Tag: How to Write a Romance
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The (Almost) Unexpected Novel: Reunion: Coda and Writing Out of My Comfort Zone
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Ever since 1978, I’ve dreamed of writing a novel. Not The Great American Novel, mind you. I’m smart—and trained—enough to recognize that when I put in the effort, I’m good at what I do. Otherwise, I’d keep my scribblings—or tap-tap-tap-tappings—to myself, far from public view. Yet I’m also realistic: I’ve got a ways to go…
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Hey, I’m a Novelist Now!
Afternoon, Monday, April 21, 2025, Miami, Florida Well, folks, I’m thrilled to share that I’m officially a novelist now! Actually, I’ve been one for a while, but it feels incredible to say it out loud. It’s been a little over two weeks since I completed and published Reunion: Coda, the continuation of a novella (Reunion:…
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Book Review: ‘How to Write a Romance: Or, How to Write Witty Dialogue, Smoldering Love Scenes & Happily Ever Afters’
How to Write a Romance: Or, How to Write Witty Dialogue, Smoldering Love Scenes & Happily-Ever-Afters (2019) By: The Editors at Avon Books Publisher: Morrow Gift, an imprint of William Morrow Although I’m not a romance novelist, I find myself diving into the delicate art of crafting love stories within my novel, Reunion: Coda. While…
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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: Maddie Fends Off a Matchmaker! (Writing Exercise)
Writing As a Craft: Keeping Secrets? Author’s Note: This passage is based on one of the many writing exercises from the book How to Write a Romance: Or, How to Write Witty Dialogue, Smoldering Love Scenes, and Happily Ever Afters. In this exercise, I wrote in the third person to practice creating engaging dialogue and…
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Narrative Threads: A Conversation on Crafting the Reunion Duology, Part the Fifth
The author’s approach to writing changed significantly between the first book and the sequel. The original piece was written without plans for publishing, and the dream sequence was altered to be less suggestive. For the sequel, the author used classical music and film scores to influence the mood of the scenes and started employing new…
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Musings and Thoughts for Tuesday, August 20, 2024, or: Gray Skies, Cold Breezes, and Multiple Worries
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in Alex Diaz-Granados, Amazon, Anxiety, Creative Writing, Going Full Circle: Back to South Florida I Go, Kindle, Kindle Create (Publishing App), Kindle Direct Publishing (KDP), Life in Madison (NH), Life in New Hampshire (December 2023 and Onward), Personal Thoughts, Reunion Duology, Reunion: A Story, Reunion: Coda, Summer 2024, Weather in New HampshireToday’s weather in Madison, New Hampshire is similar to yesterday’s with no daytime rain expected. Yesterday, I struggled to write due to an impending move and a malfunctioning smoke detector. Despite these distractions, I aim to outline and write a scene today. If necessary, I’ll use writing exercises to ease my nerves.