Author: Alex Diaz-Granados
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Thoughts Upon a Cold, Rainy Fall Day in New Hampshire
It’s cold and rainy on Columbus Day in Madison, New Hampshire, and a most depressing way to start my last few days here before I head back to South Florida on a long road trip with my South Miami High School classmate and his wife. I don’t know when I’ll arrive in Miami because Eric…
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A Novelist’s Soundtrack (Music to Write Stories By)
If you’re a regular reader of this blog, you may remember that, for me, music is a vital element of the creative process when I write fiction. The format (screenplay, novella, or novel) doesn’t matter; the emotions and mental images evoked by the songs and other compositions…those matter. As someone who “sees” stories as mini-movies…
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A Note from a Late Rising Blogger
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in Alex Diaz-Granados, Amazon, Blogging, Creative Writing, Going Full Circle: Back to South Florida I Go, Kindle, Kindle Create (Publishing App), Kindle Direct Publishing (KDP), Life in New Hampshire (December 2023 – October 2024), New Hampshire Weather, Personal Thoughts, Reunion Duology, Reunion: A Story, Reunion: CodaLate Morning/Midday, Saturday, October 12, 2024, Madison, New Hampshire I am running late on this sunny but cold Saturday morning in Madison’s Eidelweiss District. I don’t know when I went to sleep last night; I only know that it was much later than it should have been. A trip to the bathroom at 6:20 AM didn’t…
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Writer’s Shop Talk: Got Any Hobbies?
Jim Garraty, a history professor, balances his time between teaching and diverse hobbies like building model kits and playing classic computer games. His girlfriend Maddie, a pianist and stamp collector influenced by her diplomatic family, shares a deep intellectual connection with him, rooted in a mutual appreciation for history and music.
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Writer’s Shop Talk: My Twist on the ‘Meet Cute’ Trope
The discussion revolves around the “meet cute” trope in storytelling, specifically in romance genres. While the author acknowledges its challenges, they reflect on their own successful execution of it in their novel featuring Jim Garraty. In a noisy Brooklyn nightclub, Jim encounters a captivating stranger, Maddie, whose eloquence and charm draw him in. Their conversation…
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Reflections on an October Evening and Hurricane Milton
On the evening of October 9, 2024, in Madison, New Hampshire, the weather was cold and dark. The author shared a brief update about their day, mentioning a writing exercise, meals, and concern for friends in Florida facing Hurricane Milton. They hope for safety as they prepare to return to Miami.
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Writer’s Shop Talk: Outline THIS!
“Reunion: Coda” intertwines Jim’s high school and college professor years, exploring his emotional journey towards love. The narrative follows Jim’s struggles with unexpressed feelings for Marty, his romance with Maddie during his teaching career, and eventual reconciliation of his past. It emphasizes personal growth, emotional conflict, and unconventional romantic resolutions.
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Chilly Autumn Day in Madison, New Hampshire
On October 8, 2024, in Madison, New Hampshire, the author describes a sunny yet chilly autumn day with a current temperature of 58°F and a forecast low of 40°F. A walk on Huttwill Drive is noted while reflecting on the beauty of the area, despite contemplating the impending cold and first frost warning.
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Writer’s Shop Talk: Setting the Stage for the ‘First Time’
In this excerpt from “Reunion: Coda,” the author describes the setting where Jim and Maddie take their relationship to “the next level.”
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Musings on a Cold, Rainy New England Monday Morning
On a gray and rainy autumn Monday in Madison, New Hampshire, the author reflects on the gloomy weather, noting a temperature of 52°F and off-and-on rain throughout the day. They compare it to the chaos of Hurricane Milton in Florida, indicating relief at their current location. The weekend was uneventful, consisting of routine activities, including…
A Certain Point of View, Too 