Writer's Block and a Cup of Coffee.

So I've found that everyone has their proven methods for curing writer's block. Many of them sound great, but the one thing I've realized is that no one can tell you what will work to cure your writer's block. Writer's block is a personal problem with personal reasons and the solutions are usually personal.

For example, the common "write a train-of-thought' journal doesn't work for me, and a lot of common writing practices only distract me. However, I've come to realize that this isn't so much an issue of not being able to put words on paper, but for me, it's a matter of motivation and distraction. Writing practices are tools for procrastination.

So instead I go to the nearest coffeehouse and grab a cup of coffee. Why? It's a good enough distraction that I feel refreshed, and the caffeine gives me an adrenaline rush that gets my brain moving. I can't just sit and watch TV with a cup of coffee. I have to do something with my hands, so it's easy to reach for my laptop (or a pen and paper) and write.

It may not be the best writing, and it doesn't always work as intended, but a cup of coffee is my (temporary) cure to writer's block. Part of why I like the expensive drink so much.

How can this help you?

Instead of trying to address your writer's block with futile writing practices and hoping something works, my best advice is to figure out why you have writer's block. This can be harder than trying to do train of thought writing, but it's more effective in the long run. Once you can figure out what causes your writer's block, you find it easier to cure it each time it comes up.

To help you figure it out, I'll tell you some of the common reasons that writers get blocked:

• Motivation: This is my biggest problem. I have always had trouble finding motivation for anything that does not result in instant gratification. Taking the time to do something that will pay off later is too much trouble. Too much anguished artist in me, waiting for my muse to strike me. A good solution to this is to make your own muse or to force you to have no other option but to write.
  
• Stress: Life can be stressful, and with too much on your mind, your writing can be blocked by your emotions. Depression, anxiety and other mood disorders count under stress. If you believe that it is caused by a mood disorder, I would recommend talking to a therapist to see if medication or therapy might help you. A good solution for stress is getting your emotions out, such as daily journaling or meditation.
  
• Fear: Fear is a big problem for many people, and often times contributes to other problems. Fear of putting yourself out there, of being rejected. This one is actually quite common and contributes to both Stress and Motivation. This is the hardest one to cure, as it is rooted in self-esteem and that is a difficult problem to solve. My best suggestion is to find a supportive writing group, or a friend, someone who will help build up your writing self esteem.
  

So next time you have writer's block, take the time to figure out why before you start trying every suggestion that's thrown at you. It will help you more than you think.

Why Writing and Coffee go Together

A lot of people wonder why it's so common for writers to be found at coffeehouses. I know I often make fun of the phenomenon myself, and I've also been one of those writers, typing away at my laptop, somehow finding inspiration within the noisily quiet establishment. You may ask what it is that attracts writers to coffeehouses? Well, the easiest answer is the free wifi generally offered at most of them. It's practically a staple, and while it helps, it's only half accurate.

While the wifi, the coffee and the soft alternative music is usually a nice addition, it's not necessarily the draw. What is then?

Unlike some places, you can go to a coffeehouse and even when everyone in there is talking, it's pretty peaceful. Somehow, it tends to be a place where people mind their manners and don't talk so loud that everyone can hear them. Maybe it's because of the relaxing music, the delicious coffee, or the distracting wifi, but something about a coffeehouse makes people calm down and relax.

So next time you've hit a wall in your writing, take your laptop with you to your favorite coffeehouse, curl up in a reclusive corner with a nice hot latte, and let the atmosphere wash over you. Even if you're not a coffee drinker, a nice cup of tea is also an amazing writer's companion.

The Art of the Coffeehouse

I love coffee. Whether it's a latte, a cappuccino, or just regular drip coffee, I love it all. I seek out great coffee shops and will spend my time just lounging on their couches, sipping my $5 latte happily simply for the atmosphere. They're peaceful and quiet, even when there are groups talking. It's a creative atmosphere where writers feel comfortable enough to create, artists want to put their paintings up, and it just hums with the creative energy of these people.

It only costs at most $1 to make that latte, but I pay that extra $4 for the atmosphere, and the art. Not just the art on the walls, but the latte itself. Being a barista, I've come to understand the time and care that it takes to make a good latte. Good timing, careful creation, and practice make an average latte a great latte. Something you'll curl up with and come back for time and time again. The difference between the Corporate Chain latte that you grab simply because it's easy, and the local Coffeehouse Latte that makes you willing to go out of you way to get.

When it's my first time going to a new coffeehouse, I always get a cappuccino. While I usually prefer a flavored latte, it lets me actually taste the coffee and see if the place is worth the money. It also lets me test the skill of the barista. A real cappuccino, made from equal parts espresso, steamed milk and foamed milk, with a sugar cube on the side, if made right, is amazing. If made wrong, it can be absolutely dreadful. I haven't gone back to places because the cappuccino was that bad. It's only been one coffeehouse so far that has been that bad, but I haven't been back since.

I appreciate the art of coffee, the miraculous smooth dollop of foam turning a shot of espresso into a true italian macchiato, the silky foam atop a delicious latte, and the delightful mix of milk and espresso in a carefully made cappuccino.