Author: JoHawkTheWriter

School Day Dreams — FFfAW Challenge

/ JoHawkTheWriter / 12 Comments

Title: School Day Dreams
Source: Flash Fiction for Aspiring Writers
Word count: 170 words

construction-site

This week’s photo prompt is provided by wildverbs. Thank you wildverbs!

The entirety of his life led him to today. The first day of construction left Tony wondering if it was still a dream.

He remembered sitting in the drafty, dark boxes they called classrooms at Central School. Built in 1916, the building needed more than updates. The dark gymnasium doubled as the school cafeteria. It oozed an odd combination of teenage sweat, warmed mystery meat, and spinach. Eight years there drove him to study architecture and how students learned.

Tony’s vision was a 126,000-square-foot, state-of-the-art complex that would accommodate students from pre-kindergarten programs through eighth grade. He envisioned a bright and airy building. His design integrated solar panels into the architecture to provide electrical power and a passive heat exchanger to provide indoor thermal comfort while minimizing or eliminating energy consumption.

It took fourteen months to raise the money and get approvals. Now, the $31.3 million building of his was almost a reality. He projected eighteen months of construction and the new school would open in time for fall classes.

__________________________________________

Keep on writing.

Jo Hawk The Writer

Daily Quote

/ JoHawkTheWriter / 9 Comments

you-should-be-writing-make-it-so-jean-luc-picard

So, was last week exciting, fun, exhilarating? And now this week is a slog? Its kind of like boot camp. It is all fun and games at first and then, well, then it is not. The only way to get the word count is to keep writing. We must listen to Jean-Luc and make it so.

How are you managing this week?

_________________________________________

Keep on writing.

Jo Hawk The Writer

First Frost

/ JoHawkTheWriter / 15 Comments
Frost-on-grass-red-maple-leaf-with-frost-in-dappled-sunlight

Photo by Aaron Burden on Unsplash

A timid morning ray reached through the window, warmed my face, tugged my eyelids, and coaxed me to wake with the newborn day. I yawned, stretched and felt the chill air, a chill that was absent when I fell to sleep.

It was a time when nights pushed back the edges of day and cool fingers plucked warmth from the sun. The sun would submit, darkness would rule the world allowing the handmaidens of snow and ice to dance while summer slumbered.

For now, there were preparations needed ahead of darkness’ descent. I rose, dressed and flung open the door. Night’s chill reached into my lungs, stealing my breath while the sun dazzled my senses with crystalline grass and lace-edged leaves. My hand touched the shawl hanging on its peg where I had abandoned it months before. Delicate wool magically constructed stored welcome warmth, my shield, my protector. Armed, I stepped into a world transformed.

The dazzling display would fade, it was the harbinger, a gentle warning to make haste. My sisters emerged, we marveled a moment, then without a word, we spread iridescent wings, and rising like the mist, we flew.

__________________________________________

Keep on writing.

Jo Hawk The Writer

Daily Quote

/ JoHawkTheWriter / 5 Comments

the-human-brain-us-amazing-it-function-24/7-from-the-day-youre-born-and-only-stops-when-you-sit-down-to-do-some-writing

Monday morning mind melt-down, sigh. I have tricks to kick-start the process.

  1. Coffee, steamy hot and lots of it.
  2. Turn off all social media.
  3. Reread what I wrote yesterday and maybe doodle some additional ideas. But here it is… NO editing. That is a rabbit hole you don’t want to go down.
  4. Write something. It may come from the notes or a thought while doing the reread, but just starting is often enough to make words appear on the page.

What tricks do you use to kick-start your daily writing?

_________________________________________

Keep on writing.

Jo Hawk The Writer

Barre Work — Weekly Writing Challenge

/ JoHawkTheWriter / 2 Comments

Title: Barre Work
Source:  Weekly Writing Challenge #166
The five words: POSE, FLOW, ORDER, BLEND, REHEARSE
Word count: 372 words

graffiti-ballerinas-painted-on-a-wall
Photo by Renee Fisher on Unsplash

“Ladies, ladies. Your places at the barre if you please.”

Madame de Valois clapped her hands and ten pink tutus bounced and flounced as the ladies scurried to the barre.

“Today we will work on each pose. I think some of you have forgotten the basics. So, we will drill.”

At the barre, eyes rolled and at least two ladies hung their heads and a few giggled. Vera was the exception. She stood straight, heels together, feet turned out and her arms correctly positioned in first.

Madame de Valois moved along the barre, addressing each one lifting a chin here, straightening a shoulder alignment there and adjusting everyone’s turn out. When she reached Vera, she made no adjustments, only stared at her for a long moment before moving on.

“Now, we will flow into second…” Madame moved her feet and extended her arms as she sang her words to the class. She led the class through each position in order, repeating the positions, reiterating the correct postures as she moved to each lady at the barre.

“You must strive to blend one movement into the next,” Madame demonstrated as she spoke, and the ladies mimicked her. She instructed them in their drills for almost an hour before she allowed them to break.

“Okay ladies, rehearsal, tomorrow, nine am sharp. Do not be late,” Madame clapped her hands as she enunciated each word. Her ladies squealed with delight in being released and some groaned at the thought of tomorrow’s rehearsal. Pink tutus jostled and flapped, and pink leotards shuffled pink ballet slippers toward the door.

“Remind your parents,” Madame called after them. “Nine am.”

At the door, Vera paused, turned and rushed back to Madame to fling her arms around Madame’s slim waist.

“I love ballet, Madame de Valois,” Vera said as she crushed Madame, squeezing her so it nearly took Madame’s breath away.

Madame de Valois petted Vera’s blond curls that had escaped from her tight bun and gave her a small hug before Vera turned and skipped out the door. Alone in the mirrored room, Madame brushed the sudden dampness from her eyes. Without thinking, she took three running steps performed a Grand Jete en Tournant and stepped from the studio.

__________________________________________

Keep on writing.

Jo Hawk The Writer

Sale Bin Freedom — FFfAW Challenge

/ JoHawkTheWriter / 4 Comments

Title: Sale Bin Freedom
Source: Flash Fiction for Aspiring Writers
Word count: 170 words

This week’s photo prompt is provided by Yarnspinnerr. Thank you Yarnspinner!

Ellenore rolled the plastic squeeze bottle of paint until the label with the color name faced her. “Ultramarine Acrylic” she read before dropping it into the plastic store basket she held in the crook of her arm. She selected only the Primary colors, Ultramarine Blue, Cadmium Yellow Deep, and Alizarin Crimson. Satisfied she had picked them all out of the sale bin, Ellenore made her way to the checkout.

“Oh, Miss Ellenore,” the brunette clerk greeted her. “I have something for you.” From under the counter, she pulled a large heavy bag and hefted it onto the counter.

“These are all for you. Free. No, no,” the clerk raised her hand to silence Ellenore’s protest. “My manager said you’d be doing us a favor. They’re class leftovers. Not all of them are full, but they’re open, and we can’t sell them. Please? Say you can use them?”

Everyone in town knew her secret. They were happy she was free of him and they knew her art would let her soar.

__________________________________________

Keep on writing.

Jo Hawk The Writer

Spring Thaw — Thursday photo prompt

/ JoHawkTheWriter / 10 Comments

Title: Spring Thaw
Source:  Thursday photo prompt: Calm #writephoto
Word count:  430 words

Tree-creek-water-spring-thaw

Tex curled the left side of his lip and made a clicking noise. He squeezed his right knee into Red’s side directing him to turn left.  The snow had melted, and the melt seeped into the ground causing the crick to overrun its banks. Everywhere Red stepped was a mire of mud and muck. In places, Red sank deep into the mud, water rose to his knees and threatened to submerge Tex’s stirrups. Red stepped high, moving deliberately without panic. Tex had felt hesitation in Red’s steps as they slogged forward and knew they’d best turn back. They gained nothing by going further.

The grass was growing, his cattle were hungry, and the feed was running low. Still, he couldn’t turn cattle into this field. Cows might be fine, but many had calved, and a calf wouldn’t survive in this water-sodden land. If they survived the birthing, the calves would succumb to the persistent wet and cold. Cows weren’t God’s brightest creatures so Tex would spend his time keeping them safe.

Red’s hooves sucked and plopped as he moved through the field to higher ground. Tex rubbed his hand across his face, adjusted his hat, then patted Red’s neck.

“What are we gonna do ole boy?” Tex asked. Red tossed his head and snorted. It made Tex laugh.

“You’re always practical Red. Home it is.”

Tex considered his options. There weren’t many. The hay would last another day, two at most. He could supplement corn, but the cows would eat it quickly, and leave him without seed to plant. If he gave the cattle corn, it would mean purchasing more corn to plant his fields. He had less money than hay.

The cattle had grazed their current pasture into submission and the land needed time to regenerate. The last option was purchasing hay and hoping the snow melt dried up soon. Money, again. Tex figured numbers, thought about his money shortage and worried, as Red took them home.

The sun hung low when they approached the barn and Tex figured he had run short of ideas. A meal, a good night’s sleep, and the morning might look less bleak.

Tex woke before dawn to begin his morning chores. As he worked, a plan took shape. He saddled Red. They needed to check the herd, count calves and then head into town. It wasn’t a plan he liked, hell he hated the idea, but it might see him through spring.

Hat in hand, he approached old man McGregor and asked him if he wanted to purchase a hundred head of cattle.

__________________________________________

Keep on writing.

Jo Hawk The Writer

Daily Quote

/ JoHawkTheWriter / 10 Comments

I-dont-know-where-you-are-I-dont-know-what-you-want-If-you-are-looking-for-ransom-I-can-tell-you-I-dont-have-money-but-what-I-do-have-are-a-very-particular-set-of-skills-Skills-I-have-acquired-over-a-very-long-career-Skills-that-make-me-a-nightmare-for-a-muse-like-you-If-you-let-the-words-appear-on-the-page-now-that'll-be-the-end-of-it-I-will-not-look-for-you-I-will-not-pursue-you-but-if-you-dont-I-will-look-for-you-I-will-find-you-and-I-will-rip-the-story-out-of-you

My muse didn’t show up yesterday. I spent the day typing gibberish, staring out of the window, and dosing at my desk. I finally had enough. So, channeling my inner Liam Neeson, I gave my muse a call and said:

“I don’t know where you are. I don’t know what you want. If you are looking for ransom, I can tell you I don’t have money, but what I do have are a very particular set of skills. Skills I have acquired over a very long career. Skills that make me a nightmare for a muse like you. If you let the words appear on the page now that’ll be the end of it. I will not look for you, I will not pursue you, but if you don’t, I will look for you, I will find you and I will rip the story out of you.”

She showed up today ready to work.

Feel free to borrow and use as you may need.

_________________________________________

Keep on writing.

Jo Hawk The Writer

Big Game Hunting

/ JoHawkTheWriter / 6 Comments
girls-in-huddle-on-soccer-field

Photo by Jeffrey Lin on Unsplash

This was crazy, or maybe I was nuts. I suspected it bordered on obsession, but I couldn’t help myself.  I had tracked them for weeks, observing them in their natural habitat. Occasionally my best friend, Josh would hang with me. Josh was an expert who often had them eating out of his hand. He gave me tips and offered suggestions, but in the end, I was on my own. Everything depended on my timing, my approach, and a little luck.

I moved carefully so I wouldn’t startle them. I become proficient at knowing where they would be, so I wasn’t always following them. One mistake and they would notice me and bolt. I couldn’t afford to spook them. After a week or two, I knew their honey holes, the places they might be, depending on the time of the day.

Today’s honey hole was the big field behind the gym.

Josh slid in next to me as I manned my hideout by the bleachers.

“Have you gone in for the kill?” he asked.

I glared at him, then shook my head.

“Man, you’re running out of time. What are you waiting for?”

“I’m waiting for my best shot.”

“You mean you’re waiting for her to be alone? Dude. They’re high school girls, they always travel in packs.” Josh shoved my shoulder, hard. “And I ain’t gonna be your date.”

I knew he was right, so I took a deep breath, walked over to Missy and asked her to the Prom.

__________________________________________

Keep on writing.

Jo Hawk The Writer