The 2020 Daily Writing Challenge – June 25

/ JoHawkTheWriter / 5 Comments

2020 Daily Writing Challenge

Writing is like driving at night in the fog.
You can only see as far as your headlights, but you can make the whole trip that way.
– E. L. Doctorow

Today is Day 177 of the 2020 Daily Writing Challenge.

Did you write yesterday?  We get knocked down sometimes. Current events have done an excellent job of destroying normal. There is a silver lining. These times have granted us an opportunity to reexamine life, priorities, and what happiness really means.  I am determined, and I refuse to stay stuck in a mess. Today, I stand up, regroup, reset my intentions, and recommit to attaining my dreams.

An ongoing topic of exploration is Cal Newport’s concept of deep work, “the ability to focus without distraction on a cognitively demanding task.” Newport advocates approaching and completing challenging tasks by eliminating distractions, committing to block scheduling, and adhering to your intentions.

What are your intentions? Unlike goals that concentrate on achievement, intentions emphasize awareness. They are essential elements necessary to effect lasting change and establishing meaningful habits. Acting intentionally probes the root of your “why.” Examples of an intention may include creating space for writing and creativity. Do you hope to bring light to others, develop your skills, or gain strength? Perhaps your aim is to commit yourself to hard work and following through, regardless of the outcome. Does your purpose require you to face your fear and resolve to move forward, anyway?

Will identifying your intentions and reviewing them daily help you find your voice? Does it compel you to open your laptop or a notebook, grab a pen, and record the words and stories that are begging to be told?

Try it and let us know how you did in the comments below.

_________________________________________

Keep on writing.

Jo Hawk The Writer

Transforming Sleepless Nights into Productive Writing Time – Daily Quote

/ JoHawkTheWriter / 14 Comments
you-lie-awake-at-3-in-the-morning-thinking-of-story-ideas.-youre-online-at-8-a.m.-on-a-sunday-or-midnight-on-a-wednesday.-its-a-job-that-you-never-push-aside.-james-daly

On countless evenings, I find I cannot sleep. My brain won’t stop, it races, obsessively testing ideas, possibilities, and contemplating the question ‘what if?’ I have long since learned my lesson, there will be no rest. I relinquish my control, leave my bed, and write. Other nights I am jolted from my dreams by some cosmic alarm clock, I clutch a brilliant idea like a lightsaber slashing through the dark. Once again, I stumble to my desk, power on the laptop to transcribe the dream. The stories refuse to be pushed aside.

Creating stories and telling tales flows in my blood, and I schedule writing sessions every day. But I do give myself a break from my normal routine on the days when my brain refused to register that I should have been sleeping.

Do you write at unusual times?

_________________________________________

Keep on writing.

Jo Hawk The Writer

The 2020 Daily Writing Challenge – June 24

/ JoHawkTheWriter

2020 Daily Writing Challenge

Writing is like driving at night in the fog.
You can only see as far as your headlights, but you can make the whole trip that way.
– E. L. Doctorow

Today is Day 176 of the 2020 Daily Writing Challenge.

Did you write yesterday?  We get knocked down sometimes. Current events have done an excellent job of destroying normal. There is a silver lining. These times have granted us an opportunity to reexamine life, priorities, and what happiness really means.  I am determined, and I refuse to stay stuck in a mess. Today, I stand up, regroup, reset my intentions, and recommit to attaining my dreams.

An ongoing topic of exploration is Cal Newport’s concept of deep work, “the ability to focus without distraction on a cognitively demanding task.” Newport advocates approaching and completing challenging tasks by eliminating distractions, committing to block scheduling, and adhering to your intentions.

What are your intentions? Unlike goals that concentrate on achievement, intentions emphasize awareness. They are essential elements necessary to effect lasting change and establishing meaningful habits. Acting intentionally probes the root of your “why.” Examples of an intention may include creating space for writing and creativity. Do you hope to bring light to others, develop your skills, or gain strength? Perhaps your aim is to commit yourself to hard work and following through, regardless of the outcome. Does your purpose require you to face your fear and resolve to move forward, anyway?

Will identifying your intentions and reviewing them daily help you find your voice? Does it compel you to open your laptop or a notebook, grab a pen, and record the words and stories that are begging to be told?

Try it and let us know how you did in the comments below.

_________________________________________

Keep on writing.

Jo Hawk The Writer

Caving to the Benefits of an Early Morning Routine – Daily Quote 

/ JoHawkTheWriter / 6 Comments
i-start-every-morning-at-7-or-7_30-in-the-same-place-my-little-office-where-its-dark-and-cozy-with-a-cup-of-the-same-really-strong-black-coffee.-its-my-little-cocoon.-theres-no-phone-or

Rising early is not normally on my agenda, but it can offer untold rewards. Strong hot coffee is imperative in my quest to chronicle the sunrise. I rise before dawn when the world is still dark, and before the birds break into song. If I lived on a farm, I would have to wake the rooster and remind him of his duties. Together we watch the black sky lighten and turn gray. As darkness blushes pink, and a golden glow tints the horizon, my reward is watching a magical mist lifting from the field. A cool morning breeze touches my coffee mug, and as I inhale, the promise of a productive day stirs my soul.

Trance-like, I wander to my desk with the dawn music singing in my ear. My muse demands I transcribe the whispered stories. Transmitting through my fingertips, ebony squiggles appear on the ivory page, but I don’t see black or white. Pink and golden hues color my words, and I taste the morning’s magical flavor. Emotions vibrate, twirling intimately with the words, my writing session is off to a wonderous beginning.

How do you start your day?

_________________________________________

Keep on writing.

Jo Hawk The Writer

The 2020 Daily Writing Challenge – June 23

/ JoHawkTheWriter / 1 Comment

2020 Daily Writing Challenge

Writing is like driving at night in the fog.
You can only see as far as your headlights, but you can make the whole trip that way.
– E. L. Doctorow

Today is Day 175 of the 2020 Daily Writing Challenge.

Did you write yesterday?  We get knocked down sometimes. Current events have done an excellent job of destroying normal. There is a silver lining. These times have granted us an opportunity to reexamine life, priorities, and what happiness really means.  I am determined, and I refuse to stay stuck in a mess. Today, I stand up, regroup, reset my intentions, and recommit to attaining my dreams.

An ongoing topic of exploration is Cal Newport’s concept of deep work, “the ability to focus without distraction on a cognitively demanding task.” Newport advocates approaching and completing challenging tasks by eliminating distractions, committing to block scheduling, and adhering to your intentions.

What are your intentions? Unlike goals that concentrate on achievement, intentions emphasize awareness. They are essential elements necessary to effect lasting change and establishing meaningful habits. Acting intentionally probes the root of your “why.” Examples of an intention may include creating space for writing and creativity. Do you hope to bring light to others, develop your skills, or gain strength? Perhaps your aim is to commit yourself to hard work and following through, regardless of the outcome. Does your purpose require you to face your fear and resolve to move forward, anyway?

Will identifying your intentions and reviewing them daily help you find your voice? Does it compel you to open your laptop or a notebook, grab a pen, and record the words and stories that are begging to be told?

Try it and let us know how you did in the comments below.

_________________________________________

Keep on writing.

Jo Hawk The Writer

Digging into Interesting Book History – Daily Quote

/ JoHawkTheWriter / 7 Comments
one-of-the-stories-i-love-is-how-gutenberge28099s-printing-press-set-off-this-interesting-chain-reaction-where-all-of-a-sudden-people-across-europe-noticed-for-the-first-time-that-they-

If I said I loved books, would it surprise you? I also love history, and the two parts combine beautifully in Gutenberg’s invention of his printing press. Imagine my delight when I stumbled upon a video called “The Machine That Made Us.” The program follows the host, Stephen Fry, on his journey to discover the man, Johann Gutenberg, and his Das Werk der Bücher “the work of the books”.

Research reveals the Chinese printed with woodblocks in the second century A.D. In 1377, metal movable type was used in Korea to produce the “Jikji,” a collection of Zen Buddhist teachings. Gutenberg’s Bible was not even the first printed book in Europe. Other printers were using carved wooden blocks in their presses. While it was labor-intensive, it was still faster than the monk’s handwritten replicas. The ingenuity of Gutenberg’s press was individual metal characters. He devised a method of making cheap duplicates of letter punches from an alloy of lead, tin, and antimony.

Experts estimate Gutenberg’s print run created between 160 and 185 copies. Roughly three-quarters were printed on paper, and the rest were on vellum. They think the entire process took between three and five years. Rubrication — the headings before each book of the Bible — were blank, leaving room for special scribes to add to the manuscript along with any illuminated decorations. The bibles were pre-sold, at a base cost for printing only. The extent of additional handwork depended on the buyer’s willingness to pay more. I guess some needed to allow for the expense of having spectacles produced so they could read their new book.

What is your favorite piece of book history?

_________________________________________

Keep on writing.

Jo Hawk The Writer

The 2020 Daily Writing Challenge – June 22

/ JoHawkTheWriter / 3 Comments

2020 Daily Writing Challenge

Writing is like driving at night in the fog.
You can only see as far as your headlights, but you can make the whole trip that way.
– E. L. Doctorow

Today is Day 174 of the 2020 Daily Writing Challenge.

Did you write yesterday?  We get knocked down sometimes. Current events have done an excellent job of destroying normal. There is a silver lining. These times have granted us an opportunity to reexamine life, priorities, and what happiness really means.  I am determined, and I refuse to stay stuck in a mess. Today, I stand up, regroup, reset my intentions, and recommit to attaining my dreams.

An ongoing topic of exploration is Cal Newport’s concept of deep work, “the ability to focus without distraction on a cognitively demanding task.” Newport advocates approaching and completing challenging tasks by eliminating distractions, committing to block scheduling, and adhering to your intentions.

What are your intentions? Unlike goals that concentrate on achievement, intentions emphasize awareness. They are essential elements necessary to effect lasting change and establishing meaningful habits. Acting intentionally probes the root of your “why.” Examples of an intention may include creating space for writing and creativity. Do you hope to bring light to others, develop your skills, or gain strength? Perhaps your aim is to commit yourself to hard work and following through, regardless of the outcome. Does your purpose require you to face your fear and resolve to move forward, anyway?

Will identifying your intentions and reviewing them daily help you find your voice? Does it compel you to open your laptop or a notebook, grab a pen, and record the words and stories that are begging to be told?

Try it and let us know how you did in the comments below.

_________________________________________

Keep on writing.

Jo Hawk The Writer

Happy Father’s Day – Daily Quote

/ JoHawkTheWriter / 2 Comments
a-father-carries-pictures-where-his-money-used-to-be.-steve-martin

This quote makes me laugh. The implication being that poor ole dad doesn’t have any money left after paying for toys, clothes, doctor visits, schoolbooks, soccer balls, baseball mitts, tutus, phones, and family vacations. His wallet may be thin, but his heart is full.

Today is a good day to remember everything your father has done to support, encourage, and reassure your every endeavor. So, let dad show off his grilling skills, hand him his favorite beverage, and enjoy your day.

How will you celebrate Father’s Day?

_________________________________________

Keep on writing.

Jo Hawk The Writer

The 2020 Daily Writing Challenge – June 21

/ JoHawkTheWriter / 3 Comments

2020 Daily Writing Challenge

Writing is like driving at night in the fog.
You can only see as far as your headlights, but you can make the whole trip that way.
– E. L. Doctorow

Today is Day 173 of the 2020 Daily Writing Challenge.

Did you write yesterday?  We get knocked down sometimes. Current events have done an excellent job of destroying normal. There is a silver lining. These times have granted us an opportunity to reexamine life, priorities, and what happiness really means.  I am determined, and I refuse to stay stuck in a mess. Today, I stand up, regroup, reset my intentions, and recommit to attaining my dreams.

An ongoing topic of exploration is Cal Newport’s concept of deep work, “the ability to focus without distraction on a cognitively demanding task.” Newport advocates approaching and completing challenging tasks by eliminating distractions, committing to block scheduling, and adhering to your intentions.

What are your intentions? Unlike goals that concentrate on achievement, intentions emphasize awareness. They are essential elements necessary to effect lasting change and establishing meaningful habits. Acting intentionally probes the root of your “why.” Examples of an intention may include creating space for writing and creativity. Do you hope to bring light to others, develop your skills, or gain strength? Perhaps your aim is to commit yourself to hard work and following through, regardless of the outcome. Does your purpose require you to face your fear and resolve to move forward, anyway?

Will identifying your intentions and reviewing them daily help you find your voice? Does it compel you to open your laptop or a notebook, grab a pen, and record the words and stories that are begging to be told?

Try it and let us know how you did in the comments below.

_________________________________________

Keep on writing.

Jo Hawk The Writer

Marking the First Day of Summer – Daily Quote

/ JoHawkTheWriter / 14 Comments
for-me-summer-hasnt-really-started-until-tomatoes-reappear-in-local-farmers-markets.-jose-andres

The calendar says today is the first day of summer, yet I’m not sure how it arrived too fast. My sense of the seasons is off, a fact I attribute to not planting my garden this year. The challenges presented by 2020 meant something had to give.

Moving from spring plantings to summer’s bounty has always been marked by the progression of my tiny farming efforts. Sowing, transplanting, watering, and weeding are exercises requiring patience while we wait for blossoms and marvel as the plants set fruit. Corn, beans, tomatoes, peppers, and summer squash lend to the feel and smells I associate with warm summer evenings. Basil, mint, dill, and coriander provide mouthwatering spices.

There is great joy in grazing in the garden. Bright strawberries get added to beet tops, fresh-cut mesclun, and chives. If we are lucky, the early tomatoes ripen before the lettuce bolts. But the local farmer’s market helps supplement fresh meals. Thankfully, my farmer’s market is running, albeit with modifications, so I won’t miss my garden too much.

What signals summer for you?

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Keep on writing.

Jo Hawk The Writer