Tag: Barbara Howard

The Clover City Files Mystery Series
by Barbara Howard

It is my pleasure to welcome Barbara Howard
to Escape With Dollycas Today!

Story Ideas: Dipping into the Childhood Well of Creativity
By Barbara Howard

Hey there! I’m often asked, “Where do you get your ideas?” Today, let’s chat about something that’s as comforting as mom’s homemade cookies and as magical as a childhood blanket fort – finding inspiration in those dusty corners of our own childhood memories. Now, buckle up, because we’re taking a trip down memory lane, and trust me, it’s a rollercoaster of emotions, and maybe a few cringe-worthy moments.

Picture this: an old chest tucked away in the attic of your mind. It’s filled to the brim with action figures, scribbled drawings, and the scent of grandma’s cookies. That chest is a treasure trove, and it’s begging to be opened. When I’m looking for inspiration, I dive into that chest, rummaging through the memories like a pirate searching for gold. Every knick-knack and doo-dad holds a story waiting to be told.

Have you ever wished you could hop in a time machine and relive those glorious days of tree climbing and scraped knees? Well, guess what? Sometimes developing a story is like a time machine! Putting pen to paper or fingers to keyboard is like casting a spell that transports you back to when the world was a playground and imagination was your superpower.

Let’s be real – childhood is a mixtape of memories. From the euphoria of birthday parties to the agony of spinach dinners, every memory is a track on that emotional mixtape. As a writer, I get to remix those tracks, turning the awkward school dance into a heartwarming tale of courage or the embarrassing school photo day into a heroic masterpiece. Embracing the cringe is all part of the creative process – it’s like making lemonade out of lemons and then spicing it up with a dash of mystery.

Now, about characters – meet the superheroes and villains of my personal dramas. That best friend who could out-belch anyone, the teacher with the peculiar fashion sense, or the neighbor’s cat who ruled the street – they’re the cast of characters waiting in the wings. When I’m writing, these characters strut onto the stage of my stories, bringing with them the quirks and charms that made them unforgettable. It’s like a high school reunion for my imaginary friends!

Picture an incredible treehouse that me and my cousins crafted with more heart than carpentry finesse. It’s not just a mishmash of wood and nails; it’s a backdrop brimming with narrative potential! The squeaky swing in our backyard, the neighborhood store where penny candies were treasures – these are the building blocks of a story’s cosmos. Describing these settings is like painting a colorful mural that readers can step into.

Now, let’s talk about the sensory buffet of my childhood – the taste of mom’s spaghetti, the smell of rain-soaked earth, the texture of that beloved handmade quilt. Writing about these types of sensory details is like handing your readers a golden ticket to your memories. They get to taste the sweetness, smell the nostalgia, and feel the warmth. It’s the secret sauce that turns words into magic, making your stories unforgettable.

Who said childhood was all about playgrounds and ice cream trucks? Beneath the chaos and laughter, there’s a hidden vault of life lessons. As a writer, I get to revisit those lessons and share them with the world. Whether it’s the first taste of responsibility from feeding the goldfish or the courage to face the monster under the bed, childhood is a crash course in survival, and those lessons are timeless literary gold.

So, remember writing is not just about crafting words; it’s about crafting stories from the heart, and what better place to find that heartbeat than in the memories of your own childhood? Whether spinning stories for the grandchildren, scribbling down novel ideas, or just daydreaming on a lazy afternoon, the enchantment of imagination is constantly within our reach.

The characters in my stories are not just figments of imagination; they are reflections of the people I once knew, including myself. In the process of writing, I discover facets of my own personality and psyche embedded in these fictional beings. This self-discovery adds layers of authenticity to characters, making them more relatable and human. The quirks, fears, and dreams of my childhood self find expression in the nuanced personalities of the characters I create.

In the end, finding inspiration in childhood memories is not just an individual endeavor; it’s a continuation of a timeless tradition. Storytelling, after all, is the legacy of humanity – a way to pass down the collective wisdom, experiences, and dreams of generations. As I draw inspiration from my own past, I contribute to this rich legacy of stories that connect us all. It’s a reminder that, beneath the veneer of adulthood, the child within us remains a source of inexhaustible inspiration.

Thank you, Barbara, for visiting today!

Keep reading to find out about The Clover City Files Mysteries!

About The Clover City Files Mystery Series

The Clover City Files Mystery Series
Cozy Mysteries
Box Set – 2 Books
1st & 2nd in Series
Setting – Fictional small town, Clover City (Mid-West, USA)
Independently Published (December 5, 2023)
Hardcover ‏ : ‎ 332 pages
ISBN-13 ‏ : ‎ 979-8870847580
Paperback ‏ : ‎ 245 pages
ISBN-13 ‏ : ‎ 979-8870316086
Digital ASIN ‏ : ‎ B0CP8P5DH1

The Taste of Rain
Novella, multi-generational, diverse, young adult, clean, cozy, college town.
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.

The Spice Code
Culinary Cozy novella, multi-generational, diverse, young adult, clean, college town.
In the heart of a quiet college town, restaurant owner and chef, Raphael Parera, finds himself entangled in a web of deception that threatens not only his culinary career but his very life. Charmed by the enigmatic beauty of his new girlfriend, Isabella, Raphael is unaware of the darkness lurking beneath her captivating smile.

As their relationship deepens, Raphael suddenly disappears without a trace, leaving his cousin, Amira Cooper, frantic with worry. Unbeknownst to Isabella, he manages to send a cryptic message through a seemingly innocent bag of groceries – a silent clue hidden within a recipe’s ingredients.

Desperate to save her beloved cousin, Amira embarks on a perilous journey to decipher the clues concealed within the grocery bag. Will Amira decipher the ingredients’ hidden meanings in time to rescue Raphael, or will Isabella’s twisted game end in a tragedy that will forever alter their lives? Get ready to indulge in a mystery where every twist and turn will leave you craving more.

About Barbara Howard

Barbara Howard is the author of two cozy mystery series; Finding Home and The Clover City Files. Her stories feature a female amateur sleuth, diverse characters, and a dash of romance.  She is a first-generation tech geek turned master gardener. She returned to her Midwestern hometown after an extensive career as a Department of Defense Project Manager at the Pentagon and spends most of her time treasure hunting, spoiling her fur-babies, growing veggies, and plotting whodunits.

Memberships/Affiliations: Mystery Writers of America (MWA), Sisters in Crime (SinC), Great Lakes Fiction Writers (GLFW), Crime Writers of Color (CWoC), Gamma Xi Phi (GXP)

Author Links
Website   Facebook    GoodReads     Instagram    Pinterest    Blue Sky Social    Twitter/X

Purchase Links

Amazon – Books2Read 

Find more books by Barbara Howard here.

TOUR PARTICIPANTS – Please visit all the stops. 
January 15 – Read Your Writes Book Reviews – SPOTLIGHT 
January 16 – Sapphyria’s Book Reviews – SPOTLIGHT
January 17 – Mystery, Thrillers, and Suspense – SPOTLIGHT
January 18 – Literary Gold – AUTHOR INTERVIEW
January 19 – Maureen’s Musings – SPOTLIGHT
January 19 – FUONLYKNEW – SPOTLIGHT
January 20 – Escape With Dollycas Into A Good Book – AUTHOR GUEST POST
January 21 – #BRVL Book Review Virginia Lee – SPOTLIGHT
January 22 – Novels Alive – REVIEW – Both Books
January 23 – Ascroft, eh? – AUTHOR GUEST POST
January 24 – Brooke Blogs – SPOTLIGHT
January 25 – Christy’s Cozy Corners – CHARACTER GUEST POST
January 26 – Reading Is My SuperPower – REVIEW – Both Books
January 27 – Escape With Dollycas Into A Good Book – SPOTLIGHT
January 28 – The Book Diva’s Reads – CHARACTER GUEST POST  

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