Have you ever had a conversation stuck in your head? That’s what it’s like as an author. Some characters are very chatty when you creating the plot and building worlds. Amira Cooper is the main character in my new book, The Taste of Rain, The Clover City Files Book 1. I had the wonderful opportunity to reveal what it’s like to ‘hear’ Amira in a blog post at Dru’s Musings. I hope you’ll check out A Day In My Life – Amira Cooper and leave a comment.
The Taste of Rain by Barbara Howard
College student and part-time health aide, Amira Connors, wants nothing more than to graduate and successfully launch a non-profit with her latest crush, Attorney Darius Browne. But when a nursing home patient (Claire Stewart) shares shocking details surrounding her husband’s death, Amira pieces together the fractured memories and helps law enforcement identify the actual killer. But is he? Or have Claire’s ramblings entangled Amira into becoming the next target?
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A key component of gripping narrative is developing likable characters. Such characters require in-depth exploration of their histories, motives, and peculiarities in order to be developed. First, give each of your characters a distinctive quality that makes them stand out. To sculpt their identities and add depth, consider their advantages, disadvantages, and personal experiences. Remember to humanize them by highlighting weaknesses and imperfections that readers may relate to. Think about the character’s objectives and aspirations as well since they influence their behavior and add mystery to the story. Finally, to retain credibility, make sure that their actions and decisions are consistent. You may captivate readers and get them engaged in the trip your characters travel by creating developed, relatable characters. This will improve the appeal of your writing in general.
Are you a savvy sleuth?
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Humor has a unique power to draw readers in and give your work a charming touch. When utilized properly, it may increase engagement, reflect your personality, and create memorable content. So how can you use comedy effectively in your writing?
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Book comps, sometimes known as “comparative titles,” are frequently requested of authors in order to assist publishers, agents, and readers evaluate the commercial viability of their writing. Book comps are publications that, whether in terms of genre, tone, subject matter, or writing style, have some resemblance to the author’s own work. Authors may help pitch their books to agents and publishers by finding strong book comps, and they can also assist readers by letting them know what to expect from the book.
Effective book comparisons may assist an author show that their work has a specific target demographic and can appeal to people who like novels like their own. Agents and publishers may find it simpler as a result to promote the book and draw in readers who will likely appreciate it. Additionally, authors may learn more about their own writing style and the distinctive attractiveness of their work by locating book comparisons. Finding book comps is a crucial step in the publication process that may aid authors in successfully marketing their writing and drawing readers.
The Taste of Rain by Barbara Howard
Release Date: June 6, 2023
SHORT DESCRIPTION:
College student and part-time health aide, Amira Connors, wants nothing more than to graduate and successfully launch a non-profit with her latest crush, Attorney Darius Browne. But when a nursing home patient (Claire Stewart) shares shocking details surrounding her husband’s death, Amira pieces together the fractured memories and helps law enforcement identify the actual killer. But is he? Or have Claire’s ramblings entangled Amira into becoming the next target?
LONG DESCRIPTION:
In “The Taste of Rain”, we follow the story of Amira, a college student who works part-time as a health aide at a local nursing home. One day, she meets an elderly resident, Claire Stewart, who confides in her that her husband was killed years ago, but nobody believed her.
Amira is hesitant to believe Claire at first, but as she gets to know her better, she realizes that there might be some truth to her story. Amira decides to investigate the case and help Claire find the killer.
She must navigate through the complexities of the past and present to find the truth and bring justice for Claire.
Along the way, Amira faces challenges both personally and professionally. She must balance her college studies with her part-time job and her investigation. She also learns to confront her own biases and assumptions about aging and the elderly.
“The Taste of Rain” is a mystery that explores the themes of trust, aging, and justice. It is a heartwarming tale of the unlikely friendship between a young college student and an elderly resident, as they work together to uncover the truth, and solve a decades-old murder.
Barbara Howard - Author 