Conversations with Calliope

JOE: Good morning Calliope.
CALLIOPE: Good morning Joe. How are you this morning?
JOE: Much better thanks.
CALLIOPE: Do what do we owe this resurgence?
JOE: I left for the Liftbridge Writers Group meeting last night plagued by self doubt about my writing and also wondering why my efforts were not appreciated more.
CALLIOPE: Did the meeting change your somber mood?
JOE: Indeed. What I thought made for a good story contained some glaring errors and an obvious (to everyone but me) inconsistency in the age of my protagonist which thoroughly distracted everyone including me once it came to my attention.
CALLIOPE: How did you end up submitting such a flawed piece?
JOE: I just finished pondering that matter. In my excitement about developing a story idea so quickly during the 24 hour contest, I became carried away and ignored some of the basics. When I write, I like to let a story percolate a while before I reconsider it for necessary revisions. I did not allow myself enough time for this to happen and submitted it in its raw state. No one to blame but me.
CALLIOPE: So you learned something from the experience?
JOE: I did. Next time I will build in some percolation time to let the story settle before a final review.
CALLIOPE: And you learned all this last night?
JOE: Yes and No. Our new member, Cindy, pointed out how our unconscious mind can sense what we can't articulate at the moment. I think this happened to me last night and I didn't realize what I had learned until I started writing my journal this morning. Thanks, Cindy.
CALLIOPE: So where is this story now?
JOE: Posted on Author's Den if you are interested. Look for The Child Bride under short stories at www.authorsden.com. Talk with you tomorrow.
(In Muir Woods, California)

Conversations with Calliope

JOE: Good morning Calliope.
CALLIOPE: Good morning Joe. How are you today?
JOE: Having a little difficulty realizing that I finally reached the end of my second edit of Marital Property.
CALLIOPE: It's certainly a milestone. Next it is off to your readers?
JOE: Not my public but to Carol and Gerry who have been most helpful to me in the past.
CALLIOPE: What do you expect of them?
JOE: H0nesty. I count on them to tell me how the story comes across to them and whether I need to make any major shifts in emphasis.
CALLIOPE: Anything else?
JOE: Yes. They will also tell me when they encounter awkward phrasing and when I am not clear in how I express myself.
CALLIOPE: Good. Have you ever considered using a professional editor?
JOE: The thought has occurred to me. I think there would be advantages and disadvantages. A professional editor would probably be somewhat more objective although my traditional readers have not pulled any punches in the past and I don't expect them to this time.
CALLIOPE: Any other thoughts?
JOE: I fear that a professional editor would look at my work chiefly in terms of its commercial potential, although this might not be entirely fair. My personal editors know me, what I am trying to say and what my goals are. I don't think a professional editor would approach my work in these terms. Of course, I can't say any of this for sure since I have never engaged one.
CALLIOPE: Do you know what other writers' experience has been?
JOE: No, but that's a good question. I would like to find out and will research it in my writer communities. Maybe someone will share their experience here as well. You're all invited. Talk with you on Monday.
(Muir Woods- California)