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Chautona Havig

Chautona Havig

Using story to connect YOU to the Master Storyteller

What’s the Big Idea? : Or 5 Ways I Get Inspired

by Chautona Havig · Leave a Comment

I love getting emails from readers, and this week I got one from Kim asking about where I get my ideas.  She wrote:

I loved your Past Forward series – I was hooked from page 1. I have all the books in the Hearthland series so far but just started reading it last night. I hated having to wait for the next one to come out in Past Forward, so I waited with the one so I could just sit down and keep on going! You have such a variety of genres in your novels, WWII, pirates, self-sustaining communities, early 20th century mysteries – where do you get your ideas from?

Thanks for sharing your gift with us, it is such a blessing!

Kim

What's the big idea?

Two notes: First this post contains affiliate links that provide a small commission to me at no extra expense to you.  Also, this is an updated version of a post from April 2015.

Aaah… ideas.  They’re cool things, aren’t they?  I wrote about this a little bit in another Author Q&A post HERE.  Feel free to zip over and see what that one was about.  But while Lisa’s question dealt with the fact that I have many ideas, Kim’s is more about where I get them.   So, I thought I’d list out the ways I can think of.  I came up with five main ones.  I like lists and I’m in the middle of budgets and taxes, so I’m going all numerical on you guys!

Questions?  How about Answers?

A question.  

Many of my books begin with a question.  My first, Ready or Not (though not my first published), was conceived because of a question people asked me all the time.  “You have 8 kids (at that time). I can’t handle the one (or two or three…) kids that I have, and you have EIGHT!   How do you do it?” I always had the same answer.  “I didn’t get all eight at once.  I got them one at a time and by the time I got used to that one, then another one came along.  It wasn’t like I woke up one morning with no mothering experience and suddenly had eight kids to take care of.”

But, because it’s how my brain works, I immediately asked myself.  “What if someone did?”  And, because I’m an author, I have to torture the character.  So I expanded it.  And expanded it.  And… Yeah.  You get the picture. Pretty soon the question was, “What would happen if a recent college graduate with no practical child experience became guardian overnight for her sister’s eight children–with the grandmotherly equivalent to a stereotypical (not nice) mother-in-law?”

And Aggie was born.
Several books began that way.  Noble Pursuits began as a question.  “What would happen if the ‘plain, overweight, homemaker’ caught the heart of the ‘eligible bachelor’?”  Justified Means began as a question too.  “How could a stranger kidnap an adult for her own good?”

 Another way  I get ideas is through dreams–seriously. 

Prairie and the whole Journey of Dreams series began that way.  I kept hearing “Theme from a Summer Place” while I slept.  I saw the golden prairie grasses waving in the wind–like ocean waves once you’re past the breakers.  I could hear the slither of snakes in the grass and see the birds circling overhead.  I felt the emptiness–the aloneness.  And I heard the full orchestra sound of Percy Faith slip into the lone whistle of a man walking home in the twilight.  I dreamed it several times in a row.  And once I started writing, that book almost wrote itself.  So weird.  I don’t do it often, but I have.  Now that I think about it, I think Thirty Days Hath… was the result of a dream.

a tree grows in brooklyn overSometimes it’s inspired by my favorite childhood book: A Tree Grows in Brooklyn. 

That is the book that inspired me to write (but you can read about that HERE).  A wise teacher in the book said, “Tell the exact truth.  Write what should have happened” (or something very close to that).

Mismatched was inspired that way.  It was when my husband was in the hospital three and a half years ago.  A man stepped into the elevator with me–a man I usually would have given a wide berth.  Why?  Well, he looked “unsafe” to my eyes.  See, when I’d arrived at that hospital, I had no idea it was considered a “rough place” to go at night.  I blithely walked through the doors and stared in shock as I had to go through metal detectors just to talk to the guy at the ER counter.  Whoa.  So, I’d gotten a bit of an education.

Add to that a friend of my kids’ who happens to have a few tattoos and piercings, and such a gentle heart and love for Jesus, and I was desperate to write a book about “what should have happened.”  I wanted to write a response that I hope, having learned more about life after my sheltered little existence, would show my love for the people Jesus died for–those who acknowledge it and those who don’t.

Crushed Dreams (“sequel” to Deepest Roots of the Heart) also has that behind it–in a less overt way.

Sometimes, it’s a character.  The Hartfield Mysteries were conceived that way. 

You know how small towns often have eccentric elderly women who keep the community either amused with their antics or the kids a bit awed and afraid of her?  I created one, but I wanted her younger.  Her name was Millicent and she wrote mysteries–cozies. She dressed like Jane Austen, and the town gossiped about her rituals and the source of her inspiration.  She changed.  Next thing I knew, she wore clothing from all sorts of eras.  Then I chucked the name Millicent.  I didn’t think many modern agents and publishers would like a name so very old-fashioned for such a young writer.

She went from eccentric and reclusive to eclectic and private.  She became generous and feisty–beloved and a little awe-inspiring.  She got a new name.  Annette.  I gave her a pseudonym.  Alexa.

Then I irritated her by giving her a clichéd plot and twisted it.  I like irritating my characters.

Willow had several inspirations, and one was definitely Alexa, actually  Another was her mother.  Kari is very similar to my father–the reclusive side, the ever-teaching.  The staunchly independent personality.  Had he been able to do it, he would absolutely have given me a very similar upbringing.   There are others… Charity from Introductions (you meet her in a few other books like Manuscript for Murder and None So Blind), and to some degree Not a Word.  Mac and Savvy both had character things I really wanted to work from–his willingness to love when wounded and let that love ‘cover a multitude of sins’ and her being the ‘good Christian girl’ who felt duped by stereotyped lessons in Sunday school.

madeline looks could kill coverAnd lastly (for this blog post’s purposes anyway), photos. 

Seriously.  I go over to a stock photo site to find something for a current WIP (work in progress) and run across something else.  That’s how I got the idea for the Meddlin’ Madeline series.  I was looking for something- for a cover.  And I found this pretty letter/heart combo thing.  And I realized that it would be beautiful as a cover if I layered a girl over the top, “ghosting” it a bit.  But the writing was older, Spencerian penmanship, so I wanted someone in a more Victorian or Edwardian outfit.

As I looked, I came up with an entire book idea just for that picture.  But then I found a series of pictures with the girl on the covers of my Meddlin’ Madeline books.  That magnifying glass tempted me.  I suddenly had a character–a really cool and fun character.  She’s sort of a mix between Jane Marple, Patrick Jane,  and Nancy Drew–back at the turn of the 20th century!  I mean, c’mon!  How cool is she?

And that’s just the beginning!

month of sundays coverAnother book I did this with is one that will come out in a couple of years.  My photographer daughter took birthday pictures of daughter #5. As a result… we got the cover for this book and with it, the idea exploded in my mind.  I have the entire thing plotted out.  I know what will happen when/how/where.  I’m dying to work on it.

So… there you have it.  The top five ways I get ideas for my books.  As I said in the other referenced post, I continually have new ideas–daily, really.  People ask what I’ll do when I run out.  As of today, I could never write every book I have in my head or in notes.  I simply won’t live that long.

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The Because Fiction Podcast

The Because Fiction Podcast
The Because Fiction Podcast

Taking the pulse of Christian fiction

Episode 145: A Chat with Debut Women's Fiction Author, Sara Brunsvold
byChautona Havig

Debut Author, Sara Brunsvold, is bursting on the Christian Women’s fiction scene with an amazing book, The Extraordinary Deaths of Mrs. Kip. With characters who have captivated my heart from page one (and enough quirkiness to keep my attention to the last), Sara Brunsvold is sure to become a favorite author, and this book is already on my top five of the year before it’s even released!

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

This Novel Isn’t Even Available Yet, and It’s in My Top 5!

If you’d told me that I’d fall so in love with two chapters of a book that it would push that book into my top five of the year so far, well… I’d have laughed.

The joke’s on me because it happened with Sara Brunsvold’s The Extraordinary Deaths of Mrs. Kip. This debut women’s fiction novel has a bit of a split-time element and is set in Kansas City. Trust me when I say that meeting Clara was one of the most fun introductions to a character I’ve ever had. I just love this woman, and I’m drumming my fingers to get to read more about her.  Not surprising considering it won the ACFW Genesis’s award a couple of years back. 😀

Sara says her passion is intergenerational stories, and you definitely get this with Aidyn and her “assignment,” Mrs. Kipp.  But you also get inter-cultural and ideological influences in this book as well.

And then there’s that next book she has coming out.  You know, the one about a gal cooking her way through her grandma’s German cookbook?  Yeah.  The one we have to wait until early 2024 for?  Yeah. That one.  Sigh.

When Sara told us about her favorite authors, a lot of things made sense.  Just sayin’. Find out which of Katherine Reay’s books are her favorites and how she fangirled over Reay’s response to an email (and why you should email your favorite author!).

The Extraordinary Deaths of Mrs. Kip by Sara Brunsvold

Aidyn Kelley is talented, ambitious, and ready for a more serious assignment than the fluff pieces she’s been getting as a cub reporter for the Kansas City Star. In her eagerness, she pushes too hard, earning herself the menial task of writing an obituary for an unremarkable woman who’s just entered hospice care.

But there’s more to Clara Kip than meets the eye. The spirited septuagenarian may be dying, but she’s not quite ready to cash it in yet. Never one to shy away from an assignment herself, she can see that God brought the young reporter into her life for a reason. And if it’s a story Aidyn Kelley wants, that’s just what Mrs. Kip will give her–but she’s going to have to work for it.

Debut author Sara Brunsvold delights with this emotional multigenerational story that shows that the very best life is made up of thousands of little deaths to self. You’ll want to be just like Mrs. Kip when you grow up!

This book is 40% off with free shipping from Baker Book House. That’s less than the Kindle version if you like paper!

You can learn more about Sara at her WEBSITE (and sign up for that newsletter so you can get Mrs.Kip’s 8 Rules to Live By). Oh, and if she does those videos of her cooking through that book, you’ll want to know when/where to find them.

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Episode 145: A Chat with Debut Women's Fiction Author, Sara Brunsvold
Episode 145: A Chat with Debut Women's Fiction Author, Sara Brunsvold
May 20, 2022
Chautona Havig
Episode 144: Chatting about Restored Grace with Kathleen J. Robison
May 17, 2022
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Episode 143: A Chat with Romantic Suspense Author, Mary Alford
May 13, 2022
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Episode 142: A Chat about A Promise Engraved by Liz Tolsma
May 10, 2022
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Episode 141: A Chat with Elizabeth Goddard about Critical Alliance
May 3, 2022
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Episode 140: A Chat about When the Meadow Blooms by Ann H. Gabhart
April 29, 2022
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Episode 139: A Chat with Middle-Grade Author, RM Ruiz
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Episode 138: A Gush about a Good (more like GREAT) Read & GoodReads
April 22, 2022
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Episode 137: A Chat with Contemporary Romance Author, Mandi Blake
April 19, 2022
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Episode 136: A Chat with Middle-Grade Historical Author, Marie Sontag
April 15, 2022
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Reposted from @beckylewis345 Life can be hard. Ent Reposted from @beckylewis345 Life can be hard. Enter cozies like A Sprinkle in Time by Dana Mentink. Clean, with a sweet romance, whose amateur sleuth runs a delectable shake shop. A dog, a child, precocious twins who work for the shake shop, and lovable Papa Luis. Plus, of course, plenty of suspects. “Murder, mayhem, and milkshakes. Who’d a thunk it?”

Trinidad Jones becomes someone I truly care about in this book. I am amazed at how she and Gabe’s two other former wives forgive each other and actually become friends. Not just friends, but family, as thick as blood. Now there is a small cluster of characters to follow and enjoy in this town of Upper Sprocket. Fun!

I enjoy the inclusion of dogs, children, and special-needs people, and Dana Mentink brings them all to our Shimmy and Shake Shop story. Noodles is old, but what a loyal companion, and, wow, does he have an amazing ability or two! Little  Felice adds warmth and vulnerability to the tale. Doug, the special-needs brother of Trinity’s love interest, Quinn, adds reality and complexity to the novel. 

Mentink has a good sense of humor and I laughed out loud several times. Just what I want out of a cozy. Mystery, romance, great characters, laughter. A fun occupation that the sleuth actually works at. I am happy to report I made it through the book without indulging in ice cream! But, can you?

I am looking forward to more murder and mayhem in Upper Sprocket! Plus more Freakshakes! 

———————————————————————
I received a copy of the book from Celebrate Lit. (I also bought my own copy.) No positive review was required, and all opinions are my own.
———————————————————————
Notable Quotables:
“He was merely a friend the way a Ming vase was just an old pot.”

“There’s your plan and God’s plan, and your plan…” “Doesn’t count,”

“Maybe it’s one of those weird small-town happenings.” “A body in your trunk isn’t a happening, it’s a horror movie,”

“It wasn’t an easy thing to command the heart to feel what the brain ordered.”

“Rumors carry so much more weight than the truth, sometimes.”
Giveaway on blog in bio.
#celebratelit
#danamentink
#frozendesserts
#justdeserts 
#justiceforsprockett
#amreadingcozies
Reposted from @celebratelit Did you know that When Reposted from @celebratelit Did you know that When the Pilot Falls by April Hayman from the Ever After Mystery series is 25% off with the Celebrate Lit Summer Sale? 

More about the book: 
In 1923, there aren’t many pilots, but Willie Labeau didn’t let that stop… her.

A bear of a man, Hugh Taylor, needs a stunt plane pilot, and despite their rocky introduction, Willie sets off for golden California and a new life as his pilot. There’s just one little thing she has to do in addition to flying.

Leave his past alone. Period.

When the flame of her own curiosity becomes fanned by encouragement from Willie’s sister, the feisty pilot can’t help but do just a little investigating.

And Hugh vanishes.

Friends rally around her, and with all the information she can find in hand, Willie sets off to rescue Hugh and battle the evil family holding him hostage.

A fierce air race, a sincere act of humility—are they enough to free Hugh and give Willie a chance to be with him… forever?

Find out in this next book in the Ever After Mysteries, combining beloved fairy tales and mysteries. When the Pilot Falls offers a retelling of “East of the Sun, West of the Moon” that will keep you gripped to the edge of your seat as you watch hearts soar and daring dos.

Link in bio! 

#aprilhayman #whenthepilotfalls #everaftermysteries #celebratelit #christianfiction #historicalfiction #bookstagram #bookloversofinstagram #readersofinstagram
Dial W for Wrangler: Vi's just trying to sell used Dial W for Wrangler: Vi's just trying to sell used recliners and old, broken wagon wheels.  She can't help it if folks keep asking for help with their love lives... can she?
See the lengths Wade goes to in his quest to behave like a rational guy.
Releases Tuesday, May 24. Available on 
#Kindle
#KindleUnlimited
#PaperbackBooks

#ChristFic
#YouAreOnTheAir
#ContemporaryChristianSweetRomance

Leave a comment request and I'll send you a link. :D
Ready for giveaways and fun? I sure hope so, beca Ready for giveaways and fun?  I sure hope so, because I'm planning on loads!
Win books (mine and others'), fun swag (Do you see those cute pins and reading list bookmarks?), and more!
Starts off Tuesday morning! (or maybe tomorrow... or this evening... depends on how much willpower I actually have!) Join us in the You Are on the Air Reader group!
#booklaunch
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#Giveaways
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Link to group is in my bio!
And tomorrow the GoodReads Giveaway begins!
How does this author celebrate a finished book? By How does this author celebrate a finished book? By reading someone else's finished book. 😀 
#amending
#needicecream 
#onthemenu
#freakshakes
"Murder, mayhem, and milkshakes. Who'd a thunk "Murder,  mayhem,  and milkshakes.  Who'd a thunk it?"
@dana_mentink 
#shimmyandshakeshop
#cozymystery 
#needicecream
Love it when publishers use plays on words. #amend Love it when publishers use plays on words.
#amending
#cozymysterybooks 
@dana_mentink
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