Tag: Books
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Writer’s Shop Talk: The Road to Recovering from a Road Trip is Hardly Ever Smooth
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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 Florida, Life in New Hampshire (December 2023 – October 2024), Life in South Florida, Personal Thoughts, Reunion Duology, Reunion: A Story, Reunion: CodaLate Morning/Midday, Thursday, October 31, 2024, Miami, Florida Hi there. It’s shortly after 11 AM Eastern on the last day of October 2024. This being South Florida in mid-autumn, it’s warm (82°F/28°C), sunny, and humid. So, for those of you hoping to see a pumpkin freeze, you’re out of luck. According to today’s forecast for…
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Writing as a Craft: Getting Back into My Routine…in a New Environment
Late Morning, Tuesday, October 29, 2024, Miami, Florida Hi, everyone. It’s a warm, humid, and somewhat cloudy day in the subtropical zone. As I write these words, the temperature is 81°F (27°C) under mostly cloudy conditions. With the wind blowing from the east-northeast at 12 MPH (19 Km/H) and humidity at 64%, the heat index…
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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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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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Weekend Update, Part the First…and the State of the Novel
On October 6, 2024, the author reflects on their writing journey for “Reunion: Coda” amid stress from an upcoming move to Miami and online banking issues. Despite having completed 19 chapters, the dream of a holiday release seems dim. The weekend was spent relaxing and engaging in leisure activities while contemplating the future.
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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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Writer’s Shop Talk: Meet the Parents!
In the moments leading to Marty introducing Jim to her parents, the atmosphere is filled with curiosity and tension. As they stroll through a picturesque campus, Jim feels anxious about the unexpected introduction. The meeting, filled with pleasantries, reveals Jim’s aspirations to study history at Harvard. Afterward, the farewell between Marty and Jim is poignant,…
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Regret About Leaving NH: My Reflections
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in Alex Diaz-Granados, Amazon, Creative Writing, Donating “Reunion: A Story” to the Conway Public Library, 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), Personal Thoughts, Reunion Duology, Reunion: A Story, UncategorizedOn October 2, 2024, a resident of Madison, New Hampshire, reflects on their chilly surroundings and feelings of isolation after nearly ten months. Facing issues with a public assistance tenant and longing for home, they plan to leave in 16 days. They express concern for the fate of their donated book, “Reunion: A Story.”
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Writer’s Shop Talk: Five Character Traits – Jim Garraty
The Reunion Duology follows Jim Garraty through two significant life stages: his teenage years in high school and his mid-30s as a professor. Key characteristics of Jim include intelligence, compassion, humor, reserve, and sentimentality, reflecting his growth and emotional struggles. Each phase brings unique qualities that shape his character.
A Certain Point of View, Too 