Tag: blog
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Small Sparks, Quiet Joys: A Writer’s New Year Grace Notes
Small Sparks, Quiet Joys: A Writer’s New Year Grace Notes The first days of a new year always feel a little strange — like standing in a doorway with one foot in the past and one in the future, trying to decide whether to look back, look ahead, or just enjoy the view. This year,…
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On Writing and Storytelling: Wrestling with Subheads, Holding on to Stories
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in Alex Diaz-Granados, Amazon, Amazon Reviews, Amazon Spain (Amazon.es), Amazon UK, Books, Comings and Goings: The Art of Being Seen, Creative Writing, Kindle, Kindle Create (Publishing App), Kindle Direct Publishing (KDP), Reunion Duology, Reunion: A Story, Reunion: Coda, The Jim Garraty Chronicles, Writing a First Novel, Writing as a CraftWrestling with Subheads, Holding on to Stories Tuesday, December 16, 2025 – Orlando, Florida If you’ve ever worked with Kindle Create, you’ll know it can be both a blessing and a curse. Today, I’m spending several hours fixing subheadings in The Jim Garraty Chronicles—particularly in Reunion: Coda. It’s a formatting issue that has haunted every…
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Midweek Update: M-Day Plus Three in Orlando
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in 4K UHD Blu-rays, Amazon, Amazon Spain (Amazon.es), Amazon UK, Blogging, Blu-ray Box Sets, Blu-ray Collection, Comings and Goings: The Art of Being Seen, Creative Writing, Kindle, Kindle Create (Publishing App), Kindle Direct Publishing (KDP), Life in Florida, Movies, Personal Thoughts, Reunion Duology, Reunion: A Story, Reunion: CodaMidmorning, Wednesday, September 3, 2025, Orlando, Florida Hey there. It’s my third day living in Bithlo, a suburb not far from Orlando. Florida’s autumn weather is as usual—warm and humid. This Wednesday morning, it’s about 77°F (25°C) with partly sunny skies. Humidity’s at 90%, and there’s a light breeze coming from the south-southwest at around…
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Longest Day, Shortest Royalty Check… But Who’s Counting?
Friday Afternoon, June 20, 2025 – Miami, Florida Hi, everyone— A few notable highlights from this first official day of summer: Now for a little personal update: Kindle Direct Publishing has processed my April royalties, and I’m set to receive a not-so-whopping (but still smile-worthy) $78.21. Most of that comes courtesy of Reunion: Coda, though…
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Summer Heat, a Writer’s Doubts, and Music as Medicine
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in Alex Diaz-Granados, Amazon, Creative Writing, Depression, Kindle, Kindle Create (Publishing App), Kindle Direct Publishing (KDP), Life in Florida, Life in New Hampshire (December 2023 – October 2024), Melodies and Memories: Music, Songs, and Singers, Personal Thoughts, Reunion Duology, Reunion: Coda, Summer in FloridaAfternoon, Friday, June 13, 2025, Miami, Florida The subtropical sun is relentless today, casting its familiar heat over Coral Terrace. At 87°F (31°C) under mostly sunny skies, the humidity sits at a heavy 67%, making it feel more like 93°F (34°C). A southeasterly breeze at 14 MPH (23 Km/H) offers a little relief, though not…
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Dear Reader, Let Me Tell You a Story…About Homecomings and Memories (a ‘Reunion: Coda’ Excerpt)
Revisiting the Past: Two Sequences from the Coda of Reunion: Coda Returning home is rarely a simple act. It carries the weight of memory—both cherished and bittersweet—and forces a confrontation between who we were and who we’ve become. In Reunion: Coda, Jim Garraty’s journey back to Miami is more than a physical return; it’s a…
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Time Marches On: On Birthdays…and Literary Journeys
Late Morning/Midday, Wednesday, March 5, 2025, Miami, Florida Hi, Constant (and not-so-Constant) Readers. It’s a bright and muggy early spring day in South Florida, with the current temperature at a toasty 82°F (28°C). With 66% humidity, it feels closer to a steamy 87°F (31°C). As a true Miami native and lifelong Floridian (barring a brief…
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Musings for an Autumn Saturday: A Late Start…and a Writer’s Concerns
The author reflects on a chilly Saturday in Madison, New Hampshire, while writing their 1,705th blog post. They express frustration over unproductive novel writing and impending relocation to Miami. Financial stress from moving complicates their creative process, alongside concerns over book sales and perceived validation as a writer. Despite these challenges, they aim to complete…
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Captivating Holiday Read: Discover Scene Three of Reunion: Coda
On the 4th of July, 2024, in Madison, New Hampshire, the author celebrates America’s 248th year of independence. Despite personal struggles, they triumphantly complete a pivotal scene for their novel, “Reunion: Coda.” Uncertain about holiday plans, they consider editing the latest scene and offer a discount on the prelude, “Reunion: A Story.”
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Musings & Thoughts for Monday, June 17, 2024, or: Weekend Update, Part the Second – My Sunday Summed Up…and Hopes for a Productive Monday Workday
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in Alex Diaz-Granados, Amazon, Amazon Music, Computer and Video Games, Creative Writing, Kindle, Kindle Create (Publishing App), Kindle Direct Publishing (KDP), Life in New Hampshire (December 2023 and Onward), MicroProse Software, Regiments (2022), Regiments: Iron Curtain, Reunion Duology, Reunion: A Story, Reunion: Coda, Summer 2024Today in Madison, New Hampshire, the weather is mostly sunny with a high of 80°F (27°C). The writer reflects on their uneventful weekend, spent mostly indoors, indulging in solitary activities. They express a desire to make progress on their writing but feel uncertain about their creative inspiration for the day.
A Certain Point of View, Too 