Is Starbucks For Me?

Last Sunday I had some rare time to myself. The day started with friends and brunch at First Watch (amazing food! If there's one near you, you have to go!). I did some shopping and browsing at a few favorite places, and then, because there was nothing to stop me, I carried my copy of On Writing and a notebook into Starbucks, ordered, and claimed a table.

You know what I learned?

I'm too distractable to spend any lengthy amount of time in Starbucks. Sure, I love the idea of losing myself in a book, or crafting a handwritten masterpiece. Taking a break to sip my delicious coffee and then losing myself all over again.

But other people are there. There's a part of me that wonders what will they order? (And then the inevitable, Mmm, that sounds gooood, why didn't I order that?) What are they doing today? What's their name? Do I look ridiculously obvious, sitting here with my writing stuff?

There are windows to look out from, decor to weigh in on, interactions to soak up. And then, when a few young girls who haven't seen each other in months swoop into the store, giggly and high-pitched and loud, talking about someone's engagement, well? How am I supposed to concentrate?

I guess I enjoy the experience of my space at home best. Settling in at my desk or reading chair, into that familiar comfort.

Oh, I'll go back to Starbucks. I know I will. (I still have a balance on my gift card.) And if I'm sans kidlets, I'll grab a table. But next time I'll take just a notebook, with the intention of jotting blurbs about what I see around me. People-watching - "researching" - is one of the things I do best, after all. Maybe I just have to fine-tune what I do when I'm in a coffeehouse.

What are your experiences at Starbucks (or that local coffeehouse) like?

I've Been Banished

From book stores, book aisles, and online booksellers. It had to be done. I banned myself. Because I've been buying so much, and haven't been able to make myself stop. I've ordered four new ones online in the last week!

My stack of books to read is large. Some are novels, some are non-fiction that spoke to me on some level. Others are books I've started but need a fresh crack at.

Dare I anytime soon utter the words, There's nothing to read.

Happy 2009!

Many among the blog circuit have been sharing their goals and resolutions for the new year, and I guess I'm no exception. For the last week or so, I've been thinking about those things I'd like to attain in 2009.

There are, of course, "life goals." Being a better mom, friend, person, enhancing my spiritual life and being the kind of Christian I need to be, etc. Those things are all crucial to who I am, but when the calendar flips for me, I mostly think about my writing goals.

This year I want to:

*Increase my creation and submission of flash fiction (which is defined as fiction of 1000 words or less) and non-fiction pieces.
*Publish new parenting articles at least once a month (but shoot for twice or more) on Type-A Mom.
*Pursue more publishers (or agents) with Bliss Lake. [For those new to Something She Wrote, it was recently considered and turned down by Avalon Books.]
*Continue submitting my narrative non-fiction proposal for a humorous take on motherhood.
*Complete first draft of my current WIP, working title of which is When I Turned 30.

I think that's it. Most seem, at first glance, broad and general. And yet others seem more difficult to accomplish. But if I focus on each one seriously, amazing things could happen. I'm sure of it.

Here's to 2009!


Have you had a chance to share your aspirations for the new year?