Why Writing in Coffee Shops Makes Me More Productive.

Coffee shop creativity

I do my best writing in coffee shops. The combination of paying for a coffee and a light murmur makes for good writing.

But why is that? Hemingway famously drank, but only after he’d written. The Atlantic reports, Lee Child exists on 20 cups of coffee and a pack of cigarettes a day. Diana Gabaldon starts her day with a Mars Bar and a Diet Coke.

At home, I’m drawn into the siren calling of fiber optic internet. CNN, Facebook, Reddit, email (and now TikTok) are my mistresses. Did you know that Charlie Chaplin accepting an honorary Oscar in 1972 is streaming on YouTube? Neither did I and I wish I didn’t.

At home, I’m sucked into the unlimited bandwidth like Keanu Reeves after he took the red pill.

I have IAD — Internet Attention Disorder. The only way around IAD is to get my ass out of my house and into a coffee shop.

But why is that? The local library is free with work desks and is super quiet. I’ve got friends that would welcome me camping out at their place. But no. For me, it needs to be at a house of coffee. And apparently for other people too.

It doesn’t have to be just writing. Any kind of concentrated work; emails, assignments, strategic planning or working on…