My name is X, and I’m a Starbucks-aholic.

I’m a cliché. I completely, wholeheartedly, unreservedly admit I’m a procrastinator. I work 40-50 hours a week in front of a laptop at my “day job” and I’m working on my second Master’s. It sounds like I’m motivated, but I am a lazy beast at heart. It takes supreme will power and a true love of the word to spend another 2-6 hours writing in the evenings, plus weekends. If I go home, I watch TV, play video games, and do pretty much anything that doesn’t involve sitting in front of the computer. I discovered about a year ago that I lack the strength to write at home. I must endeavor to go forth into the world. I’ve since made my local Starbucks my office. Sadly, they know my name and greet me like an old friend. I battle with other regulars for my favorite table – the one by the plugs that doesn’t sit under a vent that leaves icicles dripping from your nose come winter or the dead heat of summer. I’ve wept there while writing emotionally charged scenes and worn a maniacal grin while killing off an evil character. Please tell me I’m not alone. Please tell me there’s a reason this is considered a cliché.

I put my earbuds in, crank up the iTunes for some mood music - I have whole playlists based on the mood of the scene I'm writing - and virtually ignore everyone. I have to say I don't notice the prying eyes most of the time. I can sit there for six hours at a time (though I've gone 12 hours a couple of times). I look up and realize the entire crowd including staff has changed, and I didn't even notice. For me, it's about having an established routine. I go there to write, so write I must. Plus it helps that I refuse to pay $9 a day for internet access there so I can't be distracted by surfing on the net.