Since I began my writing journey over ten months ago I’ve developed some habits and discovered some favorite locations for writing. After a couple of months it became obvious that if I was going to work on an extended project (like the novel I am currently working on) then it would be imperative to find a location outside of the home where I could escape on a regular basis. I was in need of a writing venue where I wasn’t distracted by dirty floors or piles of clothes that needed to be washed. Naturally, my need for a writing hub led me to my favorite locally owned coffee shop, Scioto Valley Coffee.
Scioto Valley Coffee is a small-town coffee shop nestled on the outskirts of my hometown between a traffic light and railroad tracks. The view from the front window is rather scenic and has been helpful in the formation of some ideas in my novel. For the past couple of months I’ve spent my Saturday mornings in the shop typing away while sipping a Scioto Valley Mocha. Something about the mocha is fuel for my writing. I can walk in with absolutely no clue what to write that day and leave after two hours having drafted over fifteen pages.
The atmosphere lends itself well to creativity. One thing that is important when seeking out a regular writing location is the ability that you have as a writer to truly focus on the job at hand: writing. If the music is too loud or the decorations too in-your-face it becomes easy to lose momentum and waste time daydreaming or focusing elsewhere. Scioto Valley is not a distracted environment. During my many trips to the coffee shop I’ve had pleasant encounters with the baristas and been able to quickly get into my writing once I’ve found a seat. The tables and chairs are comfortable and conducive to writing. My table of choice is a high-top in front of the large front window. The location and luxury of the seats may seem trivial, but if you are going to spend extended time working anywhere you want to know that the furniture is not going to be detrimental to the task.
One more thing that stands out to me about Scioto Valley is the staff. Each time I’ve gone in to Scioto Valley the staff has been kind and even some of them have learned my order due to my predictability. They kindly bring me an ice water after I’ve finished my mocha. Otherwise, I’m left alone to get to work and that’s something I appreciate. It’s difficult to write in a proper restaurant because the waitresses quite often break the train of thought to check in on me. Also, in a restaurant the waitresses also like to see quick turnover of tables in order to make tips. At Scioto Valley I have never gotten the impression that my lingering presence has been a nuisance to the staff and I appreciate that.
So whether or not you write in Circleville, Ohio, like I do it is important to find a place you can go to outside of the home to write. It’s okay to write occasionally at home, but there are times where a trip to write away from home is necessary. Changing the scenery is a great motivation during writer’s block and can be inspirational for details in your writing.
If you are ever in the area I recommend Scioto Valley Coffee, and of course the Scioto Valley Mocha.
The Ameri Brit Mom 