Finding the best spot to create
Oh, hi friends!
This week I spent a few hours writing in the little coffee shop area of The Center for Fiction in Brooklyn.
And not only did I run into my dear friend Roja and shoehorned in on her table, but I was reminded by how space and surroundings can affect our output.
With floor-to-ceiling bookshelves and people talking about writing operas and teaching playwriting and windows that let the winter light in, you can’t help but move your fingers across the keys. Tap tap tap. One lyric. Delete. A different one. OK. On to the next.
Routine is good. But what you do — and who you are — can change by where you are.
I hope you find a good space to make something today and this weekend and beyond.
“Jobs don’t hire people. People hire people. So… go meet people.”
This is an oldie from last year, but hopefully relevant cause January feels like prime job-search season?
Here’s my Lifehacker article on how to find your dream job without waiting for a job listing. Because nothing is worse than scrolling Monster.com. Some tactics: telling everyone where you want to work, bringing value to your interactions, cold-emailing, staying positive, and staying on top of people’s minds. Actually…be right back, have to go apply some of these to my own life.
In case you’re near Chicago…
Can I suggest you check out the new store Fig & Fern? I met the owner Christine through this newsletter after she emailed telling me about taking a huge leap of faith and opening her own store. (I can’t imagine how long her to-do list must have been!) The shop looks gorgeous, with lots of handmade and American-made goods. But more than that, I’m struck and inspired by her enthusiasm and creation of a space that exists — in the real world — where people can gather and chat and discover things they couldn’t otherwise find. All from a leap of faith. Amazing!
Follow them on Instagram and check out Fig & Fern’s site for more or, even better, visit! I wish I could.
Do you like these daily emails? Please share with a friend!
Thanks, as always, for reading.
Love, Kara