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Chautona Havig

Chautona Havig

Using story to connect YOU to the Master Storyteller

What Makes Cliched Tropes Work Like Magic?

by Chautona Havig · 4 Comments

Plan to Fail--is it the name of a super-fun spy novel set in Phoenix or a commentary on my determination not to be distracted from my latest WIP? Ahem. via @chautonahavig

How many times in some movie have you ever heard someone say, “I know a guy?” And while we’re on the subject, why does the guy saying it always have a Jerzee or Chicagoan accent?

Well… when it comes to TV and movies, “I know a gal.” No, really. I do. I can’t tell you her name. That would be indiscreet. Unlike Arthur in the movie by his name (one I cannot recommend, mind you), I will not whisper it under my breath and then blurt it out, either.

Instead, I’ll let you in on an inside joke. My nickname for her is #notBob. No, really. It is. We were at an event once and people kept saying something like, “You’re the one in the movie industry—but not Bob…” While they tried to remember her name.

Well, I did something last night I’ve never done before. I messaged #notBob on Facebook and told her I thought she should check out a cool new series I’d been reading. The Accidental Cases of Emily Abbot.

the accidental cases of Emily Abbott

In trying to pitch the concept, I did a movie/TV mashup that really does help people “get” an idea quickly. I said, “It’s kind of like Inspector Gadget meets the wonder and delight of Harry Potter when he discovers the wizarding world… but in a nineteen-year-old wannabe college student barista.” Okay, looking back, I think maybe Get Smart would have been a more accurate description. I’d better tell her that.

But it’s true! Seriously, if this came out on Netflix, Amazon Prime, PureFlix, or Hallmark, I’d buy every episode that came out just to be sure I could always have it. I think it would be delightful!

The question begs, of course, why?

Well, because Perry Kirkpatrick took all those cliched tropes that we know and are familiar with and she sent them spinning across the stage of her novels. Because you know the tropes, you know what’s coming—and you don’t. You know what should be there, so when it doesn’t quite happen, it has a lot of punch without the need for explanation.

In fact, I’d say that’s the brilliance of her concept. Perry Kirkpatrick is able to write this series with probably half the words she would have needed if she didn’t stick to tropes, stereotypes, and cliches.

The best part… she made them work for her instead of against her.

What Makes Cliched Tropes Work Like Magic?

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

What Makes Cliched Tropes Work Like Magic?

Taking the known and using them in a new, fresh way makes Plan to Fail (and the whole series so far), one to love. I hate that they’re so short, though—both because I want more, more, more, and because of the brilliance she used to ensure they only need to be as long as they are. It’s something to envy, folks.  Trust me.

I laughed hysterically when one of the main characters got one of those fun upset/plot twists. And I could have cried when I found out a beloved character was the victim of money laundering.

I recommend Plan to Fail for all “spy movie/book/show” lovers who like to laugh, imagine a world of what-ifs, and all with characters you can’t wait to get to know. #becauseSanta (and that’ll only make sense if you read one. Just sayin’.)

Stay tuned for my $.02 on Bad Things, Small Packages… tomorrow! 

And if you missed the first book, you can read the review of Red Rover, Red Rover HERE.

(Today and Thursday are the only double review days this week, so I hope you newsletter subscribers will just bear with me!)

plan to fail reviewTitle: Plan to Fail

Author: Perry Kirkpatrick

Synopsis:  They’re on a date… but not really.

When Brent asks Emily to be his date, she knows it doesn’t mean anything. He has a mission requiring him to go undercover at a charity gala. After getting a makeover at his spy agency headquarters, she’s ready to assume the role of an opinionated book reviewer from New York.

The Gremlin is planning to steal and sell top-secret blueprints from the aerospace company for which he works. When Emily literally bumps into him at the gala, she is able to plant an ICS tracking chip on his glasses. But the Gremlin is smarter than they thought, and ICS finds themselves in the dark about his buyer. With time running out, and the sale imminent, Emily must rely on instinct and quick thinking to save the day.

The Accidental Cases of Emily Abbott is a series of clean spy-comedies set in Phoenix, Arizona.

1. Red Rover, Red Rover – (Review HERE)
2. Plan to Fail –
3. Bad Things, Small Packages – (Review HERE)
4. Tutor, Nanny, Spit-up, Spy – (Review HERE)
5. A-Spying We Will Go – (Review HERE)
6. Once Upon a Dime – August 26, 2019  (Review coming)

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Comments

  1. Terresa M says

    August 2, 2019 at 8:43 am

    As a Non- television -movie watcher, I’m afraid all the referenced cliches would confuse rather than amuse me…?

    Reply
  2. Florence Wright says

    July 17, 2019 at 9:17 am

    Sounds great – adding to my TBR list. Thanks. 🙂 Yeah, “I know a guy….” seems to be a common thing around here in “jerzee”,not sure if it’s only this area, but you can hear it a lot for instances when you need a drain fixed, a muffler job, or supposedly ( and I have no experience with this …. ) when you need a “cleaner” after offing someone.

    Reply
  3. Chrys says

    July 16, 2019 at 8:45 am

    This series sounds perfect for my oldest daughter. I’m buying them for her on Kindle so I can “borrow” them too. 😉

    Glad you’ve made it through the last few weeks. Praying for everyone out your way!

    Reply
    • Chautona Havig says

      July 16, 2019 at 12:26 pm

      Thanks! We’re just rolling with the shockwaves. Snort.

      Reply

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The Because Fiction Podcast

The Because Fiction Podcast
The Because Fiction Podcast

Taking the pulse of Christian fiction

Episode 234: A Chat about The Chosen Kids with RM Ruiz
byChautona Havig

Remember when you were a kid and you wanted to help with whatever the family was doing, so Great Aunt Tissy gave you a stack of napkins and told you to put one at each plate? Remember how she commented on what a  “big girl” you were?  And then, as if that weren’t bad enough… remember how you were fourteen and a “big girl” was the last thing you wanted to be? 

RM Ruiz’ The Chosen Kids Saga does just the opposite. She has a cast of related characters who are given real work by God–important work. They’re pulling on the armor of God and doing real battle with real enemies of the Kingdom of God and all while He works out their sanctification. Listen in to where she got the idea and where the Chosen Kids are going next.

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

What if God Decided to Use Ordinary Kids to Battle the Underworld?

Can I just say that I love the respect Rosemary shows her characters? These kids, as young as eleven, aren’t told to fold napkins and praised as if they saved the world. They’re given tools and assignments and do save the world… or at least a piece of it and with the real help of the Holy Spirit. How cool is that?

And she does it with a tortilla in one hand and some eye and mouth-watering chili stuffs in the other.

Oh… and don’t forget the research for Encounter at Paradise that sent her up a literal slippery slope into frozen tundra. In July. #BecauseResearch.

And the result is book two of the Chosen Kids Saga! (To listen to the first episode where we talked more about the first book, go HERE.)

The Chosen Kids: Encounter at Paradise by RM Ruiz

A thrilling adventure for middle-grade readers, showcasing the supernatural powers of God, His son Jesus, and the Holy Spirit.This is the second book of The Chosen Kids Saga.The Chosen Kids are ready for their second mission!

It’s been two weeks since Caiden and his family’s summer of fun turned into a secret quest for God. After their first mission, the Chosen Kids step into their new roles without fear or reluctance. With revived faith and God’s blessed tools, they embark on their second hunt—ready to track, capture, and expel the enemy.

But the day turns into a tedious game of hide-and-seek as the family races to get ahead of the fiend. When the unthinkable happens, and their mission becomes personal, they must keep the faith and trust God’s plan. They could set things right with the Holy Spirit’s guidance, but only if they obey His commands completely. Caiden thinks he’s uncovered the answer, but no one ever listens to the youngest cousin…

With nightfall quickly approaching, the Chosen Kids set a trap.

But if their plan fails, they could lose one of their most valuable assets, and their quest will end in heartbreak and disaster.

In this next chapter of the Chosen Kids Saga, readers will see the cousins in action as they take on their new roles with renewed spirits. Just like the first book, this fast-paced adventure includes family love, kid banter, and humor with even more adventure, danger, and spiritual growth!

This series mixes fantasy and adventure elements with transparent Christian themes for young believers who want a story that includes gospel truths without reading through symbolism.

Middle-grade readers will follow along as these flawed, relatable characters—still finding their way in Christ—embark on a life-transforming quest to save humanity. With family love, spiritual growth, kid banter, and humor all mixed in for a fun and exciting journey.

The adventure starts with Encounter at the Dunes and continues in Encounter at Paradise. Grab a copy of both to begin the redemptive journey today! Book three, Encounter At Ambrose, coming summer 2024.

Learn more about the series, the characters, and Rosemary at TheChosenKids.com

And the series she mentioned was The Son of Angels.

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