Yesterday I leaned into the Holiday weekend. Life often interferes with your best intentions, and it is easy to lose contact with dear friends.  I made it my mission to rectify the situation and scheduled a few dinners and coffee dates. Holidays are also meant for picnics with family and for catching up on significant milestones and even mundane trials and tribulations. When something affects the people you care about, nothing is insignificant. And then there were fireworks. Fireworks always make me smile. Massive, chest-throbbing explosions followed by brilliant flashing colors and sizzling pops are the perfect capstone to an incredible weekend.

I always remember my number one writing priority. My core habits are strong, and writing a little every day is my secret weapon. Yesterday I wrote 228 words.

Did you write yesterday?

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Keep on writing.

Jo Hawk The Writer

Yesterday I got busy. I opened my class workbook, put my nose to the grindstone, and started writing. Time stood still, and I kept turning the pages. When I came up for air, I amazed even myself. I finished the first 20 pages of the 60-page manual and had filled 16 pages in my notebook in a matter of a few hours. In addition, I wrote an additional two pages of notes for another idea for a book in an entirely different series. It required a healthy dose of self-restraint to write only the broad brushstrokes of my concept before I forced myself to return to my current project. I don’t have the time or the energy to chase details, create a new set of characters, and imagining another story’s universe, especially when my current work-in-process hasn’t even reached the halfway mark.

Oh, but the new idea is so very intriguing. So, I made a bargain with myself—when I finish the first three books I am planning to write for the current series, I will explore this other idea further. It might be the carrot I need to speed me along on my journey.

I always remember my number one writing priority. My core habits are strong, and writing a little every day is my secret weapon. Yesterday I wrote 203 countable words.

Did you write yesterday?

_________________________________________

Keep on writing.

Jo Hawk The Writer

Yesterday my hand, my arm, and my neck and shoulder staged a rebellion. My muscles claimed they were sore and tired from my unrelenting pursuit of inflicting “cruel and unusual punishment” by forcing them to engage in handwriting, page after page of notes, over the past few days. They drove their point home, and I relented. I switched gears and opted to read a book on my instructor’s suggested reading list. They agreed to turn the pages, and I even coaxed them to take a handful of notes.

My To-Do List also benefited from the enforced work slowdown. I changed the sheets on every bed in the house and gathered every dishtowel, bath towel, washcloth, and bathmat. More laundry loads found their way through the washing and drying cycles and then into the proper closet or drawer. Why, despite my best efforts, is there always so much laundry? Next, I cooked another batch of tomato sauce and grilled Italian sausage. Fresh garden tomatoes flavored with homegrown basil are beyond amazing.

I always remember my number one writing priority. My core habits are strong, and writing a little every day is my secret weapon. Yesterday I wrote 343 countable words.

Did you write yesterday?

_________________________________________

Keep on writing.

Jo Hawk The Writer

Yesterday I dared to recreate my previous day’s results. Can you believe it? I finished not one, two, or even three modules for my online class. Incredibly, I completed nine more units. Again. I repeated my proven process of watching videos, reading lessons, taking copious notes, and completing the corresponding exercises. To say my hand developed cramps and sore muscles is a grievous understatement, but I didn’t stop until I filled my steno pad. I’m not sure how it happened, but my notebook had the exact number of sheets I needed for everything I didn’t want to forget. That never happens, and yet, it did. My poor arm, shoulder, and neck deserve a nice, long massage.

The best part is the lessons kicked my mind into high gear, and I have a separate page filled with more ideas for my story. Yippee. I am thrilled I waited to begin work on the exercises in the Lesson 18 workbook until after receiving the instructions in the modules. Knowing the requirements and having my idea log will make finishing it easier—an almost fill-in-the-blank exercise. I am still behind, but I have made great strides forward in completing the coursework. Even better is feeling my story’s flow. I have two writing assignments to submit for the instructor’s review, along with the 60-page workbook—but that’s not all. Plenty of writing lies ahead to complete, but I have the holiday weekend in front of me.

And yesterday was not a total loss for attacking my To-Do List. The mandatory grocery store trip happened, the kitchen received a quick tidy-up, two loads of laundry found their way through the washing and drying cycles before returning to their proper homes, and I still found time to meet friends for dinner. I’m refusing to pinch myself because I don’t want to discover I am only dreaming.

I always remember my number one writing priority. My core habits are strong, and writing a little every day is my secret weapon. Yesterday I wrote 251 countable words.

Did you write yesterday?

_________________________________________

Keep on writing.

Jo Hawk The Writer

Yesterday I amazed even myself. I worked my way through not one, two, or even three modules for my online class. Nope, not even close. Are you ready? I finished nine of those units. It was as if time stood still. I watched videos, read lessons, took notes, and completed the corresponding exercises. My hand became sore from writing pages and pages of notations, and when I counted, I had filled 12 sheets of my steno notebook with important information. The cramps started in my hand, radiated up my arm, and squeezed the muscles in my shoulder and neck into hard knots. Don’t let anyone tell you writers don’t suffer for their craft.

The concentrated effort required to accomplish the massive push forward on my class schedule meant I did nothing else after fulfilling my 9 to 5 sentence. The To-Do List remained untouched. Sadly, since I fell behind on my homework, and even with all of yesterday’s progress, I am still behind, and still six modules short of reaching the halfway point and 14 short of current. Never fear because I have a plan. Don’t I always have a plan? Enter a long holiday weekend with few distractions and a burning desire to finish this class, and move on to Phase Two of my master plan.

I always remember my number one writing priority. My core habits are strong, and writing a little every day is my secret weapon. Yesterday I wrote 240 countable words.

Did you write yesterday?

_________________________________________

Keep on writing.

Jo Hawk The Writer

Yesterday I dubbed Pesky Problem Resolution Day. I drove a friend to their doctor’s appointment, and while we waited for their test results, I tracked down and completed several nuisance tasks. I sifted through emails, and after two weeks of back and forth, unproductive phone calls, and promises of a return call, I reached the right person. The pesky financial transaction is no longer a thorn in my side. Yippee. It’s a good thing I am persistent.

Since I was on a roll, I figured the best use of my time was to see just how many irritations I could resolve. The answer is six, in about four hours. I bounced between pulling information, composing emails, texting, a couple of quick phone calls, and chatting with my friend. I even updated my reminder list. How did we ever survive without phones and access to email accounts, note-taking apps, synchronized calendars, and reminder notifications? Batching those noxious follow-ups and working on them in what would otherwise have been unproductive time made the process feel more like a game. The best part is I don’t have to worry and wonder when I might get around to them. I have crossed them from my list, and I can forget about them.

I always remember my number one writing priority. My core habits are strong, and writing a little every day is my secret weapon. Yesterday I wrote 253 words.

Did you write yesterday?

_________________________________________

Keep on writing.

Jo Hawk The Writer

Yesterday I woke with a migraine. Perfect. One of those days. I scrubbed my plans to restart my daily walk. Even though the temperature was in the range I love for walking, the humidity was high, and the air quality was questionable. Thinking about each footfall hammering in my already throbbing head nearly made me nauseous. I chose another day of yoga instead. While some postures increased the drumming, at least I wasn’t a mile from home.

I made a fresh batch of tomato sauce since my garden has reached full production mode. But I am baffled and can’t figure out why the sauce is disappearing as fast as I cook it. The sauce, made with my fresh basil, is excellent. At this rate, I won’t have any extra to freeze for later in the winter. Perhaps I need to place a note in my garden planner to double the number of plants I set out next spring.

I was hoping the migraine would ease, but I wasn’t that lucky. A dull, persistent roar was the lowest volume I had heard all day. While it was better than earlier, it still made concentrating difficult. I selected another short book to read, and I finished it in a few hours. Too tired to attempt anything further, I opted for an early bedtime.

I always remember my number one writing priority. My core habits are strong, and writing a little every day is my secret weapon. Yesterday I wrote 220 words.

Did you write yesterday?

_________________________________________

Keep on writing.

Jo Hawk The Writer

Yesterday was awful. Added to the typical Monday misery of the 9 to 5, my muscles screamed at me after helping a friend move on Sunday. You can’t imagine what an enormous relief it was to log out, lay down, and rest. I planned to start working on the next module for my online course, but the sentences kept fading away, and they made little sense. I couldn’t concentrate on anything beyond how sore I was. My aching muscles needed time to recover. Enter my extended nap.

When I woke, I felt a little better, but the sluggish mind fog remained. I looked at my To-Do list and selected only the tasks I felt capable of completing. I cleaned out the refrigerator, sorted through a couple of boxes, vacuumed the floors, took a hot shower, updated my Master List of Things-To-Do, and started reading a new book. The book was short, making it a fast read, and I finished it a little after my usual bedtime. It wasn’t the most stellar kind of day, but I salvaged what I could and kept it from being a total disappointment.

I always remember my number one writing priority. My core habits are strong, and writing a little every day is my secret weapon. Yesterday I wrote 150 words.

Did you write yesterday?

_________________________________________

Keep on writing.

Jo Hawk The Writer

Yesterday, I helped a friend move. It was excruciating. The heat and the humidity worsened with an afternoon thunderstorm.  Add in the job’s physical demands, and my energy level plummeted into the sub-basement. A job that should have taken a few hours, instead, consumed my entire day. Optimistic me found a bright spot for the sweaty work. During the frequent rest breaks, I finished reading a book. Perhaps when I consider everything, there is another silver lining for my efforts. I helped a friend when nobody else would. Now the job is done, completed, and I can move on to more meaningful projects. But before I return to the fray, my aching muscles need a day to recover.

I always remember my number one writing priority. My core habits are strong, and writing a little every day is my secret weapon. Yesterday I wrote 288 words.

Did you write yesterday?

_________________________________________

Keep on writing.

Jo Hawk The Writer

Yesterday, I slept. After falling asleep at three in the morning, I didn’t wake until almost eleven. I wasn’t in a hurry to get out of bed, either. I finished reading my book, indulged myself with a couple of game rounds on my phone, then watched a YouTube program. Sweet, slow-moving, unhurried bliss. The weather remained hot and humid, and the cicadas droned on incessantly. I scoured my tomato plants for the ripest fruits, cleaned and refilled the birdbath, and added more birdseed to the feeder.

Neither human nor fowl wished to exert themselves unduly during the dog days of August. One little sparrow scrapped out an area in the feeder’s hopper and took up residence in the shade, surrounded by plenty of food. Other birds congregated in mass around the freshwater, and even the squirrels came to drink long, thirsty gulps of the water without shooing their competition away. I retreated to the relative comfort of my climate-controlled home and gave thanks. Because of the miracle of modern technology, I was not obliged to sweat, seek shade, and hope for a cooling puff of air.

The air conditioning left me plenty of mental capacity to start and finish a lengthy module for my online course. When I finished, I considered the possibility of a long nap before dinner. Since it seemed like a good idea, and I couldn’t conceive of a compelling reason to abstain, I gave in and curled up with a new book. Some days are ideal for a little extra rest.

I always remember my number one writing priority. My core habits are strong, and writing a little every day is my secret weapon. Yesterday I wrote 363 countable words.

Did you write yesterday?

_________________________________________

Keep on writing.

Jo Hawk The Writer