A venture into week two of Nanowrimo: Why Coffeehouses will save your life.

The title really does say it all. This is a venture into the second week known as Block Week. This week Nanowrimo.org is focusing on its impressive archive of pep talks. They contain talks from the founder, to notes from John Green to the late and great Brian Jacques, to Lemony Snicket and many many others.

But what if you can't pull your inspiration from these? What if Lemony Snicket can't entice that creative muse from the corner of your mind? You leave the house, that's what.

I've restarted my novel and made a brand new one. I did it two days ago and my word count is now at 12,023! It was due to scenery suffocation. My room, my kitchen, living room and fireplace, they grew stale and as did my story. I wrote into holes, contradicted myself, I needed human interaction and a new lively place to write in.

It's not lie that I love coffeehouses. And one in particular: Aromas at Newport News City Center. The music, the people, other groups of writers, knitters, artists, musicians, coffee lovers and families would pile in and file out. the employees love their job, it's easy to see it by the way they smile and talk to each other. the food is made with care, as are the coffees, lattes, cappuccinos, and espressos.

I found the place through my Regional writing group on the Nanowrimo forum, the girl who introduced me to the place worked there herself before moving. Now you may ask "What does this have to do with getting my block out of the way?!" Great question. Here's the answer:

When you've found your coffee shop, whether small or large chain, you now have what you need to get your novel going. Not sure what to write even after all of this time? Pick a person in the crowd, write a story for them. They look like a big business man, maybe they're really a superhero by night, and that's why he's getting the triple espresso.

Know what you're writing? Use other peoples' interactions as your own. Maybe you need some dialog? Look at the couple talking next to you, or the business friends speaking across the way. Look at their body language, see how they smile or not, pick apart that interaction and rebuild it with your characters. Being around others who are working, writing a novel or otherwise, is good  for your production.

1. You can get with your writing group. They're all writing and getting stuff done, which is a pressure for you to get yours done.
2. Without your group you're guaranteed to have one or two people ask you what you're writing about. Tell them and then ask "What would you do from there?" Whatever they tell you, try it out in your story.
3. Being around lively people inspires you to have energy, and you can use that to write.

A change of scenery is good! Whether it's the library, a coffee shop on Open Mic night or a bookstore, if you stay cooped up and are finding yourself with trouble on moving your word count ahead for the month, get up, go out, an break free a little.