Writer’s Shop Talk: A Day of Mixed Emotions and Creative Triumphs

 Late Morning, Tuesday, January 21, 2025, Miami, Florida

Yesterday was a day of mixed feelings. On one hand, Donald Trump was inaugurated as the 47th President of the United States, starting his second term with controversial actions like abandoning Afghan refugees, pardoning the January 6 insurrectionists, and renaming the Gulf of Mexico to the “Gulf of America.” There are more disagreeable Day One actions from the Trump Administration, but I am not in the mood to report on them. You can look them up on your preferred news source.

On the other hand, I had one of the best days in my novel-writing journey. I wrote two scenes in one afternoon and finished Reunion: Coda’s 23rd chapter. This is a rare feat for me, as I usually craft one scene in a four-hour work shift, editing and revising as I go along. This method eases my worries about the day’s output but slows my forward momentum.

Perhaps it was because I didn’t follow any news coverage of Trump’s second Inauguration, or because the two scenes are brief and light in tone, but I managed to complete them before dinner. Instead, I dove into the whimsical world of Jim and Maddie, who navigate the bustling streets of New York City in March 2000. They were off on a charming dinner date at Delmonico’s, giving me a delightful escape from reality.

“Well, Juan wasn’t sure if it was his delivery or if the producer just didn’t get the humor of ‘The Actor’s Nightmare.’ Imagine auditioning for a comedy and the producer staring at you like you just recited a weather report. Juan said, ‘I thought my timing was impeccable, but the guy looked at me like I was speaking Klingon.’ He even wondered if the producer thought ‘The Actor’s Nightmare’ was an actual horror play!”

Alex Diaz-Granados, Reunion: Coda

Here’s a brief excerpt from yesterday’s output:

Dessert and Delights at Delmonico’s

Two hours have passed since we were seated at our table, and Maddie and I sit back in our chairs, the remnants of our delicious meals before us. The soft hum of conversation and clinking silverware fill the elegant dining room of Delmonico’s. The high ceilings are adorned with intricate moldings, and chandeliers cast a warm, golden glow over the rich wood paneling and classic artwork lining the walls. The tables are elegantly set with crisp white linens, fine china, and polished silverware, adding to the refined ambiance.

“That Delmonico Eye steak was incredible,” I say, savoring the memory of the perfectly cooked 12oz cut, accompanied by Hash Browns Espelette, Crème Fraîche, and Chives. The pairing with the Brandt Family Farms wine from California was just perfect.

Maddie nods, her eyes twinkling with delight. “And the Marinated Black Cod with Wilted Castelfranco and Kaffir Lime Glaze was just as delicious. I’m so glad I went with that.”

“All right, Maddie, it’s dessert time. What are you thinking?” I ask, scanning the dessert menu.

“I’m leaning towards the Mango sorbet. It’s light and refreshing,” she replies.

“I think I’ll go for the Baked Alaska. It’s a classic, and I hear they do it best here.”

As we wait for our desserts, I look at Maddie and say, “Thank you for dinner, Maddie. This has been wonderful.”

She waves her hand dismissively. “Oh, Jim, don’t mention it. I’m just glad we’re here together.”

I lean back in my chair, taking in the elegant surroundings. “This place is amazing. The decor really captures the historic charm and modern sophistication.”

Maddie smiles. “Yes, it’s like stepping back in time, but with all the comforts of today.”

As we wait for our desserts, I launch into an anecdote. “So, on my cab ride here, I had this fascinating driver named Juan. He’s an actor, too, and he told me this hilarious story about auditioning for a play called ‘The Actor’s Nightmare.’ He was so committed, worked hard to nail his lines and delivery. But in the end, he didn’t get the gig.”

Maddie leans in, intrigued. “Oh no, what happened?”

“Well, Juan wasn’t sure if it was his delivery or if the producer just didn’t get the humor of ‘The Actor’s Nightmare.’ Imagine auditioning for a comedy and the producer staring at you like you just recited a weather report. Juan said, ‘I thought my timing was impeccable, but the guy looked at me like I was speaking Klingon.’ He even wondered if the producer thought ‘The Actor’s Nightmare’ was an actual horror play!”

Maddie bursts into laughter, her eyes lighting up. “That’s priceless! Poor Juan.”

“He told the story cheerfully, but I could tell he was disappointed. It’s tough to pour your heart into something and not get the outcome you hoped for,” I say, reflecting on Juan’s resilience.

I’m not sure if I can replicate this sudden burst of creativity during my afternoon shift back at my desk. Believe it or not, I’ve had these rare prolific moments before. The last time I churned out more than one scene in a single workday, I was living on the other side of Florida and confidently planning a December 2023 release for my novel. That was back in August of ’23, which feels like eons ago. Since then, the deadline whooshed by like a train I missed by mere seconds.

I’ve been working on Reunion: Coda since mid-March 2023, and despite my previous overly optimistic predictions, this year is THE year! Yes, I’ll finish the novel. Granted, I’ve been crafting it one scene at a time, sometimes letting a week or more slip by between finishing one scene and starting the next.

But hey, good things take time, right? And this novel is going to be great – I can feel it in my bones (and my keyboard)! My Beta Reader and another trusted friend constantly assure me I have a good story. So here’s to unexpected bursts of creativity, relentless optimism, and finally crossing that finish line. Cheers!