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Chautona Havig

Chautona Havig

Using story to connect YOU to the Master Storyteller

Why the Super Bowl Is Officially Evil

by Chautona Havig · 12 Comments

My husband has this thing about soccer.  He says, “It’s the ‘sport of the beast’.” Okay, under certain eschatological positions, he may have a point.  After all, it is a “one-world” sport, so to say.  Whereas, American “football” is pretty much ours.  I don’t know if anyone else in the world does it quite like us.  There’s “rugby” but… yeah.  Not the same.  My apologies… to rugby. And it might be partly why the Super Bowl is evil.

Well… I say, all sports are evil.  It starts with my opinion on baseball and goes from there.  And, because I’m a hypocrite, the Olympics are the exception.  Love. Olympics.  Just sayin’.

So, why am I whining about sports now?  Did “my team” lose the Super Bowl?  (and just an aside… WHEN DID I GET SO OLD THAT I AM SEEING SUPER BOWL 50 on the screen!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!)

Why the Super Bowl Is Officially Evil

The Super Bowl is evil, but not because “my team” lost.

showcase-aprilAnyway,, while the rest of the world dashed home from a sermon that ran over (and while they repented of their impatience at the minister’s lack of compassion for their need for the last “fix” of the season), I blithely rode over to a fellow writer’s house… with another fellow writer.  You’ll meet April someday.  Yes.  Yes, you will.  Can’t wait to share the mystery she’s writing with you. A.W.E.S.O.M.E.  Hint… Shakespearean artifacts and fountain pens appear in it.  HOW COOL IS THAT?

Back to the story.  So we drive up to C.R. Rowenson’s apartment and are shown inside.  His lovely wife was getting ready to go out–probably to one of those evil Super Bowl Parties–and the dogs let us know in no uncertain terms that they were glad to see us. Or, at least, that’s how I’m taking one’s half-raised muzzle and the other’s incessant (or seemingly-so) yapping.  He was fine after I petted him… for half an hour or so.  (hyperbole–thought you oughtta know).

We went over C.R.’s work in progress and really hammered out everything he wanted to address.  The guy is a workhorse and has AMAZING skills for seeing flaws and figuring out how to fix them. He is also phenomenal at figuring out what YOU are trying to get from the book.  If you’re not crazy about something or whatever, he’s good with that.

Then, it was my turn.

Still riding a high for finishing Madeline in record time, I pulled out the few things I wanted to address and started asking questions.  That’s all it took.  C.R. came alive.  He asked questions, listened to what I was wanting from the series, asked more questions, and then he said it. Just two short sentences.

“You need to split book one into two.  The electrical scheme should go in the second.”

I want it noted that when we left C.R.’s apartment, he was alive and well.  Need proof? I have a witness.

So, I left for his house at 1:00.  Got home between five and six.  Note: I hadn’t had anything but two large cups of water to drink and nothing to eat.  I ate a “little smokie” or two and zipped a FB message to my husband.  “What are we doing for dinner?”

He never responded.  I went to bed.

At ten o’clockish, I woke up, grabbed my stuff, and went to Denny’s.  By that point, I HAD no blood sugar.  So, I told the server to order for me.  She got me the sirloin with broccoli and smashed taters.  I ate almost every bite.  Yes. Yes, I did.

And as I did it, I chopped my pretty, all-done book.  Into two.  Then I sent Ashley a pouty, whiny, grossly immature email about how my done book now needed to be rewritten.

She asked if book 2 would be done in February as well.

Note.  She is alive and not buried in rubble or some other evidence of my internal explosion.  *whistles*

dennystallyFor the record, I also wrote–a lot. 

Not as much as a couple of times last week when I did 8700 and 7500 words respectively, but I’d say 5906 isn’t too shabby after spending HALF THE NIGHT CHOPPING MY BOOK IN HALF!

And, if you really want to commiserate with me, we can talk about the email I got today.  The one where she said she wants me to fix book 1 and finish book 2 in February and then finish Aggie in March.  Um… do you KNOW what that does to my beautiful plan?  I have it all written out.

It looks like this:

book list image
Stop laughing at the weekly wren!

Yeah.  March is SUPPOSED to be Webster’s.  I’m thinking I should sic my friend Adrienne on her.  Yeah…

What are the odds I can finish Aggie, AND rewrite Madeline in what’s left of February… oh, and with us being gone from Thursday-Sunday for my niece’s wedding? *blush*

So… will I obey Ashley er… MEGAMIND or will I be bold? Daring?  Rebellious? Will I write whatever tickles my literary fancy?

Time will tell, folks. Time. Will. Tell.

And for those of you who don’t get what this has to do with sports and evilness?  C’mon.  What day did it happen?  What day?  It’s all the fault of the ball.  I’m tellin’ you! It can’t be C.R.’s fault.  He just made a good series better.

That leaves football.  Just sayin’. 

That’s my “logic” and I’m stickin’ to it.

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Filed Under: Writing Tagged With: Meddlin' Madeline

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Comments

  1. Andrea Rossignol says

    February 13, 2016 at 10:55 am

    THANK YOU for showing us your list!!!!!!! I’ve actually been wanting to ask you for it for some time… 🙂 I’m super excited for July and August!!!!!

    Wait – that was the ‘write’ column. Why is the ‘publish’ column empty?????????

    Reply
    • Chautona Havig says

      February 13, 2016 at 11:59 am

      That would be because I don’t know publication month for any but Christmas Embers. I suspect Madeline will go in the April slot. 😀

      Reply
  2. Lucinda Culp says

    February 11, 2016 at 10:02 am

    Feel your pain. Thinking there aren’t too many people like me, who can read a book in a single sitting, and I don’t mean an all day sitting, either, who has devoured your every offering. Again, often in a single sitting. As much as I NEED to read your work, and looooove your work, I love you more, my friend. Truly, if you need to rework your schedule, do it. If you need to cover over that lovely timetable in your planner, do it….or grab an exacto and excise it! Take time to think about what YOU want from life. Does it fall in line with where God is taking you? (keeping the old axiom “Man plans, God laughs” in mind) Does this schedule promote it? Does it even allow it? Only you can answer those questions, though your kids and hubby likely have formed opinions on these questions as well….please note I didn’t use a single sports related comment in this post. You’re welcome.

    Reply
    • Chautona Havig says

      February 11, 2016 at 12:09 pm

      This schedule is what I planned for myself. It’s a challenge. Can I do it? We’ll see. I love the challenge.

      This post wasn’t about me whining about my schedule. I’m so sorry it came off that way. I was making fun of myself for being so pumped for catching up to my plan and having my friend knock it down with a different one that is BETTER. And then Ashley coming along and STOMPING on it completely.

      And, it was to show that I’m a rebellious little twit. I may not obey. *whistles*

      Reply
  3. Julie says

    February 11, 2016 at 5:11 am

    Why? Why push yourself so hard. Traditional authors come out with one book a year. Ebook authors maybe 3-4 per year if they are prodigious. It seems like your blogs, newsletters, emails show you stressed to the max. This frenetic pace cannot be good for you. Slow down, relax, take time to enjoy life. We will all still be here waiting for the next and the next and the next. I have gotten where I can’t keep it all straight anymore. Start one series, bounce to three different series, start a book that hasn’t ended…seriously, it’s not worth the stress. We all love you, but we can wait. Enjoy the family, watch, well, not a football game, lol. Go look at the stars. Breathe!

    Reply
    • Chautona Havig says

      February 11, 2016 at 12:22 pm

      Aw… I’ve left a terribly false impression if my busyness shows me that stressed out. I really am not. I’m one of the least stressed people I know. I have stressed MOMENTS… like just before release when something goes wrong or if I am crazy behind on something and I forget that it’ll get done when it gets done. I must write about it then and forget to let you laugh with me at myself when I snap out of it a few hours later. I’ll remember that.

      My goal to WRITE those books is just a personal thing I want for myself. Ashley doesn’t expect it. I don’t EXPECT it. I just want to see if I can write them–not publish, write. And most authors I know (traditional or not) write a lot more than they publish in a year. Writing and publishing are two completely different animals.

      We do absolutely enjoy ourselves as a family, and I love my trips that take me to see lovely people all over the country. I love being home. I love travel, and I live in the desert where we can see the stars like most people can only dream of. 😉

      Meanwhile, I think I need to be sure I don’t leave a false impression. For example, in this post, I’m not stressed. I’m making fun of myself and teasing Ashley because I got all done with a book, looked like I was going to stay on track for this goal, and then C.R. messed me up with his VERY right “you need to split this.” And then Ashley comes along and my pretty little list up there got tossed aside with, “I want you to finish Aggie and both of those instead of Webster.” So, I was taunting her and mocking me. Because probability is high that I’ll do what she says… but it’s not set in stone. I may be rebellious and do my own thing. *whistles*

      But I feel like I should apologize. I never want people to see my life as frenetic! Those who know me know that’s almost opposite. A frenetic quarter of a day? Sure! Otherwise… not so much.

      Reply
  4. Alicia says

    February 9, 2016 at 12:08 pm

    I always love your blog posts. And they always leave me smiling, and often laughing. Your wit is awesome as is your ability to write. Can you do it?? Sure. A little less sleep and a lot more time at Denny’s. LOL

    Reply
  5. Lorraine says

    February 9, 2016 at 7:53 am

    Well, we were in a third world country, we were watching TV. There was Rugby. This teenage girl was watching with me. Her comment was -how can they play like that ? That one guy is supposed to be a Christian. Look what they do to each other! How can they?

    I like the look of A blind child’s prayer.

    Reply
    • Chautona Havig says

      February 9, 2016 at 12:43 pm

      That one was HARD to figure out–to decide exactly what to do to make it a good book that sticks to the song but not have my readers hate me. Then I figured it out. 😀

      Reply
  6. Ryoko says

    February 9, 2016 at 5:01 am

    I’m with you in this

    Reply

Trackbacks

  1. Review and Giveaway for Byrd’s-Eye View – Truth and Grace Homeschool Academy says:
    March 20, 2020 at 8:06 am

    […] know, the guy who made me split the first book into two separate books (you can read about that HERE), and the guy who tried to make things get really gruesome in book four (you can read about […]

    Reply
  2. Byrd’s Eye View - For Him and My Family says:
    March 20, 2020 at 7:07 am

    […] know, the guy who made me split the first book into two separate books (you can read about that HERE), and the guy who tried to make things get really gruesome in book four (you can read about that […]

    Reply

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Episode 48: A Chat with T.E. Price
by Chautona Havig

What happens when you combine domestic violence with suspense?  A hair-raising ride you won’t want to miss.

On March 2, T.E. Price ‘s book, Take Flight, releases on eBook, and boy is this one excellent story.  Join me as I talk with Tiffany about her book, the inspiration, and all the excellence you’ll find within the can’t-put-it-down pages.

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

The 3 Best Things about This Domestic Abuse Suspense Novel

A new author to me, T.E. Price knocked her suspense (and almost thriller) out of the park with three excellent elements to the book.  

Aside from wonderful and realistic characterization and edge-of-your-seat storytelling, T.E. Price also digs deep into a subject Christians sometimes like to pretend isn’t a thing.  And boy does she do it well. 

So if a great story that grips you and won’t let you go isn’t the best thing, what is?  Well… I’ve got three.

First, the writing is stellar.

Let’s face it, domestic abuse victims have cyclical thought patterns and actions that can feel redundant and become boring when you see it on the page, but Tiffany managed to avoid that while still showing how real and confusing it can be both for the person going through it and for those watching from the outside.

Second, her laser focus on her subject.

Domestic abuse is a multi-layered and faceted subject that spans so many different aspects of life. It would be easy and natural, even, to try to show it all with the one person who experienced it all, but T.E. Price keeps her focus on one woman’s escape from that life and how it affects her relationship with the Lord and others. That’s it.  

Third, T.E. Price shows her heart for the Lord and His people in every word on the page.

While not preachy at all, and while often just the undercurrent of the story, there is no doubt in the reader’s mind that Price wants the reader to learn both how to overcome as the victim of domestic violence and how to aid others in the church going through it.  Additionally, that steady reminder of Who the only true support we truly have touches every aspect of Hallie McClain’s life.

There are so many other excellent elements to Take Flight, but I’d be chatting all day with Tiffany (and nearly did!) if I kept going.

Don’t forget!

T.E. Price’s book releases March 2, 2021 and on March 5, 2021  from 7-8 pm (EST) she is having a Facebook launch party with prizes and lots of information about it.  HERE is a link to that party and I hope to be there to celebrate with her!  Please join her and maybe you’ll win an eBook copy of Take Flight!

You can find more about T.E. Price (Tiffany) at her WEBSITE where you can also find her other novel, Love’s True Colors.

Title:  Take Flight Author: T.E. Price Synopsis:  

Within Take Flight, readers follow Hallie McClain as she is faced with numerous fight-or-flight decisions in her attempt to escape her abusive husband, Jonathan McClain.

Hallie has made the decision to leave him for good, but Jonathan has no intentions of complying. During their separation, Hallie grapples with trusting those closest to her, the gossip-mill of her small town, and her wavering trust in God. Living alone in a secret, secluded cabin in the woods, she is thrust into multiple circumstances where she has to balance her safety with the reality of inescapable encounters with her soon-to-be ex-husband. Jonathan soon discovers Hallie’s whereabouts, forcing her to escape to the city while awaiting the divorce, but her move isn’t the solution as her safety is still compromised.

Hallie has to learn to trust God with her safety while leaning on the church body for support. The tantalizing storyline of Take Flight weaves through one “fight-or-flight” scenario after the next, filling Hallie with angst regarding her constant need for escape. Take Flight addresses the ugliness of domestic abuse and the need for support from the church community. Furthermore, it affirms God’s trustworthiness in the midst of difficult, sometimes even life-threatening, situations.

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

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You can find the Blog post HERE.

Episode 48: A Chat with T.E. Price
Episode 48: A Chat with T.E. Price
February 23, 2021
Chautona Havig
Episode 47: The Drew Farthering Mysteries
February 16, 2021
Chautona Havig
Episode 46: What Romances Do I Think Are Perfect for Valentine's Day?
February 9, 2021
Chautona Havig
Episode 45: A Gush about Things We Didn't Say
February 2, 2021
Chautona Havig
Episode 44: A Chat with Carolyn Miller
January 26, 2021
Chautona Havig
Episode 43: A Chat with Allison Pearl
January 19, 2021
Chautona Havig
Episode 42: A Chat with J'nell Ciesielski
January 13, 2021
Chautona Havig
Episode 41: A Chat with Jennifer Pierce
January 5, 2021
Chautona Havig
Episode 40: My Favorite Book of 2020
December 8, 2020
Chautona Havig
Episode 39: A Chat with L.K. Simonds
December 1, 2020
Chautona Havig
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