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Chautona Havig

Chautona Havig

Using story to connect YOU to the Master Storyteller

X Marks the Spot…

by Chautona Havig · 1 Comment

Cartography–the study and making of maps.

When I began the Wynnewood series, one of the first and most important things to me was to have a proper “fantasy map.”  After all, what is a fantasy book without a good map, right?  Finding my amazing illustrator, Craig Worrell, was a gift from God via my good friend, Michele.  Craig walked me through the map making process.  He talked me through things I’d never considered that significantly enhanced the books.  He made me laugh–oh how he made me laugh.  I got a new friend out of the bargain–two really.  He has a delightful wife.

What does that have to do with anything?  Am I putting maps in my other books?  Well, obviously there’ll need to be a map in the Legends of the Vengeance books.  I mean, what is a book about pirates without a map!?!  Valimar?  Well, duh!  It’s going to need some cool maps too. But no, Everard is the problem right now.  You see, I’m writing away, sending our prince off on all these quests all over the kingdom, and I have myself so confused as to where anything is that I can’t keep it all straight!

So I emailed Craig.  “HELP!”  I wanted to know if there ever were maps in fairy tale books.  He assured me that there are.  I told him my problem and he sent back half a dozen questions to help me think it through.  I answered them and threw the map back in his court.  Do I need one or not?  So, it looks like Everard is going to have a map.  I am now crossing my fingers that Craig will have the time and the desire to do it.  I’d be biting my nails, but you cannot do that with dentures.  That’s a nice little factoid for other writers.  Don’t have your denture wearing characters biting nails.  Not possible.

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Filed Under: General Information Tagged With: Blogging from A-Z, The Not-So-Fairy Tales Series

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Comments

  1. Fareeda Alhady says

    April 27, 2012 at 6:38 pm

    Maps, why not? They add authenticity and spatial dimension even in fantasy.

    Reply

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The Because Fiction Podcast

The Because Fiction Podcast
The Because Fiction Podcast

Taking the pulse of Christian fiction

Episode 231: A Chat with RomCom author, Shannon Sue Dunlap
byChautona Havig

Shannon Sue Dunlap isn’t new to rom-coms, and her first book in the Sweetheart Series promises to be a literary riot, and it lives up to that promise. I’m only halfway through it and am thinking mean, ugly thoughts of everything keeping me from being able to escape into the crazy small-town politics and quirky characters. So far the com far outweighs the rom, which makes me thrilled to bits. Listen in to discover what makes Lone Star Sweetheart so much fun.

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

Why Did This Author Write a Rom-Com about a Loveable Shrew?

Well, I think we can safely blame Shakespeare for that. Shannon Sue Dunlap has taken inspiration from Shakespeare’s The Taming of the Shrew in her Katherine, but unlike Katerina, Dunlap’s character is actually trying to learn to tame the tongue. Maybe someone should send her over to the book of James. There’s that whole bit about not being able to tame it, being an “unruly evil, full of deadly poison.”

Kate’s isn’t that bad, but not for lack of trying. Or something.

Shannon Sue Dunlap isn’t joking when she says that her Katherine is a “loveable” shrew. Seriously, I love this character. She’s forthright, no-nonsense, and “what you see is what you get” in her approach to life. I respect that. Add to that her boss who has shaken up the town of Sweetheart, Texas, and you’ve got the makings of a great story. I’m loving Lone Star Sweetheart.

But this isn’t all Dunlap has written.

Under the pseudonym, Shannon Kent, you can find her sweet and clean romances (including one Christian romance) inspired by Korean dramas. If you said I’d be not only chomping to read a sweet and clean romance about Korean tour guides and all that entails but also ready to watch a Korean drama on Netflix… Okay, I might not have laughed in your face, but I’d’ve been laughing on the inside.

Best part… one of them ties into her Sweetheart Series

Lone Star Sweetheart by Shannon Sue Dunlap

Katherine Bruno’s passionate, unfiltered temper makes her the shrew of small-town Sweetheart, Texas. When she’s drafted to help the mayor’s wife run against her own husband, Katherine meets opposing big city political consultant Ryan Park. The good-looking, flirtatious campaign manager gets under her skin, but fraternizing with the enemy is off-limits.

Katherine must battle her lack of experience, campaign sabotage, and her growing feelings for Ryan as she strives to succeed. His unprejudiced acceptance of her strong-willed character beckons her heart, but his jaded rejection of God is an insurmountable barrier. Will Ryan return to his faith and stay with her in Sweetheart or leave when the election ends?

You can find out more about Shannon Sue Dunlap AND get that first novella in the Korean Crush series free on her WEBSITE.

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

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Episode 231: A Chat with RomCom author, Shannon Sue Dunlap
Episode 231: A Chat with RomCom author, Shannon Sue Dunlap
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Episode 228: A Chat with Author Emilie Haney
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May 5, 2023
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