The line expands and contracts as I watch people come and go throughout the 8:00 hour.
Busy hands operate whirling machines as they stir and whip up concoctions for patient and thirsty patrons looking for their morning fix.
Some customers are in a hurry; smart phones in hand, exuding an “I’m busier than you” attitude while others have all the time in the world and are overly chatty.
The requests I overhear are foreign to me: tall half-skinny half-1 percent extra hot split quad shot latte with whip, although the barista doesn’t even bat an eye.
Rich aroma and the latest indie band fill the air and I begin to feel intoxicated by both.
I have secured a small corner table and I have it and two hours all to myself.
There is quiet typing to my right and deep rhythmic breathing to my left.
I pick up my pen, watch the sun dance across a blank notebook page, try hard to clear my head and begin writing.
This post was also written for Write on Edge’s writing meme, Red Writing Hood. This week’s prompt: Take me to your version of 8:00 – AM or PM, fiction or creative nonfiction- in 200 words or less. Constructive criticism is welcome.
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Oh my friend, two posts- love!
You captured the busy-ness of a coffee shop, and how all of the noise and the busy and the background miraculously melts away once that pen is in hand.
Lovely words, you!
xo
I couldn’t help myself. Can’t wait to read yours…
I want to be there with you.
“Me time” is lovely, I highly recommend it. 🙂
I could smell the coffee and hear the people, so wonderfully described, Tonya!
Thank you. Funny how the hustle and bustle of the coffee shop became my post.
I. Love. This. Yesterday, after I volunteered at Abbey’s school, I had an hour before she was done. I went to the coffee shop and wrote, wrote, wrote. This was a perfect description.
Thanks very much. “Me time” is glorious, isn’t it?
Great post. I love your description of the coffee shop-so true.
And to think I was eventually able to write.
Great descriptive writing, I too am very bemused by what on earth that coffee would be! 🙂
don’t you love being lost in the hustle and bustle? Being in a quiet plae inside yourself. You took me there, the noises all around us and then you and I, a smile across the table and then we write…..the silence comfortable and friendly.
that’s how I felt reading this, like I could be sitting there with you, notebooks and hearts open. 🙂
I would love to sit across from you at any table my dear, sweet friend. xoxo
I love the contrast of the business of the coffee shop and the quite peace in your soul when you pick up that pen. Beautiful.
Thanks, Tracie, I had a bit of fun with this one. Little did I know I taking it all in. I tend to write better when there’s a little action going on in the background. 🙂
I liked this – I immediately felt the surroundings through your description. I’m thinking I need to get off my sofa and to Starbucks to get some NANOWRIMO done!
Good for you for even attempting that!! I wish you the very best.
Incidentally, some of my best writing has happened in coffee shops.
ahhh. remindes me of my college days when i’d write at a coffee shop… good stuff.
Thanks.
Funny thing is, I don’t even like coffee. I’m a chai tea latte girl. 🙂
Yay, I love this little slice of life. 🙂 It makes me want to run to the coffee shop right now, and forget this work thing! Good job!
Yes, coffee shops can be a wonderful escape.
sometimes I dream about sitting in a coffee shop and working…you created a perfect image of this 🙂
Thank you! If you ever get the opportunity, I highly suggest it!
Love the drink orders, and the fact that the pace of your piece reflects both the slowing down and the anticipation that so often accompany a good writing session.
They truly do sound foreign to me.
Nothing beats a good writing session. Some of my best work has been done in a coffee shop. 🙂
Love this…you capture both elements (the chaos, the solitude) so beautifully. And you just may have inspired me to try coffee shop writing again!
I honestly do my best writing in coffee shops. Hope you can spend some time in one again soon.
I love to try and write in coffee shops when I can, but sometimes it’s too distracting for me! I just watch the people come and go!
People watching is one of my favorite pastimes.
Great writing Tonya! I love the coffee shop atmosphere. If you find a quiet one that has tables away from where the people order it is wonderful. I can always get a lot of work done. You are right though it is both chaotic and peaceful at certain times. Loved the way you described everything.
Thanks, Tim! Funny thing is, I don;t even like coffee, but I love hanging out at Starbucks.
Splendid writing! To write in a coffee shop would be a challenge for me. I would get too busy watching people and shelve the writing for later.
Thank you! The people watching is one of the best parts, but the space, atmosphere and chaos add to the writing.
Now I want to be there too. There is something so soothing, not only about picking up a pen to write, but to have that time to yourself.
I need more “me time” in my life! Be it a coffee shop or just sitting in my car alone in a parking lot.
I didn’t end up doing this post as I just didn’t know where to take it. This is great. I love your images…the language that you don’t even understand, the people on their phones conveying the message they are more busy (and perhaps therefore more important?) than you.
I’m going to my first write-in at a Starbucks on Sunday and I feel like you have just given me a sneak-peek into the scene I will find. This is so rich with detail, it comes to life. Fantastic!
I hope it goes well!! I always have very good writing luck at Starbucks.
I like to take those waiting times for a bit of solitude.
Yes, there is something sort of therapeutic about waiting in a line, isn’t there?
Beautiful description – I know exactly what that’s like and you described it perfectly.