On Writing Novels and Playing War Games: Weekend Update, Part the First

Late Morning, Sunday, August 18, 2024, Madison, New Hampshire

It’s another cool and grey-shrouded day in eastern New Hampshire. Currently, the temperature is 66°F (19°C) under cloudy conditions. It looks like folks might need an umbrella when they venture outside, as today’s forecast calls for scattered light showers throughout the daytime hours. While the mercury won’t drop too much on this late summer day, the high won’t top 73°F (23°C).

On Writing and Storytelling: Pushing Reunion: Coda Closer to Completion (One Vignette at a Time)

Yesterday was a very productive writing day. I successfully wrote the third vignette for the fifth scene in Chapter 19 of my novel “Reunion: Coda (The Storm Breaks).” Usually, weekends are my downtime, but last week wasn’t great for making progress on the novel. My only significant accomplishment was crafting a detailed outline, which thankfully allowed me to develop the content swiftly over three hours yesterday afternoon.

Although I’m finding it difficult to stay composed as M-Day approaches, I believe I’ve written a great sequence that hopefully won’t require many revisions. I closely followed the outline from Friday but omitted some minor and incongruous details about a side character who didn’t make it into this vignette. In my opinion, the vignette turned out so well that I even published an excerpt in yesterday’s “Who Turned Off the Sun Today? A Quick Saturday Life Update from New Hampshire.”

Obviously, since I wrote it, I’m a bit biased. But for another take, check out what Microsoft/Open AI’s Copilot had to say about Vignette #3 (they call it a “scene” here):

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.

Old Gamers Never Die: Regiments Gets a Fourth Major Update – Winds of Change

In a wave of gaming news, MicroProse and Bird’s Eye Games have rolled out a fresh DLC for their gripping 2022 Cold War-turned-hot real-time tactical game, Regiments. Dubbed Winds of Change, this update ushers in four new national forces: NATO gains the support of units from Canada, France, and The Netherlands, while the Warsaw Pact integrates Czechoslovakian troops into the Soviet-led thrust into West Germany during an alternate Summer of 1989.

Unlike previous complimentary updates, this premium addition, priced at $12.99, delivers more than just new factions; it enhances gameplay with features like periodic combat air patrols and helicopter assaults. Additionally, it introduces a novel mode titled War Paths. This mode echoes the structure of the Operations campaign but grants players more freedom in choosing their missions.

Personally, I never warmed to the original Operations mode, preferring instead to engage in Skirmishes. However, last night, restless and sleepless, I ventured into a War Paths campaign with a task force from the U.S. 3rd Armored Division operating in NATO’s CENTAG realm.

If I were composing an “Old Gamers Never Die” feature, I’d dive deeply into my War Paths adventures. For now, let me share that I’ve navigated two out of three phases of my current mini-campaign with satisfactory outcomes. Much like in Skirmishes, I excel in defensive operations better than in securing and holding enemy Objective Zones (OZs).

That’s the latest from me on this occasionally rainy and overcast Sunday here in Madison, New Hampshire. Take care, stay healthy, and I’ll see you on brighter days ahead.