Insights on Writing: Embracing the Journey

Late Morning, Tuesday, February 11, 2025, Miami, Florida

“Writing is hard work. If you want to be a writer, you must do two things above all others: read a lot and write a lot.” – Stephen King

What can I say about yesterday? For starters, my first day of the workweek was a mirror image of the last one from the previous week. Despite my best intentions and heartfelt desire to regain momentum and start the 25th chapter of Reunion: Coda, all I achieved during my four-hour afternoon shift was eyestrain and a hefty dose of frustration. I had hoped to sketch out at least a modest outline for the new chapter’s first scene. Even if I couldn’t write the full scene outright, I’d have a decent foundation to build on today.

Well, that didn’t happen.

“Writing is so difficult that I often feel that writers, having had their hell on earth, will escape all punishment hereafter.” – Jessamyn West

After almost two years of working on this novel, you’d think I’d be used to the ups and downs between scenes and chapters. In my more sarcastic (and honest) moments, I’ve called these frustrating pauses my “writer’s refractory phase.” It’s like my brain, riding high from finishing a scene and the rush of endorphins, needs to take a break and recharge its creative energy.

These breaks have been a regular part of my life over the past 23 months, but lately, they’ve become more frequent and stubbornly long. Maybe it’s just me getting older, or perhaps it’s the growing anxiety about messing up the ending. Whatever the reason, it feels like it’s getting worse.

“When something can be read without effort, great effort has gone into its writing.” – Enrique Jardiel Poncela

I did wake up this morning with a promising plot point that I might consider adding to the narrative, so perhaps it’s a good thing that I’m not rushing mindlessly to the finish line. I’ll try it out in the afternoon shift; if it works, great. If not, then I’ll explore another storyline to close out one of the subplots in Reunion: Coda.

“Writing is like driving a car at night. You can only see as far as your headlights, but you keep driving because you have faith that the road is going to be there.” – E.L. Doctorow

As for the existing half of the Reunion Duology…

It seems that the current “free Kindle edition” promotion for Reunion: A Story is experiencing modest success. According to Kindle Direct Publishing, four Amazon customers have taken advantage of the offer since it started last weekend. While I won’t earn royalties from these downloads, as the e-book is free until the promotion ends this coming Saturday, my hope is that these four readers will enjoy Reunion: A Story and leave reviews on Amazon. Positive reviews could encourage more readers to take a chance on my novella and opt for either the Kindle or paperback edition.

5.0 out of 5 stars What might have been

Reviewed in the United States on July 20, 2024 by Denise Longrie

Verified Purchase

Jim Garraty’s dream of becoming a history professor at a prestigious university has come true. He has some well-regarded publications under his belt and is working on the next one.

However, he’s still hurting from his recent divorce. And then comes the phone call from his old high school pal. Marty—the girl he loved back in the day—has died in a car crash. One of Jim’s greatest regrets is that he never told Marty he cared for her. Would romance have come of it? Or even friendship? It’s too late to know now.

Jim’s story is told in a series of flashbacks and returns to the present. The reader follows him through the last few days of high school when he had the chance to speak to Marty— but didn’t.

It’s a lyrical tale of regret for chances not taken, told in dreams and memories. It speaks to anyone who has been to high school and anyone who remembers the one who got away.

This pleasant, if bittersweet, novella is short enough to read in one sitting.