• Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar
  • Skip to footer
  • Home
  • Bio
  • Bookshelf
    • Audio
    • Complete List of Chautona’s Books
    • The Rockland Chronicles
      • The Vintage Wren
      • The Aggie Series
      • The Hartfield Mysteries
      • Sight Unseen Series
        • Sight Unseen Series Archives
      • The Agency Files
      • Christmas Fiction
    • Legacy of the Vines
    • Meddlin’ Madeline
      • Madeline Blog Archive
    • Ballads from the Hearth
      • Ballads from the Hearth Blog Archive
    • Legends of the Vengeance
    • Journey of Dreams
    • Wynnewood
    • Webster’s Bakery
    • The Not-So-Fairy Tales
    • Heart of Warwickshire
  • Start HERE
    • Characters
    • Suggested Reading Order
    • Free Books
  • Blog
  • Contact
  • Podcast
    • Advertising
    • Podcast Guest Information
    • Podcast Interview FAQ
  • Nav Social Menu

    • Email
    • Facebook
    • Instagram
    • Pinterest
    • Twitter
    • YouTube
  • Bonus
  • Speaking
  • New & Coming
Chautona Havig

Chautona Havig

Using story to connect YOU to the Master Storyteller

Why and How I Developed Rockland/Fairbury

by Chautona Havig · 4 Comments

This is a repost of one from February 13, 2012 for those just beginning the Rockland Chronicles.

 

Rockland first appeared in Noble Pursuits.  I set Grace in an established neighborhood– the one she’d grown up in as a child–in the smaller suburb of Brunswick.  Rockland developed as the story did.  I needed a city–a metropolis really–and yet I don’t know any midwesterny cities.  I know LA.  That’s fine and dandy, but the book wasn’t set in California and I didn’t want it to be set there.

Another problem with any city I did know (I’m a little familiar with Lubbock, Texas) is that things change so swiftly in cities.  I knew that unless I was a frequent visitor to any place, I’d get things wrong.  I’d put streets where there were no longer streets or not have a street where there should be.  Parks, malls, stores… it’d all end up a jumbled mess, and how annoying would that be for people who were currently familiar?  Not an option.

So, I created my own city.  I don’t even say what state it’s in.  It’s just about a 4-6 hour drive to Chicago.  That’s all anyone needs to know.  The only reason I put that much information about the city in the book was to settle it within driving distance of the mid-west and to help dictate the “flavor” of the area I wanted.

Grace and Nolan spent little time there– just enough to make it “real” in my mind.

Around that time, I settled Aggie’s sister in Rockland, but I moved Aggie away from there rather quickly.  I wanted more country life for her, so I put her near Brunswick and Grace but in a little rural town.  The cities and towns around the loop began to emerge.  I’d mentioned the loop, an idea I stole from Lubbock (yes I know other cities have them but I am familiar with Lubbock’s!), and so I began situating towns around it as I had need to.

Another series, the Hartfield Mysteries, created not only my favorite character of all time, but also my favorite town around the Rockland loop– Fairbury.  Alexa Hartfield writes mysteries that border on horror.  She writes the gritty novels that explore the worst of mankind and satisfies that part of us, created in our Creator’s image, that craves justice.  Oh, and she does it while wearing period clothing from almost any era.  For the record, she’s not a big fan of the late eighteenth century (before the Grecian inspiration of the Regency) styles.  She might walk to the store wearing a 1930’s walking suit, come home and put on jeans and a newsboy cap to rake the yard, and then two days later, half-recline on her sofa with her laptop while wearing something that looked designed for an Austen adaptation.

I fell in love with Fairbury.  I love its quiet lifestyle– how it clings desperately to the feeling of innocence we associate with small towns of the mid-twentieth century.  The funny thing is, I’d never live within the town/city limits.  For it to exist as it does, it’d have to be a planned community with lots of regulations about what you can do and how and where.  All the things I’d never choose to live with.  It’s hilarious.

Hope refused to live in any of the established towns.  She created Marshfield and with it, a whole new realm of interestingness.  Even though she didn’t spend much time in Rockland, I did manage to get a good feel for the area simply because of her.  From there Lane jumped on the scene.  I couldn’t keep her long in Montana.  All I knew of it was from one trip through and the stories that a friend told me of living there.  I did so much research for that book.  It probably took as much time to research it as it did to write it.  In that book, I became intimately acquainted with Rockland.  I learned about its “inner city” and its “fine arts” areas.  Restaurants and stores emerged.  Little blocks of things that you might find in an old established city like “mine.”

Westbury, Ferndale, New Cheltenham, Marshfield, Brant’s Corners, Fairbury, Brunswick, Hillsdale… they are all a nice little piece of my imaginary world.

I’ve had people ask how “real” Rockland is to me, and it’s a difficult question to answer.  I mean, sometimes people say that and mean, “Can you see it in your mind?  Do you know what is on what street etc.?”  The answer is absolutely.  I could come upon a full scale model of the area and get to wherever I wanted to go.  I know where the subway stations are in Rockland and which line they go to.  I can tell you where to find Boutique Row and the Bridal Aisle.  I have a straight shot to the Towers and I know exactly which apartment belongs to Curtis and which is Matt’s.  I know where to find the road to Fairbury and how to circumvent the town or go through it.  I know Alexa’s old house and her new one.  I know every inch of Willow’s farm, Brant’s Corners, New Cheltenham, and how to get there.

However, some people mean, “Do you live there in your imagination and is it just as real to you as that little hamlet in the middle of the desert?”  The answer is no.  It’s not that real to me.  The desert has not scrambled and then fried my brains on the sidewalks of my imagination.  Yet.

Share
Pin
Tweet
Email
Share
Pin
Tweet
Email

Related

Filed Under: General Information

Previous Post: « Where it All Began…
Next Post: Just the Write Contest–WINNER »

Reader Interactions

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

You have to agree to the comment policy.

Or, you can subscribe without commenting.

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

You have to agree to the comment policy.

Comments

  1. Claudia says

    October 1, 2012 at 6:39 am

    Wow! For some reason I thought these were real places. I was even planning a trip there some day 😉
    I love your books.

    Reply
  2. Kamely says

    September 27, 2012 at 9:16 pm

    I am glad you clarified that because I was wondering. So thank you very much. I can almost see what you are seeing and I am so there when I read your books.
    When I write I do sometimes write of real places, but at other times I make up places.

    Reply
  3. Rebekah says

    February 21, 2012 at 5:35 pm

    I was just thinking recently, how much I would like to see a map of the Rockland area!

    Did I mention that I really like how often you’ve been posting on here lately? I don’t get around to commenting fast enough, but I do enjoy reading it! 😀

    To the KING be all the glory!
    Rebekah

    Reply
  4. Barbara says

    February 13, 2012 at 9:14 am

    Is this where I admit that I spend lots of time in “Lakeville”? 😉

    Reply

Primary Sidebar

The Because Fiction Podcast

The Because Fiction Podcast
The Because Fiction Podcast

Taking the pulse of Christian fiction

Episode 161: A Chat with Christian Women's Fiction Robin W. Pearson
byChautona Havig

Nothing says good, Southern women’s fiction like a feisty granny or a family secret, and Robin W. Pearson’s got you covered on both fronts. Stir in a pot of faith, and well… you’re bound to find a story you’ll never forget. And isn’t that a blessing? Award-winning, bestselling, and aspiring yodler on the other side of the Rockies, Robin writes stories of faith, family, and it sounds like some seriously delicious food.

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

What’s Better Than a Great Women’s Fiction Novel on a Summer’s Day?

New-to-me (or she was!) women’s fiction author, Robin W. Pearson writes God-centered, family-focused fiction. Robin is a delightful homeschooling mom of seven and if that wasn’t job enough, her debut novel won a Christy award! I mean, that takes some serious skills! Not to mention, it has a killer kick-off synopsis on Amazon. I was hooked from the first paragraph.

Robin says she wants people to see love in her books–how to love well even when we don’t know how. How to see each other as God does.  I think that sounds pretty amazing.

Her debut novel, A Long Time Coming, is more than just a great-sounding book, it really deals with family issues and I’ll just say I fell in love with the narrator of the audio.

The next book, Till I Want No More, rips your heart out with the synopsis, stomps on it, and says, “There. Now what’ll you do about that?  Well, I don’t know what I’ll do, other than read it of course!

And her latest novel?  Oh, my gravy. It released just last week and it’s amazing.  Well, the part I’ve read already is. Walking in Tall Weeds promises to keep your heart on tenterhooks as it takes you through a family’s pain and trauma.  And what more could you want?

Walking in Tall Weeds by Robin W. Pearson

From award-winning author Robin W. Pearson comes a new Southern family drama about one family who discovers their history is only skin-deep and that God’s love is the only family tie that binds.

Paulette and Fred Baldwin find themselves wading through a new season of life in Hickory Grove, North Carolina. Their only son, McKinley, now works hundreds of miles away, and the distance between the husband and wife feels even farther. When their son returns home, his visit dredges up even more conflict between Fred and Paulette.

McKinley makes it no secret that he doesn’t intend to follow in his father’s footsteps at George & Company Fine Furnishings or otherwise. Fred can’t quite bring himself to accept all his son’s choices, yet Paulette is determined McKinley will want for nothing, least of all a mother’s love and attention—which her own skin color cost her as a child. But all her striving leaves Fred on the outside looking in.

Paulette suspects McKinley and Fred are hiding something that could change the whole family. Soon, she’s facing a whirlwind she never saw coming, and the three of them must dig deep to confront the truth. Maybe then they’ll discover that their history is only skin-deep while their faith can take them right to the heart of things.

You can learn more about Robin W. Pearson on her WEBSITE.

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

  • Apple 
  • Castbox 
  • Google Play
  • Libsyn 
  • RSS
  • Spotify
  • Stitcher
  • Amazon
  • and more!
Episode 161: A Chat with Christian Women's Fiction Robin W. Pearson
Episode 161: A Chat with Christian Women's Fiction Robin W. Pearson
July 26, 2022
Chautona Havig
Episode 160: A Chat with Liz Johnson about The Last Way Home
July 22, 2022
Chautona Havig
Episode 159: A Chat with Biblical Fiction Author, Mesu Andrews
July 19, 2022
Chautona Havig
A Chat with Historical Christian Fiction Author, Stephanie Landsem
July 12, 2022
Chautona Havig
Episode 157: A Chat with Historical Christian Fiction Author, Lynn Austin
July 8, 2022
Chautona Havig
Episode 156: The Fragrance of Violets by Susan K. Beatty
July 5, 2022
Chautona Havig
Episode 155: Chatting with Heather Day Gilbert & Jen Cudmore
July 1, 2022
Chautona Havig
Episode 154: A Chat with Romantic Suspense Author, Sami A. Abrams
June 28, 2022
Chautona Havig
Episode 153: A Chat with Historical Author, Tracie Peterson
June 21, 2022
Chautona Havig
Episode 152: A Chat with Contemporary Romance Author, Amy Anguish
June 14, 2022
Chautona Havig
Search Results placeholder

Join a Reading Challenge

2022 Write Reading Challenge

Love Audio Books?

audio book ad

Check out the Sparrow Island novels. A tiny island with a lot of heart

independence islands series

Featured Books

Finding a Memory

Finding a Memory
Buy This Book Online
Purchase with Paypal
Buy from Amazon Kindle
Buy from Amazon
Finding a Memory
Buy now!

Penelope’s Pursuit

Penelope’s Pursuit
Buy This Book Online
Buy from Amazon Kindle
Buy from Amazon
Purchase with Paypal
Penelope’s Pursuit
Buy now!

The Last Gasp

The Last Gasp
Buy This Book Online
Purchase with Paypal
Buy from Audible.com
Buy from Amazon
Buy from Amazon Kindle
The Last Gasp
Buy now!

Upcoming Posts

Sorry - nothing planned yet!

Or just subscribe to the newsletter

Recent Blog Posts

  • Take a Guess: Did We Skip Our Wedding to Avoid Complete Disaster?
  • What’s Better Than a Great Women’s Fiction Novel on a Summer’s Day?
  • Are You Ready for This Amazing, Long-Awaited Beach Read?

I buy my stickers here! (affiliate)

Custom Stickers, Die Cut Stickers, Bumper Stickers - Sticker Mule

Footer

What Am I Working On?

Book, Chapter & Vows
Book, Chapter, & Vows
Phase:Week 3
100%
Get Book Updates

Featured

Finding a Memory

Finding a Memory
Buy This Book Online
Purchase with Paypal
Buy from Amazon Kindle
Buy from Amazon
Finding a Memory
Buy now!

Dial W for Wrangler

Dial W for Wrangler

Disclosure:

Disclosure: Links on this website may or may not be affiliate links and as such, I may receive compensation from the retailer indicated for linking to their product. As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases.

Note: I DO NOT link to products that I do not recommend.

Privacy & Cookies. This website uses cookies (not the delicious kinds that make life grand) to do stuff it needs to do. By staying on the site, you agree to this evil substitution of yummy cookies for internet calorie-free substitutes. For more info, click here and read the boring stuff. Cookie Policy
Mom got me a storm door for my birthday. It's goi Mom got me a storm door for my birthday.  It's going up today.  Eeep!!!
#TheShediffice
Reposted from @karitrumbo Repost from @maciestjame Reposted from @karitrumbo Repost from @maciestjames
•
It's a new month, which means there's a new Bingo card in the @sweetandswoonyromance promo? Just read eight books and comment on the below post to be eligible to win a $25 gift card. All eight books are FREE!!! Go check them out.

https://www.facebook.com/sweetandswoonyromance/posts/pfbid0uoZyfQCL5qzyMDsaJWnA8zLzfE8eJ2A8uEuLee6yqMmG1g48x1RZzUBEiBVU2yK3l

#newbooks #newbook #bookstagram #22Cowboys #22Cowboysfor1 #booklove #Christmasbooks #CowboyChristmas #CowboyforChristmas #ChristmasCollection #ChristmasCowboys #CowboyKisses #CowboyLove #ChristmasLoveStory #ChristmasRelease #Christmasromance #ChristmasWishes #ChristmasWishesCowboyKisses #holidayromance #MistletoeCowboy #MustLoveCowboys #Mustread #romancereader
Reposted from @tabithabouldin Reposted from @stacy Reposted from @tabithabouldin Reposted from @stacy.t.simmons Looking to "chill out" during our hot summer?

Here's a solution reading friends!

Keeping Christmas Volumes 1 & 2, captivating Christmas Christian fiction romance novellas set in dream worthy castles.

To pre order an e-book is 99 cents. 
Prefer a paperback? It's only 19.99 with 30% off and free shipping for pre-order.

Vol 1 page: http://www.celebratelitpublishing.com/.../keeping.../

Vol 2 Page: (My novella- Christmas in the Cotswolds is in this volume). http://www.celebratelitpublishing.com/.../keeping.../

I am excited and honored to be amongst these wonderful authors, thank you, Celebrate Lit!

#StacyTSimmons #TabithaBouldin #MelissaWardwell #ChautonaHavig #JenniferSienes #CatheSwanson #SusanKBeatty #DeniseLBarela #NaomiCraig #KathleenJRobison #MargueriteMartinGray #OliviaTalbott #KeepingChristmasVolume1 #KeepingChristmasVolume2 #CelebrateLit #Booksbooksbooks #itsbeginningtolookalotlikechristmas #Christianfiction #Bookclubs #christmasiscoming #Castles #travel #Readingcommunity
Reposted from @celebratelit Celebrate Lit is now o Reposted from @celebratelit Celebrate Lit is now offering paperback preorders! Preorder any books on our preorder page to get 30% off plus free shipping! ⁠
⁠
http://www.celebratelitpublishing.com/save-up-to-30/
Reposted from @karitrumbo Repost from @carolynmill Reposted from @karitrumbo Repost from @carolynmillerauthor
•
It’s the last days to enter this #giveaway ! If you enjoy #bookish heroines and #strong #heroes then check out Rebuilding Hearts ♥️ #giveawaytime #giveawayalert https://promosimple.com/ps/1f7fa/rebuilding-hearts-celebration-tour-giveaway
When your husband gets a tooth pulled so you eat When your husband gets a tooth pulled  so you eat ice cream with him in an act of commiseration. 
@baskinrobbins 
#icecream
When your friend stocks you up so you can work lik When your friend stocks you up so you can work like crazy. 
Thanks,  @celebratelit . You bless me.
#amwriting
  • Home
  • Bookshelf
  • New & Coming
  • Blog
  • News!
  • Disclosure & Policies
  • Privacy Policy

Copyright © 2022 · Chautona Havig · All Rights Reserved · Coding by Gretchen Louise

Don't go before you grab your FREE short story collection!