance. His life depends on keeping his secret hidden--a task that proves challenging when he meets Else Jensen, an American physicist who seems to see right through him.

Read more and find purchase links in the Linktree in my bio!
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