Conversations with Calliope- Dialogue with My Muse

(St. Michael's Cave, Gibraltar)

JOE: Good evening Calliope.
CALLIOPE: Good evening Joe. I've never known you to show up so late.
JOE: I haven't. I started out several times to talk with you and got sidetracked several times.
CALLIOPE: To do what?
JOE: I relaxed for a while this morning. Then I went to the gym. After that I got involved in marketing.
CALLIOPE: What are you doing with marketing today?
JOE: Networking. I am working on forming new Internet connections and resurrecting old ones.
CALLIOPE: How will that help with marketing?
JOE: Next week I will be working on more formal marketing activities but I need people to spread the word about my activities.
CALLIOPE: And?
JOE: My network of people will help, I hope.
CALLIOPE: I see.
JOE: That's about all I did today. Tomorrow I will gear up for my marketing activities next week. Talk with you on Monday.

Conversations with Calliope- Dialogue with My Muse

(Cabo San Lucas)

JOE: Good morning Calliope:
CALLIOPE: Good morning, Joe. How are you today?
JOE: Not very ambitious. I struggled to find much to write in my journal this morning.
CALLIOPE: What's that about?
JOE: I think I am still in my holiday mood from yesterday when I spent the bulk of my time visiting, socializing and eating.
CALLIOPE: So you're not back in the groove yet?
JOE: Nope. I feel like my mental field should lie fallow for a little while.
CALLIOPE: Perhaps so. You have been in high gear lately.
JOE: Right. I have been working hard to get Navigating Life prepared for publication and finally have my files submitted.
CALLIOPE: Is marketing your next task?
JOE: Yes. I have been reviewing marketing materials and gathering more. I haven't set up a clear marketing plan for Navigating Life yet.
CALLIOPE: When do you plan to start?
JOE: I think that would be a good task for Monday morning.
CALLIOPE: And this weekend?
JOE: Maybe some relaxing and continuing to read Patterson's Sail. I need to recharge my batteries. Talk with you tomorrow.

Conversations with Calliope- Dialogue with My Muse

(Apple Umpkin Festival- Wyoming, NY)

JOE: Good morning Calliope.
CALLIOPE: Good morning Joe. How are you today?
JOE: Fine. I negotiated our two seatings of company yesterday and enjoyed the experience. I like not being quite so isolated.
CALLIOPE: Do you find yourself isolating as a writer?
JOE: Yes. I spend more of my time in front of the computer than anywhere else.
CALLIOPE: Doing what?
JOE: Writing, editing, marketing, research.
CALLIOPE: How about interaction online?
JOE: I have gotten away from it. I joined a number of online writer and marketing communities but have not spent time there developing relationships.
CALLIOPE: What about spending more time interacting?
JOE: A good suggestion. I'll try to keep it in mind.
CALLIOPE: What's up for today?
JOE: I was just thinking about that. I think my chief goal is to explore and try to pin down a marketing approach for Navigating Life. I'll talk with you Friday after Thanksgiving is over.

Conversations with Calliope- Dialogue with My Muse

(Butterfly Museum- Niagara Falls, Ontario)

JOE: Good morning Calliope.
CALLIOPE: Good morning Joe. How are you today?
JOE: Fine. I was up early to start soup and bread. Today is the beginning of our holiday entertaining. We have a noon and dinner seating.
CALLIOPE: Sounds busy. How about the book?
JOE: Yesterday I sent in the final manuscript and cover files. Now someone else's technology takes over and out will come a book.
CALLIOPE: When do you expect it?
JOE: I'm hoping it will be ready in a week or two.
CALLIOPE: So what are your plans in the mean time?
JOE: Yesterday I modified my web site to include Navigating Life. I also started working on some marketing materials I have accumulated but not yet perused.
CALLIOPE: Sounds like a good plan. Do you have any other writing projects in mind?
JOE: I have been thinking of doing a book of our conversations. I would like to take a little break until Navigating Life is in print. Then I'll start working on our book.
CALLIOPE: I can't wait. Have you looked back over our conversations?
JOE: No, I haven't. But I think they give a glimpse into the ongoing progress and frustrations a writer faces on a day to day basis.
CALLIOPE: There have been some of each.
JOE: No question. Right no I'm happy with the progress. Talk with you tomorrow.

Conversations with Calliope- Dialogue with My Muse

(Geese preparing for migration)

JOE: Good morning Calliope.
CALLIOPE: Good morning Joe. How was your weekend?
JOE: Busy but productive.
CALLIOPE: Tell me more?
JOE: I was gone most of yesterday. Saturday night I received an online proof of Navigating Life. I did a little editing and returned it as a final copy for publication.
CALLIOPE: Is your book ready for printing?
JOE: Almost. There are a few details to settle such as the price, advertising copy for Amazon, etc.
CALLIOPE: Sounds like you're getting close. Did you have time to do anything else?
JOE: Yesterday morning before I left for my travels, I composed a marketing brochure for Navigating Life. The brochure is getting good reviews from the few people to whom I showed it.
CALLIOPE: Do you think it will help with sales?
JOE: Yes. I have already sold some copies even before the book is printed.
CALLIOPE: To what do you attribute this?
JOE: The title, cover art, spiritual theme and my reputation based on selections from the book which I previously published.
CALLIOPE: Great. What's next?
JOE: I plan to start developing other promotional materials such as a sample chapter on my web site, print and video materials for MySpace, YouTube and other sites. Talk with you tomorrow.

Conversations with Calliope- Dialogue with My Muse

(Paphiopedilum Orchid)

JOE: Good morning Calliope.
CALLIOPE: Good morning Joe. How are you this morning?
JOE: Relieved.
CALLIOPE: On what account?
JOE: My book finally stayed fixed, paginated and indexed long enough for me to send it to Booklocker.
CALLIOPE: And the cover?
JOE: Converted to PDF form and also sent.
CALLIOPE: Congratulations. Now what?
JOE: Now I wait for the proof copy.
CALLIOPE: What will you do in the mean time?
JOE: I have already started on marketing. I am exploring key words to use in the text of my promotional materials.
CALLIOPE: What do you plan to do by way of marketing?
JOE: Publicity on my website, notification of my mailing list and friends on social sites. I also plan to request a spread in the local paper and some promotional videos to post on the Internet. I might be able to get some coverage in the Rochester papers as well.
CALLIOPE: Sounds like a good start. Anything else?
JOE: Perhaps, but this weekend I would like to catch my breath before going further. Talk with you Monday.

Conversations with Calliope- Dialogue with My Muse

(My writing desk)

JOE: Good morning Calliope.
CALLIOPE: Good morning Joe. I'm anxious to know how you made out with your book.
JOE: You will be happy to know that I have solved the problem. I now have correct pagination and a working index in Navigating Life.
CALLIOPE: Congratulations. How did you do it?
JOE: Trial and error. I don't think Word has entirely clear directions.
CALLIOPE: What was the problem?
JOE: The section break seemed to be causing the problem. I had to format it in a certain way and then suddenly everything worked.
CALLIOPE: Great. Is the book ready for publication?
JOE: I want to look it over and possibly make a few minor changes.
CALLIOPE: Such as?
JOE: I realized from the index that the book is more spiritual than I had thought. I want to make that clear in the Prologue and in the back cover text.
CALLIOPE: Do you mean religious.
JOE: No. There is a distinction between religious and spiritual and I want to make that clear.
CALLIOPE: We should talk about that more.
JOE: How about tomorrow? See you then.

Conversations with Calliope- Dialogue with My Muse

(Old San Juan- Puerto Rico)

JOE: Good morning Calliope.
CALLIOPE: Good morning Joe. I missed you yesterday.
JOE: Sorry I didn't make it. I had an early breakfast with my daughter.
CALLIOPE: All day?
JOE: Well, no. When I got back I decided to work on finishing Navigating Life before we talked.
CALLIOPE: And?
JOE: I worked until late at night and never did finish.
CALLIOPE: How far did you get?
JOE: The cover is ready. No small feat. I used a template from my last book.
CALLIOPE: And the text?
JOE: I have it in a form I would like. But I still have one little problem.
CALLIOPE: Which is?
JOE: I can't seem to get the pagination and index to work together. I seem to have a choice of one or the other but not both.
CALLIOPE: What do you plan to do about that?
JOE: I'm not sure. I have been working on it for quite a while but no success yet. I have a book and a CD on Office 2003 which includes my version of Word. I plan to research this and see if I can solve the problem. Otherwise the book is ready to go. Talk with you tomorrow.

Conversations with Calliope- Dialogue with My Muse

(Caribbean Sunset)

JOE: Good morning Calliope.
CALLIOPE: Good morning Joe. How are you today?
JOE: Fine, but busy.
CALLIOPE: What have you been up to?
JOE: Finishing up Navigating Life.
CALLIOPE: What did you work on yesterday?
JOE: I figured out how to make an index. It's the first time I have done one.
CALLIOPE: How did it turn out?
JOE: Good so far. I have some editing to do on it but it is progressing.
CALLIOPE: What's up for today?
JOE: First I want to finish the index which I think I can.
CALLIOPE: And then?
JOE: I have the cover to produce. I also plan to convert the book to a PDF to see how it will look in that format.
CALLIOPE: Sounds like you are reaching the end. Any other projects on tap?
JOE: I just received book of photographs to review. I'm looking forward to it. Talk with you tomorrow.

Conversations with Calliope- Dialogue with My Muse

(Lighthouse- Portugal Coast)

JOE: Good morning Calliope.
CALLIOPE: Good morning Joe. How was your weekend?
JOE: Busy. Carol and I did some shopping yesterday. I found a set of Bose speakers for my computer to enhance my many hours in front of the computer screen with listening to the radio stations I have created for myself through Pandora.com.
CALLIOPE: My sister Euterpe would be proud of you.
JOE: We also attended calling hours for the mother of Carol's coworker and dined out for our sixteenth anniversary of being together.
CALLIOPE: Did you have any time for your Navigating Life?
JOE: Yes. I worked hard on it on Saturday and had a little time yesterday as well.
CALLIOPE: How far did you get?
JOE: I finished reviewing the manuscript and worked on format as well as the table of contents. I am considering an index as well although I have never created one.
CALLIOPE: Good luck. What else awaits?
JOE: The only outside information was my Library of Congress Control Number which just arrived by email seconds ago. I still have the cover design to complete but have the template from The Pastor's Inferno which should save me quite a bit of time.
CALLIOPE: What did you decided about outside review?
JOE: Most of the text has already been reviewed for prior publication as columns. I think it's in pretty good shape.
CALLIOPE: Better read it one more time just in case.
JOE: I will. Talk with you tomorrow.

Conversations with Calliope- Dialogue with My Muse

(Nina Replica)

JOE: Good morning Calliope.
CALLIOPE: Thank you but it's fading fast.
JOE: It is. I have been a bit of a lazy bone this morning. I got watching the movie Kramer vs. Kramer. Yesterday I watched Marty.
CALLIOPE: Into old movies?
JOE: To some extent. But I have been wondering what makes movies and books successful and was doing a little research on the side.
CALLIOPE: Why this sudden interest?
JOE: James Bell's book, Revision and Self Editing prompted me to pay more attention to successful works and approach them from a critical stance.
CALLIOPE: That seems like a good idea. Are you taking notes?
JOE: I did yesterday with Marty and realized movies are not what they used to be.
CALLIOPE: How do you see them as being different now?
JOE: There seems more emphasis on being slick, fast moving and plot driven rather than character driven.
CALLIOPE: Good observations. How does that affect your approach to writing?
JOE: I'm still evaluating it. I realize what people are used to in movies as well as books. Still I am not sure there is much substance left in most newer works.
CALLIOPE: So what do you plan to do?
JOE: Incorporate some of the more glitzy approaches while making sure my work still has substance. Talk with you on Monday.

Conversations with Calliope- Dialogue with My Muse

(Incan road- Cozumel)

JOE: Good morning Calliope.
CALLIOPE: Good morning Joe. How are you today?
JOE: Doing well. I worked on reviewing Navigating Life yesterday a little at a time and should have it finished in a few days.
CALLIOPE: How is it coming?
JOE: Pretty good. I realized I had forgotten to include a story I wrote about discovering you and added it yesterday.
CALLIOPE: Thank you. Any discoveries?
JOE: I don't know about discoveries. I stopped to think about my writing in the middle of my revision and realized a few things.
CALLIOPE: Such as?
JOE: I came to see how repetitious I am at times and how I add tentative qualifiers to most of my statements. I am working on being more definite.
CALLIOPE: What do you suppose that is about?
JOE: I think I don't want to offend or stir up any of my readers.
CALLIOPE: Is that such a bad thing?
JOE: No. That's why I write in the first place. I'm not sure what I have been afraid of. If readers challenge what I say, at least I got them thinking.
CALLIOPE: Good point.
JOE: Thanks. Talk with you tomorrow.

Conversations with Calliope- Dialogue with My Muse

(Lightship- New Bedford)

JOE: Good morning Calliope.
CALLIOPE: Good morning Joe. How are you today?
JOE: A little bleary.
CALLIOPE: Too much proofreading?
JOE: Exactly. I don't usually do this much concentrated reading in one day.
CALLIOPE: How did you approach it?
JOE: I divided it into chapters and worked one at a time. Then I took a break to rest my brain and eyes.
CALLIOPE: How far did you get?
JOE: I have finished the first four chapters. It seems like slow going.
CALLIOPE: Slower than other tasks?
JOE: It seems so. It was easier selecting columns and pasting them into the manuscript. Now I am poring over words and grammar to make sure it sounds right.
CALLIOPE: That does seem like work. Have you come to any decision about outside readers?
JOE: I am leaning toward putting out a request to my column list to see if anyone is interested. I haven't done it yet but think I might.
CALLIOPE: What's keeping you?
JOE: I'm not sure. But I'm getting on with my own revision and need to make a decision soon. Talk with you tomorrow.

Conversations with Calliope- Dialogue with My Muse

(Ernestina- New Bedford)

JOE: Good morning Calliope.
CALLIOPE: Good morning Joe. How are you today?
JOE: Ready for more work.
CALLIOPE: What did you accomplish yesterday?
JOE: I completed all the tasks for Navigating Life except final reading and I started on that.
CALLIOPE: Did you decide on outside readers?
JOE: No. I haven't come up with anyone to ask yet but am still thinking about it.
CALLIOPE: Did you have any trouble thinking of introductions to the book and to the various sections?
JOE: No, it all went smoothly. I also found a painting my son Peter did which I am thinking about using for the cover.
CALLIOPE: Have you showed it to anyone?
JOE: To Carol. She liked it. That's a good sign.
CALLIOPE: Any other progress yesterday?
JOE: I looked through James Bell's book Revision and Self Editing. I think it will be quite useful in reviewing Marital Property but it is geared to fiction and not specifically useful for Navigating Life.
CALLIOPE: I see. What's up for today?
JOE: More work reviewing Navigating Life. I plan to work a chapter at a time so I don't get bleary. I have a few other things to work on in between. Talk with you tomorrow.

Conversations with Calliope- Dialogue with My Muse

(Fishing boat- Dunkirk harbor)

JOE: Good morning Calliope.
CALLIOPE: Good morning Joe. How are you today?
JOE: Good. I felt like I accomplished quite a bit yesterday.
CALLIOPE: Details please.
JOE: I have all my selections in the right place and have the headings correctly formatted according to the table of contents I generated. I also wrote introductions to the book as a whole and to each section.
CALLIOPE: Good progress. What's next?
JOE: Proofing. I will read the whole manuscript out loud as I have done successfully in the past.
CALLIOPE: What about outside readers?
JOE: That's under consideration. I don't feel I can pay anyone for a professional reading right now as I would like to.
CALLIOPE: Who read for you in the past?
JOE: Carol and Gerry, both excellent at the job.
CALLIOPE: So what about them?
JOE: They are both familiar with most of the material in Navigating Life. I was interested in a fresh look.
CALLIOPE: Don't you have others you could ask?
JOE: I do. But I think they are all quite busy right now. I am afraid it might be an imposition, especially since I want to get the book in print for Christmas. I'll have to think about this further. Talk with you tomorrow.

Conversations with Calliope- Dialogue with My Muse

(Oatka Creek through the reeds)

JOE: Good morning Calliope.
CALLIOPE: Good morning Joe. How was your weekend?
JOE: Very productive thank you.
CALLIOPE: What did you accomplish?
JOE: In addition to raking leaves, I finished most of the draft of Navigating Life.
CALLIOPE: What did you do specifically.
JOE: I started with the list of articles I wanted to include. Then I organized them into themes. I found quotes for all the articles and also added "life lab lessons" to the articles which didn't have them. I also generated a table of contents.
CALLIOPE: Sounds like you made quite a bit of progress. What's left to do?
JOE: This week I plan to start with introductions to the chapters and to the book as a whole. I also want to review the chapter and topic headings to make sure they are both catchy and informative. I would also like to add suggested readings and possibly an index although I'm not decided on that.
CALLIOPE: Sounds ambitions. You plan to do all this in a week.
JOE: Yes. Then there is the proofreading. I would like to have someone do it quickly and thoroughly. Carol has already reviewed the articles but is willing to review the introductions as well. I am still considering another reader, but haven't decided on this.
CALLIOPE: It's probably a good idea.
JOE: I agree. However I would like to get the book in print by the beginning of December if possible.
CALLIOPE: You will have to decide between thoroughness and expediency.
JOE: You're right. Always a tough choice for me. Talk with you tomorrow

Conversations with Calliope- Dialogue with My Muse

(Geese resting on Oatka Creek)
JOE; Good morning Calliope.
CALLIOPE: Just barely. I missed you yesterday.
JOE: It's nice to be missed. I got quite excited about the prospect of finishing my new book in time for Christmas and spent most of yesterday working on it.
CALLIOPE: You must be excited. Did you come up with a title?
JOE: The tentative title is Navigating Life: Reflections for the Voyage.
CALLIOPE: I like it. Tell me more.
JOE: It is a collection of columns I have written over the past few years. I found over a hundred I would like to include.
CALLIOPE: How will you organize them?
JOE: A fair question. I have sixteen categories and have grouped them according to them.
CALLIOPE: Will they all have the same format?
JOE: For the most part. They generally start with a relevant quotation and end with Life Lab Lessons.
CALLIOPE: Which are?
JOE: Practical suggestions for what to do about the reflection I have just offered.
CALLIOPE: Where did you get that idea?
JOE: I'm not sure. I think it occurred to me at one point that life reflections are not much practical use unless you do something about them. I offer some ideas. Talk with you on Monday.

Conversations with Calliope- Dialogue with My Muse

(Bridge over Oatka Creek- Leroy, NY)

JOE: Good morning Calliope.
CALLIOPE: Good morning Joe. Back to your regular schedule?
JOE: As regular as it gets.
CALLIOPE: What are you up to today?
JOE: I have been working on my second volume of Commonsense Wisdom. I thought it would be nice to have it in print by Christmas but thought it was not possible.
CALLIOPE: Do you still think so?
JOE: I'm starting to wonder. I have about half the quotes I need. I should be able to finish gathering them in a day or two.
CALLIOPE: Then what?
JOE: I have "Life Lab Lessons" to add to some of the articles. Then I would need to organize them into themes.
CALLIOPE: What are the chances?
JOE: Good I think. I tend to underestimate time needed. However I think it might be possible.
CALLIOPE: So what's your plan?
JOE: Keep forging ahead and see how far I get. If I can finish the manuscript by the end of November, I think it might be possible.
CALLIOPE: Good luck with it.
JOE: Thanks, Talk with you tomorrow.

Conversations with Calliope- Dialogue with My Muse

(Halloween foolishness)

JOE: Good afternoon Calliope.
CALLIOPE: Where have you been?
JOE: Don't take offense. I had to leave early this morning for a presentation on eating disorders in Batavia.
CALLIOPE: How was it?
JOE: Fairly basic. I didn't really learn anything new but sometimes it's enough to confirm what you already know.
CALLIOPE: Did you do anything else today?
JOE: Yes. More excitement on the technology front. My Kodak printer died and I had to decide on a new one.
CALLIOPE: How did that go?
JOE: Quite well. I found a Hewlett Packard printer with reasonably priced ink. It does excellent documents and photos despite the low prince.
CALLIOPE: Any other items of interest?
JOE: Yes. I have been wrestling for quite a while with why my video camera won't upload anything. In my research, I discovered that the Kodak printer can sometimes interfere with other programs. I uninstalled it and found that my camera now works fine. Quite a discovery.
CALLIOPE: And what about your writers group last night?
JOE: We had a small gathering of four. I was afraid we might be finished with the group but it went well and we will continue for the time being.
CALLIOPE: Glad to hear it.
JOE: Me too. Talk with you tomorrow.

Conversations with Calliope- Dialogue with My Muse

(Hanging moss- New Orleans)

JOE: Good morning Calliope.
CALLIOPE: Good morning Joe. How are you today?
JOE: Mixed. I am making progress on my writing. I have listed all the columns available for my next book, categorized them and started finding quotes to fit them. There is still quite a bit of work to do. I would like to have it ready for Christmas but it doesn't seem likely.
CALLIOPE: All you can do is your best. What's not going so well.
JOE: Technology. My printer was acting up and refused to print decently in black and white or color. After much ado, I discovered the print head was quite gummed up. Fortunately I had an extra one and installed it.
CALLIOPE: And?
JOE: Now it's as good as new.
CALLIOPE: Everything else going okay?
JOE: I have struggled with my latest column on Loving in the Shadow of Cancer.
CALLIOPE: What's the problem?
JOE: It is not just a general topic. I have had to wrestle with it in my relationship and have seen several people I know die of it. I think it's harder to write a column about something personal.
CALLIOPE: Did you complete it?
JOE: Yes. Carol read and reread it and showed me where it was lacking.
CALLIOPE: And now?
JOE: I think it is fixed and ready for publication as well as to mail to Kat and Paula. Talk with you tomorrow.

Conversations with Calliope- Dialogue with My Muse

(New Orleans Cemetery)

JOE: Good morning Calliope.
CALLIOPE: Good morning Joe. How was your weekend?
JOE: Different. I didn't do any running around yesterday although it did occur to me.
CALLIOPE: How did you spend your day?
JOE: I stayed home and worked on my writing instead.
CALLIOPE: What did you accomplish.
JOE: I wrote my next column called Loving in the Shadow of Cancer.
CALLIOPE: Prompted by your visit on Friday?
JOE: Yes. It had quite an impact on me. I realized we have more choice of how we handle life's challenges. We don't always get to choose what challenges we have to face but we do have a choice of how we react.
CALLIOPE: Is that a revelation to you?
JOE: Not really. But when I see love in action even given extreme circumstances, it is a good reminder of life's possibilities.
CALLIOPE: I'm looking forward to reading it on Saturday. Did you accomplish anything else?
JOE: I worked on my second commonsense wisdom book. I discovered that "quotes" would probably be a useful keyword for me in marketing the book. I decided to start each passage with a relevant quote and even added one to my next column.
CALLIOPE: Is this a new idea for you?
JOE: No. I had planned to start each chapter of The Pastor's Inferno with a quote from Dante's Inferno. Then I ran into copyright difficulty. I did not realize I could use a public domain version of the Inferno until I had already submitted the manuscript for publication. Oh, well. Talk with you tomorrow.

Conversations with Calliope- Dialogue with My Muse

(Sunset in Key West)

JOE: Good morning Calliope.
CALLIOPE: Good morning Joe. How are you today?
JOE: Reflective.
CALLIOPE: About what?
JOE: In our travels yesterday, Carol and I spent the morning with a friend who is dying of cancer.
CALLIOPE: What was that like?
JOE: I was glad we did it but it wasn't easy. She has very little energy and spark left and was only barely able to carry on a conversation. I remember when she was bright, bubbly and full of life. Just an ember remains.
CALLIOPE: That must have been hard.
JOE: It was, but more so for Carol who lost her mother and sister and several other friends to cancer. She also went through a bout of her own.
CALLIOPE: Have you ever had to face cancer directly?
JOE: It depends on what you mean by directly. I struggled through Carol's diagnosis and treatments, but have never had cancer myself.
CALLIOPE: What did you learn from yesterday's experience?
JOE: That it is possible to remain loving and in love during the most extreme challenges. I am writing my next column about it and have it mostly finished.
CALLIOPE: So you plan to share the experience with others?
JOE: I do. The impact was quite profound. Talk with you on Monday.