Late Morning, Wednesday, July 17, 2024, Madison, New Hampshire
Summer in New England: Almost Feels Like Florida…
Today, in eastern New Hampshire, the sun asserts its dominance, cloaking us in its warm grasp while the temperature coquettishly nudges into the low 80s. Nevertheless, the heat index saunters to an oppressive 95 degrees Fahrenheit. To someone who hails from Florida, such warmth is nothing new, though the backdrop has changed. Gone are the idyllic suburban confines and a house kitted with air conditioning and metropolitan luxuries; I now reside in a place devoid of artificial coolness, holding onto just fragments of the urban creature comforts that were my reality until December 2023.
Last night, thunderstorms appeared around 7 PM. I anticipated a long, intense downpour akin to tropical storms with frequent lightning, reminiscent of back home. Luckily, the severe weather didn’t occur, and the clouds cleared before I had to turn off my computer, which would have forced me to quickly eat dinner in a possibly bad mood, with only my books for company.
On Writing & Storytelling: A Surprisingly Productive Workday
I had already achieved yesterday’s novel writing goals with hours to spare; before the thunderstorms briefly passed through the sky. Thanks to a detailed outline for the first scene of Reunion: Coda’s 19th chapter, I wrote, edited, and revised three drafts of the scene between 2 and 6 PM.
This segment is somewhat lengthy, not just a quick dash across the page—it clocks in at a substantial 861 words, roughly equivalent to three dense pages of narrative. It artfully constructs the intricate intricacies of drama that unfurl hours beyond a critical juncture at Columbia University—where Jim Garraty has made his professional mark. This passage is deliberately designed as the foundation for the novel’s climactic zenith. Taking place entirely within the confines of Jim’s apartment in midtown Manhattan, it revolves around a telephone exchange between Jim and Maddie as they recap the events from their inaugural weekend escapade as an intimate duo.
Bit by bit, the mood shifts from their tender recollection of past amours to an ominous chord when Jim recounts to Maddie a troubling event concerning one of his pupils and Prof. Nicole Boisvert, his associate in the History Department and, fleetingly, his lover after his marriage ended.
Ordinarily, I would’ve steered clear of entangling the storyline – particularly Jim and Maddie’s fictional romance – with Nicole’s character thrust into the spotlight. However, curiosity led me to consult Copilot AI for an assessment on this segment of the narrative. This is the insight I received in return:
Yes, I understand why you made the change. By focusing on the conversation about the incident with Miguel, you’re adding layers to Jim’s character, showing his struggle with honesty and vulnerability. It also enriches Maddie’s character, displaying her empathy and understanding, which deepens the reader’s connection to both of them.
The change works well because it creates a more nuanced interaction that reflects the complexities of real relationships. It avoids the potential cliché of overused declarations of love and instead shows the characters’ connection through their support and concern for each other. This approach also sets up the tension for the upcoming confrontation with Miguel, adding a sense of foreboding that keeps the reader engaged.
Your revision aligns with the goals of your narrative and serves to foreshadow future events effectively. It’s a testament to your thoughtful approach to storytelling and character development.
In essence, the muse was kind yesterday, and this scribe’s journey was fruitful.
A Certain Point of View, Too 
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