Tag: #CreativeWriting
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Blending Personal History and Fiction: Jim Garraty’s Commencement (A Reunion: Coda Excerpt)
Forty-two years ago today, I sat in a sea of white robes at the Gibson Center, alphabetically wedged between beauty and blemishes, equal parts restless and terrified. Years later—during the depths of a snow-blanketed New England winter—I wrote this chapter of Reunion: Coda, channeling the bittersweet chaos of that June afternoon. Jim Garraty, ever the…
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Making Headway—A Glimpse at ‘Comings and Goings’
Writing never moves in a straight line, but I can say with confidence—progress is happening. Comings and Goings: A Jim Garraty Story is taking shape, and with each scene, Jim’s world expands, his past collides with his present, and his quiet growth continues. Right now, I’m deep into the early chapters, peeling back the layers…
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Smorgasbord Book Promotions Offers a Sneak Peek of ‘Reunion: Coda’ in Today’s Excerpt Showcase
📚 Book Spotlight Alert! I’m honored to share that Reunion: Coda, the second book in my Reunion Duology, is being featured today on the Smorgasbord Blog Magazine as part of their Book Promotions series. The post includes an excerpt from the novel that offers a glimpse into Jim Garraty’s journey of love, loss, and second…
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When eBay Markups Cross the Line: A Shocking Discovery About Reunion: Coda
Imagine my surprise when I discovered that Reunion: Coda—my latest novel—was being listed on eBay for $43.15. That’s $17 more than its actual price for a paperback edition on Amazon. According to the seller, Grand Eagle Retail, they allegedly have three copies in stock. Do they? I have my doubts. Let’s set the record straight:…
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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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Writing, Weather, and the Unexpected Turns
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in Alex Diaz-Granados, Amazon, Creative Writing, Florida Weather, Kindle, Kindle Create (Publishing App), Kindle Direct Publishing (KDP), Life in Florida, Life in Madison (NH), Life in New Hampshire (December 2023 – October 2024), Personal Thoughts, Reunion Duology, Reunion: Coda, Summer 2024, Summer 2025, Weather in New HampshireAfternoon, Thursday, June 12, 2025 – Miami, Florida Hi, all. Today was Laundry Day, Part Two of the week—bedding on Day One, clothes today. It wasn’t difficult; I know my way around washers and dryers. But it did throw off my usual morning blog-writing routine. As a result, I’m posting this later than planned and…
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Selling Stories, Writing the Next One, and the Art of Not Sitting Still
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in Alex Diaz-Granados, Amazon, Book Reviews, Books, Comings and Goings (Short Story), Creative Writing, Kindle, Kindle Create (Publishing App), Kindle Direct Publishing (KDP), On Writing: A Memoir of the Craft, Reunion Duology, Reunion: A Story, Reunion: Coda, Writing a First Novel, Writing as a CraftAfternoon, Wednesday, June 11, 2025, Miami, Florida “Don’t wait for the muse. As I’ve said, he’s a hardheaded guy who’s not susceptible to a lot of creative fluttering. This isn’t the Ouija board or the spirit-world we’re talking about here, but just another job like laying pipe or driving long-haul trucks. Your job is to…
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Sunlight, Showers, and Storytelling: A June Morning in South Florida
Late Morning, Tuesday, June 10, 2025 – Miami, Florida Summer in South Florida is a study in contrasts—a daily performance where sunlight and shadow trade places with effortless unpredictability. For those of us who call this subtropical corner home, it’s a rhythm we know well: brilliant morning skies, the slow creep of humidity, and then,…
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Reflections on Reunion: Coda’s Complex Characters and Themes
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in Alex Diaz-Granados, Amazon, Blogging, Book Reviews, Books, Creative Writing, Kindle, Kindle Create (Publishing App), Kindle Direct Publishing (KDP), Life in Florida, Life in Miami (1972-2016), Life in Miami….Again, Personal Thoughts, Pooja (P.J.) Gudka, Reunion Duology, Reunion: A Story, Reunion: Coda, UncategorizedMidday, Monday, June 9, 2025, Miami, Florida Greetings from South Florida, folks! I don’t have much news today. It was laundry day for me, and even though I was a decent multitasker as recently as 10 years ago, I have trouble finding a suitable balance between household chores and writing. Maybe I wouldn’t worry so…
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A Grateful Reflection on Pooja Gudka’s Review of ‘Reunion: Coda’
It’s not every day that an author receives a review as insightful and beautifully written as P. J. Gudka’s take on Reunion: Coda. I’ve long admired Pooja’s ability to balance depth and clarity in her reviews, and seeing Coda through her lens has been both humbling and rewarding. First and foremost, thank you, Pooja—for not…
A Certain Point of View, Too 