The Thrilling Obsession of Your Creative Process – Daily Quote

/ JoHawkTheWriter / 3 Comments
the-creative-habit-is-like-a-drug.-the-particular-obsession-changes-but-the-excitement-the-thrill-of-your-creation-lasts.-henry-moore

For the creative types, creativity is not just something we have – it is how we live. We can’t imagine a life where we are not creating things. It is a process that is essential to our existence.

In the book Artistic Creation: A Phenomenological Account by Jeff Mitscherling, and Paul Fairfield, the authors state Victor Hugo’s advice to other writers was to:

“Steep yourself for a few days… in the new world whose master you are to become. Lock yourself up with your characters and look them in the eye. Do not be afraid of the vague approximations that come to your mind- The outlines always swim about just before the work finds its feet and begins to walk.”

These instructions are fun, and they offer a glimpse into the workings of the creative process. Sometimes. It is not unusual to play with a concept for days, weeks, or months. A few ideas marinate for years before they coalesce.

Other times, the idea springs to mind fully formed and ready for prime time. The exact transformation is not important. We chase the thrill to create.

How do your ideas come to you?

_________________________________________

Keep on writing.

Jo Hawk The Writer

The 2020 Daily Writing Challenge – August 26

/ JoHawkTheWriter / 3 Comments

2020 Daily Writing Challenge

Writing is like driving at night in the fog.
You can only see as far as your headlights, but you can make the whole trip that way.
– E. L. Doctorow

Today is Day 239 of the 2020 Daily Writing Challenge.

Did you write yesterday? Half of the year is in our rear-view mirror, and I am drawing a line in the sand. The targets I missed, the stories I didn’t compose, they no longer matter. These last six months are history. Done. I won’t lie, 2020 kicked me in the head, leaving me stunned, unsteady, and incapable of completing anything beyond basic tasks. I bet I am not alone, but don’t count me out yet. They say what doesn’t kill us makes us stronger, right? I am confident I will discover I am more capable than I have ever been. I dug deep, reevaluated my annual goals, and I decided to double down. Can I get a year’s worth of work accomplished by Christmas? We will find out.

My turning point happened when I remembered reading somewhere that anxiety and excitement create similar emotional responses in the body. Anxiety raises your heart rate, your cortisol level increases, and your nerves prepare you for action. Most often, we respond by stress-eating a late-night pint of chocolate ice cream. The only difference between the two emotions is anxiety has a negative connotation, while we view excitement as positive. The answer seemed clear. I needed to reframe the context of my emotions and proceed as if my success lies on the horizon.

All that remains is for me to divide my workload into bite-size pieces, and do the next right thing. I am aligning my creative endeavors to focus on writing, editing, and creating a brighter future.

Try it, and let us know how you did in the comments below.

_________________________________________

Keep on writing.

Jo Hawk The Writer

Understanding Your Deepest Writer Motivations to Conquer Impossible Obstacles – Daily Quote

/ JoHawkTheWriter / 5 Comments
the-ability-of-writers-to-imagine-what-is-not-the-self-to-familiarize-the-strange-and-mystify-the-familiar-is-the-test-of-their-power.-toni-morrison.

Writers tread in giant footsteps forged by literature’s titans. They face great expectations, brave colossal odds, and wear many hats. They cast a critical eye on their initial story idea, countless drafts, rewrites, edits, and elicit further criticism from beta readers, editors, and agents. They fearlessly build their author platform and tackle marketing. It’s a wonder any books get published. The entire process is a test of imagination. A writer must imagine their reader flipping through the pages of the finished work and trust they will be transported into the author’s alternate reality. 

It requires vision, perseverance, and diligence. It is not an easy road. So, why do we writers, write? The answers are varied, as different as snowflakes. Authors create stories to aid understanding of a confusing world, to experience unlimited freedom, and to share unique ideas with people we will never meet in person. We pen deep emotions to encourage others, to heal, to start transformations, and to help interpret our own minds. A finished work gives us a sense of accomplishment, of a job well done. Oh, I suppose some novelists are writing only for the money, but it’s not my first consideration.

What drives your writing?

_________________________________________

Keep on writing.

Jo Hawk The Writer

The 2020 Daily Writing Challenge – August 25

/ JoHawkTheWriter / 3 Comments

2020 Daily Writing Challenge

Writing is like driving at night in the fog.
You can only see as far as your headlights, but you can make the whole trip that way.
– E. L. Doctorow

Today is Day 238 of the 2020 Daily Writing Challenge.

Did you write yesterday? Half of the year is in our rear-view mirror, and I am drawing a line in the sand. The targets I missed, the stories I didn’t compose, they no longer matter. These last six months are history. Done. I won’t lie, 2020 kicked me in the head, leaving me stunned, unsteady, and incapable of completing anything beyond basic tasks. I bet I am not alone, but don’t count me out yet. They say what doesn’t kill us makes us stronger, right? I am confident I will discover I am more capable than I have ever been. I dug deep, reevaluated my annual goals, and I decided to double down. Can I get a year’s worth of work accomplished by Christmas? We will find out.

My turning point happened when I remembered reading somewhere that anxiety and excitement create similar emotional responses in the body. Anxiety raises your heart rate, your cortisol level increases, and your nerves prepare you for action. Most often, we respond by stress-eating a late-night pint of chocolate ice cream. The only difference between the two emotions is anxiety has a negative connotation, while we view excitement as positive. The answer seemed clear. I needed to reframe the context of my emotions and proceed as if my success lies on the horizon.

All that remains is for me to divide my workload into bite-size pieces, and do the next right thing. I am aligning my creative endeavors to focus on writing, editing, and creating a brighter future.

Try it, and let us know how you did in the comments below.

_________________________________________

Keep on writing.

Jo Hawk The Writer

Daring to Face the Unknown Void to Find Your Productivity – Daily Quote

/ JoHawkTheWriter / 8 Comments
at-the-point-where-im-trying-to-force-something-and-its-not-happening-and-im-getting-frustrated-with-say-writing-a-poem-i-can-go-and-pick-up-the-brushes-and-start-

Sometimes words don’t come. We get tired, and we block the free flow of words. The result is frustrating, and it can grow into a debilitating problem. Joni has the right idea. The best remedy is to change the flow. Change your movements, do something different, push writing from your mind. My answer is allowing my hands the freedom to engage in activities they know well.  It allows my brain to rest. Completing chores around the house, working out, crocheting a scarf or a blanket, or using my sewing machine creates needed space.

Rote activities shift my brain into neutral, it clears a space, leaving a void.  The universe despises voids. They are filled with the scary prospect of the unknown, and the universe demands that voids are filled. That is when inspiration strikes, and I am soon back at my keyboard, filling blank pages with another story.

What activities help you clear the way for your story?

_________________________________________

Keep on writing.

Jo Hawk The Writer

The 2020 Daily Writing Challenge – August 24

/ JoHawkTheWriter / 3 Comments

2020 Daily Writing Challenge

Writing is like driving at night in the fog.
You can only see as far as your headlights, but you can make the whole trip that way.
– E. L. Doctorow

Today is Day 237 of the 2020 Daily Writing Challenge.

Did you write yesterday? Half of the year is in our rear-view mirror, and I am drawing a line in the sand. The targets I missed, the stories I didn’t compose, they no longer matter. These last six months are history. Done. I won’t lie, 2020 kicked me in the head, leaving me stunned, unsteady, and incapable of completing anything beyond basic tasks. I bet I am not alone, but don’t count me out yet. They say what doesn’t kill us makes us stronger, right? I am confident I will discover I am more capable than I have ever been. I dug deep, reevaluated my annual goals, and I decided to double down. Can I get a year’s worth of work accomplished by Christmas? We will find out.

My turning point happened when I remembered reading somewhere that anxiety and excitement create similar emotional responses in the body. Anxiety raises your heart rate, your cortisol level increases, and your nerves prepare you for action. Most often, we respond by stress-eating a late-night pint of chocolate ice cream. The only difference between the two emotions is anxiety has a negative connotation, while we view excitement as positive. The answer seemed clear. I needed to reframe the context of my emotions and proceed as if my success lies on the horizon.

All that remains is for me to divide my workload into bite-size pieces, and do the next right thing. I am aligning my creative endeavors to focus on writing, editing, and creating a brighter future.

Try it, and let us know how you did in the comments below.

_________________________________________

Keep on writing.

Jo Hawk The Writer

Return to the Land of the Dreamer to Find Your Inspiration – Daily Quote 

/ JoHawkTheWriter / 8 Comments
every-great-dream-begins-with-a-dreamer.-always-remember-you-have-within-you-the-strength-the-patience-and-the-passion-to-reach-for-the-stars-to-change-the-world.-harriet-tubman.

Once upon a time, I dreamed great dreams. Wide-eyed, optimistic, and sure-footed, I stepped into a world filled with possibilities. Help arrived at my side, to caution me about the perils of real life. They warned me survival was difficult. Constructive criticism delivered with sharp tongues abraded my skin. They held me down, held me back, stopped me in my tracks. 

Fear whispered in my ear and fed on my last ounce of courage. Numb, my spirit sank into the nightmare. I struggled to find my way and bought lies from the snake-oil salesman. I worked harder, but it all fell apart They laughed, saying it didn’t matter how hard I tried. 

Crushed and broken, I thought I would die. A tiny child’s hand touched mine. She woke me and promised to save me from the nothingness that consumed me.  She showed me the answers, the ones I once saw in my dreams. 

“Life goes where you place your focus,” she said, “Keep your eyes on your dream.”

My attempts to fly failed because I forgot to aim high. To leave the darkness, I only needed to reach for the stars. I listen to my drummer beating a cadence to drown the naysayers. The strength, the passion, the persistence, they live in my dreams. 

Do you remember your dreams?

_________________________________________

Keep on writing.

Jo Hawk The Writer

The 2020 Daily Writing Challenge – August 23

/ JoHawkTheWriter / 3 Comments

2020 Daily Writing Challenge

Writing is like driving at night in the fog.
You can only see as far as your headlights, but you can make the whole trip that way.
– E. L. Doctorow

Today is Day 236 of the 2020 Daily Writing Challenge.

Did you write yesterday? Half of the year is in our rear-view mirror, and I am drawing a line in the sand. The targets I missed, the stories I didn’t compose, they no longer matter. These last six months are history. Done. I won’t lie, 2020 kicked me in the head, leaving me stunned, unsteady, and incapable of completing anything beyond basic tasks. I bet I am not alone, but don’t count me out yet. They say what doesn’t kill us makes us stronger, right? I am confident I will discover I am more capable than I have ever been. I dug deep, reevaluated my annual goals, and I decided to double down. Can I get a year’s worth of work accomplished by Christmas? We will find out.

My turning point happened when I remembered reading somewhere that anxiety and excitement create similar emotional responses in the body. Anxiety raises your heart rate, your cortisol level increases, and your nerves prepare you for action. Most often, we respond by stress-eating a late-night pint of chocolate ice cream. The only difference between the two emotions is anxiety has a negative connotation, while we view excitement as positive. The answer seemed clear. I needed to reframe the context of my emotions and proceed as if my success lies on the horizon.

All that remains is for me to divide my workload into bite-size pieces, and do the next right thing. I am aligning my creative endeavors to focus on writing, editing, and creating a brighter future.

Try it, and let us know how you did in the comments below.

_________________________________________

Keep on writing.

Jo Hawk The Writer

New Tactics to Banish Your Drab, Dull, Boring Days – Daily Quote

/ JoHawkTheWriter / 6 Comments
one-can-become-drab-dull-and-boring-doing-the-same-thing-every-day.-writing-helps-break-the-monotony.-ravi-subramanian

This week I felt miserable, discouraged, drained, and I grappled with intense fatigue. I suffered from the walking dead syndrome, dragging myself from task to task, and watching my productivity plummet. My self-diagnosis is an acute case of the blahs. We all experience bouts of blahdom, and while it is “normal,” it is never easy to manage. Sigh.

My tried-and-true coping mechanisms are impossible or impractical because of COVID, and my home remodel. The gym, my favorite coffee shop, and inside group dinners are no-go zones. Zoom meetings with friends are ineffective. We outlawed hugs. Movers buried my art supplies in storage boxes along with my crochet projects. But we always have more options than we realize. We just need to dig deeper.

I rediscovered my joy of driving. Make-up is optional. Pajamas and slippers are acceptable attire and the roads are less crowded. Even though my car’s thermometer reads a hot 92 degrees, I roll down the windows, blast my music, and blow away the cobwebs.

Who knew bilateral drawing was a thing? It involves scribbling on a single piece of paper with a pen in each hand. Being ambidextrous, I find this a simple and fun activity with no expectations. Draw and discard. Researchers say it can help soothe and regulate your emotions by using both sides of the brain.

Then there is my writing. There no better feeling than seeing a few hundred words appear on the screen. This year I have struggled to write and forced myself to compose daily regardless of the outcome or my dismal word count. Yesterday my friend arrived tired, sad, and contrite, but ready and willing to help.

Does writing improve your mood?

_________________________________________

Keep on writing.

Jo Hawk The Writer

The 2020 Daily Writing Challenge – August 22

/ JoHawkTheWriter / 3 Comments

2020 Daily Writing Challenge

Writing is like driving at night in the fog.
You can only see as far as your headlights, but you can make the whole trip that way.
– E. L. Doctorow

Today is Day 235 of the 2020 Daily Writing Challenge.

Did you write yesterday? Half of the year is in our rear-view mirror, and I am drawing a line in the sand. The targets I missed, the stories I didn’t compose, they no longer matter. These last six months are history. Done. I won’t lie, 2020 kicked me in the head, leaving me stunned, unsteady, and incapable of completing anything beyond basic tasks. I bet I am not alone, but don’t count me out yet. They say what doesn’t kill us makes us stronger, right? I am confident I will discover I am more capable than I have ever been. I dug deep, reevaluated my annual goals, and I decided to double down. Can I get a year’s worth of work accomplished by Christmas? We will find out.

My turning point happened when I remembered reading somewhere that anxiety and excitement create similar emotional responses in the body. Anxiety raises your heart rate, your cortisol level increases, and your nerves prepare you for action. Most often, we respond by stress-eating a late-night pint of chocolate ice cream. The only difference between the two emotions is anxiety has a negative connotation, while we view excitement as positive. The answer seemed clear. I needed to reframe the context of my emotions and proceed as if my success lies on the horizon.

All that remains is for me to divide my workload into bite-size pieces, and do the next right thing. I am aligning my creative endeavors to focus on writing, editing, and creating a brighter future.

Try it, and let us know how you did in the comments below.

_________________________________________

Keep on writing.

Jo Hawk The Writer