Conversations with Calliope- Our Journey Together

(Canadian Sailing Ship- St. Lucia)

JOE: Good morning Calliope.
CALLIOPE: Good morning Joe. What's this about a journey? I thought you just got back from a trip.
JOE: I did. This time you're invited.
CALLIOPE: Oh?
JOE: Actually we already took the trip. I am planning a book about our exploits in writing over the past year.
CALLIOPE: What do you plan to do with it?
JOE: I am working on an e-book documenting our conversations over the course of a year.
CALLIOPE: Sounds interesting. How did you settle on this project?
JOE: Booklocker has an interest in writing related books. I thought it might be a good place for us to hang out.
CALLIOPE: How will you organize it?
JOE: Right now I don't think I will. I see it as documenting the day to day adventures in writing and publishing for people who wonder what the writing life is about.
CALLIOPE: I like the idea. I guess I have never thought about the progress of our work together.
JOE: Neither have I. But I think we might both learn something about the process of writing.
CALLIOPE: Maybe it will suggest some new directions.
JOE: Perhaps. In any case I am looking forward to the adventure.

Journal Travels

In my writers' group last night, we shared pages from our journals. I knew why I kept a journal but was amazed to see the variety of approaches other took. Some chronicled their sensory observations, some their adventures, memories, impressions, dreams, discoveries or concerns. It is enlightening to see the variety of approaches writers can take to a seemingly simple daily ritual. Some write only when they have something of significance to say and others write several times a day. Some write for the writing, some for themselves and some for posterity. I was glad to be there and share it and appreciate the broadening of my experience. If you are wondering, that's me sitting in Herman Melville's pew at the Seaman's Bethel in New Bedford.