Chuck would have us believe there is something special in ordinary people. I don’t disagree. The genius is to find the extraordinary aspect of your completely ordinary character and writing about that.
What one thing makes your character amazing?
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Keep on writing.
Jo Hawk The Writer
The writing process is a solitary journey. It is a journey to share our thoughts, ideas, and opinions through our stories. We share to connect with others and to confirm that in this giant, overwhelming, spectacular world, we are not alone.
What story are you sharing today?
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Keep on writing.
Jo Hawk The Writer
When is good enough, good enough?
At what point do you determine you have done your best and declare your piece finished?
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Keep on writing.
Jo Hawk The Writer
Aristotle’s words echo in Malcolm Gladwell’s postulate that anyone can master a skill with 10,000 hours of deliberate practice. He defines deliberate practice as a practice performed in a manner to push your skill set as much as possible. Others challenged this theory. A study from Princeton concluded that improvement from deliberate practice depended on the field. On average deliberate practice could account for a 12% increase in performance. The more stable the structure as in tennis, chess, classical music, areas where the rules never change, the larger significance practice plays in becoming a master.
The headlines said the Princeton study debunked the 10,000-hour principle. But if my goal is to be an excellent writer and deliberate practice can improve my writing skills by 12%, hey, even if it is only 6%, then perhaps practice has a payoff. And Aristotle was a smart dude. If “We are what we repeatedly do” I will keep on writing.
Are you willing to invest the hours and the training to master your field?
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Keep on writing.
Jo Hawk The Writer
This one got my attention because I had never thought of lumber as a weed. An interesting visual and a lesson on turning a phrase.
Do you have any phrases, sentences that changed your thinking or provided an interesting visual?
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Keep on writing.
Jo Hawk The Writer
I feel as though I spend at least as much time plotting and planning as I do in the actual writing. The thinking stage for flash fiction sometimes takes as much time as a short story. Maybe that is due to having fewer words to express an idea.
Discipline – show up every day to write and actually write
Foresight – have to have an idea to write about
Research – what was that guys’ name? what is that detail I almost remember?
Strategy – I am going to write about this topic and I expect the ending will go something like…
Still working on the done right leading to total victory.
What is your process? Do you plot and plan and strategize? Or can you just sit and write?
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Keep on writing.
Jo Hawk The Writer
Who knew? If my character’s behavior is irrational, it might be logical. The story just got interesting. I have a character or two who have upended my apple cart and completely changed the story I was telling. Don’t let them know their actions make the story better.
What surprises have your character handed to you?
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Keep on writing.
Jo Hawk The Writer
I am perfecting my ritual. Every day, I sit at my computer and write. It is not aimless. I plan specific goals for the day and the sessions. Completing my writing may be easy or difficult but I write for my allotted time, or until I accomplish my goal. The difficult days are becoming fewer and it takes less time to reach my objective. I am writing more words in the allotted time.
What step are you taking to ensure your writing sessions are a success?
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Keep on writing.
Jo Hawk The Writer
This quote made me laugh. It might be fun to have a few writing suggestions, especially if it makes money. Not sure I want to make the dough from a ransom note. Or maybe the ransom note is part of a kidnapping scene in a story. Ok, the ransom note needs “more forceful language”.
What would help with your writing?
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Keep on writing.
Jo Hawk The Writer
I had never considered writing from this perspective. I know topics I care about are more fun to write. It is a good point. I think an artist leaves an emotional imprint on the art they create, and the viewer senses the residual emotions. Why would writing be any different?
Have you noticed a corollary in writing emotional pieces and reader response?
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Keep on writing.
Jo Hawk The Writer
Jo Hawk 