Hey, I’m a Novelist Now!

Afternoon, Monday, April 21, 2025, Miami, Florida

Well, folks, I’m thrilled to share that I’m officially a novelist now! Actually, I’ve been one for a while, but it feels incredible to say it out loud.

It’s been a little over two weeks since I completed and published Reunion: Coda, the continuation of a novella (Reunion: A Story) that I originally wrote in 1998 and published – in a somewhat imperfect first edition – in July of 2018. It took me slightly over two years to draft my first novel – a period full of stress, self-doubt, and unexpected life changes – from making the leap of faith to write it to the final (and often frustrating) phases of submitting my “magnum opus” to Kindle Direct Publishing.

Funny. When I sat down in Writing Room #1 in Lithia, Florida, on March 9, 2023, I envisioned Reunion: Coda as a somewhat modest affair in which Jim Garraty, my protagonist/narrator, meets Maddie, a concert pianist with the New York Philharmonic, and gets a second chance at love and redemption while dealing with his complicated feelings about his high school crush, Martina “Marty” Reynaud. I had no detailed outline nor a grand vision beyond giving Jim a sunnier ending than I did in Reunion: A Story. All I had, really, was a pair of main characters who meet at a nightclub in New York City, bond over music and a little booze, and start a relationship, with the ups and downs that most couples experience. The only wrinkle in the formula was “How do I complicate the plot so that it’s not just a fluffy literary bauble shallower than your average kiddie pool?”

At most, I expected to end up with a short (150-200 pages) novel about a guy with not too much luck in the romance department who finally meets the right woman and, by the way, redeems himself after letting his teenage fears get the better of him when he met and fell in love with Marty at South Miami High nearly 20 years earlier. I didn’t foresee a lot of conflict (except maybe in Jim’s heart and mind), nor did I plan enough plot twists for a 471-page novel.[1]

Stories often take on a life of their own when not planned down to the last detail. As a writer, this organic growth can be both exciting and challenging, as characters and plots evolve in ways you never anticipated. That’s exactly how Reunion: Coda unfolded for me.

During the drafting process, my Beta Reader, Denise, was invaluable. Her thoughtful feedback and encouragement led me to explore new directions in the story that added depth and emotion. Denise’s experience and insights were like a guiding light, helping me weave complex plot twists and richer character arcs into the narrative.

Additionally, prompts from the book How to Write a Romance: Or, How to Write Witty Dialogue, Smoldering Love Scenes, and Happily Ever Afters by the Editors at Avon Books inspired some of the best moments in Reunion: Coda. These prompts helped me create scenes filled with humor, passion, and heartfelt connections, making the story come alive.

I am not an avid reader of romance novels, nor did I aim for Reunion: Coda to fall strictly within that genre, the book transcends typical romance narratives. Reunion: Coda is a multifaceted story that weaves together coming-of-age themes, academic drama, a touch of police mystery, and moments of romantic comedy, creating a richer and more dynamic narrative. The synopsis on Amazon highlights the depth and complexity of the plot, revealing how Jim Garraty’s journey encompasses love and redemption while delving into his past, his academic endeavors, and unexpected challenges that add layers to his story.

In the end, the journey of writing Reunion: Coda was about embracing the unexpected and allowing the story to grow naturally. The blend of spontaneous storytelling, expert advice, and inspirational prompts led to a novel that was richer and more engaging than I ever imagined.

And, I’m a novelist now!

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[1] The hardcover edition is 471 pages long; the paperback is 529 pages, while the Kindle edition has, due to its smaller size, over 700 pages.