I've been spending my days and nights in coffee shops over the past few weeks, working on my upcoming book about Avalon. Authors such as J.K. Rowling, Ernest Hemingway, T.S. Eliot and F. Scott Fitzgerald have written their novels from the comfort of a coffee shop, and I'm no different. The nutty whiffs of coffee in the air, the holiday-themed drinks, the twinkling Christmas decorations... Nothing enthuses me more to get some writing done. But going to a coffee shop also implies that I'll be concentrating solely on my book, and not spend my time creating blog posts, filling in e-mail interviews, or answering e-mails and blog comments.
I particularly love writing from the airport, especially at night, when departure flights are paused, and desks and halls are abandoned. Remember the scene from Stephen King's The Langoliers where, upon arrival, the airport bears no signs of life? That kind of abandoned. The airport's Starbucks is open all night, and, with only a handful of people at the most, it's an incredibly peaceful place to spin ideas for hours on end, especially around this time of the year when there are gingerbread lattes on the menu and Christmas music in the background.
The two-storey coffee shop Or in Brussels is my second favorite. I always go there in the afternoon during weekdays as it's quiet, warm, cozy, and because they serve fantastic chai tea lattes. Or is only a few blocks from my boyfriend's flat, which makes it super easy to include in my work schedule.
Finally, there's the Coffee Company in Brussels. This coffee shop is usually a bit too crowded, even on weekdays. But around Christmas, they treat their customers to a variety of seasonal specialty beverages such as Christmas lattes and hot orange juice spiced with fresh ginger, cinnamon, and cloves. That definitely compensates for the noise.
Do you also love to work and write from a coffee shop? Which one is your favorite?
Have a wonderful end of the year!
Image source: David Giral
I love also to 'work' in a coffee shop and also in a coffee shop at the AirPort. I love being there.
ReplyDeleteOnce when you become a famous writer that will be a delightful origin story to tell to the press :) And also a lovely addition to your biopic movie :)
ReplyDeleteI'm too easily distracted even by so little. I always write at home in front of my computer. With music. And the television on. No really, those aren't distractions...
ReplyDeleteHow can you do it...I would not be able to concentrate...too much going on!! Your good!!! Purrs...
ReplyDeleteIt's a lovely idea, but I have to admit, I get easily distracted by doing some "people watching". Of course at home I'm distracted by things too.
ReplyDeleteI occasionally get inspired while at a Starbuck's or Peet's. Usually, I just enjoy the interesting ambience. Either way, it's good writing fodder - if not good coffee.
ReplyDeletexoRobyn
I usually write in my home office, but I've also written at the ice rink or the soccer field when the girls are at practice.
ReplyDeleteHopefully not ON the soccer field...?
DeleteI've never written in a coffee shop. I like to write at home, but I have jotted down notes at gas stations, restaurants, in the car (if I'm not driving, obviously), and even in bed.
ReplyDeleteI tend to do it at home as I am too lazy to roam lol
ReplyDeleteI also do it at home. If I do it in public, I get arrested.
DeleteAs boring as it sounds, my favorite writing spot is in my house's sewing room (there's a sewing machine there, but not a lot of sewing gets done). It's peaceful as it's away from all the noise in the house. I like it to be perfectly quiet when I write. And you thought writing horrible comedy was easy?
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ReplyDeleteJ'adore ce coffee shop !
GROSSES BISES d'Asie pour toi Vanessa et
Bon réveillon du jour de l'an !
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What a beautiful picture and what a wonderful idea. Another writer friend writes from coffee shops. I'd like to give it a try.
ReplyDeleteHappy Holidays, Vanessa.
I LOVE writing in coffee shops, or any other little nook or cranny I can find.
ReplyDeleteI know a lot of writers who prefer to write in coffee shops, but I'm not one of them. I like my home office best, but I will find a cozy spot at the library by the window now and again.
ReplyDeleteI never write in coffeeshops, too distracting. Plus, I go to coffeeshops and restaurants to meet friends and to forget about work. But anyone who finds a place where they can accomplish something has done great! Wishing you a happy, healthy, and prosperous 2014!
ReplyDeleteI don't often write in public. I'd like to try it more often. I like the activity around me, as well as the beverages and food.
ReplyDeleteI never wrote at a coffee shop but I love to write on planes…
ReplyDeleteA book about Avalon. I can't wait to read that one!
Fantastic shot!
ReplyDeleteHappy New Year!
This is great! I often write at Starbucks or a local coffee shop.
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Lucky you! I used to write at coffee shops, but now I'm stuck at home writing with little ones around. I dream of getting out to a Starbucks for a few uninterrupted hours.
ReplyDeleteI love writing in coffee houses. There is this cafe inside my favourite library and I visit it every week, usually several times a week. The coffee is all right but the greenery (the library sits right across a park) is amazing, especially when it is about to rain.
ReplyDeleteI love writing from coffee shops, but especially from airports and airplanes. I think it has something to do with not being able to escape, and having to focus on it, but I don't know. At any rate, that picture is awesome!
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