A habitual rethink

For the past few years I have enjoyed a morning coffee on a Saturday by sitting at a well known establishment (not my usual one) having a lattee, possibly a toastie and for an hour or so I concentrate on nothing but typing, crafting a story or editing that story.

I pay no attention to those around me, have my headphones plugged in - at least 1 ear, usually both and I put my head down and work but for the last two visits thats been called into question...

Last weekend an elderly couple told a member of staff that I was transcribing their conversation - I wasnt and the member of staff confirmed that. This week in a different branch I was told that I was disturbing people by the noise of my typing ( i kid you not!) I dont have a typewriter, just a laptop and its not noisy.

Around me two more people were working on laptops and other devices and they all looked flabergasted as I was told. I thought I was about to be asked to turn the music down but no, to slow the speed of my typing. One kind soul walked across to me from the next table and said - couldnt hear a thing!

Thing is these days people go to coffee shops to do all sorts of things, have meetings, meet friends, interviews, work, alsorts. I have never complained about anyone no matter how loud they talk or how obnoxious they are being yet now I feel like next week I cant do what Ive done for years.

My choices are to move shop, which also means moving where I shop as the two are located together, but why should I or not go in and lose that hour of creativity.

Or not bother and keep going - thing is I hate confrontation, makes me uncomfortable

Or go shopping, come home and hope not too many things distract me whist I try and work at home

I guess next Saturday morning I will see how brave I feel....

Change By Design

Change is something I'm not really good at, major change that is and lately there has been far too much of it, which led to a few problems, health wise and also a loss of my mojo.

For the first time in over a year I took a sideways step, spent some time decorating, reading (anything I could get my hands on), baby sitting, visiting tourist attractions (Transport Museum) and doing jigsaws. Anything but writing - I had to say No....

I needed to recharge, refresh and change my tactics.

I am my biggest critic, there are times when I'm my only critic, and I expect way too much of myself and other people.

So change I did, changed my habits, my expectations and one day I woke up and got my mojo back.

Instead of looking back and working on things that have been in the pipelines for years I can finally say I am looking forward and working on new ideas, new characters, new places, new stories - things that I want to progress, want to share with anyone who wants to read my work.

Ive also listened to some people who have had more success than me and have taken their advice. On that part, one of my five books is permanently free on smashwords - Another chance at love - once Amazon catches up with its price match it will be free on their as well. 1 day in and results are encouraging in the terms of downloads and I'm happy

So that time away from writing was useful to recharge and when I wanted to write again, I had an empty home and plenty of time. That isolation helped me focus not just on writing but on all the issues, helped me to understand, begin to move on and adjust to the changes in my surroundings and life.

Change by design is the change to fit me and my new life, a new chapter in life, a new book to work on, well several and a new outlook!

Long may it last !!