Tag: #ReunionCoda
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Navigating Life Changes: From New England to Miami
Late Morning, Monday, October 28, 2024, Miami, Florida It’s a moody, warm late October morning on my second full day back in Miami. As I pen this initial blog entry from my hometown, the temperature sits at a balmy 81°F (27°C) with clouds lazily drifting across the sky. The air is thick with 65% humidity,…
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Writer’s Shop Talk: My Third Most Favorite ‘Best Friends Forever’ Scene
“There,” I said. “The one with the long chestnut hair and the blue denim outfit. She’s heading for the lunch line.” Mark squinted and nodded. “Yeah, I see her. She’s pretty. Who is she?” I shrugged. “I don’t remember her name. But she sang ‘We’ll Meet Again’ this morning. She was amazing.” Mark raised his…
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Writer’s Shop Talk: My Second Most Favorite ‘Best Friends Forever’ Scene
Mark walked with me that day, our last day of high school. He didn’t say much. He knew I was hurting. He knew I was losing Marty, and that I was feeling downright shitty about it. She was leaving for London with her family after graduation. She would be gone for the whole summer, maybe…
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A Novelist’s Soundtrack (Music to Write Stories By)
If you’re a regular reader of this blog, you may remember that, for me, music is a vital element of the creative process when I write fiction. The format (screenplay, novella, or novel) doesn’t matter; the emotions and mental images evoked by the songs and other compositions…those matter. As someone who “sees” stories as mini-movies…
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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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Writer’s Shop Talk: Setting the Stage for the ‘First Time’
In this excerpt from “Reunion: Coda,” the author describes the setting where Jim and Maddie take their relationship to “the next level.”
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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…
A Certain Point of View, Too 