Pastry Primer - IWSG February

It's IWSG time again.  The first Wednesday of the month, when writers help other writers.  This is a blog hop so if you want to  read other posts, click here.  Today's post represents a blogoversary, too. Seven years ago this week, with absolutely zero forethought, I started Middle Passages.  Imagine that spontaneous decision lasting this long.  Happy writing to all!

One day this fall, I stopped into a French Bakery in my town.  I have quite a fondness for the place, not only because they bake croissants so flaky that when I finish one, the golden fragments remaining on my plate beg for a moistened finger.  No, food aside, seven years ago, while newly unemployed and trying to find my way, I spent Thursday mornings writing there while I waited for the library to open. Sitting at a colorful bistro table, sometimes I free-wrote.  Sometimes I took direction from one of my new writing books  (Natalie Goldberg’s, Writing Down the Bones comes to mind), but regardless of the topic, the work I did there lubed up my brain for some real writing once I claimed a spot at the library.

My recent visit to the bakery reminded me of those days, and before Christmas, I decided to step back into the habit.  I get out of work early on Fridays, so lately, rather than allowing myself to go home to get caught up in who knows what, I’ve been heading to the bakery for a little lunch. Then I go to the library. With a full belly, it’s easy to immerse myself in the quiet and serenity of the place and get a chunk of work done.  Between these now-sacred afternoons, and my routine of writing first thing each morning, I can happily say I’m approaching the end of my first-draft. 

My IWSG tip this month?  Get yourself something yummy to eat.  Then go somewhere you can’t be distracted and write.  Just say'n.  There's nothing like a cup of French Roast and a chocolate croissant for triggering an inspirational jump-start.