Tag: Writing as a Craft
-
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,…
-
Writer’s Shop Talk: A (Physical) Conflict Scene
The scene unfolds with a professor navigating Manhattan post-date when confronted by a former student, Miguel Hernandez. Angered over a perceived academic injustice, Miguel physically attacks the professor, expressing his resentment and challenging ideological differences. The confrontation escalates until police sirens cause Miguel to flee, leaving the professor shaken but unharmed.
-
Writer’s Shop Talk: Jim’s Backstory (The Teen Years Before ‘Reunion: A Story’)
Jot down the backstory of your hero – what made him the way he is? What about him can and should change? What can’t? Since Jim Garraty’s character develops between the Present Day sections of Reunion: A Story (February 1998) and Reunion: Coda (February 2000), we will focus on “teenage Jim” as introduced in the…
-
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.
-
Writer’s Shop Talk: Lovers’ Quarrel?
James and Maddie, navigating through NYC traffic, argue over their plans for the evening. Maddie, exhausted from her flight, expresses frustration at James’s insistence on getting her home. Despite the tension, their conversation reveals their desire to be together, ultimately leading to a compromise as they seek connection amidst their concerns.
-
Writer’s Shop Talk: Of Brothers…and Sisters
Jim Garraty, an only child, forms a close bond with his friend Mark, who plays a protective older brother role. Mark’s relationship with his younger sister Leslie is mostly loving. Maddie had a strong bond with her younger sister Libby, who excelled in music before her premature death, leaving Maddie deeply affected.
-
Writer’s Shop Talk: The Thing About Jim That Most Perplexes Maddie
Maddie struggles to understand Jim’s reluctance to express his feelings despite multiple opportunities. She believes his insecurities and emotional wounds hold him back, and that he could have won over Marty if he had been vulnerable. Despite seeing himself as a “history nerd,” she feels he could have been desirable if he had allowed himself…
-
Narrative Threads: A Conversation on Crafting the Reunion Duology: Part the Sixteenth
The Reunion Duology centers on the importance of true friendship, particularly Jim’s bonds with Mark Prieto and Bruce Holtzman. These relationships illustrate the impact of genuine connections on our lives. The author’s personal experiences and beliefs shape the portrayal of friendship, emphasizing its significant role in the narrative.
-
Narrative Threads: A Conversation on Crafting the Reunion Duology, Part the Fifteenth
Jim Garraty’s sentimental nature, inherited from his late mother, influences his interactions and the story’s overall tone. This trait, both a strength and weakness, fosters emotional connections and vulnerability. His self-deprecating humor, developed after high school, helps him navigate adversities. These characteristics make him both likable and credible, adding depth to his character.
-
Narrative Threads: A Conversation on Crafting the Reunion Duology, Part the Fourteenth
Music and Emotion: Maddie is a concert pianist for the New York Philharmonic. How did you use music to enhance the emotional depth of the story? Are there specific pieces of music that played a significant role in the narrative? Music is a huge deal in the Reunion Duology, and it shapes the story in…
A Certain Point of View, Too 