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Dialogue with my muse |
| I have been carrying on a dialogue for almost a year. During this time we have discussed the progress of my writing, editing, and publishing efforts. Join in to listen to our conversation about my daily writing life and add your comments if you think of anything Calliope and I miss. |
| 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. |
| JOE: Good morning Calliope. CALLIOPE: Good morning Joe. How are you today? JOE: Fine. CALLIOPE: What are you up to? JOE: Savoring a find from the other day. CALLIOPE: Tell me about it. JOE: I was looking for some way to capture what I tried to convey with my book, Navigating Life. CALLIOPE: And? JOE: I ran across a wonderful passage by Abdullah Muhammad on an Internet site to which I belong, Iseecolor. I think it captured the essence of my book, almost as if it were written especially for me. CALLIOPE: Are you going to share it? JOE: Of course. Here it is: Reflection provides an opportunity to make the right decisions, correct the wrong decisions or just make a decision in general. Reflecting offers a view of things to come to the possibility of the way things can be. Life can at times become fast paced and before you know it, we are left to deal with issues that have been given no thought, and leave us with situations we dread being in. Reflection offers a gateway into oneself that is needed in order to maintain a balance in our lives, while continuing to move forward regardless of the circumstances. Reflection is rewarding and we must acknowledge its importance. Not only when things are going well should we exercise this gift, but when things aren't so great also. Reflecting gives us an image, and that image through our reflection be it good or bad has the potential for change. Whether this change be for positive things already existing in or surrounding our lives, or some tragic incident for which there seems to be no immediate solution; our reflection provides a moment to consider all possibilities, chances are we will give ourselves the opportunity and the information to succeed. (by Abdullah Muhammad) What more can I say. Talk with you on Monday. |
| JOE: Happy new year Calliope. CALLIOPE: And to you. How did you end the year? JOE: With quite bit of socializing. A lot more than is usual for me. But I enjoyed every bit of it. CALLIOPE: And now back to the keyboard? JOE: Yes. I spent some time over the past couple days refining my publicity release and brochure. CALLIOPE: So that's finished? JOE: For now, but there's always room for improvement. CALLIOPE: Now what? JOE: I will keep working on marketing. I have been concentrating on the internet but have thought a little about local publicity. CALLIOPE: In what regard? JOE: I have not approached the local newspaper or radio yet but plan to. CALLIOPE: Anything else? JOE: I haven't done much by way of public appearance with my previous books. CALLIOPE: Are there some opportunities? JOE: I've been considering that. There are service groups like Kiwanis and Rotary as well as senior centers and perhaps religious groups. I have also considered a reading at the library. CALLIOPE: Lots to explore. JOE: There is. I'd better get working on it. |
| JOE: Good morning Calliope. I have some news for you to read. CALLIOPE: I'm ready. Go ahead. RELEASE- FOR IMMEDIATE DISTRIBUTION Do you hope for a new America? A crisis in how the world sees us, economic upheaval and feeling stuck with our problems tosses us in a perfect storm on troubled seas. How can you set a new course for yourself and make a contribution to the world community? Are you ready to change your life and help create a new society? Navigating Life: Commonsense Reflections for the Voyage shows you 13 ways to do it: * Appreciate the life you have. * Take your goals with you into each new day. * Discover your powers and use them wisely. * Find your place in the world community. * Live each day with passion. * Fire up your creativity. * Let stress spur you to action rather than cripple you. * Meet people who have taken the first step. * Say what you mean. Hear what others say. See where silence fits. * Treasure the people who mean the most to you. * Hear what it feels like to be different. * Set boundaries on toxic people. * Sort out what's important to you. Navigating Life: Commonsense Reflections for the Voyage by Joseph G. Langen is available from Booklocker.com in paperback or e-book format and from Amazon.com and BarnesandNoble.com in paperback format. Read the first chapter at: www.commonsense-wisdom.com. What readers say about Dr. Langen's writing: * "Lovely thoughts." * "I Thank God for your light in my life." * "I wanted to thank you for being honest with your writing." * "Very inspirational and thought provoking." * "I keep your book by my bed and read a selection each night." Contact: Joseph G. Langen 5 Franklin Ave. Leroy, NY, 14482 Phone: (585)768-9966 WEB: www.commonsense-wisdom.com Email: jlangen@commonsense-wisdom.com About the author: Dr. Langen learned to reflect on life living in a monastery. He has worked as a psychologist for many years with individuals, couples and families.He has written a previous book of reflections, Commonsense Wisdom for Everyday Life, a memoir of his seminary and monastery experience,Young Man of the Cloth, and a novel about an abusive priest's search for redemption, The Pastor's Inferno. He writes a biweekly column on commonsense wisdom topics and maintains a blog, Conversations with Calliope, a dialogue with his muse about the writing life. See more about his writing atwww.commonsense-wisdom.com. Watch a brief video of Dr. Langen introducing his book at www.commonsense-wisdom.com/Navigating_Publicity_0001.wmv Available at: www.booklocker.com/books/3803.html $14.95 paperback, $8.95 e-book. Coming soon to: Amazon.com Barnesandnoble.com Borders.com JOE: Talk with you on Friday. CALLIOPE: Thanks for the info. See you then. |
| JOE: Good morning Calliope. CALLIOPE: Good morning Joe. Help me out a little. I'm more familiar with Greek than with Latin. JOE: The title above translates as, "The book is born." CALLIOPE: Sounds like good news. JOE: It is. I received the revised bound galley of Navigating Life in the mail yesterday and am ready for my sales promotion. CALLIOPE: Where do you start? JOE: I sent a message to Booklocker saying everything looks fine. I am waiting for them to set up my sales page. I also have some personal orders to fulfill locally. CALLIOPE: Congratulations. It seem like it has been a long haul. JOE: It seems that way to me too. I don't seem to be getting any more patient as I age. CALLIOPE: At least you know your limitations. What's your next step? JOE: Publicity. I almost have my flier ready. Today I will work on recording a video clip to include. CALLIOPE: Anything else? JOE: As a matter of fact there is. Last night I ran across a wonderful little passage on Reflection by a fellow member of one of my online groups. CALLIOPE: And? JOE: I have asked his permission to use his passage in my promotional materials. I'm waiting for his response. Talk with you tomorrow. |
| JOE: Good morning Calliope. CALLIOPE: Good morning Joe. How are you today? JOE: Rested. I enjoyed my social activities the past few days and I'm ready to get back to work. CALLIOPE: You mean you put aside anything literary? JOE: For the most part. I spent some time yesterday painting. The rest was at church and out to friends' house for dinner and cards. CALLIOPE: What do you have planned for this week? JOE: I have a column to get out for Saturday and think I might start with that. CALLIOPE: What are you writing about? JOE: I think I mentioned my idea about creativity, inspiration and perspiration. I think I will use that theme. CALLIOPE: I recall it. Sounds like a good one to start the new year. What else is brewing? JOE: My idea about videos for publicity. I'm still waiting for my new bound galley for Navigating Life. I expect it sometime this week and want to be ready when it arrives. CALLIOPE: Give me some specifics. JOE: I told you about the introductory video I plan to add to my publicity flier. I haven't decided where to post it but am considering YouTube. That's first. I'll tell you about the rest tomorrow. |
| JOE: Good morning Calliope. CALLIOPE: Good morning Joe. How are you today? JOE: Inspired. By the way, what time were you at work this morning? CALLIOPE: Why do you ask? JOE: I was up at ten to five with two inspirations floating in my consciousness. CALLIOPE: Well... JOE: I thought so. CALLIOPE: Tell me about the inspirations. JOE: One was about inspiration and perspiration which had thought of for my next column. I realized I was on the right track. CALLIOPE: And the other? JOE: My friend Gerry had suggested a conversational tone for my publicity flier I am preparing for Navigating Life. CALLIOPE: And? JOE: I wasn't quite sure how to do it. CALLIOPE: And that was your second inspiration? JOE: It was. Since I am distributing my flier mostly on the internet, why not embed a video where I can introduce myself and my book? CALLIOPE: Sounds like a good idea. JOE: I think so. I'm on it. Talk with you on Monday. |
| JOE: Good morning Calliope. CALLIOPE: Good morning Joe. How was your Christmas. JOE: Quite nice, I spent the last two days enjoying the company of friends and relatives and did not get near the computer (at least not for very long.) CALLIOPE: Sometimes it's a welcome break. JOE: My friend Gerry keeps reminding me that I tend to become overinvolved in writing and thinking about it and need a little variety in my life. CALLIOPE: Do you pay attention. JOE: Usually for a brief time and then jump right back in to the literary part of myself. CALLIOPE: And today? JOE: I think I might take a little time for myself now that I've been fully immersed in socialization for a couple days. CALLIOPE: And do what? JOE: Perhaps I will do some painting. I think I might spend at least some time at the next table where my art materials wait patiently. CALLIOPE: Do you have any projects in mind? JOE: I started a lighthouse sketch. Maybe I'll work on it. Talk with you tomorrow. |
| JOE: Good morning Calliope. CALLIOPE: Good morning Joe. How are you today? JOE: Fine. I just got back in the house with Carol from our fourth day in a row cross country skiing. CALLIOPE: Sounds like fun. JOE: It is, especially when we can do it in the local streets. CALLIOPE: Anything particular on your agenda today? JOE: Just preparing for Christmas. I created a few Christmas cards with Printmaker and also a few gift certificates for Navigating Life. CALLIOPE: Is the book ready yet? JOE: Not quite. I am waiting for the final proof which I expect to arrive any day. That's why I'm giving out gift certificates. I thought I would have the book in hand but not quite. CALLIOPE: You sound remarkably patient. JOE: I'm working on it. I think it goes hand in hand with maintaining a sense of peace which is my goal lately. CALLIOPE: Do you feel at peace today? JOE: I do and hope to stay that way. Merry Christmas and Happy Hanukkah to you and all readers who wander by. Joe Langen Sliding Otter Publications jlangen@commonsense-wisdom.com www.commonsense-wisdom.com Blog: commonsense-wisdom.blogspot.com |
| JOE: Good morning Calliope. CALLIOPE: Good morning Joe. How are you today? JOE: Not bad. Yesterday was quite a reflective day. CALLIOPE: What was going on? JOE: I attended a memorial service for a friend at Unity Church. CALLIOPE: How did she die? JOE: Metastatic breast cancer. Three members of our church were diagnosed with breast cancer in quick succession, including my life partner, Carol. Kat was the second one to die and Carol is the only survivor of the three. CALLIOPE: Scary. JOE: I've discovered there is no way to predict what will happen in life. Carol and I are grateful that things turned out the way they did for her but are sad to lose the other two. CALLIOPE: What did you learn from yesterday? JOE: That life is precious, unpredictable and to be treasured one day at a time. CALLIOPE: All good lessons. JOE: I think so. It's easy to take life for granted when things are going well. It takes incidents like this to remind us that we don't live forever and have only today to count on for sure. CALLIOPE: I hope you use your day productively. JOE: I will do my best. Talk with you tomorrow. |
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I just tell them to go get a life...
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