My Novelist’s Odyssey: Getting Closer to the Finish Line

Late Morning, Tuesday, March 4, 2025, Miami, Florida

Hi, everyone.

It’s a warm yet overcast early spring day here in the heart of Miami-Dade County. The temperature is a pleasant 77°F (25°C) under mostly cloudy skies, with just enough humidity at 65% to remind you that you’re in South Florida. The breeze, blowing from the east-southeast at 13 MPH (21 Km/H), adds a refreshing touch, making it feel like 80°F (27°C). Today’s forecast promises scattered light showers, keeping it interesting, with a high of 78°F (26°C) on this windy and humid day.

On Writing and Storytelling: Reunion: Coda is (Finally) in the Home Stretch

Yesterday was a pretty good day for my writing. I managed to keep the momentum from last Friday and not only sketched out a solid outline for the second scene in Chapter 26 of Reunion: Coda but also wrote and polished that scene. It’s filled with character moments, vivid details, and some intense dialogue. Plus, it sets up Scene Three, which is a major turning point in the chapter.

Additionally, I laid out a detailed roadmap for Scene Three before wrapping up for the day. This means that when I sit down to write this afternoon, I can dive right into the creative flow instead of wrestling with plot points or character dialogue. It’s like having a treasure map, guiding me through the narrative twists and turns, making the journey as thrilling as the destination.

As I approach the emotional high point of the story, I am being very careful to maintain the pacing, resisting the urge to rush towards the conclusion. This is particularly important because next week marks two years since I started this project, and I want to finish strong.

Reflecting on my journey with Reunion: Coda, I’m reminded of all the long days, coffee breaks, and the occasional bouts of procrastination. Crafting this story has been a true labor of love, full of challenges but also incredibly rewarding. The characters have grown right along with me, revealing surprising layers and depth that I hadn’t expected when I first started.

This entire process has taught me a great deal about perseverance and passion. Some days, the words flowed seamlessly, while other days, I found myself staring at the screen, doubting every sentence. Despite these challenges, the vision of my story kept me motivated, encouraging me to explore new narrative paths and refine my writing skills.

Of course, life happened along the way. I lost precious writing time to two interstate moves, which threw my writing schedule completely off track and led to missed deadlines. But I’ve come to see these detours as part of the journey, adding texture and resilience to my storytelling.

Now, as I approach the climax of the story, I’m filled with a mix of excitement and anticipation. The plot threads are finally coming together, and the characters are on the verge of transformational moments. It’s a tricky balance to keep the pacing just right while ensuring a satisfying resolution.

I couldn’t have made it this far without the incredible support and encouragement from friends and fellow writers, including Denise Longrie and Juan Carlos Hernandez. Their feedback and insights have been invaluable, helping me see the story from different angles and enriching it further.

With the end in sight, I’m committed to giving my all to these final scenes. It’s not just about finishing the story—it’s about honoring the journey and the characters who have become so dear to me. Here’s to the final stretch of Reunion: Coda and the new adventures that lie ahead!

#ReunionCoda2025