CHOPPING WOOD & CHASING PEACE

Why Sean McPherson Can't Sit Still This Summer

If my main character, Sean "Mick" McPherson, took a summer job, you wouldn't find him behind a desk. He'd be outdoors, tackling heavy physical labor to burn off his restless energy and help those around him.

Mick thrives when his muscles are burning, and his mind is forced to focus on the task at hand.

Here's what his ultimate summer to-do list looks like:

• Tilling the garden soil to kickstart new growth.

• Chopping winter firewood to build up a sweat.

• Wrangling wild wisteria vines back into order.

• Painting outbuildings to give the property a fresh face.

• Mowing the grass and trimming the hedges into clean lines.

• Washing windows and clearing gutters to keep everything functional.

For Mick, manual labor isn't about a paycheck. It's a form of active meditation. Every log split and every gutter cleared helps him quiet his internal noise and protect the people he cares about.

What would your main character tackle on a summer job? Drop their top chore—or your own—in the comments. I love seeing how fictional personalities collide with real‑world tasks.