{"id":39361,"date":"2020-08-26T07:38:47","date_gmt":"2020-08-26T11:38:47","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/thewritelife.com\/?p=39361"},"modified":"2020-08-26T07:39:43","modified_gmt":"2020-08-26T11:39:43","slug":"recreate-coffee-shop-experience-from-home","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/thewritelife.com\/recreate-coffee-shop-experience-from-home\/","title":{"rendered":"7 Ways Writers Can Recreate the Coffee Shop Experience From Home"},"content":{"rendered":"

I turned the manuscript for my first book over to my editor at the end of February after a seven-week whirlwind of researching and writing. I joked that I would need to dedicate the book to the four coffee shops I rotated through on nights and weekends when I was desperate for a change of scenery after doing my full-time writing job from home each day.<\/span><\/p>\n

Just a few weeks later, governments started issuing stay-at-home orders as the COVID-19 pandemic spread across the United States. Local businesses \u2014 including the coffee shops where I spent much of my disposable income with pleasure \u2014 closed their doors without knowing when they\u2019d be able to serve customers again.<\/span><\/p>\n

I can\u2019t begin to imagine how my writing process would have differed if I had worked on my book during those quarantine weeks. So much of the regular activity that takes place at coffee shops had come to feel integral to my writing routine: Getting up to pay for another cup of something hot every hour or two so I wouldn\u2019t feel bad for lingering. Eavesdropping on strangers\u2019 conversations. People watching. Dog watching! Gathering up all my items each time I needed to use the restroom, or asking another regular to watch my stuff.<\/span><\/p>\n

Maybe you feel the same way. Actually, I know a lot of you feel the same way, because you <\/span>chimed into the conversation in our Facebook group<\/span><\/a> about how you\u2019re faring without your favorite writing hangouts.<\/span><\/p>\n

Perhaps you were a regular at your favorite coffee shop<\/a> and made a habit out of writing in the same spot with the same perfectly made beverage each time you visited. Or maybe, now that you\u2019ve spent a large part of this year at home, you\u2019re just desperate for a writing experience that feels different.<\/span><\/p>\n

Adjusting to our new normal isn\u2019t easy. As you figure out what works best for you, here are seven tips for replicating the things you love about writing at coffee shops.<\/span><\/p>\n

1. Write with a friend (virtually)<\/strong><\/h2>\n

If what you miss most about coffee-shop writing sessions is the community, it\u2019s time to team up with other writers for virtual writing dates.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

No need be formal: Simply set a time and date, and make sure you\u2019re logging on to the same video conferencing platform. Take a few minutes to catch up on life, share what you\u2019re working on, then dive in\u2014for 30 minutes, 45, or any limit you choose. Make sure to mute yourselves during your work session so the other person\u2019s typing or snacking doesn\u2019t distract you.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Share your progress at the end and schedule your next session. Platforms like Zoom and Google Hangouts make it easy to get together as a group if you want to add more than one participant to <\/span>your virtual table<\/span><\/a>.<\/span><\/p>\n

Don\u2019t have a robust network of writing pals to invite? You can find some virtual writing buddies in <\/span>our Facebook group<\/span><\/a>. Or maximize your productivity by working with a stranger on the <\/span>FocusMate<\/span><\/a> platform. You can participate in three 50-minute virtual coworking sessions per week for free.<\/span><\/p>\n

2. Choose the right sounds\u00a0<\/strong><\/h2>\n

Sure, you\u2019ve got your <\/span>go-to playlists<\/span><\/a> for every occasion. But no matter what song is on at your favorite coffee shop, there\u2019s always that hum of activity layered on top of it, from conversations to coffee grinders. Replicate the feel of sitting in a bustling coffee shop while at home by adding the appropriate ambiance.<\/span><\/p>\n

Try one of these websites that offer cafe sounds:<\/span><\/p>\n