Tag Archives: Distractions

bird by cat

“I wanted him to have a regular job where he put on a necktie and went off somewhere with the other fathers and sat in a little office and smoked.  But the idea of spending entire days in someone else’s office doing someone else’s work did not suit my father’s soul.  I think it would have killed him… So I grew up around this man who sat in the study all day and wrote books…” – Anne Lamott, bird by bird

Two pages in and Anne Lamott already has me figured out.  I’m adding this book, recommended by two of my lovely novel readers, to my small pile that I’m reading simultaneously, (Snow Child and Quiet: The Power of Introverts in a World That Can’t Stop Talking).  I think I must have a very advanced form of ADHD because I find myself alternating between reading multiple books, working on my novel, and blogging all within the same afternoon.  I’m okay with it though.  I like the writing that is coming out of all of this, even if it’s progressing slowly.

Luna is already loving up on bird by bird too…  And, yes, I appreciate the irony of the cat and title.

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Coffee Shop Writing: Distraction Collection

“Hey babe, hand me the phone and get to work.”

My husband had a point.  Instead of writing, I spent at least a half hour amusing myself with Instragram, (which I just read should not be used for blog photos, but whatever, amateur blogging in action I guess…).  It seems like wherever I go, home or out, I spend necessary time distracting myself before I hunker down and get to work.  I maintain that this is part of my creative process.

Distractions help me get focused, if that makes any sense.

So after I played with Instagram, eavesdropped on a conversation between dad and teenaged kids about a solo backpacking trip, and ate my chocolate chip banana bread, I got to work on revisions.  I also realized that Old Soul at Weatherstone is my current favorite coffee shop in Sacramento.  Between the shady brick patio, the beer on tap, and the artsy Portland-esque decor, I can’t get enough, (see, I’m totally a wannabe hipster).

I’m making it a semi-daily goal this summer to spend a couple of hours working in a coffee shop in addition to the time spent at home.  I love listening, observing, and being outside, while also creating, (increased distractions or not!).  Best of all, my husband’s job allows him to join me some days, (speaking of which, if you’re looking to buy or sell a house in Sac, I know the man for the job…).

Any other favorite Sacramento coffee shops I should know about?

Here is today’s distraction collection, (the first of many, I’m sure):

Old Soul at Weatherstone

 

Favorite Outdoor Coffee Seating in Sacramento

 

Think it’s time to clean my computer screen…

 

MacBook ad? More distractions from revisions…

 

Our feet wishing they were in Roma, or Tokyo, or Paris… Wow, I’m a dork.

 

Found this in my wallet from when I quit my cube job, made me smile.

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