Perfecting my writing ritual is a daily focus. I find the answer to getting my work done is not waiting for inspiration to arrive. Honestly, when does your muse call on you and say it is time to work on drafting a report or updating a spreadsheet?  I stack my odds for success. Each evening, I develop an agenda for the next morning. I detail the items to accomplish and I arrange my working space. Sitting at my computer, I don’t waste precious minutes searching for the right project, I only need to type.

The specific session goals have an order. I fill the number one spot with the hardest item. The first task changes daily. It may be something I have been pushing, leaving it to linger at the bottom of the list, or it might be important. Completing my assignment can be easy, or a huge challenge, but I write for my allotted hours, or until I achieve my goal. Finishing is the key, perfection is not. The difficult days are becoming fewer. Reaching my target is becoming less grueling, and I am creating more words in the assigned time. I have been a little under the weather lately, but I still show up and write. My muse is counting on me.

What step are you taking to make sure your writing sessions are successful?

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Keep on writing.

Jo Hawk The Writer

Who are you when no one is watching? Where is the spot in your mind where you can escape when things get crazy, and you need a moment to compose yourself? Where is your special hideout, the safe room that lets you breathe, recover your sense of calmness, and imparts clarity? There was a time in my distant past when I visited my mental safe space frequently. This week I needed to find my happy place. I closed my eyes and tried to transport myself there. But it didn’t work.

I sought it in vain. As I searched, I discovered the memory was where I had left it. It hadn’t changed, but I had. Life moved on, evolved, and the solace I once found there no longer contained the balm my soul required. The revelation set me on a quest. I require an update to my image of me. I have met myself here before. From my initial survey, I have not altered much. Still, a shift has occurred, and I must explore new ideas, alternate options, and greater possibilities.

Who is the true you?

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Keep on writing.

Jo Hawk The Writer

I am a voracious reader. My preferred reading style is consuming books, from start to finish, in a single sitting. I’ve never possessed the required discipline, or desire, to limit myself to a chapter before laying the book aside. Perhaps I’m impatient. Books in a series present the same challenges as a marathon. If I plan and schedule, I can finish trilogies over a weekend.

The pace is not sustainable if you have multiple interests. The result is my reading takes on a seasonal feel. There are definite periods when my reading list shrinks perceptively, and seasons when it stagnates. Exploring unknown worlds, discovering captivating facts and entertaining controversial viewpoints is part of who I am.

Winter is here. Snow covers the ground and daylight fades early. A soft blanket, a comfy chair, and a roaring fire help keep me warm. This weekend, I am indulging in a reading marathon. Monday morning movers arrive to store the furniture I have not yet moved, and the contractor arrives on Tuesday to begin the demo.

New hardwood flooring throughout the house, a refaced fireplace, a remodeled kitchen, a reconfigured master bedroom, and an upgraded master bathroom make room for a second-floor laundry room, with every room receiving fresh paint, and crown molding. The room I am most excited about is my dream writing loft, with a cozy reading nook.

Where do you like to read?

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Keep on writing.

Jo Hawk The Writer

Few things happen overnight. Okay, you can have your orders delivered in twenty-four hours, your movies play on-demand, information is available with a quick search, and the world spins a breakneck speed. It is easy to get caught in the whirlwind, racing to perform jobs faster, and faster. Our anxiety builds when we can’t complete every task on our lengthy lists.

There are advantages to ambling along at a leisurely pace. We can make small mistakes without dire consequences and adjust our course as needed. It also grants us time to spend with family and friends, and honor other obligations. By moving deliberately, we build strength, and we gather momentum. The work moves forward with less effort and we find ourselves carried across the finish line. We grant ourselves precious moments to savor our journey. Dripping like water, we carve deep impressions on solid rock.

How will you make your mark?

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Keep on writing.

Jo Hawk The Writer