A Certain Point of View: Writing, Film and Stuff

Clockwise, from bottom left: Jim Garraty (2000 timeline); Maddie (2000 timeline), and Jim Garraty (early 1980s timeline.      📚 **Dear Friends and Readers,** I wanted to take a moment to express my deepest gratitude to each and every one of you who has purchased a copy of my novella, *Reunion: A Story*. Your support means the world to me, and I am truly humbled by the way you've embraced this little book of mine. Writing *Reunion* was a labor of love—a journey of late nights, countless revisions, and moments of self-doubt. But seeing it in your hands, knowing that my words have found a place in your hearts, fills me with immense joy. To those who left reviews, shared the book with friends, or simply reached out to say how much they enjoyed it—thank you. Your encouragement fuels my passion for storytelling, and I'm inspired to keep writing more tales that resonate with you. Cover designed by Juan Carlos Hernandez And now, for those who wanted more of Jim, Mark, and Marty, I hav

Maddie, as rendered by DALL-E 3  Today was an important day in the progress of my first novel, Reunion: Coda. That's because I not only finished the first scene of Chapter 15, but also wrote an entire second scene as well.  I'm especially thrilled because Scene Two of Chapter 15 is, incidentally, my first attempt to write a steamy scene between Prof. Jim Garraty and his new love interest, Maddie.  I'm not going to spoil the scene itself on this post, but I will share the leadup to it here:  1 A Quiet Morning in Queens   Saturday, March 11, 2000, Maddie’s Apartment   The soft light of a partly cloudy morning spills through the east-facing kitchen window, casting a warm, diffused glow across the room. The walls, painted in light, airy colors, are brightened by sunflower motifs on the curtains and matching towels. Among the cheerful decor, a red telephone box cookie jar and a miniature Big Ben stand as proud reminders of Maddie's English heritage. Still clad in the blue Ar

  A collage featuring Jim Garraty as a teen (right) and a 35-year-old college professor and author (lower left). On the upper left: Maddie, 2000-era Jim's love interest. (Image created by DALL-E 3 based on prompts by the author.   Hi, everyone. I’m writing this brief situation report (SITREP) on Reunion: Coda to give you some idea of where I am on my “first-time novelist’s” journey. As you may or may not know, I’ve been working on my novel since early March 2023. When I began, I lived in the Tampa Bay area, where I had lived since April 2016. I didn’t plan on writing a novel then, either. Reunion: Coda was conceived when I revised and edited my novella Reunion: A Story at the behest of my journalism professor at Miami-Dade Community College – South Campus. As I added “front matter” and “back matter" and corrected errors and typos, I saw little details and plot points I could use in a sequel…if I chose to write one. I had hoped to publish Reunion: Coda in time for the Dec

 

Jim Garrary at age 35   Chez Maddie, or: Interlude in Blue   I bask in the warmth of Maddie's apartment, the scent of aged wood and a hint of lavender surrounding me. The living room is a canvas of pastel blues and greens, the soft colors of the couch and chairs inviting a moment of rest. Maddie's digital piano, a Yamaha, sits in silent anticipation of her touch. It's a model that's been around since the late '90s, compact enough to fit in the cozy space but grand in its promise of music. Maddie had shown me around earlier, her voice a melodic guide through the memories framed on the mantel, the Beethoven bust overseeing our tour with stoic approval. The kitchen, she explained with a laugh, had been upgraded by her father—a housewarming gift that replaced the '60s appliances with ones from the early '90s. I remember how she pointed to the stove where I would later cook  pasta al burro , her hazel eyes brightening as she spoke of her dad's thoughtfulness.

Maddie, as rendered by Dall-E Maddie is a woman whose beauty is both striking and subtle. She possesses a heart-shaped face, the soft contours of her cheeks tapering to a delicate chin. Her hazel eyes, framed by arched brows, are windows to her soul, expressive and vibrant. A mane of chestnut hair falls in a cascade of loose waves, brushing her shoulders with a gentle grace. Her lips, reminiscent of a Gibson girl’s, are neither too full nor too thin, but perfectly shaped for a smile that lights up her face.  Her neck is slender, leading to shoulders that carry an air of confidence. Maddie’s physique is toned, the result of regular exercise, yet retains a natural softness. Her fingers are long and delicate, the hands of a pianist, with a touch as gentle as her voice. In her posture and presence, there is a balance of strength and femininity, a harmony that captures the essence of her character. Cover illustration by Juan Carlos Hernandez  

  2 Maddie Comes Home Friday, March 10, 2000 John F. Kennedy International Airport, Arrivals Terminal, 2:05 PM EST I'm at JFK, the arrivals terminal humming with the energy of a city that never sleeps. It's a Friday afternoon, and the place is buzzing like a nightclub, but instead of music and laughter, it's filled with the sounds of greetings and goodbyes. I'm here waiting for Maddie, my heart racing a bit as I glance at the clock. Her flight, British Airways BA-175, was due at 1:45 PM, but it's running 20 minutes late. Headwinds over the Atlantic, they said. I taught my Intro to WWII class at Columbia this morning at 9:00, and Henry Townsend, bless him, arranged for a TA to cover my afternoon sessions. I rarely drive in Manhattan, but today I made an exception. I pulled my '95 Acura out of the garage, where I shell out more than I'd care to admit each month, and hit the road around 10:30 AM. The traffic was a nightmare, made worse by a fender bend