A Certain Point of View: Writing, Film and Stuff

  I recently shared excerpts from two chapters in Reunion: Coda and asked Microsoft's Copilot AI for a character analysis of Maddie based on them. Here's what Copilot had to say about my novel's leading lady:  Based on these excerpts, Maddie emerges as a complex character with deep emotional layers and a strong personality. Here’s an analysis of her character traits: Emotional Depth and Vulnerability Maddie is portrayed as someone with significant emotional depth. Her actions and words reveal a mix of vulnerability and determination. When she gently reaches for Jim's hand and hesitates before speaking, it shows that she is emotionally invested and nervous about expressing her feelings. This vulnerability makes her a relatable and sympathetic character. Compassion and Understanding Maddie’s response to Jim’s discomfort is notably compassionate. She gives him a gentle squeeze on the hand and a sad, knowing smile, indicating that she is aware of his emotional struggle and ...

 From the lead designer of Cold Waters, Sea Power lets you control NATO and Warsaw Pact forces in modern naval conflict campaigns. Use your advanced naval weaponry and sensors to respect rules of engagement and defeat the enemy forces in a tense fight for initiative and air/naval supremacy. – Promotional blurb on Steam, MicroProse/Triassic Games Well, it's been nearly a week since MicroProse released Triassic Games' Sea Power: Naval Combat in the Missile Age, and I'm impressed by how much attention to detail the game's developers lavished on this sim.  If I had to describe the game succinctly, I'd say it's a more muscular and visually appealing version of both Harpoon Classic '97 and Fleet Command, with a bit of Cold Waters added for good measure,  (That latter bit is not a casual observation because, as MicroProse's promo blurb states, the lead designer of Killerfish Games' 2017 submarine sim created Sea Power along with others in his new studio, T...

Hi, everyone! It's been quite some time (a long while, indeed) since I last delved into the world of computer games and gaming here. The last game I highlighted was Regiments , a thrilling Cold War-turns-hot simulation that plunges you into the heart of land warfare in an alternate 1989, where NATO must fend off a fierce Warsaw Pact invasion of West Germany. Developed by the innovative Bird's Eye Games and brought to life by the legendary MicroProse, Regiments quickly became a favorite of mine in the military gaming genre. Fast forward to today, and I'm excited to share my latest gaming obsession — Sea Power: Naval Combat in the Missile Age . This game marks my first new purchase since returning to the vibrant city of Miami after an eight-year hiatus. Like Regiments, Sea Power is set in the tense Cold War era but shifts the battlefield to the vast, unpredictable oceans. Developed by the talented team at Triassic Games and published by MicroProse, Sea Power promise...

Promo artwork was generated by Designer AI After another interstate move - my second one in 10 months - and a stressful period of readjustment from life in rural New Hampshire to being back in Miami after an absence of eight years, I've resumed work on Reunion: Coda.  It wasn't easy. I have so much on my mind these days, and too many events that happened between 2015 and 2024 to process that my mind feels tempest-tossed and topsy-turvy. I'm not unhappy in my new home, mind you, yet I'm not jumping for joy about decamping from Madison, New Hampshire. I had to leave, yes, and at least I had somewhere to move to, but I liked many aspects about my life up North, you know? So, yeah. Creative writing has not been easy lately. Or, more correctly, it's been more difficult than it usually is for me even under ideal conditions. I've said this countless times on my WordPress blog, but I'll repeat it here for good measure: I am at my best as a writer when I'm relaxe...

 Hi, everyone! Excellent news. On Sunday, my friend and fellow blogger Thomas Wikman interviewed me (via email)for his Leonberger Life blog about how (and why) I came to write the Reunion Duology, how my upcoming novel, Reunion: Coda differs from the existing novella, and how music plays a substantial role both in the Duology's story and my writing process.  It was quite exciting, and Thomas was pleased with the responses his blog post has received over the past two days. Needless to say, I'm both happy and thankful that I got my first-ever interview as an author. If you want to check it out on my WordPress blog, just click here!  

©2018, 2023 Alex Diaz-Granados  “On the Good News Front” Post It gives me immense pleasure to present the recent Amazon appraisal of my novella "Reunion: A Story", penned by the eloquent and cultured critic Pooja Gudka, whose talents span blogging, poetry, and history. She has graciously lavished admiration on my literary creation, for which I am deeply appreciative. Her discerning and perceptive commentary was as follows: The plot was what drew me to the story. I’m not usually drawn to romance novels or anything particular romantic. But the summary for this book really drew me in because it’s something most of us can relate to- lost love. We all have “the one that got away.” Well, most of us anyway. Also, as a historian myself I loved that Garraty’s character was a historian and was intrigued by that. The author also explores multiple philosophical aspects of life such as true love, happiness, friendships, loss and regret. Things most adults are familiar with. We also learn ...