Everyone knows Columbus sailed the ocean blue in 1492, searching for a trade route to the Far East by sailing west. What most don’t realize is Columbus completed four voyages across the Atlantic. On his final trip, his most ill-fated voyage, he explored the coast of Panama. He missed discovering the Pacific Ocean, which lay twenty miles across the isthmus of Panama. The obstacles, hardships, and distractions he navigated to chart the paths for those who followed him, overshadows his failure to reach his intended destination.

Columbus had a singular purpose. He was persistent, petitioning the heads of Europe to fund his voyage until winning the support of Ferdinand of Aragon and Isabella of Castile. His ultimate objective was bigger than he was. His life and trials are an example for us to remember when we face difficulties as we pursue our ambitions. They say to reach your goals you must be persistence, do your best and learn from your mistakes. Don’t overthink things and stay focused on what you can change today, and don’t give up.

Is your chosen goal large enough?

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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 puzzle 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 them 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 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

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 genius call on us to draft a report or update 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 a particular 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.

What step are you taking to ensure your writing sessions are a success?

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Keep on writing.

Jo Hawk The Writer