A Certain Point of View: Writing, Film and Stuff

  Copilot Report on Dialogue and Interactions with Minor Characters Introduction: In the "Jim meets Maddie" scene from the work-in-progress "Reunion: Coda," the dialogue and interactions with minor characters play a crucial role in establishing the setting and enhancing the main characters' personalities. This report will focus on the effectiveness of these interactions. Dialogue Analysis: The dialogue between Jim and the minor characters, such as the waitress, is used effectively to reveal aspects of his character. For instance, when Jim orders another Heineken, "Yes, please. I'll have another Heineken," it suggests a preference for familiarity and routine. Maddie's interaction with the waitress, "What's your favorite cocktail here?" shows her openness to new experiences and reliance on the expertise of others. Character Interactions: The interactions with the waitress serve to ground the scene in reality, providing a

Copilot   In-Depth Analysis of Jim and Maddie's Relationship Arc   Introduction: The relationship arc between Jim and Maddie, as depicted in the scenes from their first meeting, first official date, and a significant moment of compromise, provides a window into the development of their love story. This analysis will examine the unity and coherence of the story, the humor, and the realistic portrayal of their relationship.   Story Arc:   First Meeting : The initial encounter at the Moonglow nightclub is filled with curiosity and the thrill of new connection. It sets the foundation for their relationship with a focus on shared interests and mutual attraction.   First Date : The Clipper Piano Bar & Grill scene shows progression in intimacy and comfort, with playful banter and a deeper exploration of their personalities.   Compromise : The "Arrivals and Compromises" scene reveals the complexities of a real relationship, where desire meets the practicalities of life. It

  On Writing & Storytelling: A SITREP on Reunion: Coda On Tuesday night, I finally wrapped up Chapter 18 (The Gathering Storm) by finishing Scene Four (“A Clash of Convictions”). Even now, two days later, I can hardly believe that I did it. I had a hard time breaking through the mental wall that prevented me from writing the scene freely. For the first two hours of my work shift, I was blanking on any ideas to type out. At around 4 PM, I was struggling to figure out what to include in the scene. I decided to create a detailed outline of everything I wanted to incorporate. It took some time because I'm not a fast typist, but by 5 PM, I had a clear understanding of the story, and I began writing the actual scene after reviewing my rough sketch for it. After typing away for hours, reaching 1,033 words (that's four pages of material), and feeling exhausted and sore-headed, I finished the scene. Not a fragment or a snippet of one - a whole scene. This is a passage from

  Here's blogger/historian/author/poet's Pooja Gudka's new review of Reunion: A Story from her Lifesfinewhine blog on WordPress. Reunion: A Story: A Novella By Alex Diaz-Granados Review

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 ha

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