Trust me, you never want to hear me singing. The phrase ‘can’t carry a tune in a bucket applies.’ While I love music, the only time I allow myself to sing and dance is while I do my chores. I have a strict prerequisite of an empty house, and the volume cranked to ear-splitting decibels. I accomplish my work at a breakneck pace, and creativity spurs me to return to my desk.

My real joy is composing as I listen to my favorite tunes with a cup of hot, black coffee at my side. The rhythms keep words flowing and my fingers typing. It is very productive and dreamy. The coffee keeps me focused and intent on capturing feelings, ideas, and dreams. Though in my daydreams, instead of riding on a garbage truck, I prefer flying through town on a fire engine, destined to save a cat.

Does your writing let your voice sing?

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Keep on writing.

Jo Hawk The Writer

Poo Bear says some pretty smart things, often without realizing how insightful his comments are. This is the period when my schedule blossoms, spewing a profusion of activity into every corner of my life. Part of the frantic To-Do list is a product of the normal stressful holiday season, and a portion is self-inflicted. Cursed with a Type-A, goal-driven, no mountain is too high, kind of personality, feeling overwhelmed, goes with the territory.

Whenever I take on a new project, there is always a point when I question my sanity. Who thought it was a good idea to plant 250 tulip bulbs in the front flowerbed one afternoon? Who signed me up to the Twelve Dozen Days of Christmas Cookie Exchange? And who decided a whole house remodel, starting the week before Thanksgiving with a January 31st scheduled completion date, was something any sane person should undertake?

Still, I find myself calm and dare I say, happy? I have sore, tired muscles, not only from planting tulips but from schlepping boxes and furniture into storage to make room for demolition. The daily task list is impossible to complete in a single day, and yet somehow everything gets done. It doesn’t matter what happened yesterday. Each morning is a clean slate, full of infinite potential, and excitement for what lies ahead.

What wonders does today hold for you?

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Keep on writing.

Jo Hawk The Writer

We hear people tell us great achievement emanates from a big dream. Visualize your heart’s desire, and attraction brings it to you. Success requires more than good thoughts. You can imagine you have six-pack abs, but they won’t materialize unless you commit to doing the reps. Completing a regular exercise regime guarantees results. Many individuals say they wish to become a writer. You must determine how desperately you crave the title of author. You must want to write.

The daily work is difficult. No one is born a master of their field. Practice, patience, perseverance, and dogged determination are required to get through the learning curve. Mastery can be a long journey. Every day we decide whether we keep going or if we quit. For me, quitting is not an option.

How desperate are you?

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Keep on writing.

Jo Hawk The Writer

Who hasn’t experienced this feeling? It is difficult convincing myself to leave my bed. Like Nicola, my spirit is willing, but my body refuses to budge. Anger is my first response, and it often works. It helps me burn the blahs and I force myself to move. If that doesn’t work, I go through my list of usual culprits. Am I drinking enough water? Are my iron levels low? Am I obsessively worrying over something which I can’t control? Do my meals and snacks contain too much junk food? Am I sleeping? Or do I have too many responsibilities?

My review showed three things conspiring against me and contributing to my lethargy. The first was worry. The second was a task list three people couldn’t accomplish. These two items combined to ensure I wasn’t getting a restful night’s repose. Identifying the root cause of my exhaustion is only the beginning. I shifted responsibilities, and recognizing apprehension’s futile nature, helps me monitor and banish those thoughts. Sweet sleep came as I resolved those issues. I could breathe, and when I can breathe the words flow.

What items trigger your fatigue and interrupt your writing?

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Keep on writing.

Jo Hawk The Writer

I enjoy writing flash fiction. It is a challenge. A delicate balancing act of equal parts constructed puzzles, wrapped in the epitome of simplicity. A stellar start is second in importance to a great ending. The ideal goal is leaving the reader with an unexpected twist. The best endings require the reader to reconsider something they know intimately, or realize the true significance of a common occurrence. A spectacular finish must resonate long after they have put the piece aside.

The author tells a simple tale, one can assume it will end with a reasonable rationale. If the writer succeeds, the ending creates surprise, conforms to logic, produces unseen insight, and generates pure delight. This is no easy feat when you are working with fewer than five hundred words.

How will you delight your reader?

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Keep on writing.

Jo Hawk The Writer