Writer’s Shop Talk: Got Any Hobbies?

Writing and Storytelling:  Hobbies and Other Interests

What hobbies do your characters have? What do they care about outside of the relationship?

Jim Garraty:

During his teenage years, Jim built scale models of World War II aircraft, vehicles, and warships. One notable model was Revell’s 1962 model of USS Fletcher, the lead ship of the Fletcher class, which saw 172 ships constructed for the U.S. Navy between 1942 and 1945. His father, Kevin, purchased it at an Army PX intending to assemble it himself. However, due to his responsibilities as a junior officer and helicopter pilot, along with a combat tour in South Vietnam from which he did not return, he never had the opportunity. Jim completed the model when he was 13, and it was the only one he brought with him to Boston when he left home to attend Harvard.

In March of 2000, Jim is an adult with limited leisure time, but he enjoys playing classic computer games from his college days, such as the DOS versions of MicroProse’s Silent Service II and Crusade in Europe.  

Among Jim’s favorite pastimes, you’ll find an eclectic mix: curating a treasure trove of music albums, diving into novels just for the joy of it, and occasionally getting lost in the intricate assembly of model kits.

When he’s not spending time with Maddie, Jim pours his heart into his dual roles as a historian and educator. He’s driven by a deep-seated passion to share the lessons of history and modern conflicts, hoping that the wisdom gleaned from events like World War II, the Holocaust, the Cold War, and the Vietnam War will guide future generations away from similar catastrophes.

Madison “Maddie” Reynaud

Though Maddie’s childhood and teenage years were dedicated to mastering the piano, she harbored a whimsical passion for stamp collecting. Her father, Thomas, a distinguished diplomat in the United Kingdom’s Foreign Service, never missed an opportunity to fuel this hobby. From every corner of the globe he traveled to, or through his network of international friends and colleagues, he procured an array of exotic stamps, each telling its own story and adding color to Maddie’s eclectic collection.

From a young age, Maddie was captivated by the diplomatic adventures of her father and grandfather. Her sharp mind and endless curiosity led her on a journey through the rich tapestry of history and the intricate map of geography.  

This might illuminate why Madison is drawn to Jim even before their enchanting encounter at the Moonglow Club in Brooklyn. Sure, there are other factors at play—like their mutual passion for music and the electric chemistry between them—but Madison truly treasures Jim’s sharp intellect and his unwavering commitment to his students.