Sometimes it seems as if everybody wants to be a novelist. I’m sitting in my local coffee shop, where I retreated in order to — what else? — work on my own novel. The place is not crowded, but I count three others hiding behind their laptop screens. At the table beside mine, a man is explaining his screenplay’s entire backstory to a red-haired woman who cannot ask questions because of his rapid-fired explanations. He is in love with his flawed characters, his unique setting, his intricate plot. He pauses only to glance suspiciously over his shoulder at me as if afraid I will steal his ideas, despite the headphones firmly planted on my head.
I love to write in cafes, especially those, such as this one, that charge for internet access, thus removing the temptation to go online. (Which is why this entry will be posted after I am home — if I survive a return trip to my house. But more on that later.) Conveniently enough, relocating to a coffee shop also removes the temptation to clean house, talk on the phone, or admire my cats instead of work on my book — although I admit that it takes a special kind of writers’ block to encourage me to clean house instead of write.
Beyond those temptations, however, I have another reason for my change of venue: sheer terror. I’ve been sitting on the futon in my living room all morning, double-fisting mugs of tea and pretending to write, which means that I actually thought about my plot for a while and even wrote ninety-eight words. Then I updated my Facebook profile, read a few blogs, and played Jigsawdoku until my eyes glazed over. (I console myself with the knowledge that I’m really more of an afternoon writer, and I’m ahead of schedule anyway, but it doesn’t help much.)
And then around an hour ago I slipped into the kitchen to brew another cup of tea, and found the following sight waiting for me upon my return. Please pardon the fuzziness of the picture; there are limits to both my camera’s zoom lens and my willingness to risk my life for a clearer shot. As is wise, since shortly after I sneaked in a photograph, they lasered the UPS guy with their eyes. Then they ate him. I feared I may be next, so I grabbed a notebook and went into hiding. Another thing it turns out coffee shops are good for: covert operations. Just ask Mr. Movie Script, who still seems convinced I’m a spy.
The kids, Internet surfing distractions, sudden urges to clean, and those God people prevent me from completing writing tasks. Perhaps I need to get a laptop and head to a coffee shop.
Dru, it’s scary, isn’t it?
Oh, good luck with it! I’ve heard a lot of authors say that it they finally made it when they took that leap of faith. As for me, I still work full-time, too, which I don’t mind too much since I also really like my regular job. I live in a tourist, town, though, which means a slightly different work schedule from the norm, so it seems like I’m off when I’m not.
J.L., your story about Lucky was hilarious! Echo sometimes bites my hands if they’re moving on the keys instead of petting him. Not one of his better habits.
LOL, Lainey! No wonder the batteries aren’t running as long as I’d like them to! As for writing in a coffee shop, I worried about that, too, but I solved the problem by a) going to a coffee shop where everyone else has a laptop, too and b) looking very unwriterly (e.g. no glasses, clean jeans, etc.) Or you could go to the library, although most have wi-fi, so the temptation to blog is not removed. (Not that it helped yesterday, since I managed to get something out on paper anyway.)
Melissa, I love it! I hadn’t even thought of that.
Joanne, that’s awful! It’s so hard to find the perfect place to write, too, so when it closes it’s devastating.
Muse, I have to say, I loved “those God people”. So true. They’ve interrupted me a few times, too, but usually when I’m cooking dinner. (Maybe they planned it that way so I’d invite them to come eat with us?)
your cats scare me.
Ooo, I know what you mean about everyone in coffee shops being ‘writers.’ Even the guy serving me coffee at my local coffee shop told me he was a writer, except he couldn’t write anything as his computer had broken. ‘What’s wrong with a pen and paper?’ I asked.
‘Err…’
Sometimes with some people I think they like the romantic idea of sitting in a coffee shop ‘writing.’
I just go to the library now, I find coffee shops too frustrating!
I do agree, it is definitely more productive to get out of the house to work!
I’ve never tried to write in a coffee shop… I know the ones around here are usually packed, especially during the recent strike. I do dream of taking the laptop out to the yard, but i have a feeling I’d get distracted trying to keep Winston from eating rocks and bees and clumps of dirt.
I love the shot! Maybe we’ll meet up one of these days at a coffee shop! Or the library or other random places I wander off to.
Wow- those cats look scary!
I admire people who can write in coffee shops– it seems like such a writerly thing to do!
Alas, I’m too easily distracted, so I have to stay home, in my office, with the door and blinds closed– like a shut in. It’s kinda sad.
😀
Me too, Emily. Me too!
Sally, loved the story of the guy with the broken laptop! I like to write in the library, too. Only problem is, they have wi-fi. Oh, the temptation! Plus, can’t eat or drink there, and I needed something yummy to drink.
Katie, I highly encourage writing outside in the yard on nice days. Actually, I encourage any change of scene.
Thanks, Eileen! It cracked me up when I saw how it turned out, so I just had to post it. And meeting up like that would be fun. 🙂
Alyson, they have their moments, that is certain. See, now, when I’m too easily distracted I leave home. I just see too many things I need to do. And the people-watching is inspiring.
Love the photo! And I’ve never written in a coffee shop either as, like you, Caryn, I’m a “two fisted tea drinker.” I’d be bankrupt in a week. Or less.
I love the kitties! That’s hysterical! 🙂 I’m not much of a writer so the only time I go into coffee shops is for actual coffee. Hmm, that sounds good actually. Time for a caffeine break! 🙂