Desk, Bed, Cafe? Where do you write? Right now, I'm writing at a grocery store. No joke.

2/3/2012

I know I said I was going to go offline today to get some mega writing in, but as I sit here at my friendly neighborhood grocery store (see over my left shoulder, that's the meat department), I started thinking about all the places a writer goes to feel their muse. I haven't been feeling mine lately and decided I needed to change things up. My husband is taking the kids for the day and sent me away to write (gotta love that guy)

I thought a change of scenery from my usual place of writing (my big comfy bed--yeah, I love to write in bed. Sue me. My desk in uncomfortable). I've tried writing at my local library (too quiet), inside my van (uncomfortable), at a book store (I ended up buying books), and a cafe (I wanted to eat). I've never tried writing at the place I go to buy milk and bread. But what the heck.

This isn't a typical grocery store. It's more like a posh/high-end store.

I just walk in here and feel super good about myself. It's nothing like Wally-mart.

Right now, I'm sitting right here--->

It's a loft section that overlooks the rest of the grocery store. I can see sandwich makers making, well, sandwiches at the deli. I see people buying coffee at the little cafe and kids eating gelato (you can get a kids scoop for a buck--I may get one for myself later).

I see shopping carts and at this very moment I just saw an old lady pick up a huge 20 pack case of diet coke and slip it in her ride around cart. She's strong.

(<--I think these guys are the owners).

The sandwiches and the olive bar (salad bar) smells SO good. My stomach is growling for something yummy, but I will fight it back. I don't need food. I need to write.

I almost wonder if I should have my book signing here. That would be awesome (come on, that's a cool idea) and the place is SUPER busy. I wonder if my grocery store likes zombies? I'll have to ask them.

So, where do you like to write? Do you ever change it up? Where is the craziest place you've ever gone to write?

22 Comments

Shanyn link

2/3/2012 05:33:02 am

Good for you finding a new place to write. I'd probably write in my grocery store bu too many people would come to chat. I like to write in bed (yeah they can sue me too!). I compose and think a lot while doing other things and then sit down some place (my comfy chair) or outside when the weather is nice and I write. My muse has been hiding too, wonder where I'll find her? Have a great writing day!

Angela Scott link

2/3/2012 07:21:13 am

My big distraction has been the people watching. Next time I come, I need to sit in one of the comfy leather chairs they have in a far corner. No one has come to talk to me, but then again, I pop in my earbuds and make no eye contact :) It works. I didn't get as much writing done as I had hoped, but the muse did bless me with 1k, so I will take it and be happy.

Patricia Lynne link

2/3/2012 06:15:21 am

I usually write in my chair. It's broken in and comfy and angled right so I can see the TV perfectly. (I can't write to music but I can write w/ TV shows playing in the background) Never considered a grocery store though, sounds like it'd be interesting.

2/3/2012 07:22:25 am

It has been really interesting. I really think I will come back next week and write here again. It has a great atmosphere and the food smells are to die for--so good.

Kathryn R. Blake link

2/3/2012 06:21:34 am

I write either in bed on my new mini computer or at my desk. My desk is probably the better place for me to write since I get too distracted by all the social media I can so easily access from my mini. But I've got to know, Angela, just what is the name of your store, and where is it? It looks great!

2/3/2012 07:26:27 am

This store is called Harmons. They have several stores in Utah (not sure if they have any outside the state) and this one is their newest stores. They even have a cooking school here with chefs who wear actual chef hats. It's located upstairs as well. I talked with one of their employees (I know her) and asked if they let people hold events here and she said they do all the time. There is this little leather couch, chairs, and fireplace nook up here that would be awesome for a book signing/party (I like to call it a party). So we shall see. This is the only grocery store I have ever seen like this one. I'm so lucky I live right by it. But I'm going to go home now and get in my bed :)

Susan Oloier link

2/3/2012 07:22:11 am

Funny! I say that b/c I would find distractions at coffee shops, books stores, the library, too :-) I can really only write at home in my office and sometimes at the kitchen table (totally uncomfortable) if no one else is around. The olive bar sounds yummy!

2/3/2012 07:28:12 am

The olive bar WAS yummy :) I had a snack. It has been a little distracting. I didn't write as much as I had hoped but 1K is much better than I have been doing as of lately, so I embrace it and plan to come back next week.

MB Mulhall link

2/3/2012 07:25:30 am

Is that a Wegman Store? We had them by us and I never thought of going into the eating area to write. It's a little out of my way, but I'll keep it on my list!

I like to people watch in public. It can inspire me to write them into my work. Same with weird snippets of conversation I overhear!

2/3/2012 07:30:55 am

It's actually a Harmon's store. I've never heard of Wegman, where is that located? The people watching has been great. The other thing I noticed: the employees all seem to love working here. They all have smiles and wave and say hi to one another as they pass by. Maybe that's why I feel so happy when I come here. It's contagious :) Now I'm off to get my a kid sized scoop of gelato before I go.

Candy Lynn Fite link

2/3/2012 08:48:18 am

Angela, you crack me up! I love that you wrote in a grocery store today. That's about the best story I've heard all week!!! Thanks for sharing, and hope you had a blast! Lots of character material I'm sure.

I like to write in my big comfy leather chair, all propped with pillows and my laptop in my lap! My desk irritates me and there's no place for my knees. I love to longhand outside on my rocking chair, too!

Have a super wknd. :))

2/5/2012 10:40:08 pm

I'm glad I cracked you up. My job here is done :)

Desks aren't comfortable at all. I can't even cross my legs under mine. I like comfort. That's why I like writing in bed.

Rebekah Loper link

2/3/2012 09:18:34 am

Man, I need a grocery store like that . . .

but seriously, the craziest place I've ever written?

During NaNoWriMo, there's only two things I can do to get my creative juices flowing if they're running dry.

1st - laying on the sofa, my legs propped over the arm, my netbook propped on my knees. I usually close my eyes when I'm writing like this, it helps me focus somehow.

2nd - if I'm really struggling, I take desperate measures. This involves the bathroom, all lights off. I'll tuck a towel under the door to block light coming in from the bedroom, and then it forces me to focus on JUST the writing.

2/5/2012 10:41:58 pm

You know, I hadn't thought about writing in a dark bathroom before. I'm highly distracted (Look! A squirrel) and so something like that might help me. We writers do what we have to do :)

Nils link

2/3/2012 05:21:19 pm

Love to write in distant places - you know, as in during travel. Unfortunately that is too expensive for my every-day-writing, so I have my own desk in my apartment. Sad, no?
I always wanted a nice cafe or similar place to write in, but never really found one. Plus, if I stay too long, it makes me feel like I am being rude.

2/5/2012 10:44:52 pm

Whenever I write at a place of business, I always make sure I buy something as a way of saying thank you. If the place is small, then I don't tend to stay long so I don't take up space that could be used for other customers. This grocery store of mine has a HUGE upper loft. I stayed for over 3 hours and wasn't in anyone's way or took up space that anyone else needed. There was plenty of room and I felt comfortable in staying. We do have to be mindful though.

Elena Aitken link

2/4/2012 12:16:42 am

Awesome post! Your grocery store looks super fancy. nice!
I LOVE to write by the water, in a chair next to 'my' lake in the mountains. Of course this only works in the summer. i think I'd turn into a Popsicle now... But any water will do. I also write well at the pool and so soon will be on holidays writing on a sailboat bobbing on the ocean...bliss!

2/5/2012 10:46:55 pm

If I had a lake, I would be writing by it too. Sounds lovely! I love the water, too. LOVE IT. But unfortunately, most lakes and water near me are several hours away. I'm totally jealous about the sailboat. You'll have to tell me how that goes.

Lisa Rosenman link

2/5/2012 07:02:05 am

I write at Starbucks about 95% of the time. An expensive place to write but the conversations are like white noise to me. I've actually written at a grocery store before too - one of those places that has childcare. I'd drop them off, shop a little, and then sit in the cafe & write.

2/5/2012 10:48:31 pm

A grocery store with childcare--genius. I think I actually have one of those a few towns over, but when I had little kids I didn't even think of doing that. That is an excellent idea.

Dionne Lister link

2/5/2012 03:11:57 pm

That would be a fab place to have a book signing and your visitors can kill 2 birds and pick up a few things for dinner afterwards. I have never seen a supermarket as high-end as that one, you are lucky! Hope you found your muse hiding amongst the produce :)

2/5/2012 10:50:12 pm

I didn't find her in the produce, but I caught her lurking near the gelato stand :) (My kinda muse). It was a wonderful place to write and I plan to go back there again.

Desk, Bed, Cafe? Where do you write? Right now, I'm writing at a grocery store. No joke.

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Desk, Bed, Cafe? Where do you write? Right now, I'm writing at a grocery store. No joke.

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