The mountains called John Muir like a siren. The call transformed him into an “archetype of our oneness with the earth”, [1] and infused him win the mission of “saving the American soul from total surrender to materialism”, [2].  On his journey, he metamorphosed into “John of the Mountains” and “Father of the National Parks”.

I first met John Muir when I was a young child visiting the Indiana Dunes State Park. On the original gatehouse is another quote by John Muir.

Writing calls to me in a way I cannot deny. My writing is calling and I must go.

What calls to you?

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Keep on writing.

Jo Hawk The Writer

[1] Anderson, William (1998). Green Man: The Archetype of
Our Oneness with the Earth.
[2] Worster, Donald (2008). Passion for Nature.

Let’s be honest. There are days, and we all have them when adding one more thing to the to-do list just about kills us. No matter how insignificant that thing feels like a ten-ton weight crushing us. It is enough to make a person what to quit. Been there, done that.

Sigh.

If I can manage it, the first thing I do is take a nap or get a good night’s rest. I don’t make good decisions when I am tired. It always looks better in the morning, anyway. I take out the list and let the scroll unwind and roll across the floor. I think about what is important, really important, and select 10 items on the list. Only 10, no more. Those are the 10 things I will concentrate on accomplishing today.

What 10 things are on your list today?

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Keep on writing.

Jo Hawk The Writer

Coffee is my friend. I like mine black, without sugar or cream. I like mine strong, it shouldn’t look like tinted water or tea. I like mine hot, lukewarm coffee is disgusting, and don’t even think about putting it in the microwave. I also like mine silent, I don’t need opinions about my writing from my coffee.

When do you know your writing day is done?

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Keep on writing.

Jo Hawk The Writer

Monday morning and I have once again stuffed too much weekend into my weekend. I need to write, but where is my coffee?

What do you need to start your writing day?

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Keep on writing.

Jo Hawk The Writer

The best way forward is the last part of this quote. At the end of each day, we should be able to read what we have written and know “we have applied the best of ourselves to the task at hand.”

I write daily and know some pieces are more successful than others. I don’t beat myself up over the less than wonderful pieces because I know I have written the best as I could on that day. Every day I learn more, practice the fundamentals one more time and edit with more objectivity.

My faith is in the process and it doesn’t matter if I win or lose because I have already won.

How do you judge your work?

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Keep on writing.

Jo Hawk The Writer

This quote conjured images of old Jack traipsing across a field with a shotgun nestled in the crook of one arm and a switch in his other hand. He whistles to a pair of good bird dogs as they beat the bushes in search of inspiration.

After successfully capturing a little inspiration they head back to the cabin for a celebratory drink and session of typewriter pounding that lasts into the wee hours of the night.

Where do you look for inspiration?

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Keep on writing.

Jo Hawk The Write

Writing to the head bangs of Megadeth or a noisy coffee shop is very doable for me. I have also written to the strains of classical music or in total silence.

I don’t find I must have specific conditions to write. It would be a luxury and something that only occurred once in a blue moon which would make my writing much more sporadic. So, I adapt and write when and where I can.

What is your preference, music? Silence? The din of a coffee shop? Something else?

Maybe a little Megadeth?

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Keep on writing.

Jo Hawk The Writer

This a special thank you to everyone who reads, comments or follows along on my writing journey. You are the diamonds in my day.

Every day there are adventures waiting to be explored, stories begging to be written, knowledge yearning to be learned.

Where will you find your diamonds today?

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Keep on writing.

Jo Hawk The Writer

I live for the rewrite. My process is to write like mad, letting everything fall onto the page. It marinates while I grab a cup of coffee. Then halleluiah, I get a do-over. Or two or three or however many it takes until I like it. It kinda makes me feel sorry for the brain surgeons.

What are your feelings about editing and rewriting?

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Keep on writing.

Jo Hawk The Writer

I ran across this cartoon and laughed. How many times have I changed a character’s name or the gender as I write? I know and then it changes.  While not this drastic, my WIP needs an additional character and a dog.

Do you change up your character’s names, genders, delete them altogether, before you type “The End”?

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Keep on writing.

Jo Hawk The Writer