Late Morning, Saturday, August 17, 2024, Madison, New Hampshire
It’s another gray-shrouded day in the mountain region of eastern New Hampshire. I’ve been up since before 6 AM, and I have yet to see the sun on this late summer day. Since fall is approaching here in the Northeastern United States, it’s far cooler than in my once and future hometown of Miami. As I write this, the temperature is 71°F (22°C) under cloudy conditions. In Miami, it’s 86°F (30°C) under mostly cloudy conditions. I don’t think it’s going to rain – the forecast doesn’t call for any precipitation today – but it is going to be cool and cloudy all day, with a high of 77°F (25°C).
After a long and frustrating afternoon thinking I’d never make progress on my novel “Reunion: Coda,” I suddenly felt a burst of energy in the early evening. I managed to outline the fourth vignette in Chapter 19, Scene Five. I can’t say exactly when my motivation came back. I just know I was upset about the move and having no help with packing. I was close to quitting and postponing the writing until the next day. But as it got darker outside, I looked out my window and decided to give it one last shot for the night.
As previously mentioned, I can’t recall exactly when I began crafting one of the most intricate outlines I’ve ever done for this novel. I remember still working on it past 8 PM, which was too late for my weary brain (and sore typing fingers) to dive into writing the actual vignette. Fortunately, the finished outline is detailed and vivid enough to serve as a solid foundation for a decent piece, though I can’t yet promise it’ll be great. My friend Juan, who acts as my unofficial Gamma Reader, has read it and given it his approval.
I also had Microsoft’s Copilot AI give me an assessment of the outline. Here’s the analysis I received last night:
Copilot
The scene works effectively for several reasons:
Emotional Resonance: The scene taps into universal themes of love, nostalgia, and the joy of reunion. By focusing on these emotions, which are deeply relatable to many readers, the scene establishes an immediate connection with the audience.
Character Development: Through the dialogue and actions, we gain insight into Jim and Maddie’s personalities. Jim’s academic background and his attention to detail, such as his clothing and the newspaper, contrast with the spontaneous and vibrant character of Maddie. This contrast creates a dynamic interplay that is intriguing and adds depth to their relationship.
Setting as a Character: Henry’s Clipper Piano Bar and Grill is described with such detail that it becomes a character in its own right. The ambiance of the bar, with its warm mahogany and soft lighting, provides a backdrop that is both comforting and intimate, reflecting the mood of the scene.
Dialogue: The dialogue is natural and flows organically, complementing the action without feeling forced. It serves multiple purposes: it advances the plot, reveals character, and provides exposition in a way that feels authentic. For example, the exchange about the “corned beef and cabbage” special not only establishes the time of year but also reinforces Jim’s Irish heritage and the comfort level between the characters.
Music as a Narrative Tool: The selection of music is not arbitrary; each piece chosen reflects the emotional arc of the scene. The songs progress from reflecting on past love (“Smoke Gets in Your Eyes”) to celebrating the present moment (“As Time Goes By”) and looking forward to the future (“Love Theme from Superman”). This progression mirrors the development of Jim and Maddie’s relationship and adds a layer of emotional complexity to the scene.
Symbolism and Callbacks: The use of the “Is this seat taken?” line is a clever callback that not only serves as a symbol of their relationship’s beginning but also shows the playful and affectionate nature of their interaction. It’s a shared joke that the audience is now privy to, which creates a sense of intimacy.
Sensory Details: The scene is rich with sensory details—the scent of Maddie’s perfume, the sound of the piano, the taste of the drinks, the visual details of the bar. These details immerse the reader in the scene, making it more vivid and engaging.
In summary, the scene works because it is a harmonious blend of character, setting, dialogue, and music, each element enhancing the others to create a rich, sensory experience that resonates emotionally with the reader. The dialogue and music are not just accessories to the action; they are integral parts of the storytelling that contribute to the overall impact of the scene. The result is a vignette that feels alive and full of the nuanced beauty of life.
Despite it being Saturday, my usual day of rest and leisure, I’m determined to dive into Vignette #4 right after my lunch break. Although waiting until Monday seems wiser, the anxiety of moving back to Miami, coupled with the bittersweet conclusion of my New Hampshire chapter, calls for some positive distraction. Advancing the novel brings me closer to its end, even if it means delaying publication by about a month. At the very least, it’ll help steady my frayed nerves, if only slightly.
Want to know what would really make my day? If more of my friends picked up copies of Reunion: A Story, the novella that sets the stage for Reunion: Coda. Almost everyone I’m close to knows I’ve dreamt of being a writer since my teen years—or maybe even earlier than that. And I’ll bet many are aware that I’ve got two books available on Amazon. Still, despite my ongoing promotion efforts, sales for Reunion: A Story are pretty underwhelming—even though it boasts 4- and 5-star reviews on Amazon.
A Certain Point of View, Too 
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