As a writer, I like to have a special place where I can zone out, and just crank out words like a machine. Over the last few years, I have spent some of my time looking for a coffee shop where I can switch off from the internet, zone in and just bash away at the keyboard. I have been writing in the Storyhouse coffee shop (fitting title for a writer’s hangout) for over a year now and become good friends with the staff there.
Most writers live on a diet of caffeine and typing, but not me. A while ago, my doctor told me that I should go cold turkey, and quit caffeine, (including decaf, and chocolate), as it was making me ill. He neglected to tell me that this would cause a 9-day withdrawal migraine, but after that, things did get better. Throughout my journey, I have found some interesting caffeine-free alternatives, including this amber coloured fluid which they sell in pints, lol.
Over 3 years later, I never regret the fact that I have had to give up caffeine and do occasionally have a piece of chocolate or two (hey, I don’t smoke, and I don’t drink coffee, so I have to have something, lol). As I have grown to know the staff more and more, I felt really honoured to have my caffeine-free drink added to the till, under the matcha and more menu, in my own little “hazelnut milk” button! (it saves the confusion about how much they should charge me whenever I ask for a hazelnut latte, without coffee).
Recently, the Storyhouse coffee shop has invited me to a regular Thursday slot, in a group called Jelly, based upstairs in a separate room, where likeminded people bring their laptops and get stuff done. As a way of thanking the staff for everything they do, I wanted to say a special thanks to Matt, John, Jo, Carolyn, Becky, Ruth and everyone else who make every single customer feel like they are well and truly worth it.
On the wall is a plaque that simply states, “A good storyteller doesn’t just tell a story, they invite other people into the story with them, giving them a better story too.” so come to the village, and say hi to the staff, grab yourself a drink, and one of their excellent cakes, and be a part of the story at the Storyhouse in Crosby, and tell them Brett sent you.