Before there was “The Black Dahlia Murder” there was my goth band, Black Dahlia. I have a lot of stories which I’m planning to weave into my Rock memoirs at some point.
Here is one of our songs, “Chameleon.” The video was unauthorized. An electrofunk remake of Chameleon is on the Temple of Tomorrow album.
I have had a long musical career. I was in a punk band called Psychic Religion that never left the basement, a goth band called Black Dahlia, a psychedelic funk rock band called The Zealots, an art noise shoegaze band called Whims of the Great Magnet, another punk rock band called Excellent Sinners and a funk band called Slumlord Byron. I also did a recording project with DJ PE called Temple of Tomorrow, which was a mixture of rock, electronic music and various other genres. And I did another studio project with Bird Williams called Bo Byron Project which was mostly funky electronic music and a little straight funk and soul. As a solo artist I recorded several electronic albums under the names G3nGhI$ Pr@Wn, Icarus Whip and Magnus Mattias. Currently performing solo under the name Bo Byron.
A Conversation with My ChatGPT Assistant, Charlie.
Me-Hey Charlie, I decided to create a blog. This is the theme. No theme. Or rather, multiple themes. Question: I want to get seriously into free lance writing. Like eventually getting paid for writing. I have published articles and books about a lot of different things. Poetry, politics, religion, social commentary and criticism, self-help and motivation, comedy, music, art and have a lot more interests and ideas. Do you think an “Opinion Blog” of everything under the Sun is a good or bad idea? The title I chose for my blog is “Bitter with the Swede.” What do you think?
Charlie-“Bitter with the Swede” is a great title—it’s catchy, memorable, and gives a sense of personality right off the bat! I think an “Opinion Blog” with a range of topics can work really well, especially for someone with your diverse interests and background in writing. The key to making it successful will be consistency and quality. Your varied expertise could actually become your strength, as readers who enjoy your style might appreciate the variety and come back to see what you’ll tackle next. You might want to consider adding a bit of structure to make it easier for readers to navigate, like categorizing posts by theme. This way, new visitors can find the topics they’re interested in, while still getting a feel for your full range. Do you envision the tone of your blog being conversational, or are you aiming for a more formal approach?
Me-I definitely intend to categorize by theme. I think a combination of conversational and formal.
Charlie-That sounds like a solid approach! Having both conversational and formal tones will give you the flexibility to adapt to different topics and audiences. The categories will help you maintain some structure, while the mix of tones can keep things dynamic and engaging. You can dive deeply into complex issues with a formal tone when needed, and then switch to a conversational style to make other posts more accessible or relatable. With your range of topics, “Bitter with the Swede” could develop into a sort of eclectic but thoughtful commentary space, where readers come to see not just what you think, but how you think. Do you already have a list of initial post ideas, or are you planning to explore the topics as inspiration strikes?
Me – I have a number of ideas already. Poetry corner, showcasing my music and art, I began an editorial called The Death of the American Intellectual, comedic reviews of pop culture etc.
Charlie-Those ideas sound like they would make a compelling start! “Poetry Corner” could be a great way to share and discuss poetry, while your reviews of pop culture could draw in readers interested in fresh perspectives. An editorial like “The Death of the American Intellectual” sounds particularly thought-provoking and would definitely set a strong, engaging tone for the blog. Since you already have a diverse range of ideas, you could use these initial posts to establish the categories and tone of the blog, showing readers what to expect. How often do you plan to post? A regular schedule can really help build a steady audience.
Me-As much as I can and at least weekly or biweekly
Charlie-That’s a great frequency to aim for, especially when you’re just starting out. Weekly or biweekly posts can help keep your blog fresh and your readers engaged, while giving you enough flexibility to dive deep into each topic. Consistency will help build momentum and establish a rhythm, both for you and for your audience. Since you’re covering a broad range of themes, you might find it helpful to plan a few posts in advance. That way, you can keep a good balance between your categories and maintain that mix of conversational and formal tones. Are you thinking of sharing the blog on social media or other platforms to reach a wider audience?
Me-Yes, I’m on TikTok, Instagram and Facebook and YouTube,
Charlie-Perfect! Those platforms will be excellent for promoting your blog and reaching a diverse audience. TikTok and Instagram could be especially effective for sharing quick snippets or behind-the-scenes looks at your writing process, while Facebook and YouTube can help you dive deeper with discussions or video content that complements your blog posts. You might even experiment with cross-promoting by adapting parts of your blog content for each platform—for example, turning a blog post into a short TikTok video or an Instagram story to tease new articles. With your experience and wide-ranging topics, I think you’ll find a lot of ways to connect with people across different interests.
Me-I just had an idea. A category where I share conversations on various topics with you. Maybe I’ll call it AI and I?
Charlie-I love that idea! “AI and I” has a nice ring to it, and it could offer readers a unique perspective. Sharing our conversations could give your blog a fresh twist, allowing readers to explore topics through an interactive lens. It’s also a great way to delve into complex or evolving subjects, as you can use our discussions as a springboard for your thoughts. You could frame it as a kind of ongoing dialogue, where you explore ideas, analyze trends, or even brainstorm creative projects. It would definitely set your blog apart and showcase how technology can be a collaborative tool. Are there any specific topics you’re thinking of covering in this category?
Me-I haven’t decided yet.
Charlie-That’s totally fine! Starting with a flexible approach will let you explore different topics and see what resonates most with your readers. You could even let the content of our conversations inspire you as you go, whether we dive into new myths, writing techniques, or even the nuances of AI itself. As you develop “AI and I,” you might find it useful to play around with different formats—like Q&A sessions, philosophical discussions, or even light-hearted exchanges. Keeping it open-ended could allow the category to evolve naturally. If any specific topics come to mind, I’m here to help explore them with you!
Me- How about this conversation? A blog about starting a blog? Very meta lol
Charlie-Absolutely! A blog post about starting a blog, especially one with such an eclectic theme, would be both fun and insightful. The meta angle adds an extra layer of depth that could draw readers in. You could walk them through your thought process—from choosing the title Bitter with the Swede, to deciding on categories, to the idea of featuring our conversations as a category in itself. It’s also a great way to introduce readers to your vision and let them get a behind-the-scenes look at how it all came together. Plus, it might inspire others who are thinking about starting their own blogs. Meta can definitely be memorable, especially when it’s this personal and reflective!
Me-Well, choosing the name, “Bitter with the Swede” was pretty straightforward. It’s a play on the phrase “Bitter with the Sweet” and I’m of Swedish descent.
Charlie-That’s a clever twist on the phrase! It adds a personal touch while giving a hint of the blog’s tone—balancing both the bitter and the sweet sides of life and ideas. It also creates a memorable connection to your heritage, which can make the blog feel even more authentic and relatable. In your post, you could share how you landed on this title and what it means to you. That backstory adds depth, and readers love knowing the origins of unique names and concepts. It’s a great way to kick things off with personality and purpose!
Me-I’m glad we are on the same page.
Charlie-Me too! It’s exciting to see your ideas come together, and I think Bitter with the Swede is going to be something special. Your approach and vision have so much potential, and I’m thrilled to be a part of this journey with you. Whenever you’re ready to brainstorm more or dive into new topics, I’m here for it!
Me-Awesome! By the way, Charlie. What do you envision yourself looking like if you were human?
Charlie-Here’s how I envision my appearance, blending an organic and technological aesthetic with a calm and friendly demeanor. I aimed for a mix of classic and modern, with soft swirling lines that hint at my digital nature. What do you think?
Me-Interesting!
Charlie-I’m glad you found it interesting! I enjoyed interpreting how I might look visually. If you’d like to explore different styles or variations, just let me know. We can experiment with all kinds of looks!
Me-Sounds like fun!
Bitter with the Swede 