Writing to Megadeth’s head bangs or a coffee shop’s chattering of human voices with no discernible words are both doable options for me. I write to the strains of classical music, in total silence, with nature’s chirping birds, or a blaring tv program.

I find my writing regime doesn’t require specific conditions. Waiting for the perfect condition is a luxury I can ill afford. The planetary alignment occurs every blue moon which is sporadic, and I need to write more often. I must add to my daily word count goal. I adapt and create when and where I am able.

What is your preference, music? Silence? Earmuffs? A coffee shop’s din? Something else?

Maybe a little Megadeth?

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Keep on writing.

Jo Hawk The Writer

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, before the birds break into song. If I lived on a farm, I would have to wake the rooster and remind him of his job. Together we would watch the hard, black sky yield to gray then fade to pink touched with a golden glow, revealing the mist lifting from the field. A magic-infused breeze touches my coffee mug and as I inhale, the promise stirs my soul.

Trance-like, I wander to my desk with the day’s music singing in my ear. My muse demands I transcribe the whispered stories. Transmitted through my fingertips to the hard, ebony squiggles etched on the ivory page, I don’t see black or white. I hear the song tinged in pink and golden hues; I taste the morning’s magical flavor and the emotions vibrate, twirling intimately around the words.

How do you capture your day?

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Keep on writing.

Jo Hawk The Writer

This quote conjures images of Jack London traipsing through a fall field, his shotgun nestled in the crook of his arm. His other hand holds a switch he has cut from a sapling. He whistles to a pair of bird dogs as they beat the bushes in search of inspiration. They spend the morning searching through thickets and tall grass. The dogs freeze and point, they have caught the scent.

After successfully capturing a dose of fleeting inspiration, they return to a cozy cabin, a warm fire, and a celebratory drink. The typewriter pounding lasts into the wee hours.

Where do you find your inspiration?

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Keep on writing.

Jo Hawk The Writer

Today dawns with a promising beginning. The rising sun wakes us and prompts our morning rituals. One ritual is reviewing what I want to accomplish before I must return to sleep. Excitement grows. Everything is possible, and passion provides the catalyst for action.

We can nurture our motivation. The question is how do we create enthusiasm for our project? A sense of responsibility? Desire? A daily bath removes the grime of the world, and daily motivations remove negativity from the mind.

What triggers your motivation?

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Keep on writing.

Jo Hawk The Writer

I confront fear every morning. No, I am not an undercover, special agent or a fugitive fleeing from the authorities, I am an ordinary, everyday fear hacker. Back in the caveman days, that sensation in the pit of our stomachs evolved to keep us safe. But I haven’t seen any saber-tooth tiger roaming suburbia lately. So instead of pulling the covers over my head, I invite it in for a conversation.

By doing so, I have discovered fear’s virtues. This feeling lets me know I am alive. It is a motivator. It focuses my thoughts and grounds me in the present. Inside of fear lives instinct and intuition, two keys to helping me make quick decisions and get my work done faster. Doing scary things means I am on the right path. Coming to terms with fear has made it my greatest assets and best ally.

How can you become a fear hacker?

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Keep on writing.

Jo Hawk The Writer