Years ago (and still applies today), the experts were telling fiction writers that in order to really know their main character, they must come up with a character profile sheet for them and definitely applies to all your characters as well. This is a good practice because once you know all the ins and outs of all your characters, the book flows better and allows the author to get inside the head of each of their characters.
We decided to ask authors if they would like to come up with a character sketch of their main character, throwing in a few unique questions to make it really fun!
Today we have Tracy Shawn stopping by on her blog tour with a character sketch of her main character, Paloma Leary. Enjoy!
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Learn more about Paloma!
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Name of Character: Paloma Leary
Age: 32
Eye Color: Blue
Hair Color: Auburn
Birthplace: Sunflower Beach (a
fictional beach town in California)
Marital Status: Married to Reed Leary
Children: Has endured three
miscarriages and does not have any children
Place of Residence: A small condo, which is
blocks away from the beach
Description of Home: Small and compact with
family photos displayed in her living room hutch
Dominant Character Trait: Empathetic to others even
if she’s too hard on herself
Best Friend: Justine, a bossy and brash
friend, but one who truly cares
Enemies and Why: Paloma’s enemy isn’t a
person, but rather the fear of her own power.
Temperament: Kind yet cautious
Ambition: Paloma hopes to become a
mom, creating a fun, carefree childhood for her future offspring. With time,
though, she learns to accept a far different than the one she had planned.
Educational Background: Went to college and majored
in art history
Philosophy of Life: Kindness Counts
Bad Habits: When depressed, Paloma
sometimes pushes others away, especially her husband, Reed.
Talents: Loves her job as a floral
designer and makes gorgeous arrangements
Hobby or Hobbies: Loves walking on the beach
and swimming in the ocean
Why is Character Likeable? Paloma deeply cares for—and
is protective of—friends, loved ones, and even down-and-out strangers.
Favorite Pig Out Food: Cookies!
Character Mini-Interview:
Every New Year’s I resolve to:
Have more fun and loosen up!
Nobody knows I am: so tuned
into their feelings that I actually feel their emotions seep into my body.
I wish: that people could be
kinder to each other, help each other out more.
The worse part of my life is:
that my mom struggled with severe schizophrenia and that she died when I was young—and
now I’ve suffered three miscarriages and don’t know if I’ll ever become a mom
myself.
I want to teach my children
that: If
I ever have my own children, or even in my role as an auntie, I want to teach
the children in my life that it’s okay to be themselves, that they should
celebrate who they are, and respect other people’s differences.
A good time for me is: Taking a long walk on the
beach and then enjoying a nice, long nap on the warm sand.
The worse advice my father gave
me is: not
to look for my mom’s journal.
When I feel sorry for myself I: tend to hide away from
others—so much so that I can fall into a pretty bad depression.
My friends like me because: I care about their lives
and truly want to help.
My major accomplishment is: that I’ve connected with
Serena.
My most humbling experience was: when I had my spiritual crisis. It was more intense than I expected, but I learned a great deal about both myself and my long-lost mom.
Meet the Author
You can visit her website at https://www.tracyshawn.com/ or connect with her on Twitter, Facebook, and Goodreads.
Inside the Book
Title: FLOATING UNDERWATER
Part psychological fiction and part mystical fiction with a dash of magical realism, Floating Underwater follows a woman’s astonishing journey through the extraordinary and, ultimately, to her self-actualization and power.
Fearful that her lifelong premonitions not only predict the future but can also change its very course, Paloma Leary is devastated when her latest vision foretelling a third miscarriage comes true.
Falling into a mystifying world of increasingly bizarre phenomena, including a psychic connection with her mysterious neighbor, out-of-body experiences, and visits from her long-dead mother, Paloma grows desperate for answers. She is also desperate to start a family. But when a life-changing vision reveals a tragic secret from the past, Paloma learns to accept her gifts and embraces a far different future than she ever could have imagined.
“One woman’s mystical journey to move forward while confronting a troubled, mysterious past. Beautifully written; an ethereal, eloquent pleasure.” ~~Marlene Adelstein, author of USA Today bestseller Sophie Last Seen
“Mystical and magical realism permeates this women’s novel, and Amy Harmon fans would embrace Shawn’s adept storytelling. The author delivers spot-on dialogue, believable and enchanting characters, and surprising twists. It’s easy to imagine the novel as a talked-about book club selection (in fact, there’s a list of questions at the book’s conclusion). Poignant and beautiful, Floating Underwater leaves readers yearning for a sequel and another look at these captivating characters.” ~~Starred Review by Patricia Moosbrugger for BlueInk Review
“The writing is stunning…Paloma’s journey toward friendship, love in her marriage, and the realization that her fears have kept her eyes closed to everything happening around her is a journey worth following. This book will remind you to listen to the wind when it speaks and to look for what’s floating beneath the surface of the water.”~~Reviewed by Jenna Swartz for San Francisco Book Review
“A mystical journey that will take its readers on a whirlwind tour of beautiful imagery and meaningful life adventures, Floating Underwater is the story about a woman named Paloma Leary who learns that she has some very special gifts to share with the world…This book is wonderfully written in a lovely beach setting…Floating Underwater is the perfect book for someone looking for a bit of fantasy thrown into a realistic setting with realistic characters. Written with special attention to little details, this book is relatable, yet very special and is a one-of-a-kind read.” ~~Reviewed by Kristi Elizabeth for Manhattan Book Review
Book Information
Release Date: September 8, 2021
Publisher: Turbulent Muse Publishing
Soft Cover: ISBN: 978-1736664902; 312 pages; $10.99; E-Book, $3.99
Amazon: https://amzn.to/3GrO5TV
Amazon Kindle: https://amzn.to/3qA2EA3
