A Writer’s Tale: Tangling with Bureaucracies and a Novel Adds Stress to a New Living Arrangement

Late Morning, Thursday, November 7, 2024, Miami, Florida

Greetings, Constant Readers.

It’s another warm but grey-shrouded late autumn day in my corner of South Florida. According to my computer’s Weather app, the temperature is a balmy 83°F (28°C) under mostly cloudy conditions. With humidity at 81% and the wind blowing from the east at 17 MPH (28 Km/H), the heat index feels a bit like 87°F (30°C). The forecast calls for mostly cloudy skies and a high of 85°F (29°C)—perfect for those who enjoy sweating in style.

Meanwhile, up north in Madison, it’s a brisk 59°F (15°C) with clouds hanging around like uninvited guests at a party. If circumstances had allowed me to stay there, I’d probably be contemplating a Maddie Burger and some hot cocoa for lunch, followed by a stroll along Huttwil Drive to walk off the calories. The forecast for my home of ten months calls for partly sunny skies and a high of 59°F (15°C). I, of course, prefer the warmer climes of my hometown, but I was getting acclimated to the cold weather—enough so that I wasn’t constantly whining about it—and therefore more physically active in New Hampshire.

On Writing and Storytelling: Progress on Reunion: Coda Stalls

Yesterday was yet another day where my novel-writing dreams were thwarted. Scene Three of Reunion: Coda’s Chapter 20 remains untouched because I had to inform Social Security of my return to Miami. My plan was to handle it online to avoid the dreary call or visit to the local office, but alas, they don’t allow you to change something as basic as your address or phone number online to combat identity theft and fraud.

So, with a sigh of resignation, I dialed the 1-800 number at 3:30 PM, only to be ensnared in an almost four-hour hold. The monotony of waiting drained my spirit. Frankly, I’d rather brave the Miami office next time than endure that telephonic torment again. Bureaucracies and smartphones make for a dreadful duo, especially when you’re hard of hearing like me. Even chatting with friends on a modern cell phone is far from enjoyable.

As you might guess, losing a whole writing day over this seemingly simple yet important task left me feeling rather dejected. Changing my address with a government agency shouldn’t feel like climbing Everest, but here we are.

I hope that I’ll be able to work on Reunion: Coda this afternoon. I no longer believe I’ll finish the manuscript by December 1, but I need to nudge the story closer to its conclusion for publication between mid-December and mid-January. This wasn’t how I foresaw things going when I resumed work on the novel ten months ago after recovering from my move to New Hampshire. I never imagined I’d be compelled to move again less than a year after I arrived on “ice planet Hoth,” as I half-jokingly called Madison. I truly thought I’d finish Reunion: Coda in time for a Holiday 2024 launch. Sadly, I was mistaken in that optimistic, perhaps naïve, belief. But this setback has only strengthened my resolve to see this novel through to completion, no matter what.

For those interested in the details, here’s the current status of my novel, Reunion: Coda:

• Number of Chapters: 20 (19 completed, 1 in progress)
• Number of Pages (9 inches x 6 inches): 459, including the title page and epigraph
• Word Count: 113,952

As you can see, I’ve written a substantial number of words since I began this novel-writing journey in March 2023.

While I continue to battle the bureaucratic behemoth and strive to complete my novel, I invite you to explore the first half of my Reunion Duology – Reunion: A Story. My first foray into fiction, this novella, is available in paperback and Kindle editions on Amazon through Kindle Direct Publishing, with an improved edition released last year. You can also find it at Barnes & Noble online, or why not charm your local librarian into adding it to the public library’s collection? Most bookstores will special order it too; it’s even listed in Book Culture’s online catalog.

Now, if you’re teetering on the edge of decision, let these reviews nudge you over – Reunion: A Story is a journey worth taking:

Jim is a wonderful character who comes to life by bringing us his most personal thoughts.

Reviewed in the United States on July 13, 2018 – Verified Purchase

This story brings you on a journey back to those days of high school. I really enjoyed walking down the halls with Jim and listening to his thoughts about his love, his memories of high school and what he felt. Thank you for a great read!! – Amy

Enjoyed this book!!

Reviewed in the United States on July 8, 2018 – Verified Purchase

I really enjoyed reading this story. The author’s descriptive writing brought me back to high school. Really made me think about the what-ifs in life. – Cindy K. Schaefer

So, whether you’re reminiscing about your own high school days or contemplating the whims of fate,Reunion: A Story promises a reflective and engaging read. Dive in, and let’s see where Jim’s journey takes both of us next.