I don’t like suspense. I disdain horror, splatters, thrillers, mysteries, police procedurals, or almost any story where a character’s sole reason for existence is to serve as a dead body. As you might imagine, Stephen King and the authors of his ilk do not grace my TBR list. Watching any graphic displays in the form of movies or series has also been a hard “no” for me.

I found myself in a difficult situation. My hotel offers limited TV options. Reruns of Law and Order, CSI, Chicago PD, and their spin-offs, compete with the Weather Channel for my attention. Forced to view something, I created an intellectual challenge and decided to analyze and dissect the plotlines. To do this, I needed to reassure myself the program was imaginary, and people were not harmed during filming. The themes are designed to elicit intense emotions and heighten awareness. This made unfinished threads, and unsolved plots both memorable and annoying.

We are wired to solve problems, complete puzzles, and this propensity compels our focus. Confronted with tension, conflict, suspense, unresolved questions, and personal concerns, our brains drive us to act, even if the action is only to figure out “who done it” by the end of the show.  It caused me to consider how I could use suspense to increase reader engagement and create a page-turner in my writing. Without a gratuitous corpse, of course.

Do you include suspense in your stories?

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Keep on writing.

Jo Hawk The Writer

Sunday, and I am so exhausted. There’s a huge difference between laziness and exhaustion. We often declare we are lazy when, in truth, we are dead-dog tired. But are we feeling fatigued from the right activities? Are we filling our days with insignificant movements, or are we making strides towards reaching our fondest ambitions?

It is a balancing act. We push too hard, working to attain our goals, and discover we have become a workaholic in significant peril of burnout. They say we increase productivity when we rest, and recharge our batteries. However, resting on our laurels can lead to inertia, a break in our routine may derail our previous efforts, and picking up the pieces is discouraging. It’s difficult deciding what we need to do. I think I will write two hundred words and take a nap.

How do you decide when to push and when to rest?

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Keep on writing.

Jo Hawk The Writer

When the going gets tough when the cards seem stacked against us, home is our refuge. We seek shelter, comfort, and an inner haven. We retreat to a sanctuary where we can heal, nurse our wounds, and gather the courage to fight our greatest battles, and defeat unbeatable odds.

Work deadlines, late nights, and early mornings exact a toll, and a short walk outside reminds you how it feels to breathe. The simple act of exercising outdoors forces your mind to focus on an alternating terrain. You may have no awareness of the process. As your feet tread on sandy soil, your nervous system communicates the conditions to your brain, which signals your muscles to make tiny adjustments. The neurons fly when you navigate a winding path, or when you alter your gate to avoid a puddle. It is a primal mechanism perfected over the millennium of our existence. Studies suggest a nature hike improves positive emotions and our general mood.

We are only human, weak, and feeble creatures attempting to find our way. But Mother Nature is on our side. Spending time with her helps us face the struggles that define the challenges for the adventurous. The valiant recognized satisfaction lies in reaching for the stars, they learn the joy of attaining their goal and realize true meaning is hidden within the journey.

How will you fight for your dream today?

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Keep on writing.

Jo Hawk The Writer

My errands yesterday included a stop at the drugstore. The parking lot was overflowing as customers see-sawed and jockeyed for the spot closest to the entrance. I saw the chaos before committing to my turn, and instead, I kept driving.  It was then I realized the date. The day before Valentine’s Day is the busiest last-minute, chocolate heart buying, sappy card purchasing, and overpriced frantic flower shopping crowds crammed into the local connivance store time of the year. No, thank you.

There are many reasons to adore Valentine’s Day. There might be a couple things to hate, but in today’s love-filled spirit, we won’t go there. Besides, I am all about the chocolate. They say dark chocolate is nutritious, packed with minerals and antioxidants. Studies suggest it may promote blood flow, control blood pressure, help with cholesterol levels, lower the risk of heart disease, and improve brain function. Those are the facts I repeat when I must defend my chocolate drawer. Yep, I have a space dedicated to a secret stash that feeds my daily one piece of chocolate indulgence.

I love anticipating the Valentine’s Day aftermath. Tomorrow the chain store mobs will be non-existent, and they will drastically reduce the price of my favorite dark delights because of the large heart-shaped box. I hope it fits in my drawer.

What is your favorite part of Valentine’s Day?

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Keep on writing.

Jo Hawk The Writer

It has been a succession of endless, busy days. Work deadlines required late nights, early mornings, and the effort has left my batteries drained. During the week, I pause every 52 minutes, but you can’t sustain that pace for long. I need less thinking, fewer decisions, and a breather. I recognized the signs. I’ve noticed my lack of energy, lack of motivation, and my “fuzzy-headed” inability to concentrate.

My poor prefrontal cortex is sending me messages, and I ignore them at the peril of sacrificing productivity. Scientists have identified this region as the center responsible for decision-making, problem-solving, and performance management. I have learned downtime is just as important as working hard. Elite athletes know the importance of recovery days. They are scheduled rests slotted between periods of intense training. It is time for a relaxing cup of tea, a blazing fire in the fireplace, a good book, and perhaps a nap. No, there will be a nap. Then I will return to my regularly scheduled productivity.

How often do you take breaks and recharge?

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Keep on writing.

Jo Hawk The Writer