The 2020 Daily Writing Challenge – April 20

/ JoHawkTheWriter / 2 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 111 of the 2020 Daily Writing Challenge.

Did you write yesterday? We are living in an upside-down world. The hustle and bustle of daily commutes, the never-ending parade of constant stress, unreasonable demands, over-hyped experiences, and thrilling activities competing for your time, attention, and energy—evaporated. Self-isolation, social distancing, work from home, eLearning, family time, and dog walking, are the newest must-do exercises. No one would blame you if you are feeling directionless in your suddenly open schedule.

Abrupt changes can induce anxiety, but what if you considered this an opportunity to cultivate deep working habits? Deep work is a concept defined by Cal Newport, associate professor of computer science at Georgetown University and self-help author. He defines deep work as “the ability to focus without distraction on a cognitively demanding task.” The concept involves complete immersion in the task. Mihaly Csikszentmihalyi would call it “flow.”

Newport advocates approaching and completing challenging tasks by eliminating distractions, committing to block scheduling, and adhering to your intentions. Will applying this strategy help you find your voice, 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

A Matter of Perspective – Flash Fiction Challenge

/ JoHawkTheWriter / 8 Comments

Title: A Matter of Perspective
Source:  Flash Fiction Challenge
Prompt: Write a story about something crazy.
Word count:  99 words

Galaxy

Photo by Clarisse Meyer on Unsplash

Insanity is measured by degrees, strictly classified by definitions, interpretations, and clever disguises. A tight white coat choked the evaluator, stripping him of his humanity. If he would only release himself from his strait-laced leash, he would see. He scribbled unintelligible notes with invisible ink and labeled my actions a Hail Mary call for help.

Nobody listened to the warnings I screamed loud and clear. Sometimes a hero must first rescue herself, so that night, with the walls closing in, I climbed Signal Mountain and sent my desperate S.O.S.

The mother ship answered, and I escaped this helter-skelter world.

_________________________________________

Keep on writing.

Jo Hawk The Writer

Unbelievable – Friday Fictioneers

/ JoHawkTheWriter / 10 Comments

Title: Unbelievable
Source:  Friday Fictioneers sponsored by Rochelle Wisoff-Fields-Addicted to Purple
Word count: 100 words

PHOTO PROMPT © Roger Bultot

Billionaires, rock stars, and those famous for being famous, envy my view. Unfathomable, inaccessible to mere mortals.

They never lift their eyes. Hypnotized, blinded gazes guide them. Lacking fortitude, unable to face brutal accusations, they deny responsibility. Curated lives avoid the uncomfortable, the awkward, the unbearable.

I walked with them. Until the unthinkable, the unimaginable happened.

Me, bastion of lofty ideals and a laundry list of what I wouldn’t do. Fate forced me to reevaluate and reconsider my reality. I decided I’d never die on grimy streets.

Much better to breathe rarefied air under brilliant stars of possibilities and live.

________________________________________

Keep on writing.

Jo Hawk The Writer

Sunday Morning Indulgence – Daily Quote

/ JoHawkTheWriter / 19 Comments

what-goes-best-with-a-cup-of-coffee_-another-cup.-henry-rollins

Tea and alcohol have been common beverage choices for over 5,000 years, making coffee a relative newcomer. Evidence of coffee drinking shows up in Yemen in the 15th century. Some denounced it as devil’s brew, but coffee had its champions. When an Ottoman clergyman shuttered local coffee houses, the Sultan executed him and reopened the shops. Coffee spread to Venice, where a priest called it a “bitter invention of Satan.” Pope Clement VIII dared to sample the curious liquid and hailed it a gift from God.

Who am I to argue with Sultans and Popes? Drip coffee offers a full pot of convenience, a French press exudes robust goodness, and a pour-over provides airy brightness. I have roughed it with an old-fashioned camp-style percolator and enjoyed intense espresso. I am an equal opportunity coffee drinker. Fast food brew, bad diner java, and coffee house specialties are a welcome start to any day. Whether they serve it in a paper cup, a restaurant-grade mug, or fine china, there is something special about having coffee prepared for you. As much as I like to make my coffee at home, I miss sitting at a shop and writing or meeting with friends for a good gossip session. Their list of add-ons reminds me of ice cream Sunday toppings.

But I am a purist and avoid sugar, cream or other additions to my cup. Henry is correct, the only thing I want with my morning coffee is another cup of coffee. And maybe a Danish.

How do you take your coffee?

_________________________________________

Keep on writing.

Jo Hawk The Writer

The 2020 Daily Writing Challenge – April 19

/ JoHawkTheWriter / 6 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 110 of the 2020 Daily Writing Challenge.

Did you write yesterday? We are living in an upside-down world. The hustle and bustle of daily commutes, the never-ending parade of constant stress, unreasonable demands, over-hyped experiences, and thrilling activities competing for your time, attention, and energy—evaporated. Self-isolation, social distancing, work from home, eLearning, family time, and dog walking, are the newest must-do exercises. No one would blame you if you are feeling directionless in your suddenly open schedule.

Abrupt changes can induce anxiety, but what if you considered this an opportunity to cultivate deep working habits? Deep work is a concept defined by Cal Newport, associate professor of computer science at Georgetown University and self-help author. He defines deep work as “the ability to focus without distraction on a cognitively demanding task.” The concept involves complete immersion in the task. Mihaly Csikszentmihalyi would call it “flow.”

Newport advocates approaching and completing challenging tasks by eliminating distractions, committing to block scheduling, and adhering to your intentions. Will applying this strategy help you find your voice, 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

Abandoned – Weekend Writing Prompt

/ JoHawkTheWriter / 18 Comments

Title: Abandoned
Source:  Weekend Writing Prompt # 153 – Obsolete
Objective: Write a poem or piece of prose in exactly 24 words

gray truck near mountain

Photo by Dan Meyers on Unsplash

I considered myself young, but my mirror and capricious consensus disagreed. Without compunction, they relegated me to the pasture with the other obsolete workhorses.

__________________________________________

Keep on writing.

Jo Hawk The Writer

Videoconferencing, Morning, Noon, and Night – Daily Quote

/ JoHawkTheWriter / 13 Comments

my-strategy-for-this-conference-call-is-to-roll-over-and-play-dead.-anonymous

Working from home, I face a schedule filled with never-ending, back-to-back videoconferences. I am constantly busy, but my productivity has fallen. Tangible results are lacking at the end of business, and I work longer hours. With everyone banished from traditional offices, regular meetings are vital to keeping the ball rolling. We are experiencing a learning curve, but I’m already discovering best practices.

First-rate meetings have an agenda, provided by the meeting host. The call lasts as long as necessary, but not longer. I appreciate a 5, 10, or 20-minute talk, instead of droning on to fill artificial half-hour increments. Respectful participants help the conversation by muting themselves unless they are speaking. The mute feature helps reduce background noises that can override the speaker’s mic, causing them to repeat themselves. Using the mute and off-camera options, lessen the chance of awkward situations and potential embarrassment.

At the kickoff, the host should outline the objectives, introduce any new attendees, and set clear expectations for asking questions, and when comments are appropriate. As an attendee, don’t be that person checking email, or performing some other task, who must then ask for the question to be repeated. The last five minutes should summarize the discussion’s key points, and deliverables, and provide an opportunity for clarifications. The presenter should also email recap notes to the team.

After multiple videoconferences, I log out, and turn on my favorite program, ready to unwind, only to discover it is being televised via a conference call.

Do you have videoconferencing pet peeves?

_________________________________________

Keep on writing.

Jo Hawk The Writer

The 2020 Daily Writing Challenge – April 18

/ 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 109 of the 2020 Daily Writing Challenge.

Did you write yesterday? We are living in an upside-down world. The hustle and bustle of daily commutes, the never-ending parade of constant stress, unreasonable demands, over-hyped experiences, and thrilling activities competing for your time, attention, and energy—evaporated. Self-isolation, social distancing, work from home, eLearning, family time, and dog walking, are the newest must-do exercises. No one would blame you if you are feeling directionless in your suddenly open schedule.

Abrupt changes can induce anxiety, but what if you considered this an opportunity to cultivate deep working habits? Deep work is a concept defined by Cal Newport, associate professor of computer science at Georgetown University and self-help author. He defines deep work as “the ability to focus without distraction on a cognitively demanding task.” The concept involves complete immersion in the task. Mihaly Csikszentmihalyi would call it “flow.”

Newport advocates approaching and completing challenging tasks by eliminating distractions, committing to block scheduling, and adhering to your intentions. Will applying this strategy help you find your voice, 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

Nature’s Reminder – Daily Quote

/ JoHawkTheWriter / 7 Comments

to-appreciate-the-beauty-of-a-snowflake-it-is-necessary-to-stand-out-in-the-cold.-aristotle

Winter doesn’t want to let go. The prediction is for two to seven inches of snow tonight. There is little chance it will stick around for long. My tulips are confused. The robins are reconsidering whether they moved north too soon, and I am planning to step outside in the cold like a fool. It won’t be the first time, nor will it be the last. There is something zen about walking in the snow at night.

With all the rain, and gray gloomy days we have been experiencing, I have spent too much time indoors. Who wants to deal with wet feet, drenched coats, and bone-shaking shivers after a cold rainy trek? Coming in from snowy excursion is so much easier to handle. Stomp your boots, shake off the jacket and warm your hands around a hot cup of coffee.

Then there is the silence. Rain is so noisy. Snowflakes fall in a graceful, ballet-inspired dance to light like butterflies on my outstretched hand. My worries melt away in their presence, as I focus on the fleeting beauty. Months will pass before I have this opportunity again. Braving the cold is worth the effort.

Will you get outside today?

_________________________________________

Keep on writing.

Jo Hawk The Writer

The 2020 Daily Writing Challenge – April 17

/ 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 108 of the 2020 Daily Writing Challenge.

Did you write yesterday? We are living in an upside-down world. The hustle and bustle of daily commutes, the never-ending parade of constant stress, unreasonable demands, over-hyped experiences, and thrilling activities competing for your time, attention, and energy—evaporated. Self-isolation, social distancing, work from home, eLearning, family time, and dog walking, are the newest must-do exercises. No one would blame you if you are feeling directionless in your suddenly open schedule.

Abrupt changes can induce anxiety, but what if you considered this an opportunity to cultivate deep working habits? Deep work is a concept defined by Cal Newport, associate professor of computer science at Georgetown University and self-help author. He defines deep work as “the ability to focus without distraction on a cognitively demanding task.” The concept involves complete immersion in the task. Mihaly Csikszentmihalyi would call it “flow.”

Newport advocates approaching and completing challenging tasks by eliminating distractions, committing to block scheduling, and adhering to your intentions. Will applying this strategy help you find your voice, 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