There's Something About #amwriting in Costa Coffee

Rhododendron and bluebells at Winkworth Arboretum

I just checked and realised I haven’t blogged here in March or April. Life has been busy, but also I’m struggling to find anything to write about on this blog. Since 2011, I’ve done a lot of posts about writing, and pep talks to self, and who wants to read more of those? If/when I’m published, I’ll be able to blog about my research and to talk about writing and editing and finishing a novel as if I know what I’m talking about. Yesterday, I did what I usually do when not knowing what to blog about. I wrote a draft post on what I've been doing since my last post, covering: spring research walks in bluebell woods and visits to country houses, a trip to Southwold; Larry in the new series of The Durrells dropping his typewriter from a tree, having pages from his manuscript stolen by magpies and no one turning up to his book launch; working with a mentor, and my thoughts on a book I’m reading by a favourite author, Anne Tyler-Vinegar Girl.

Bluebells at Hatchlands Park

I confess, I’m behind with my latest 10K words for my mentor. I’ve extended my (self-imposed) deadline to the end of next week due to neetsmarketing work and preparing for my upcoming course on social media for writers in London, 6 May. And then the Easter holidays and family stuff delayed me a bit. Last week I went to Sotheby’s to speak to an art expert, to ask research questions as my WIP is about an eighteenth century painting. He was very generous with his time and knowledge, and it was such a privilege meeting him. I would have liked to blog about that, but I can’t without giving away the plot of my book.

So, I came up with the idea for this post in the place where I have many of my light-bulb moments: in Costa Coffee. This is where I go to write when I’m stuck and the words somehow flow. Is it the coffee or the setting?-I don’t know. I also go to Costa to write blog posts, or to work when I need a change of scenery. The staff are always friendly, the music undemanding and there are usually a few other customers tapping away on their laptops too, which is comforting. 

The WiFi is excellent too, the best of all cafés I’ve tried. (Another café good for WiFi can be found at Squire’s Garden Centre, and they do a great breakfast fry-up with hash browns and BOGOF coffee too; perfect for post-insomnia or hangover days). When in London, if I have time to kill before a meeting, I head for the nearest Costa and order a medium cappuccino or cortado in a takeaway cup with lid if using the laptop, in case of spillage. In my favourite Costa, I have a favourite table by the wall, which more often than not is unoccupied. It’s a table for two and I usually sit with my back to the window, but today I’m facing the window, for a change, watching the traffic go by.

I need to get that 10K done by the end of next week, then I’ll be back on the road to manuscript completion. I had a 1-2-1 with an agent at the London Book Fair in March, who gave me really positive feedback on the first three chapters and synopsis of my WIP, which was nice. Now I just need to get the darn thing finished and send it in. So, a few #amwriting trips to Costa Coffee will be in order next week.

Me en route to The London Book Fair

Tomorrow (6 May 2017), it will be fifteen years since my mum passed away, and I've written about her on this blog a few times. Here's my post from last year, My Mother and The Durrells. I'm so glad The Durrells is back, perfect viewing on a Sunday evening.