JOE: Good morning, Calliope.
CALLIOPE: Good morning, Joe. How's it going?
JOE: I guess okay. Yesterday I wrote Saturday's column for the paper about Rose and Russ. I learned some things writing it that I can use in my book.
CALLIOPE: Such as?
JOE: Such as secrets to staying married. I can use the ignorance of their secrets in writing about my troubled couple.
CALLIOPE: Good. Did you copy your lists from yesterday?
JOE: Yes. They are right here in front of me for inspiration.
CALLIOPE: So what are we going to do today?
JOE: My goal is to better understand the private and social aspects of being a writer. The social part is for getting ideas while the private part is where I write them down. The first question is whether I want my social part to be any different.
CALLIOPE: Well, do you?
JOE: I think I am getting good at getting people to talk about things I would like to include in my writing. I would just like to spend a little more time doing it.
CALLIOPE: Do you have the resources to do so right now?
JOE: I can't afford to travel everywhere I want. But I can take advantage of opportunities which present themselves. For example, I had an e-mail from a forensic accountant who got wind of my blog and volunteered as a resource.
CALLIOPE: The second question is whether your communal self needs to be balanced or enriched.
JOE: Sometimes, but I would not want my community around all the time. I would have to sneak off to write. My ideal commmunity would include people like John Updike, John Irving, Stephen King, Anne Lamott, Julia Cameron, Natalie Goldberg and Heather Sellers.
CALLIOPE: That's quite a group. You don't have them sitting in your parlor but you have most of their books and can ask for their input whenever you want. The third question is who helps you with your writing.
JOE: Excellent point about my support group. My helpers include Carol who keeps me specific and clear in my writing, Gerry who always asks incisive questions, Bob who cheers me on, my column readers who stop me around town and encourage me, Steve who is helping me find a publishing direction, and my writers' group who challenge me and help me stay on target.
CALLIOPE: Anyone else?
JOE: Yourself of course. You have been quietly in the background helping me in ways I don't even know.
CALLIOPE: I'm glad you recognize my help. On with the show.
Wednesday, October 10, 2007
Tuesday, October 09, 2007
Conversations with Calliope
JOE: Good morning, Calliope.
CALLIOPE: Good morning, Joe. How are things this morning.
JOE: Good, I guess. I can see signs of Fall finally arriving but have immensely enjoyed the extended summer. My plumeria seems to be about at the end of its three month blooming season but a gorgious red hibiscus blossom awaited me this morning on my porch. I am feeling a stronger urge to delve into my new writing project.
CALLIOPE: That's good. How are you coming on Marital Property?
JOE: A little slow. It's hard getting into a new project after finishing a novel I spent eight months on. I picked up Heather Sellers' book Page by Page yesterday. She suggested some exercises to start and stay writing consistently. Do you mind if I share them with you?
CALLIOPE: Be my guest.
JOE: Thanks. The first exercise is to write three lists. First is qualities of my ideal writing guidebook. The book would be clearly written, well organized, specific, give quotes and refer to excellent examples of the points made, give me concrete tasks, and give suggestions for the roadblocks which appear before me as well as help me incorporate the rest of my life and experiences into my writing.
CALLIOPE: A good list. What is the second.
JOE: The second is the qualities of my ideal writing class. I recall my writing classes in high school and college and do not remember any encouragement. Writing petrified me. My ideal class would encourage me to write, initially ignoring quality but just getting my pen (or reasonable facsimile) moving, teaching me how to incorporate information from my senses and from my inner life, balancing dialogue, internal reflection and description, making dialogue intriguing and interesting, making my characters alive and unique, helping me have my characters tell my stories rather than relying on narrative, and not be afraid to have my stories be metaphors for my own hopes, dreams, worries and fears.
CALLIOPE: Well stated. What is the third list?
JOE: Imagine I am a small new pupil, a writing student, and list the attitudes I have when I am loving the act of learning something. I sit in wonderment of all that goes on around me, see the story in each movement, gesture, color, smell or sound, realize that there are words to express each of these, try different kinds of writing implements to see what my writing is like with each one, find fascination in my words and sentences, regardless of what my teacher thinks of them, realize that each person I see has endless stories within him or her, and know that what I write has the chance to be unique.
CALLIOPE: Great. I think you should put these lists on your wall with other things you want present while you write. Look at them when you feel stuck or tend to get down on yourself for being only human. I am here to help but you will still be you and the one who does the actual writing.
JOE: Thanks, I'll try to remember that when the going gets tough as it does from time to time.
CALLIOPE: Good morning, Joe. How are things this morning.
JOE: Good, I guess. I can see signs of Fall finally arriving but have immensely enjoyed the extended summer. My plumeria seems to be about at the end of its three month blooming season but a gorgious red hibiscus blossom awaited me this morning on my porch. I am feeling a stronger urge to delve into my new writing project.
CALLIOPE: That's good. How are you coming on Marital Property?
JOE: A little slow. It's hard getting into a new project after finishing a novel I spent eight months on. I picked up Heather Sellers' book Page by Page yesterday. She suggested some exercises to start and stay writing consistently. Do you mind if I share them with you?
CALLIOPE: Be my guest.
JOE: Thanks. The first exercise is to write three lists. First is qualities of my ideal writing guidebook. The book would be clearly written, well organized, specific, give quotes and refer to excellent examples of the points made, give me concrete tasks, and give suggestions for the roadblocks which appear before me as well as help me incorporate the rest of my life and experiences into my writing.
CALLIOPE: A good list. What is the second.
JOE: The second is the qualities of my ideal writing class. I recall my writing classes in high school and college and do not remember any encouragement. Writing petrified me. My ideal class would encourage me to write, initially ignoring quality but just getting my pen (or reasonable facsimile) moving, teaching me how to incorporate information from my senses and from my inner life, balancing dialogue, internal reflection and description, making dialogue intriguing and interesting, making my characters alive and unique, helping me have my characters tell my stories rather than relying on narrative, and not be afraid to have my stories be metaphors for my own hopes, dreams, worries and fears.
CALLIOPE: Well stated. What is the third list?
JOE: Imagine I am a small new pupil, a writing student, and list the attitudes I have when I am loving the act of learning something. I sit in wonderment of all that goes on around me, see the story in each movement, gesture, color, smell or sound, realize that there are words to express each of these, try different kinds of writing implements to see what my writing is like with each one, find fascination in my words and sentences, regardless of what my teacher thinks of them, realize that each person I see has endless stories within him or her, and know that what I write has the chance to be unique.
CALLIOPE: Great. I think you should put these lists on your wall with other things you want present while you write. Look at them when you feel stuck or tend to get down on yourself for being only human. I am here to help but you will still be you and the one who does the actual writing.
JOE: Thanks, I'll try to remember that when the going gets tough as it does from time to time.
Monday, October 08, 2007
Conversations with Calliope
JOE: Good morning, Calliope.
CALLIOPE: Good morning, Joe. Did you have a nice weekend?
JOE: Yes and I learned some interesting things.
CALLIOPE: Such as?
JOE: On Saturday morning, I did some research on forensic accounting to help me understand my husband character. I have enough experience with art to give me some understanding of what my wife character does.
CALLIOPE: What about the rest of the weekend?
JOE: On Saturday evening I attended a sixtieth anniversary party for my neighbors Rose and Russ. I learned quite a bit about what it takes to stay together in a relationship and got to know their large happy family. They did it the right way although both did say that sometimes it was not easy.
CALLIOPE: So that contrasts with the couple you are writing about in Marital Property.
JOE: It certainly does. It will help me with an understanding of the mistakes my couple might make.
CALLIOPE: I'm glad you are keeping your eyes and ears open. Did you learn anything else this weekend?
JOE: Yes. I visited the Charlotte lighthouse in Rochester on Sunday after I dropped off my two clowns where participating in the River Romance. Other than the architecture I explored the design and some of its history as well as the history of lighthouses in general. I think this will help me with the lighthouses in Martha's Vineyard and give me a little better sense of my setting for Marital Property. I also enjoyed listening to an Irish band, Wild Geese. In the evening iI finished reading Diane Ackerman's Natural History of the Senses.
CALLIOPE: Even though you did not do any writing, it seems you made some good progress. Back to work.
CALLIOPE: Good morning, Joe. Did you have a nice weekend?
JOE: Yes and I learned some interesting things.
CALLIOPE: Such as?
JOE: On Saturday morning, I did some research on forensic accounting to help me understand my husband character. I have enough experience with art to give me some understanding of what my wife character does.
CALLIOPE: What about the rest of the weekend?
JOE: On Saturday evening I attended a sixtieth anniversary party for my neighbors Rose and Russ. I learned quite a bit about what it takes to stay together in a relationship and got to know their large happy family. They did it the right way although both did say that sometimes it was not easy.
CALLIOPE: So that contrasts with the couple you are writing about in Marital Property.
JOE: It certainly does. It will help me with an understanding of the mistakes my couple might make.
CALLIOPE: I'm glad you are keeping your eyes and ears open. Did you learn anything else this weekend?
JOE: Yes. I visited the Charlotte lighthouse in Rochester on Sunday after I dropped off my two clowns where participating in the River Romance. Other than the architecture I explored the design and some of its history as well as the history of lighthouses in general. I think this will help me with the lighthouses in Martha's Vineyard and give me a little better sense of my setting for Marital Property. I also enjoyed listening to an Irish band, Wild Geese. In the evening iI finished reading Diane Ackerman's Natural History of the Senses.
CALLIOPE: Even though you did not do any writing, it seems you made some good progress. Back to work.
Saturday, October 06, 2007
Conversations with Calliope
JOE: Good morning, Calliope.
CALLIOPE: Good morning, Joe. Nice to see you functioning in the morning. What news.
JOE: I got back to my Marital Property manuscript yesterday. I didn't do much actual writing though.
CALLIOPE: What did you spend your time doing?
JOE: I think I told you this story was set in Martha's Vineyard.
CALLIOPE: Do you think you know the island well enough to use it for your setting?
JOE: I think so. I have never lived there but have visited often enough to be familiar with it. I can also get the Vineyard Gazette on line twice a week to keep up with local events. I found a report of a heated meeting in Menemsha about who should be wholesale distributo for for local fish.
CALLIOPE: So how did you start with the setting.
JOE: I remember looking up at a house above Menemsha Pond last month and decided that was where my fictional family would live. I also got topographical maps of the area and checked on map directions to help with details like ocean breezes, sunrise and sunset and have already incorporated them into the story.
CALLIOPE: Speaking of the story, what is happening?
JOE: Everybody had breakfast and there was another to do on the deck in which the details of the conflict became evident. Then both spouses retreated to their own spaces.
CALLIOPE: So, one step at a time. What's next?
JOE: I'm not quite sure. That is up to my characters. I will start writing and see what develops.
CALLIOPE: It sounds like it's time for me to get to work.
JOE: I would appreciate your help.
CALLIOPE: Good morning, Joe. Nice to see you functioning in the morning. What news.
JOE: I got back to my Marital Property manuscript yesterday. I didn't do much actual writing though.
CALLIOPE: What did you spend your time doing?
JOE: I think I told you this story was set in Martha's Vineyard.
CALLIOPE: Do you think you know the island well enough to use it for your setting?
JOE: I think so. I have never lived there but have visited often enough to be familiar with it. I can also get the Vineyard Gazette on line twice a week to keep up with local events. I found a report of a heated meeting in Menemsha about who should be wholesale distributo for for local fish.
CALLIOPE: So how did you start with the setting.
JOE: I remember looking up at a house above Menemsha Pond last month and decided that was where my fictional family would live. I also got topographical maps of the area and checked on map directions to help with details like ocean breezes, sunrise and sunset and have already incorporated them into the story.
CALLIOPE: Speaking of the story, what is happening?
JOE: Everybody had breakfast and there was another to do on the deck in which the details of the conflict became evident. Then both spouses retreated to their own spaces.
CALLIOPE: So, one step at a time. What's next?
JOE: I'm not quite sure. That is up to my characters. I will start writing and see what develops.
CALLIOPE: It sounds like it's time for me to get to work.
JOE: I would appreciate your help.
Friday, October 05, 2007
Conversations with Calliope
JOE: Good morning, Calliope.
CALLIOPE: Just barely, it's almost noon. What have you been up to.
JOE: Mostly working on updates for my writers' group. But that's another topic. I'd like to tell you what I found about my compatability with my main characters in Marital Property. Their names are Dennis and Cynthia in case you are wondering.
CALLIOPE: That's nice to know, I already feel like I know them a little better. So what did you learn about you and Dennis?
JOE: Glad you asked. Dennis and I are fairly similar in some ways. We are both assertive, high energy and outgoing. We are both optimistic focused on the future and are good at communicating our ideas.
CALLIOPE: So what's the dark side?
JOE: We can both be exhausting to keep up with and have difficulty looking at problems. We both feel pressure to excel.
CALLIOPE: Okay, so what about Cynthia.
JOE: We tend to be quite different in our priorities and can complement each other when things are going well. I can help her overcome her shyness and she can help me concentrate on what I really want as well as to respect my feelings.
CALLIOPE: And the dark side?
JOE: We can both be impulsive and frustrated when disappointed or when things don't go they way we would like them to. Our differences can also be a source of conflict instead of complementing each other.
CALLIOPE: Sounds like an interesting mix. It should make for a good story.
JOE: I think so. On with it.
CALLIOPE: Just barely, it's almost noon. What have you been up to.
JOE: Mostly working on updates for my writers' group. But that's another topic. I'd like to tell you what I found about my compatability with my main characters in Marital Property. Their names are Dennis and Cynthia in case you are wondering.
CALLIOPE: That's nice to know, I already feel like I know them a little better. So what did you learn about you and Dennis?
JOE: Glad you asked. Dennis and I are fairly similar in some ways. We are both assertive, high energy and outgoing. We are both optimistic focused on the future and are good at communicating our ideas.
CALLIOPE: So what's the dark side?
JOE: We can both be exhausting to keep up with and have difficulty looking at problems. We both feel pressure to excel.
CALLIOPE: Okay, so what about Cynthia.
JOE: We tend to be quite different in our priorities and can complement each other when things are going well. I can help her overcome her shyness and she can help me concentrate on what I really want as well as to respect my feelings.
CALLIOPE: And the dark side?
JOE: We can both be impulsive and frustrated when disappointed or when things don't go they way we would like them to. Our differences can also be a source of conflict instead of complementing each other.
CALLIOPE: Sounds like an interesting mix. It should make for a good story.
JOE: I think so. On with it.
Thursday, October 04, 2007
Conversations with Calliope
JOE: Good Morning, Calliope.
CALLIOPE: Good morning, Joe. Glad to see you up and at it this morning.
JOE: I'm up but feeling a little punk. I think I might be getting a cold.
CALLIOPE: At least your fingers still work. I was wondering about something you said the other day before the editor/agent excitement. You talked about using enneagrams to form your characters. Did you ever look up your own?
JOE: Odd you should mention it. I have mine right here. I turn out to be type 7-The Enthusiast.
CALLIOPE: Interesting. What does the typing say about you.
JOE: I am described as being "busy, productive, extroverted, optimistic, versatile and spontaneous, playful, and high spirited."
CALLIOPE: That sounds like you. What's the down side?
JOE: I also tend to become "overextended, scattered and undisciplined." I "constantlay seek new and exciting experiences and become distracted and exhauted by staying on the go." I also have trouble with impatience and impulsiveness.
CALLIOPE: This sounds like you as well. Where did you find all this information?
JOE: On the website www.enneagraminstitute.com. Now I just have to figure out how to apply it to my writing and use it to my best advantage.
CALLIOPE: I understand the site also tracks interactions between types. Have you thought of looking into interactions between the types of your characters and your own?
JOE: No, I never did. But it sounds interesting. I think I will try it.
CALLIOPE: Have fun and let me know how it goes.
CALLIOPE: Good morning, Joe. Glad to see you up and at it this morning.
JOE: I'm up but feeling a little punk. I think I might be getting a cold.
CALLIOPE: At least your fingers still work. I was wondering about something you said the other day before the editor/agent excitement. You talked about using enneagrams to form your characters. Did you ever look up your own?
JOE: Odd you should mention it. I have mine right here. I turn out to be type 7-The Enthusiast.
CALLIOPE: Interesting. What does the typing say about you.
JOE: I am described as being "busy, productive, extroverted, optimistic, versatile and spontaneous, playful, and high spirited."
CALLIOPE: That sounds like you. What's the down side?
JOE: I also tend to become "overextended, scattered and undisciplined." I "constantlay seek new and exciting experiences and become distracted and exhauted by staying on the go." I also have trouble with impatience and impulsiveness.
CALLIOPE: This sounds like you as well. Where did you find all this information?
JOE: On the website www.enneagraminstitute.com. Now I just have to figure out how to apply it to my writing and use it to my best advantage.
CALLIOPE: I understand the site also tracks interactions between types. Have you thought of looking into interactions between the types of your characters and your own?
JOE: No, I never did. But it sounds interesting. I think I will try it.
CALLIOPE: Have fun and let me know how it goes.
Wednesday, October 03, 2007
Conversations with Calliope
JOE: Good afternoon, Calliope.
CALLIOPE: And late afternoon at that! Where have you been all day?
JOE: Busy with my publication activity. After the letter from my editor friend yesterday, I got busy developing and implementing a strategy.
CALLIOPE: So what did you come up with?
JOE: My friend suggested I approach the editors he mentioned through an agent. So I started tracking down recent books each of the two had published. Then I went through web references to them and found agents listed as representing those books. I found two who seemed to be a good match for the suggested editors.
CALLIOPE: Did you query both agents?
JOE: No. As it turns out, both editors are at the same publishing house and both agents are at the same agency. I decided to begin with the agent who seemed to have the strongest connection with the editors. I spent most of the day preparing the best query letter I could as well as revising my synopsis and list of publications. I just put them in the mail.
CALLIOPE: Did you mention your editor friend?
JOE: No. He asked me not to use his name since he did not know the editors personally. I wish I could have.
CALLIOPE: Still it seems you did the best you could. Now what?
JOE: Now I wait. In the mean time it is back to the drawing board with Marital Property.
CALLIOPE: Okay. Let's get to work.
CALLIOPE: And late afternoon at that! Where have you been all day?
JOE: Busy with my publication activity. After the letter from my editor friend yesterday, I got busy developing and implementing a strategy.
CALLIOPE: So what did you come up with?
JOE: My friend suggested I approach the editors he mentioned through an agent. So I started tracking down recent books each of the two had published. Then I went through web references to them and found agents listed as representing those books. I found two who seemed to be a good match for the suggested editors.
CALLIOPE: Did you query both agents?
JOE: No. As it turns out, both editors are at the same publishing house and both agents are at the same agency. I decided to begin with the agent who seemed to have the strongest connection with the editors. I spent most of the day preparing the best query letter I could as well as revising my synopsis and list of publications. I just put them in the mail.
CALLIOPE: Did you mention your editor friend?
JOE: No. He asked me not to use his name since he did not know the editors personally. I wish I could have.
CALLIOPE: Still it seems you did the best you could. Now what?
JOE: Now I wait. In the mean time it is back to the drawing board with Marital Property.
CALLIOPE: Okay. Let's get to work.
Tuesday, October 02, 2007
Conversations with Calliope
JOE: Good morning , Calliope.
CALLIOPE: Good morning, Joe. What have you been up to?
JOE: Quite a bit. I finished working on character descriptions of my main two characters for Marital Property using enneagrams. I also finished chapter two and discovered what the couple were arguing about in the first chapter.
CALLIOPE: I guess you never know what you will discover when you start writing a story. Anything else new?
JOE: I woke up twice during the night. Once I realized what both characters did for a living, which I had been wondering about. The other time, I realized the story should be set in Martha's Vineyard. Did you have anything to do with these revelations?
CALLIOPE: Did you think I just worked when you did? I thought it was about time I made a contribution. You have been working pretty hard. I wasn't sure you would notice.
JOE: Of course I noticed. I know that these ideas were not there the day before and I had not even considered seriously what the setting should be or their occupations. Thanks.
CALLIOPE: You're welcome. Anything else going on?
JOE: Yes. I heard from my editor friend in New York who recommended two editors who might be interested in publishing my last novel, The Pastor's Inferno. I will get on their trail today.
CALLLIOPE: More excitement. Good luck with the hunt.
JOE: Thanks. I'll keep you posted.
CALLIOPE: Good morning, Joe. What have you been up to?
JOE: Quite a bit. I finished working on character descriptions of my main two characters for Marital Property using enneagrams. I also finished chapter two and discovered what the couple were arguing about in the first chapter.
CALLIOPE: I guess you never know what you will discover when you start writing a story. Anything else new?
JOE: I woke up twice during the night. Once I realized what both characters did for a living, which I had been wondering about. The other time, I realized the story should be set in Martha's Vineyard. Did you have anything to do with these revelations?
CALLIOPE: Did you think I just worked when you did? I thought it was about time I made a contribution. You have been working pretty hard. I wasn't sure you would notice.
JOE: Of course I noticed. I know that these ideas were not there the day before and I had not even considered seriously what the setting should be or their occupations. Thanks.
CALLIOPE: You're welcome. Anything else going on?
JOE: Yes. I heard from my editor friend in New York who recommended two editors who might be interested in publishing my last novel, The Pastor's Inferno. I will get on their trail today.
CALLLIOPE: More excitement. Good luck with the hunt.
JOE: Thanks. I'll keep you posted.
Monday, October 01, 2007
Conversations with Calliope
JOE: Good morning, Calliope.
CALLIOPE: Good morning, Joe. What's going on today?
JOE: Not much yet. I am just about ready to get back into my writing after a very busy weekend.
CALLIOPE: Did you work on your book at all yesterday?
JOE: Not directly, although I did think about it and had some experiences with I think will enrich it. I started the day with a fundraiser walk for breast cancer and noted a fair amount of men present. I thought about how breast cancer must have touched their lives. Although breast cancer is rare among men, unfortunately having a daughter, wife, sister or mother with breast cancer is not so rare.
CALLIOPE: Goodpoint. What else did you do?
JOE: I visited my girlfriend's aunt in the hospital and thought about the two husbands she had outlived and the family who still flocks to be with her.
CALLIOPE: And then?
JOE: Carol and I discussed a list of "schemas" she found in Oprah magazine outlining patterns which cause trouble in relationships.
CALLIOPE: You said these experiences related indirectly to your book. How so?
JOE: The breast cancer walk made me think of how serious illness affects relationships. My guess is that after all is said and done, illness can strengthen a strong relationship while it can further stress one which is already in trouble.
CALLIOPE: I cna't argue with that. What did you learn from the hospital visit?
JOE: Aunt Lucille still speaks fondly of her husbands long after they have died. It made me think of how we sometimes take spouses (and others) for granted and fail to fully appreciate their good points while they are with us.
CALLIOPE: And the schemas?
JOE: I think they were good as far as they went, but were limited to destructive patterns. It has been my experience that everyone has good and bad aspects of their personality patterns. It made me more sure of the enneagrams which I am using to consider my characters' personality patterns.
CALLIOPE: It sounds like you learned some good things yesterday. How do you plan to use them in your writing?
JOE: Today I plan to look further into the enneagrams of my main two characters and consider the good and bad points of their interaction and how to weave them into the story.
CALLIOPE: It sounds like you have a good plan. I will be waiting to see how it works out.
JOE: I will let you know the next time we talk.
CALLIOPE: Good morning, Joe. What's going on today?
JOE: Not much yet. I am just about ready to get back into my writing after a very busy weekend.
CALLIOPE: Did you work on your book at all yesterday?
JOE: Not directly, although I did think about it and had some experiences with I think will enrich it. I started the day with a fundraiser walk for breast cancer and noted a fair amount of men present. I thought about how breast cancer must have touched their lives. Although breast cancer is rare among men, unfortunately having a daughter, wife, sister or mother with breast cancer is not so rare.
CALLIOPE: Goodpoint. What else did you do?
JOE: I visited my girlfriend's aunt in the hospital and thought about the two husbands she had outlived and the family who still flocks to be with her.
CALLIOPE: And then?
JOE: Carol and I discussed a list of "schemas" she found in Oprah magazine outlining patterns which cause trouble in relationships.
CALLIOPE: You said these experiences related indirectly to your book. How so?
JOE: The breast cancer walk made me think of how serious illness affects relationships. My guess is that after all is said and done, illness can strengthen a strong relationship while it can further stress one which is already in trouble.
CALLIOPE: I cna't argue with that. What did you learn from the hospital visit?
JOE: Aunt Lucille still speaks fondly of her husbands long after they have died. It made me think of how we sometimes take spouses (and others) for granted and fail to fully appreciate their good points while they are with us.
CALLIOPE: And the schemas?
JOE: I think they were good as far as they went, but were limited to destructive patterns. It has been my experience that everyone has good and bad aspects of their personality patterns. It made me more sure of the enneagrams which I am using to consider my characters' personality patterns.
CALLIOPE: It sounds like you learned some good things yesterday. How do you plan to use them in your writing?
JOE: Today I plan to look further into the enneagrams of my main two characters and consider the good and bad points of their interaction and how to weave them into the story.
CALLIOPE: It sounds like you have a good plan. I will be waiting to see how it works out.
JOE: I will let you know the next time we talk.
Saturday, September 29, 2007
Conversations with Calliope
JOE: Good afternoon, Calliope.
CALLIOPE: Good afternoon, Joe. A bit late, aren't we?
JOE: A tad. This morning was rather busy with errands on behalf of various people.
CALLIOPE: Well, as long as you were doing good deeds. any progress on the book?
JOE: Yes. I finished the character descriptions for my two main characters. I also have some work to do on their typical interactions. Nevertheless, I did have enough to write the first chapter.
CALLIOPE: So you are off and running. How did you start the book?
JOE: With a rather strong disagreement but without the topic being indicated.
CALLIOPE: So the reader knows they are in strong conflict but not what about?
JOE: Exactly. I wanted to start it with a sense of the emotional climate and engage the reader to wonder what the issues might be.
CALLIOPE: It sounds like a good start. What's next?
JOE: Next is some background information by way of their internal reflections and dialogue.
CALLIOPE: Sounds like a good start. Good luck with the rest of the story.
CALLIOPE: Good afternoon, Joe. A bit late, aren't we?
JOE: A tad. This morning was rather busy with errands on behalf of various people.
CALLIOPE: Well, as long as you were doing good deeds. any progress on the book?
JOE: Yes. I finished the character descriptions for my two main characters. I also have some work to do on their typical interactions. Nevertheless, I did have enough to write the first chapter.
CALLIOPE: So you are off and running. How did you start the book?
JOE: With a rather strong disagreement but without the topic being indicated.
CALLIOPE: So the reader knows they are in strong conflict but not what about?
JOE: Exactly. I wanted to start it with a sense of the emotional climate and engage the reader to wonder what the issues might be.
CALLIOPE: It sounds like a good start. What's next?
JOE: Next is some background information by way of their internal reflections and dialogue.
CALLIOPE: Sounds like a good start. Good luck with the rest of the story.
Friday, September 28, 2007
Conversations with Calliope
JOE: Good morning, Calliope.
CALLIOPE: Good morning, Joe. Tell me how things are going with your new novel.
JOE: Thanks for asking. Sometimes I just sit down and start writing stories. When I wrote my last novel, I came to realize that I did not really know my characters and therefore they were not likely to be very real.
CALLIOPE: A good point. So what did you do about it?
JOE: I read somewhere about enneagrams. These are character type discriptions involving a person's fears, wishes, desires, motivations, best qualities and worst qualities as well as how they interact with others of the same or different type.
CALLIOPE: Very interesting. So did you decide to use them for your characters?
JOE: I was well along in the last novel before I discovered this approach. I went back through what I had written and adapted the characters to fit specific patterns.
CALLIOPE: And with this novel?
JOE: I decided to approach it a little more systematically from the start. First I made a list of the main characters I thought would be included. Then I decided how old they would be and what their names would be. From there, I looked through the character descriptions and decided on types for each character. Then with the character in mind and plans for how each would fit into the plot, I read through the character descriptions and made up a character profile for each one based on what I found.
CALLIOPE: Sounds pretty organized, especially for you. Are you concerned that you might be confining your characters too much?
JOE: Not really. I am using what I have done as a guide and starting point. As I write, I expect that there might be some changes in what I know about each character, perhaps some radical changes in them and maybe some characters I have not yet imagined. I have found that to some extent characters help me write the story and I never quite know where it is headed.
CALLIOPE: Is that what you found in your last novel?
JOE: Yes. I had a theme in mind that I planned to follow. But characters emerged whom I had not even considered at the start and each one became more complex as the story unfolded.
CALLIOPE: I'm excited and looking forward to seeing where the adventure leads.
JOE: So am I. Let's get going.
CALLIOPE: Good morning, Joe. Tell me how things are going with your new novel.
JOE: Thanks for asking. Sometimes I just sit down and start writing stories. When I wrote my last novel, I came to realize that I did not really know my characters and therefore they were not likely to be very real.
CALLIOPE: A good point. So what did you do about it?
JOE: I read somewhere about enneagrams. These are character type discriptions involving a person's fears, wishes, desires, motivations, best qualities and worst qualities as well as how they interact with others of the same or different type.
CALLIOPE: Very interesting. So did you decide to use them for your characters?
JOE: I was well along in the last novel before I discovered this approach. I went back through what I had written and adapted the characters to fit specific patterns.
CALLIOPE: And with this novel?
JOE: I decided to approach it a little more systematically from the start. First I made a list of the main characters I thought would be included. Then I decided how old they would be and what their names would be. From there, I looked through the character descriptions and decided on types for each character. Then with the character in mind and plans for how each would fit into the plot, I read through the character descriptions and made up a character profile for each one based on what I found.
CALLIOPE: Sounds pretty organized, especially for you. Are you concerned that you might be confining your characters too much?
JOE: Not really. I am using what I have done as a guide and starting point. As I write, I expect that there might be some changes in what I know about each character, perhaps some radical changes in them and maybe some characters I have not yet imagined. I have found that to some extent characters help me write the story and I never quite know where it is headed.
CALLIOPE: Is that what you found in your last novel?
JOE: Yes. I had a theme in mind that I planned to follow. But characters emerged whom I had not even considered at the start and each one became more complex as the story unfolded.
CALLIOPE: I'm excited and looking forward to seeing where the adventure leads.
JOE: So am I. Let's get going.
Thursday, September 27, 2007
Conversations with Calliope
JOE: Good morning, Calliope.
CALLIOPE: Good morning, Joe. I am anxious to hear about your new novel.
JOE: Well, it's not exactly new. I have had the idea for about ten years but never did much with it before.
CALLIOPE: Why not?
JOE: I had just recently gone through a divorce and I think the experience was still too close and too personal for any kind of objectivity.
CALLIOPE: I guess I can understand that. It is hard to be objective when your emotions are still tossing you about. Yet your emotions are what would make the story real and interesting.
JOE: I realize that. However I was unable to find any sort of balance between objectivity and my personal feelings.
CALLIOPE: I know what you mean. I think the best fiction is a metaphor for the author's inner struggles. But the author needs to be able to see beyond them to make them a metaphor.
JOE: Exactly. I couldn't get beyond my own struggles to find any metaphors. I was locked in them in a way which paralyzed me.
CALLIOPE: Good insight. How about now?
JOE: Now I have had time to digest what happened to me. Parts of my experience are still a mystery, but I think now I can approach the topic with a better sense of balance. I also have learned a great deal about writing fiction, particularly using dialogue. I think I am ready now.
CALLIOPE: Great. Keep me posted.
CALLIOPE: Good morning, Joe. I am anxious to hear about your new novel.
JOE: Well, it's not exactly new. I have had the idea for about ten years but never did much with it before.
CALLIOPE: Why not?
JOE: I had just recently gone through a divorce and I think the experience was still too close and too personal for any kind of objectivity.
CALLIOPE: I guess I can understand that. It is hard to be objective when your emotions are still tossing you about. Yet your emotions are what would make the story real and interesting.
JOE: I realize that. However I was unable to find any sort of balance between objectivity and my personal feelings.
CALLIOPE: I know what you mean. I think the best fiction is a metaphor for the author's inner struggles. But the author needs to be able to see beyond them to make them a metaphor.
JOE: Exactly. I couldn't get beyond my own struggles to find any metaphors. I was locked in them in a way which paralyzed me.
CALLIOPE: Good insight. How about now?
JOE: Now I have had time to digest what happened to me. Parts of my experience are still a mystery, but I think now I can approach the topic with a better sense of balance. I also have learned a great deal about writing fiction, particularly using dialogue. I think I am ready now.
CALLIOPE: Great. Keep me posted.
Wednesday, September 26, 2007
Conversations with Calliope
JOE: Good morning, Calliope.
CALLIOPE: Good morning, Joe. What's new with your writing?
JOE: Glad you asked. Yesterday was a busy day. I worked carefully, for a change, to make sure my submission was in the correct format. Then I converted my manuscript and synopsis of The Pastor's Inferno to PDF format and sent them off to a New York eitor who agreed to review the project.
CALLIOPE: Sound exciting. Is it?
JOE: Yes, it is. I have been working on this project since last November. I have had the idea for much longer than that but could not figure out how to do it.
CALLIOPE: What do you mean?
JOE: I had originally wanted to write the book as a series of interviews with abusive priests, but realized the cost would be prohibitive in my current circumstances. Then I had the idea of doing it as a novel and suddenly saw it as within my resources.
CALLIOPE: That's quite a switch. Have you ever written a novel before?
JOE: No. I have done a series of short stories over the years but never attempted a novel before.
CALLIOPE: So how do you think you did?
JOE: I am not exactly unbiased, but I think it turned out well. I guess we shall see how it is received.
CALLIOPE: I guess we shall. Now what?
JOE: My excitement about this project is carrying me forward and I am anxious to get on with the next project.
CALLIOPE: Which is?
JOE: Another novel tentatively titled, Marital Property. I'll tell you more about it next time.
CALLIOPE: Can't wait. Talk with you then.
CALLIOPE: Good morning, Joe. What's new with your writing?
JOE: Glad you asked. Yesterday was a busy day. I worked carefully, for a change, to make sure my submission was in the correct format. Then I converted my manuscript and synopsis of The Pastor's Inferno to PDF format and sent them off to a New York eitor who agreed to review the project.
CALLIOPE: Sound exciting. Is it?
JOE: Yes, it is. I have been working on this project since last November. I have had the idea for much longer than that but could not figure out how to do it.
CALLIOPE: What do you mean?
JOE: I had originally wanted to write the book as a series of interviews with abusive priests, but realized the cost would be prohibitive in my current circumstances. Then I had the idea of doing it as a novel and suddenly saw it as within my resources.
CALLIOPE: That's quite a switch. Have you ever written a novel before?
JOE: No. I have done a series of short stories over the years but never attempted a novel before.
CALLIOPE: So how do you think you did?
JOE: I am not exactly unbiased, but I think it turned out well. I guess we shall see how it is received.
CALLIOPE: I guess we shall. Now what?
JOE: My excitement about this project is carrying me forward and I am anxious to get on with the next project.
CALLIOPE: Which is?
JOE: Another novel tentatively titled, Marital Property. I'll tell you more about it next time.
CALLIOPE: Can't wait. Talk with you then.
Tuesday, September 25, 2007
Conversations with Calliope
JOE: Calliope, are you there?
CALLIOPE: Of course I'm here. I have been with you since your first interest in Chaucer during high school. Why do you think you found The Rime of the Ancient Mariner and Christobel so engrossing? I was there to encourage you in your first steps toward literature.
JOE: I am happy to have you with me. I have sensed a feminine presence for quite a while when I was writing, but thought it was just my imagination.
CALLIOPE: I must admit I felt taken for granted but did not want to be intrusive. At least now you know I'm here.
JOE: Many times when I write, I feel lonely with only my pen or computer as companions. I have often wished to have a collaborator but it always seemed so awkward to arrange.
CALLIOPE: I will be right here whenever you need me or just want company. Glad to be of service.
JOE: I have been reading that the best writing comes from authors' exploration of their souls' deepest fears, desires and mysteries. Would you be willing to help me on such a journey?
CALLIOPE: Of course. I will go with you wherever you travel, even to the most inner recesses of your mind and soul. I can't say what we will find there since I cannot penetrate places where I am not invited. I will be happy to serve as your guide to your personal underworld as Virgil did for Dante in The Inferno as well as in more harmonious adventures.
JOE: That's great. I am looking forward to the journey. It sounds like everywhere we go will be an adventure but not always a happy one.
CALLIOPE: Exploring you soul will probably be upsetting at times but there are always things to learn about yourself and to use in you writing.
JOE: Thank you for accompanying me.
CALLIOPE: My pleasure.
CALLIOPE: Of course I'm here. I have been with you since your first interest in Chaucer during high school. Why do you think you found The Rime of the Ancient Mariner and Christobel so engrossing? I was there to encourage you in your first steps toward literature.
JOE: I am happy to have you with me. I have sensed a feminine presence for quite a while when I was writing, but thought it was just my imagination.
CALLIOPE: I must admit I felt taken for granted but did not want to be intrusive. At least now you know I'm here.
JOE: Many times when I write, I feel lonely with only my pen or computer as companions. I have often wished to have a collaborator but it always seemed so awkward to arrange.
CALLIOPE: I will be right here whenever you need me or just want company. Glad to be of service.
JOE: I have been reading that the best writing comes from authors' exploration of their souls' deepest fears, desires and mysteries. Would you be willing to help me on such a journey?
CALLIOPE: Of course. I will go with you wherever you travel, even to the most inner recesses of your mind and soul. I can't say what we will find there since I cannot penetrate places where I am not invited. I will be happy to serve as your guide to your personal underworld as Virgil did for Dante in The Inferno as well as in more harmonious adventures.
JOE: That's great. I am looking forward to the journey. It sounds like everywhere we go will be an adventure but not always a happy one.
CALLIOPE: Exploring you soul will probably be upsetting at times but there are always things to learn about yourself and to use in you writing.
JOE: Thank you for accompanying me.
CALLIOPE: My pleasure.
Monday, September 24, 2007
Conversations with Calliope
Several days ago I was reading David Morrell's book, Lessons from a Lifetime of Writing. He suggested that writers keep a written dialog with themselves about their writing and about their inner workings forming the basis for their best writing. I decided a dialog with myself might be a little boring.
I remembered writing a story, My Muse, some time ago but did not think of her as having a name. However I did like the idea of a feminine presence helping me with my writing. I found a list of the muses and discovered Calliope was the chief muse and might be able to help me with my authority struggles. She is the muse of eloquence for which I have been striving. She is also the muse of epic poetry. I thought back to my fascination with Beowulf, The Canterbury Tales and the works of Michener. Epic poetry seemed about as close as I could get to fiction among the muse specialties.
I decided to start writing my blog as a dialog with Calliope, at least for a while, hence the title Conversations with Calliope. Please join me in my journey if you are interested.
I remembered writing a story, My Muse, some time ago but did not think of her as having a name. However I did like the idea of a feminine presence helping me with my writing. I found a list of the muses and discovered Calliope was the chief muse and might be able to help me with my authority struggles. She is the muse of eloquence for which I have been striving. She is also the muse of epic poetry. I thought back to my fascination with Beowulf, The Canterbury Tales and the works of Michener. Epic poetry seemed about as close as I could get to fiction among the muse specialties.
I decided to start writing my blog as a dialog with Calliope, at least for a while, hence the title Conversations with Calliope. Please join me in my journey if you are interested.
Saturday, September 22, 2007
Writing as Living
Last night I was thinking about all the experiences I have not had. Some were by my choice and some just from not being able to do everything in life. There just isn't time. Then I realized that I could experience anything I wanted by writing about it. Maybe it isn't quite the same, but I have total control of my adventures and no constraints of time and money. Why didn't I think of this before?
(Lillian Hellman's Cabana- Martha's Vineyard)
Wednesday, September 19, 2007
By the Sea
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We seem to have the wonders of nature all around us. Sometimes we seem to busy to notice them though. I was thinking especially of sunrises and sunsets which seem all the more spectacular on the ocean than they do in our backyards. Maybe when we are away on vacation, it is easier to take the time to notice them, or maybe they really are more colorful.
(Sunrise, Oak Bluffs, Martha's Vineyard)
Wednesday, September 12, 2007
The Passive Aggressive Volunteer
I thought everyone who volunteered must be cheerful. My volunteering in clinical trial makes me happy and I always show up and leave from my appointments cheerfully. I was quite surprised recently to hear of a study volunteer whose motivation escapes me. Although it is a very good cause, he arrives at his appointments in a consistently dour mood and devies the nurses' best efforts to engage him in any kind of conversation. He volunteers only essential information and nothing more. This is one more I need to add to my list of life's mysteries.
(Sculpture garden- Nantucket)
Friday, September 07, 2007
What Are Sunflowers For?
I was reading Thomas Berry's book, The Great Work. I found a passage about how we have made everything utilitarian and have stopped just enjoying nature for the most part. I saw a field of sunflowers and wondered what they were for. They might have been for birds or people to eat, for oil, or maybe just for fun. I stopped to commune with them, and enjoyed seeing them from various directions and perspectives. I decided to enjoy them just for fun.
(A field of sunflowers- Leroy, NY)
Wednesday, September 05, 2007
Looking Back from the Future
Recently I wrote about the benefits of living in the present. Although not a realistic place to live, the future can sometimes provide a good vantage point for looking at the present. Sometimes I don't know what to do or how to do it. I become paralyzed by the options, decisions and potential consequences of my current situation. I solve this problem by projecting myself into the future, after the problem has been solved and the goal achieved. I leave all the present anxiety behind. Then I look back from the point of having accomplished my goal to calmly consider how I reached it. It sounded strange to me at first, but then I found out it worked.
(Rainbow- St. Maarten)
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