First-time authors who borrow memories and experiences from their own lives run the risk of being too attached to the story to the point where it alienates the reader.
With the first chapter of Julie Carrick Dalton's "Waiting for the Night Song," I was worried that the author's background, much of which the main character takes on, would not be attractive to readers without a similar upbringing. However, Dalton's beautifully descriptive writing carried me through to the end of the chapter, which delivered a promising mystery.
Dalton also successfully channels her childhood into the second chapter, where Cadie's character really starts to develop. The reader is treated to a unique narrative that is just as beautifully described as the grown-up Cadie's experience.
Given the small sample, I'm more interested in learning what the younger Cadie went through, but I'm curious to see how adult Cadie deals with the return to a childhood secret.
With the first chapter of Julie Carrick Dalton's "Waiting for the Night Song," I was worried that the author's background, much of which the main character takes on, would not be attractive to readers without a similar upbringing. However, Dalton's beautifully descriptive writing carried me through to the end of the chapter, which delivered a promising mystery.
Dalton also successfully channels her childhood into the second chapter, where Cadie's character really starts to develop. The reader is treated to a unique narrative that is just as beautifully described as the grown-up Cadie's experience.
Given the small sample, I'm more interested in learning what the younger Cadie went through, but I'm curious to see how adult Cadie deals with the return to a childhood secret.