Tag: Books
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Writer’s Shop Talk: Venturing into Fiction: My Journey from Journalism to Novel Writing
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in Alex Diaz-Granados, Amazon, Blogging, Kindle, Kindle Create (Publishing App), Kindle Direct Publishing (KDP), Life in Florida, Life in Miami (1972-2016), Life in Miami….Again, Life in New Hampshire (December 2023 – October 2024), Miami-Dade Community College, Personal Thoughts, Reunion Duology, Reunion: A Story, Reunion: CodaNavigating the Quirky Seas: From Journalism to Zany Fiction Adventures Even though I’ve been writing for many years—having studied journalism in high school and majored in it at Miami-Dade Community College (now Miami-Dade College)—and have penned thousands of articles, reviews, and blog posts, my ventures into fiction have been few. The first two pieces—a short…
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Writer’s Shop Talk: A Day of Mixed Emotions and Creative Triumphs
Late Morning, Tuesday, January 21, 2025, Miami, Florida Yesterday was a day of mixed feelings. On one hand, Donald Trump was inaugurated as the 47th President of the United States, starting his second term with controversial actions like abandoning Afghan refugees, pardoning the January 6 insurrectionists, and renaming the Gulf of Mexico to the “Gulf…
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Writer’s Shop Talk: ‘Reunion: Coda’ – Characters’ Views on History, Politics, and Personal Beliefs
What are your protagonists’ political or religious views (if any)? What do they believe in? Professor James K. Garraty: A Centrist Democrat with a Passion for History In Reunion: Coda, Professor James K. Garraty stands out as a centrist Democrat, often casting his vote for the party. As a dedicated educator, he lives by the…
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Writer’s Shop Talk: A Writer’s Weekend: From Cloudy Days to Vivid Scenes in Miami
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in Alex Diaz-Granados, Amazon, Blogging, Creative Writing, Florida Weather, Going Full Circle: Back to South Florida I Go, Kindle, Kindle Create (Publishing App), Kindle Direct Publishing (KDP), Life in Florida, Life in Miami….Again, Personal Thoughts, Reunion Duology, Reunion: A Story, Reunion: Coda, Writing as a CraftLate Morning, Saturday, January 18, 2025, Miami, Florida It’s another cloudy winter day in South Florida. As I write this, the temperature is a balmy 77°F (25°C) under mostly cloudy skies. Unlike yesterday’s deluge, which turned the neighborhood into a temporary water park, today promises warmth and mostly sunshine—a delightful start to the weekend in…
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A Writer’s Afternoon in Miami: Battling Laundry and Literary Demons
Mid- to Late Afternoon, Friday, January 17, 2025, Miami, Florida It’s a cool, gray afternoon here in South Florida. As I sit in my dimly lit room on this final weekend of President Joe Biden’s Administration, the temperature is a mild 70°F (21°C) under cloudy skies. It’s not exactly postcard weather, but hey, it’s warmer…
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Writing Wisdom from a Jedi: Mastering Your Novel with a Clear Mind and Steady Hand
Early Afternoon, Wednesday, January 15, 2025, Miami, Florida Random Thoughts About Writing
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Big News: My 2018 Novella ‘Reunion: A Story’ Is Officially Copyrighted—Plagiarism Fears, Be Gone!
📚 Big News! My Novella “Reunion: A Story” is Now Copyrighted! 📚 It’s finally happened! 🎉 After much dithering, procrastination, and nail-biting over plagiarism fears, I’m thrilled to announce that my 2018 novella, Reunion: A Story, is officially registered with the Copyright Office! 🚀 Why the delay, you ask? Well, let’s just say navigating the…
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Writer’s Shop Talk: Sunday’s Unexpected Creative Marathon: Crafting ‘Reunion: Coda’ and the Journey of a Fretful Novelist
Mid-Morning, Monday, January 13, 2025, Miami, Florida From Rest Day to Writer’s Grind: Perfecting ‘Reunion: Coda’ – Insights, Reviews, and Copyrighting Although yesterday was supposed to be a rest day, I found myself knee-deep in Reunion: Coda. Rather than diving into new writing or revisions, I wisely saved those for the workweek—afternoon shift, here I…
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Writer’s Shop Talk: Unspoken Love and Haunting Memories in ‘Reunion: Coda’
Hold onto your hats, folks! While I’m tantalizingly close to typing “The End,” I’ve learned the hard way that confident predictions can be thwarted by the whims of life and the unpredictable dance of a “pantser” writer’s style. In the past year alone, I’ve weathered not one, but two interstate moves within a dizzying 10…
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‘Reunion: Coda’ First Look at Professor Garraty’s Final Exam Day
The clock on the wall shows it’s a little past 2 PM. The weather outside is typical for a late March day in Manhattan—chilly, with a brisk wind that makes you wish you had a scarf wrapped around your neck. Most of my students are bundled up in layers, their winter coats dripping with the…