• 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 Write “Lies” When the Simple Truth Should Suffice?

by Chautona Havig · 6 Comments

I’ve shared before that my favorite server, Angela the Wonder Server, once told a man that a “famous author” spends time writing at Denny’s every night. That would be me—the “famous” author.

Impressed, the man asked what genre I write in, and Angela knowledgeably said, “Christian fiction.”

His response? “So, what…? She writes lies about God?”

And though I can’t help but giggle over this, I’ve actually been taken to task for writing “lies.” Fiction isn’t true, therefore it’s a lie. And some people think it’s wrong to “write lies.”

So that begs the obvious question:

Why Write "Lies" When the Simple Truth Should Suffice?

Note: links are likely affiliate links that provide me with a small commission–doesn’t cost you extra, though.

Why Write “Lies” When the Simple Truth Should Suffice?

For me, it’s all about story. I learn best when I have an illustration or an analogy to follow. In fact, as a kid, I was convinced that Jesus told parables because He knew I needed them.

Still, when I try to explain this to people, they still don’t always “get” it. Well, I received an email recently after the release of Ties That Blind. I got permission to share part of it with you.  This, folks, this is why I write lies. This is why my heart loves fiction.

“Loved [the Sight Unseen Series] series. I also really liked the Agency series, but this one hit close to home because I recognized Ella’s life. It was a huge wake up call-especially when I read [her story]. That’s exactly how I feel. I went to the doctors and am getting help. Thank you for writing this.”

I read that and wept.

I wrote back and said,

People ask me all the time why I write fiction instead of “Christian living” nonfiction. This is why. Because sometimes we see things better in a story. I totally get you with Ella. I see myself in her much too often. It’s such a wakeup call.”

I’m not a naturally emotional person, but story evokes emotion within me. I can handle facts quite well, but seeing that David sinned in stealing a man’s wife by reading, “David committed adultery and murder. The consequences were severe” holds less of a punch than seeing it play out on the page. And even David needed a story about something that resonated with him (sheep) for him to fully see his sin.

When we emotionally connect to something, it keeps our attention longer and makes a lasting impression on our soul.

My dad knew that. I’m convinced it’s one reason he sang all those morbid songs that he did when I was a child.  No, really.  My childhood is full of songs where…

Guy meets girl.  They fall in love. He sees her with another man. He runs away. She pines for him. He finds out it was her brother after she’s dead.

Boy is dying. He got cool shoes for  Christmas.  Give his toys to his friends, but save his shoes for his little brother.

It’s a hard life here. No food. Nowhere to sleep. Dependent on kind people for basic needs. But Heaven is coming. “Don’t you know I’ll be glad when I’m dead.”  No, really.  That’s the last line of the chorus.

Blind child discovers her father is getting married again. Wants to accept new mom, but it’s hard. She’s a sickly kid. Gets dad crying over the loss of his dead wife hours before the wedding.  He carries her to bed.  She dies.

Guy has horse. Uses it to rob people. Horse saves man by racing to London in time.  Horse dies.

Boy has dog. They have fun. Dog gets old. Boy shoots dog.

Man wins wife in a card game. They fall in love. He gets hurt. She rides off for help. They both die.

Like I said. Morbid.

My throat ached as a child whenever Dad sang.  Part of it was the beauty of his playing, the clear, true notes of his voice.  It was.  But part of it was how  painfully beautiful his songs were.  They spoke of love and loss. From them, I learned that to live life, you had to be willing to risk that pain—anything else was just existence.  I didn’t want just to  “exist.”

You know, people don’t die like they used to. That sounds weird to say. Everyone dies. But back when these songs were first sung, children died young.  Men died young. Disease, famine, and hard lives killed people at very young ages. I recall two people dying when I was a child—my ninety-six-year-old Granny when I was twelve (we kind of expected it, you know), and my brother was murdered that same year.

If I hadn’t had the aching songs that tore at my heart every time Dad sang them, I don’t know how I would have really grasped Bear’s death.  It wouldn’t have been real to me.

But Dad taught me that grief is a thing simply by singing about things that should make you grieve.

Jack Cover
I even turned Cowboy Jack into a novel. I did not, however, keep the ending the same. After all, I’m not Nicholas Sparks. I wouldn’t dare.

There was my favorite song—or at least, my favorite that I could get him to sing often. “Cowboy Jack.”  It’s morbid, too.

Man meets girl. They fall in love. They quarrel. He becomes a cowboy who sings about the girl back home. Goes back. She’s dead.

That song taught me more than how to cope with death.  It also taught me about arguments. I recall thinking, “Why did he just ride off like that?  How did that help anything?  If he would have just talked it out with her, things wouldn’t have been so bad, and she might not have died.”

From that song, I also learned that running from your problems can create larger ones. Yes, talking through problems is important, but look what running did!

“Blind Child’s Prayer” taught me acceptance and sensitivity  The child begged not to have to meet her “new made mama” in her mother’s sitting room among all her mother’s things.  I wouldn’t have thought of that.  But the song taught me as much, and it taught me sensitivity when her father begins to cry over his loss again.  She’s immediately taken out of her own self-pity and prays for them both.

Prayer as an answer to heartache—what a novel idea! 😉

Yes, I write lies.  Yes, the truth is superior.  But in my “lies,” I try to show the truths of Scripture so that people like myself can learn those deeper truths by seeing how fictional people live that principle—or don’t.

When I write my “lies,” I hope for one thing to happen. I hope that someone, like the woman who emailed me about Ties That Blind, will see Scripture’s truths illuminated in story. When I write my “lies” in my stories, I pray that they will connect readers with the Master Storyteller.

Share345
Pin
Tweet
Email
350Shares
Share
Pin
Tweet
Email
350Shares

Related

Filed Under: Personal, Writing

Previous Post: « So, What Made Me Decide to Read a Book Like This?
Next Post: Did I Love or Hate Shadow Sister and Why? »

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. Carol says

    January 7, 2019 at 8:11 am

    I used to weep listening to my mom sing “When I was a lad and old Shep was a pup…” And I’d beg for it again the next night even though I always dreaded the part where old Shep dies. And one that was even harder to listen to was about the child nobody would play with, and his mother would sing, “Now Honey, stay in your own back yard… Honey, don’t cry so hard, just stay on dis side of da high board fence and play in your own back yard.” And then the little boy dies and is taken up to heaven but the mother keeps singing that song. Heart wrenching. And I’d want it the next night. And there was the old mama who sat in her rocking chair that nobody ever visited any more, and the boy not allowed to play baseball, and the child who didn’t have money to ride the train to go see his sick mother, “Oh please, Mr. Conducter don’t put me off the train…” There were so many of those tear jerk songs and we love/dreaded them. Now my dad and mom and that generation are gone and those songs seem buried too. The only place they are still alive (but barely) are in my head, and apparently yours, Chautona.

    Reply
    • Chautona Havig says

      January 8, 2019 at 12:46 am

      Yep! And I’m putting them in stories. Because I want them to live on.

      Did your mother sing Concert Garden? “Somebody’s waiting for me… somebody loves me I know… somebody’s wond’rin’ where I can be, and what can be keeping me so. Somebody’s heart is sad–waiting so anxiously. There’s a light shining bright, in a window tonight, and somebody’s waiting for me.

      Reply
  2. Carlena says

    September 10, 2018 at 10:34 am

    I believe that a story will, with at least one person, be a truth about their life. I have written a trilogy of a fiction but inside were some truth that happened to me or my friends. I just put them in as having happened in the old west.

    Reply
    • Chautona Havig says

      September 10, 2018 at 2:29 pm

      You know, there’s truth to this. I was astounded to get a message from a reader saying she has a friend who works for a company like “The Agency.” I was SURE that didn’t exist. LOL.

      Reply
  3. realworldbiblestudy says

    September 7, 2018 at 12:07 pm

    Sometimes stories are more true than facts. =D -Joy

    Reply
    • Chautona Havig says

      September 8, 2018 at 1:14 am

      AMEN!

      Reply

Primary Sidebar

The Because Fiction Podcast

The Because Fiction Podcast
The Because Fiction Podcast

Taking the pulse of Christian fiction

Episode 153: A Chat with Historical Author, Tracie Peterson
byChautona Havig

I had a delightful chat with historical romance author, Tracie Peterson, a couple of weeks ago, and boy did I learn some cool stuff!  Listen in to find out what prompted Tracie to write about trains and New Mexico and just what horned toads have to do with any of it.  She even gives us a sneak peek into what’s coming next!  Hint: it involves “brownies,” freezing people (we presume), and gold!

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

When You’ve Written This Many Books, You’re Sure to Be a Favorite

Tracie Peterson has been one of my favorite authors for years. I knew I’d read her books since at least the early days of this century, but when she said 1995, I knew I’d probably read every one of those first books, too. 

Though her first love might be Jesus, her first writing love is definitely historical fiction with romance, adventure, and maybe a little intrigue to boot! As with many historical authors, research consumes a lot of her time. Find out which books involved her going to a trick riding school and how a book about a “horny-toad man” helped her write the Love on the Santa Fe series!

In addition to chatting about her books, we also discussed the writing process. And even better, about the wonderful letters from readers.. Tracie Peterson is one prolific writer with over a hundred thirty books to her name! There’s sure to be something for everyone, wouldn’t you say?

Beyond the Desert Sands by Tracie Peterson

Can she reconcile who she’s become with who she’s meant to be? Accustomed to an opulent life with her aunt, the last thing twenty-five-year-old Isabella Garcia wants is to celebrate Christmas in her parents’ small silver-mining desert town, leaving her handsome beau, Diego Morales, behind in California. Adding insult to injury, she must bear the company of Aaron Bailey, the disapproving Santa Fe Railroad businessman her father has sent to escort her home, who clearly finds her spoiled. But she is surprised to see how much the town of Silver Veil has grown and how fragile her father’s health has become. Then a surprise visitor shows up with news that entirely upends the comfortable life she’s been leading. Faced with all these changes, Isabella struggles to sort through her future and who she wants to be. But trouble is brewing, and there are those who hope she stays just as she is, even if it costs her everything.

You can preorder the eBook and audiobook from Amazon or you can get the hardback or paperback from BakerBookHouse.com.

Find out more about Tracie Peterson and her books 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 153: A Chat with Historical Author, Tracie Peterson
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
Episode 151: A Chat with Christian Romance Author, Carrie Padgett
June 10, 2022
Chautona Havig
Episode 150: A Chat with Mystery/Thriller Author, Steven C Harms
June 7, 2022
Chautona Havig
Episode 149: A Chat with Jennifer Sienes about Night Songs (and more!)
June 3, 2022
Chautona Havig
Episode 148: A Chat with Author, James R. Hannibal
May 31, 2022
Chautona Havig
Episode 147: A Chat with Biblical Fiction Author, Jubilee Lipsey
May 27, 2022
Chautona Havig
Episode 146: A Chat about The Sweet Life by Suzanne Woods Fisher
May 24, 2022
Chautona Havig
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
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

  • book chapter vows release (July 26, 2022)

Or just subscribe to the newsletter

Recent Blog Posts

  • Some Books Grip Your Heart So Hard You Can’t Escape (and don’t want to)
  • When You’ve Written This Many Books, You’re Sure to Be a Favorite
  • Ready for a Fun, Funky, Romance-Filled Road Trip This Summer?

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
Due:7 months ago
53.1%
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
The end of Finding a Memory had a twist I didn't e The end of Finding a Memory had a twist I didn't even see coming, and now... it's time to find out what happened... and get Mallory and Benjamin's story.  I can't wait to share it with you!
Releases July 26. Stay tuned for release day fun from Minnesota!  WOOT!  An #affiliate preorder link (at a discount) is in my bio.
#IndpendenceIslandsSeries
#ChristFic
#Preorder
#BeachReadsArentJustForSummerAnymore
My, "books on the cover" book for @chantelreadsall My, "books on the cover" book for @chantelreadsallday 's #ReadYourBookshelfChallenge2022 , The Words Between Us by @erinbartelswrites . Great book. My review is uo at chautona.com under the blog tab. The short version?
Do not go past the Bookshelf, do not collect more books for your TBR until you've read this book.
#amreading 
#christfic 
#canyourtop5listhavesixbooks
The end of Finding a Memory had a twist I didn't e The end of Finding a Memory had a twist I didn't even see coming, and now... it's time to find out what happened... and get Mallory and Benjamin's story.  I can't wait to share it with you!
Book, Chapter, & Vows releases July 26. Stay tuned for release day fun from Minnesota!  WOOT!  An #affiliate preorder link (at a discount) is in my bio.
#IndpendenceIslandsSeries
#ChristFic
#Preorder
#BeachReadsArentJustForSummerAnymore
My next nonfiction read. Adorning the Dark by @an My next nonfiction read.  Adorning the Dark by @andrewpetersonmusic 
Cannot wait. 
#AmReading 
#nonfiction 
#creative
Reposted from @celebratelit Did you know, Hooper S Reposted from @celebratelit Did you know, Hooper Safe Haven by Rachel Skatvold is ON SALE, 25% off! 

More about the book: 

Harbors should be safe havens, but what if…
Reposted from @karitrumbo Thank you so much!! Repo Reposted from @karitrumbo Thank you so much!! Repost from @staceylovestoread
•
🤠🤠🤠 Book Two in The Belle Fourche Chronicles by @karitrumbo is not to be missed! 

#karitrumbo #valleyofpromise #thebellefourchechronicles #newrelease #junerelease #historicalromance #christianhistoricalfiction #christianromance #bellefourche #southdakota #bookstagram
Acts for the soul and broccoli salad for the body. Acts for the soul and broccoli salad for the body.
#BibleStudy 
#journible
  • 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!