A Certain Point of View: Writing, Film and Stuff

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 ...

 My long-time friend and fellow writer, Denise Longrie, penned a concise and eloquent review of my novella, Reunion: A Story. You can check it out here on WordPress: A Fine Review by Denise Longrie!

 I recently asked Microsoft/Open AI Copilot to read several excerpts from the manuscript of Reunion: Coda and delve into one of the novel's main characters, Maddie. This is what Copilot has to say:  Copilot Let's delve into Maddie's character from the excerpts you've shared. Character Traits: Maddie is portrayed as a refined and elegant individual, with a touch of sophistication that comes from her profession as a pianist for the NY Philharmonic. Her interactions suggest she is well-read, given the bag of books from a quaint bookstore, and her accent hints at a well-traveled or well-educated background. She's confident, as seen when she insists on placing her bag down, and has a sense of humor, demonstrated by her quick wit in the elevator scene. Femininity: Her femininity is subtly woven into her character through descriptions of her appearance and the soft, warm colors that she reflects. Her attire and the way she carries herself, combined with her gentle grace,...

Uncover the Past, Discover the Present   Dialogue and Humor in “Reunion: Coda” - An Analysis of the “En Route to Manhattan” Scene The scene “En Route to Manhattan” from “Reunion: Coda” is a delightful blend of dialogue and humor that enriches the narrative and reveals character depth. The use of dialogue here is particularly effective in showcasing the rapport between Jim and Maddie, while the humor adds a layer of levity to their interactions. Selected Passages and Analysis: Maddie’s Observation and Jim’s Fedora: Maddie’s comment about the car suiting Jim is a subtle nod to the idea that our possessions often reflect our personalities. Jim’s response, coupled with the physical action of adjusting his fedora, not only provides a visual cue but also injects humor through self-deprecation. It’s a light-hearted moment that underscores Jim’s modesty and comfort with Maddie. The Metropolis Arms and Clark Kent: Jim’s quip about possibly havi...