If you manage to find a place that kindles your creativity, I highly recommend hanging on to it. While I’ve written in the past about the importance of being able to write anywhere, I also mentioned in that blog about my “writing haunt”.
Anyone who follows me on Twitter is probably familiar with references to this place, and sometimes I tag it – not too often because the staff get enough of me wittering in person, never mind doing it over social media as well. Even so, Create Cafe is the place where I feel my writing comes to life.
What makes it special? Well, there used to be a gorgeous view but there’s a new building being developed that blocks it entirely. That isn’t such a problem in one respect, though, thanks to moving into a house that has a gorgeous view that takes in some of the scenery from those familiar windows. I do miss Create’s view, but it obviously isn’t the only attraction.
It’s an airy location with high ceilings and coloured lightshades and chairs. The tables are light, making just the perfect shade for me to work – I have no idea why. Maybe it’s the right contrast between the table and the paper or the laptop, or maybe I’m looking for logic when that place means more to me emotionally than logically.
You see, Create Cafe was where I learned to commit to my writing life. It was where I pushed myself to get But By Degrees to the point where it was ready to be published and where I was sat when I had an epiphany about adding a character (Ed) to Valerie. I edited all three of my novels there and worked on numerous drafts. I used to write short stories longhand there, but I don’t have much time for that now. In the old days, I used to take a physical thesaurus with me as well – now I mostly make do with a digital one.
Whatever the changes, Create remains the place I go to when I’m stuck with writing or need to spark some fresh enthusiasm for a project. Luckily, the staff know my little quirks and I was once referred to as part of the furniture. I’m happy with that – I just wish they were open until midnight!
Oh, and it also happens to be the place I met my wife and where we held our handfasting reception. That must help!
