Conversations with Calliope- Getting Organized

(Organizing Pigs)

JOE: Good morning Calliope.
CALLIOPE: Good morning Joe. How's the writing coming?
JOE: I'm working on getting organized.
CALLIOPE: How are you going about it?
JOE: I am trying to keep up with marketing and writing and find myself flopping around like a fish on the shore.
CALLIOPE: How will you unflop.
JOE: Organization. I decided to split my day. In the morning I will work on correspondence and marketing as well as related activities.
CALLIOPE: And the afternoon?
JOE: I will devote it to working on my writing and reading.
CALLIOPE: Have you started yet?
JOE: I tried it yesterday and it worked fairly well. But I think it will take practice to get in the habit.
CALLIOPE: Everything does.
JOE: I can't argue with you there. Today I will work on plans for revising my websites in the morning. This afternoon I will continue working on my audio recordings and later read to restore my spirit.
CALLIOPE: Best of luck with your plan.
JOE: Thanks. I'll report back tomorrow.

Conversations with Calliope- Marketing Fantasies

(Sailing Sculpture- Charlotte Beach- Rochester, NY)
JOE: Good morning Calliope.
CALLIOPE: Good morning Joe. Up a little late this morning, aren't we?
JOE: At least I'm here.
CALLIOPE: What's going on in your head these days?
JOE: I've been thinking about the field of marketing, talking with people about it and reading.
CALLIOPE: What have you been reading?
JOE: Interesting you should ask. I was wandering around Borders with my brother a couple days ago and ran across Seth Godin's book, All Marketers Are Liars.
CALLIOPE: Sounds interesting.
JOE: It is. He poo-poos the idea that people respond to marketing efforts on the basis of features, benefits, or anything else tangible.
CALLIOPE: Then what does attract potential customers?
JOE: He believes that people respond to whatever matches the fantasies they already have.
CALLIOPE: Interesting idea.
JOE: Yes it is. I haven't finished the book yet but find the idea fascinating. I plan to read more of it this weekend.
CALLIOPE: Then what.
JOE: If it continues to make sense, I will rethink my fantasies about marketing and see what I might need to change. Talk with you on Monday.

Conversations with Calliope- Marketing

(Herb Market- Vigo Spain)

JOE: Good morning Calliope.
CALLIOPE: Good morning Joe. How are you today?
JOE: Ready for a new week and a new year.
CALLIOPE: What did you do over the weekend?
JOE: Nothing too taxing. I relaxed, skied, watched some football and sat for ideas.
CALLIOPE: I'm glad you're pacing yourself. Did any ideas come to you?
JOE: I've been thinking about marketing. I concentrated on announcing my book on the internet and have covered all my current contacts.
CALLIOPE: Now what?
JOE: I'm continuing to work on article marketing.
CALLIOPE: Did you submit any articles lately?
JOE: Yes. I sent my article on creativity being a result of inspiration and perspiration to Article Marketing and Ezine.
CALLIOPE: Have you thought of other article marketing sites.
JOE: I have a long list of them and am just beginning to explore the possibilities.
CALLIOPE: How about local publicity?
JOE: I have been considering local service groups, the library, bookstores and the local radio station. I will work on those outlets this week. Talk with you tomorrow.

Conversations with Calliope- Dialogue with My Muse

(Sunset- Leroy, NY)

JOE: Good afternoon Calliope.
CALLIOPE: Good afternoon Joe. I never know when or if to expect you these days.
JOE: Sorry. I had an early morning meeting and was wandering around doing some Christmas shopping. But now I'm back.
CALLIOPE: You said this was your week to work on marketing. Any progress?
JOE: It is turning out to be a busier week than I thought but I'll do my best. I did think of an approach.
CALLIOPE: Which is?
JOE: Some time ago I wrote ten reasons why and why not to read The Pastor's Inferno.
CALLIOPE: Yes?
JOE: I thought it might be good to expand on this theme.
CALLIOPE: How?
JOE: I plan to develop reasons to read and not to read each of my books and then post them as videos on MySpace and my website.
CALLIOPE: Sounds ambitious.
JOE: I suppose it is, but I've got to start somewhere. I had better get at it. Talk with you tomorrow.

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

(Carol and Joe on Broadway)

JOE: Good morning Calliope.
CALLIOPE: Good morning Joe. How are you today?
JOE: Fine.
CALLIOPE: What have you been up to?
JOE: Trying to get back into a routine. I am catching up on my email and working on marketing.
CALLIOPE: What did you accomplish yesterday?
JOE: I worked more on search engine optimization, specifically keywords, and meta tags for my my websites.
CALLIOPE: Sounds a little involved.
JOE: It is. Not like the old days on Mt. Olympus.
CALLIOPE: Anything else going on?
JOE: I visited a physical therapist to see if I can increase the mobility of my hands which was compromised by my arthritis.
CALLIOPE: Any progress?
JOE: Nancy gave me some exercises to do. Hopefully this will help.
CALLIOPE: What's on for today?
JOE: More marketing work and revision of Marital Property. Talk with you tomorrow.

Conversations with Calliope- Dialogue with My Muse

JOE: Good morning Calliope.
CALLIOPE: Good morning Joe. How are you today?
JOE: Fine.
CALLIOPE: Did you do anything exciting over the weekend?
JOE: No. I was ready for an uneventful one. I spent it reading and relaxing.
CALLIOPE: What are you reading these days?
JOE: I finished Lee Child's novel, Nothing to Lose and am working on a rereading of The Poisonwood Bible.
CALLIOPE: Still working on on your voice for Marital Property?
JOE: Yes. But I have decided I like the first person approach and plan to complete revision from this perspective.
CALLIOPE: Glad you like the change. Anything going on in marketing?
JOE: I have a draft for my video, Are You Afraid of This Book. Now I am working on the technology. One approach provides better video and the other better sound. I am looking for an approach which provides both.
CALLIOPE: Have you discovered one?
JOE: I think my video camera would work best but it is being uncooperative at the moment and will not connect to my computer.
CALLIOPE: Have you narrowed down the problem?
JOE: I have pretty well decided it is the camera. The cord and computer seem to be working okay. Maybe I'll take it to the shop. Talk with you tomorrow.
(Relaxing in Jackson Square, Batavia, NY)

Conversations with Calliope

JOE: Good morning Calliope.
CALLIOPE: Good morning Joe. How are you today?
JOE: Relaxed. I spent last night with friends listening to a Coupe Devilles concert and dancing at Charlotte beach in Rochester.
CALLIOPE: Sounds like fun. I'm glad you're continuing to socialize. What's doing on in your literary world?
JOE: I am continuing to work on my revision of Marital Property, changing it to a first person account. The more I do the more comfortable I am with this approach.
CALLIOPE: What do you like best about it?
JOE: The characters are coming to life and all have a chance to share their perceptions on observations. I think it makes for a much richer story.
CALLIOPE: I'm surprised you didn't think of it before.
JOE: Sometimes I need a kick in the pants to see reality. I thank my readers for their incisive comments helping me sharpen the text.
CALLIOPE: I agree that it's better not to write in a vacuum or at least let your story see the light of day for a little airing out. What do you have on the agenda for today?
JOE: More of the same- work on Marital Property and work on marketing.
CALLIOPE: Speaking of which, how is The Pastor's Inferno doing?
JOE: Not so well. I think the book scares many people with its theme.
CALLIOPE: What do you think you can do about it.
JOE: I've been wondering that myself. I have been considering promotional material directly addressing these fears. I think it's at least worth a try. Talk with you tomorrow.
(Aerial sculptures- Charlotte Beach, Rochester, NY)

Conversations with Calliope

JOE: Good morning Calliope.
CALLIOPE: Good morning Joe. How are you today?
JOE: Not bad. I worked hard editing Marital Property yesterday and have only thirty pages to go to the end of the book.
CALLIOPE: Great progress. Then what?
JOE: I think that will complete the major editing. Next I will read the book aloud to see how it sounds and correct it for tone.
CALLIOPE: Sounds like a good next step. And after that?
JOE: Next is to call my reviewers back into action. I have several who read my books in the past and made excellent suggestions for revisions. I plan to ask them to read it.
CALLIOPE: Have you decided what to do about publication?
JOE: No. I think I might take another run at agents to see if I can generate any interest. If not, I will probably use Booklocker again and get started on Commonsense Wisdom for Teens.
CALLIOPE: How are your marketing efforts coming.
JOE: As you know I completed my first video and posted it on MySpace and YouTube. I plan to work on others starting Monday. I will complete a general podcast about my writing, readings from my other two books, ten reasons to read or not read each book and one about my Commonsense Wisdom for Teens project.
CALLIOPE: Sounds ambitious.
JOE: It is. I have plans laid out for the next few weeks.
CALLIOPE:I hope you can keep it all straight.
JOE: I hope so too. But at least I know where I'm headed. Talk with you on Monday.
(Erie Canal Lock- Lockport, NY)

Conversations with Calliope

JOE: Good morning Calliope.
CALLIOPE: Good morning Joe. How did the podcast recording go yesterday?
JOE: I was quite pleased with it. Fortunately I took the time to be prepared and had everything I needed at my fingertips.
CALLIOPE: Any problems?
JOE: No. The only one I anticipated was my tendency to say "uh" quite a bit when I'm thinking. I made a big sign and placed it in front of me during the interview as a reminder. I did well for the most part.
CALLIOPE: What did you cover?
JOE: It was comprehensive. First, we talked about my development as a writer. I talked about two of my books, Commonsense Wisdom for Everyday Life and The Pastor's Inferno and read a passage from the first one. Then we talked about my marketing.
CALLIOPE: Any surprises?
JOE: Only that I had made quite a bit of progress with marketing, more than I had realized.
CALLIOPE: Is the column published?
JOE: Yes. Time to Give Words a Rest is ready for your consideration in the usual place, www.commonsense-wisdom.com.
CALLIOPE: And the editing of Marital Property?
JOE: I tried printing some chapters and editing them on paper. I found myself being much more critical and detailed editing on paper that I was on the screen. I think I will continue that practice.
CALLIOPE: What's up for today?
JOE: I have to mail out a signed copy of one of my books. I signed up for Skype, an online video and audio service. I will spend some time today figuring out how it works. See you on Monday.
(Rainbow- St. Maarten)

Conversations with Calliope

JOE: Good morning Calliope.
CALLIOPE: Good morning Joe. How are you today?
JOE: In high gear. it has been a very busy week and today does not look any quieter.
CALLIOPE: How was the training conference yesterday?
JOE: Interesting. I was looking for some more marketing ideas. Most of the ones mentioned were already familiar to me. I guess I am beginning to know my way around the Internet marketing field, at least a little.
CALLIOPE: Did you learn anything?
JOE: Yes, but it was a bit of a surprise. I learned what was important to me. The focus of the training was on making money. One point early in the presentation was that your book was one of the least important elements and that it was leverage for making real money. I realized that I am not in this for the money. I would not mind earning some from my writing but my main focus is on what I have to say.
CALLIOPE: Which is?
JOE: My mission is to help readers understand themselves and their impact on others. I realize I need to do marketing to make people aware of my writing and also meet my expenses along the way.
CALLIOPE: Noble of you. How do you balance your communication and the business aspects of writing?
JOE: Good question. I have been thinking about that one for quite a while. There have been times I have been tempted to try writing something which would make a lot of money. Then I realized this was a distraction from what my writing is really about. I am struggling to keep a balance and stay focused. I wonder if there are other writers with this same dilemma. I would like to hear from them.
CALLIOPE: So what are you up to today?
JOE: I am off to Tonawanda shortly to do a police candidate evaluation, one of the few remaining psychological tasks I have. Then I will be back at the computer exploring the writing world and my place in it.
CALLIOPE: Any specific goals for today?
JOE: Yes. I have been planning to design a logo for my writing and plan to at least start working on it today. Time for work. Talk with you tomorrow.

(Sitting in Herman Melville's pew- Seaman's Bethel, New Bedford, MA)

Conversations with Calliope

JOE: Good morning Calliope.
CALLIOPE: Good morning Joe. I hope you are well, but I have a bone to pick with you.
JOE: I am well. What is your bone?
CALLIOPE: You said you would share your column with me and I am still waiting.
JOE: Sorry. Rather than post the whole thing here, I will just leave a link for you, www.commonsense-wisdom.com. It's called Stop Making Problems of Life Situations. If it would make you feel better, I can start leaving you links whenever I publish a new column. Would that make you feel better?
CALLIOPE: It would. Now, on to what your are up to today?
JOE: Yesterday I did some editing of Marital Property. I must admit my mind has been more on marketing lately. I decided to set up a separate MySpace page for my publishing company, Sliding Otter Publications.
CALLIOPE: How did that go?
JOE: I was happy with what came out of it after reading Dennis Prince's book, How to Make Money on MySpace. But I had trouble activating my new account for some reason. Maybe it was too close to my personal page. In any case, I decided this morning to combine the two pages into one. I think that would be simpler. I am happy with the results.
CALLIOPE: Can I see it?
JOE: Of course, it's at www.myspace.com/slidingotter. See what you think.
CALLIOPE: Now what?
JOE: The next step is to start looking for friends, people on MySpace who might be interested in what I am doing. I will start the search today.
CALLIOPE: Busy, busy, busy. Anything else going on?
JOE: That's about it for now. But of course I will keep you posted. Talk with you tomorrow.
(Spring- Batavia, NY)

Conversations with Calliope

JOE: Good morning Calliope.
CALLIOPE: Good morning Joe. How are you today.
JOE: Working hard.
CALLIOPE: Doing what?
JOE: Mostly further exploring Internet marketing. I worked on spiffing up my MySpace page yesterday and think I have it about the way I want it.
CALLIOPE: What else do you have to do to it?
JOE: I would like to add some video about my books and forthcoming teen book project. I will have to do a little work on the technology though.
CALLIOPE: Where do you think you can find that?
JOE: I saw a section at http://www.writersonthenet.com/ but haven't had a chance to explore it yet.
CALLIOPE: Do you think you can do it?
JOE: I don't see why not. I have a digital video camera and have made windows movies as well as converted them to DVD movies. I am hoping that is enough knowledge. I guess I will have to see.
CALLIOPE: Good luck. It sounds like a challenge.
JOE: Maybe. But I seem up for a few challenges today.
CALLIOPE: Did you get to work on your editing.
JOE: Yesterday I edited a few more chapters and am now up to Ch. 15 in Marital Property.

It gives me a little variety from Internet marketing although I like both. Time to get back to work. talk with you tomorrow.

(Alley's Store- Up Island, Martha's Vineyard)

Conversations with Calliope

JOE: Good morning Calliope.
CALLIOPE: Good morning Joe. Ready for another week?
JOE: Yes, but I have already been quite busy this week. I read about marketing most of the weekend and feel like I am starting to have my marketing plan come together. I also found a couple useful books.
CALLIOPE: Such as?
JOE: Well, I decided that MySpace and this blog should form two of the main pillars of my marketing approach. I found a good book by Dennis Prince, called How to Make Money with MySpace. I have registered there and started a site with my blog included. But I am finding the approach for marketing is different from a personal page on MySpace. I'll have to make some changes. I also found a book by Jeremy Wright called Blog Marketing.
CALLIOPE: Does that mean we will have to make some changes in our blog site?
JOE: We'll see. Right now I'm concentrating first on MySpace which is more of a mystery to me than blogging. By the way, Phil Davis left us a nice note yesterday and will mention us in his blogs. I hope you don't mind if we have a few visitors.
CALLIOPE: The more the merrier. I was getting to feel it was a little lonely with just the two of us here.
JOE: I guess we could use a little help in our efforts. I would not mind some visitors either. Let's see what develops.
CALLIOPE: How are you coming with Marital Property?
JOE: I had time to edit a few more chapters on Saturday. I am up to Chapter 13 now and am still trying to balance time for marketing and editing. I'm pretty busy these days.
CALLIOPE: That's what you get for retiring from psychology.
JOE: I am glad to be this busy. I know people who retire and then just sit in a chair. Not for me.
CALLIOPE: Me either. I'm glad we have a lot to work on.
JOE: Me too. I'm glad you're sharing this journey with me. Enough of the mutual admiration for today. We've got work to do.

(Rocky Mountains- View from Estes Park, Colorado)

Conversations with Calliope

JOE: Good morning Calliope.
CALLIOPE: Good morning Joe. How are you today?
JOE: Busier than ever.
CALLIOPE: What did you get done yesterday?
JOE: I worked most of the day on my marketing plan. Strange to say, I felt disorganized about making my plan and it took quite a while.
CALLIOPE: How did it turn out?
JOE: I got a good start. I developed some goals I thought were realistic and measurable, identified a target audience, and developed some strategies.
CALLIOPE: Is it finished?
JOE: No. I am still exploring tactics to decide which ones I will use. I also need to understand my target audience a little more to know what they want and what would attract them. Then I will try to match tactics to my audience to fill out my strategies.
CALLIOPE: Sounds like you have thought it out pretty well.
JOE: I can't take all the credit for it. I learned a great deal from Phil Davis and the marketing plan information he has posted at http://www.authorsonthenet.com/. I am very grateful for his work and for the first time feel like I have some direction in my plan.
CALLIOPE: Will you use the same plan for all of your books?
JOE: No. Since they include an inspirational book, a memoir and a novel, I think they will have to be tailored quite differently. The target audience might vary widely as well.
CALLIOPE: Sounds like you are making good progress.
JOE: I think I am. This weekend I will work more on my target audience and understanding the various tactics available and working toward matching the two. Talk with you on Monday.

Conversations with Calliope

JOE: Good morning Calliope.
CALLIOPE: Good morning Joe. How are you this morning.
JOE: Raring to go. I've already added new friends through Writer's Cafe and responded to some reviews of stories I posted there yesterday. It is heartening.
CALLIOPE: What's the best thing about all this?
JOE: Being in contact with writers who appreciate what I write and from whom I can learn by the example of their writing. It's good to be part of a community after working alone for so long.
CALLIOPE: There certainly is something to be said for it. I can't be your total inspiration.
JOE: I don't expect you to be. But I do appreciate you. I just heard from another writer who hates his muse. I wonder if it could really be a muse or perhaps a harpie or some other vile creature.
CALLIOPE: Perhaps. He should complain and get a proper muse.
JOE: I thought so too and told him the same thing. I have been working on a marketing plan for my writing.
CALLIOPE: Is it done yet?
JOE: Not quite. I think the elements are coming together. My mentors at http://www.authorsonthenet.com/ suggest "a written goal, a strategy to support that goal and tactics to use to execute the strategy." I am working on getting that together and plan to have it finished by tomorrow.
CALLIOPE: Will you keep me posted.
JOE: Yes. I don't know if I will have it completed by the time we chat tomorrow but I'll be sure to let you know how it's coming.
CALLIOPE: Thanks. I would appreciate that.
JOE: I have plenty to do today and better get at it. See you tomorrow.
(Butterfly Museum- Niagara Falls, Ontario)

Conversations with Calliope

JOE: Good morning Calliope.
CALLIOPE: Good morning Joe. How are you today?
JOE: Fine and ready to go. I am planning a trip to the Strong Play Museum with my grandson for his birthday today to see the Grossology exhibit. So I'm not sure how much time I will have for literary pursuits.
CALLIOPE: Grandchildren are important too. Have fun with him. How about yesterday?
JOE: I was quite busy. I started working on a comprehensive marketing plan I found at Authors on the Net. I am excited about the prospects of getting organized.
CALLIOPE: Good. What else is going on?
JOE: I started corresponding with some other writers at Book Marketers' Network. I am starting to develop some contacts. As part of my marketing plan, I set a goal of fifty network contacts in the next three months. I also found time to edit a couple chapters of Marital Property.
CALLIOPE: You are busy. What's on deck for today in your limited time?
JOE: I have a column due Saturday and plan to do it on what I have been reading of Eckhart Tolle in The Power of Now.
CALLIOPE: What did you like about his book?
JOE: I haven't finished it yet but was impressed by his statements that depression is associated with the past and anxiety with the future, while all we have to live in is the present. I thought it was a profound insight.
CALLIOPE: I can't wait to hear what you do with it.
JOE: I will post the column on my website on Saturday. Let me know what you think.
(Carol contemplating Lagoon Pond- Martha's Vineyard)

Conversations with Calliope

JOE: Good morning Calliope.
CALLIOPE: Good morning Joe. How are you today?
JOE: My mind is full. I met with my fellow Lift Bridge Writers last night and had a good discussion of print on demand publishing, publicity, platforms and even got to read a couple chapters of Marital Property.
CALLIOPE: Have you been working on the book?
JOE: Yes. I wrote part of the Nantucket chapter but am busy incorporating all I learned about the island. It takes extra time. My couple is still wandering about Nantucket enjoying their visit.
CALLIOPE: Good. What's on the docket for today?
JOE: As soon as we finish writing, I plan to return to Nantucket and continue explorations with the family. Their tale is nearing the end and I am looking forward to the revision process.
CALLIOPE: What brought that up?
JOE: When I read from my original draft last night, I realized how much work there is to do in making it more immediate, accessible and specific. It's always a challenge.
CALLIOPE: I'm glad you enjoy it. Anything else you are up to?
JOE: I was exploring Google Mail yesterday and discovered Google Reader. I have been looking for a good news aggregator. Windows doesn't seem to do a very good job. I have been assembling useful sources of information for publishing and for publicity of The Pastor's Inferno.
CALLIOPE: Never a dull moment.
JOE: Certainly not. Time to get to work. Talk with you tomorrow.
(Brant Point Lighthouse- Nantucket)

Conversations with Calliope

JOE: Good morning Calliope.
CALLIOPE: Good morning Joe. How was your weekend?
JOE: Productive. I held my second presentation yesterday on Writing for the Soul.
CALLIOPE: How was the turnout?
JOE: Not too many people showed up but I did have productive conversations with those who did. I got some publicity in two newspapers which was a good thing. However neither listing was specific about the details of my presentation. I had a better turnout for the first one which was more specific. At least I got my name in the paper with a reference to The Pastor's Inferno.
CALLIOPE: Can't argue about that. How are you doing with publicity?
JOE: I have been searching for all the information I can find, especially on Internet marketing, and am now starting to sort through it.
CALLIOPE: Anything particularly useful?
JOE: Yes. I found a series by Angela Hoy on Internet marketing on her newsletter, Writers Weekly at http://www.writersweekly.com/the_latest_from_angelahoycom/summary.html. I thought this was the same series her husband published a few years ago but just realized it was a new series. It looks quite specific and promising. I plan to work on her suggestions this week.
CALLIOPE: It sounds like you are starting to get focused.
JOE: I am. Sometimes the task seems daunting. Then I realize it is new territory for me and will take time to learn the lay of the land.
CALLIOPE: Keep at it.
JOE: I plan to. Talk with you tomorrow.

(Sunrise over Nantucket Sound- Oak Bluffs- Martha's Vineyard)