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Afternoon, Sunday, March 23, 2025, Miami, Florida
“Storytelling is among the oldest forms of communication. Storytelling is the commonality of all human beings, in all places, in all times.” ― Rives Collins
Since today is Sunday—traditionally a day of rest—I’ll set aside my manuscript for Reunion: Coda. I devoted enough time to it yesterday, even though I typically reserve the whole weekend to unwind, free from thoughts of characters, story beats, scintillating dialogue, or proofreading. Today, I’ll also brush aside any worries about how readers will receive the finished book once it’s published.
Despite getting enough sleep, I still feel a bit weary. Writing effectively is always a challenge, but it’s even more so when my body feels a touch of fatigue and my mind seeks gentle distractions. So, as much as I long to finish my first novel—a dream I’ve cherished since I was 14 and told my mom I wanted to be a writer—I’m listening to my heart and taking the day off.
That said, I’m genuinely proud of the progress I’ve made since embarking on this novelist’s journey in early March 2023, when I typed the first lines of Reunion: Coda. Some phrases just get under my skin. Take “Everything happens for a reason,” for example. It’s like nails on a chalkboard to me. It’s worse than “Think outside the box” or “At the end of the day…”—those overused phrases that you hear on TV all the time.
I don’t remember how many different opening lines I wrote, rejected, and deleted before I settled on these to begin my prologue. It felt like I was auditioning sentences for a talent show—some were too flashy, others too timid. But I do remember the jolt of adrenaline that surged through me when I stopped writing my first paragraph, sat back in my office chair—the same chair I’ve used in Lithia, Madison (New Hampshire), and now here in Miami—and read it with satisfaction, knowing that I had “cracked the code” to my novel’s opening. Ah, the sweet victory of finding the perfect words!
As I near the conclusion of Reunion: Coda, I find myself reflecting on the journey we’ve taken together. Each sentence, each character, has been a labor of love, and sharing this process feels like a conversation with an old friend.
Let’s not forget the hurdles: the naysayers who dismissed me as a “hobbyist,” or my struggles with depression and self-doubt. Still, I refused to give up. Whether it was the memory of abandoned projects, the desire to prove others wrong, or simply choosing the right story this time, I pressed on. The “why” doesn’t matter; what matters is that I didn’t stop.
Reunion: Coda has blossomed into a richer, more sophisticated novel than I could have imagined. It intertwines coming-of-age, romance, historical fiction, and comedy with ease. Through the lives of Jim Garraty, Maddie Reynaud, and the lingering presence of Marty, I’ve explored themes of love, grief, and resilience. Writing this story has been like navigating a labyrinth of emotions, but I wanted my protagonist, Jim, to find happiness—or at least avoid tripping over his own feet too often. Now, with just a few scenes left to complete, I’m on the verge of that bittersweet moment when I’ll write the final lines. Soon, I’ll polish the details, decide on a dedication, and at last, bring Reunion: Coda into the hands of readers. On this restful Sunday, I’m savoring the pride, the anticipation, and the timeless magic of storytelling that has carried me through this incredible journey.
A Certain Point of View, Too 
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