Late Morning, Thursday, November 21, 2024, Miami, Florida
On Writing and Storytelling: The Path to ‘Reunion: Coda’
I’m a writer and storyteller. I started writing when I was nine years old, but I really got going after I started ninth grade at Riviera Junior High School in Miami. At Riviera, I wrote two guest articles for the school newspaper, The Ram’s Horn, in early 1980. It was also there that I wrote my first “novel” as an English class assignment, Hypercraft One: A Sound of Armageddon.
My journey began in the bustling classrooms of South Miami Senior High (1980-1983), followed by the spirited halls of what was then Miami-Dade Community College, South Campus (1985-1989). Through the late ’80s and into the dawn of the new millennium, I dabbled in various business-related gigs and ghostwriting assignments—though those ghostwriting days are more of a distant, not-so-fond memory.
The digital era piqued my interest in 2003, when I initially lent my voice as an online reviewer on Amazon, and later for the beloved Epinions. This spark ignited a passion that led me to start two blogs – A Certain Point of View on Blogger, and its sibling, A Certain Point of View, Too on WordPress.
If you’ve frequented this internet corner, you know my heart has always belonged to fiction. Yet, it wasn’t until the fall of 1998 that I ventured beyond college creative writing classes to craft my first work—a novella that lay in wait for two decades before blossoming into Reunion: A Story, published in 2018.
I am now hard at work on my first novel, Reunion: Coda, a continuation of the story I started 26 years ago as an experiment to see if I could write an entertaining and engaging work of fiction. I’ve been at it for 20 months and one week, and even though I don’t think I’ll meet my optimistic estimated publication date of December 10, I believe that I am close to completing the narrative of Jim, Marty, Maddie, and Mark.
Image Credit: Juan Carlos Hernandez
I am now hard at work on my first novel, Reunion: Coda, a continuation of the story I started 26 years ago as an experiment to see if I could write an entertaining and engaging work of fiction. I’ve been at it for 20 months and one week, and even though I don’t think I’ll meet my optimistic estimated publication date of December 10, I believe that I am close to completing the narrative of Jim, Marty, Maddie, and Mark.
Writing is a journey filled with unexpected turns. Over the past year, I’ve navigated two interstate moves within 10 months and wrestled with bouts of depression, frustration, and the dreaded writer’s block. It’s during these times that I’ve learned the true essence of perseverance. Every setback is a setup for a comeback, and every pause a moment to rediscover the passion that fuels our creativity.
A Shameless Bit of Self-Promotion
If you decide to purchase a copy of the existing novella, you’ll find Reunion: A Story to be a heartfelt exploration of young love, missed chances, and the enduring hope for a second chance. Jim Garraty’s evolution from a high school senior with unspoken feelings to a successful history professor still yearning for true love is a narrative that resonates deeply.
Whether you prefer the tactile delight of a paperback or the convenience of a Kindle edition, Reunion: A Story offers an emotional rollercoaster that will keep you turning the pages. Each chapter is a testament to the power of enduring affection and the possibility of reclaiming what was once lost.
Don’t miss the chance to immerse yourself in Jim’s world and relive the moments that shaped his destiny. Purchase your copy of Reunion: A Story today and discover a tale that speaks to the timeless quest for love and fulfillment.
And if you’re an aspiring writer, here are some encouraging words to sustain you when you feel uninspired or unsure of your storytelling skills: Keep writing, keep dreaming, and above all, keep believing in the stories only you can tell.
A Certain Point of View, Too 
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