Tips for Writing at a Coffee Shop


A few months ago, I left my job as a full-time college professor after doing that work for 17 years. Even though I had a fair amount of discretionary time in that job, and I also worked from home during the summers, it has been a big switch to go from having a college office to now being able to work from anywhere at any time.

I’ve found myself working a lot more in coffee shops the last few months, which is enjoyable but has its challenges. As I consider whether to rent a co-working space, I will be spending more time in coffee shops because I’m more focused and productive away from home. And even when I do get a co-working space eventually, I will still probably write in coffee shops at times.

I thought it would be fun to share a few tips that have been helpful to me as I’ve learned to navigate some interesting dynamics of working in coffee shops, a location where a lot of writers do their work.

1. Choose a coffee shop that fits your style.

The one I visit most often is La Belle Vie in St. Charles, Missouri. It’s a spacious coffee shop that is only crowded on Saturday mornings and Sundays. I love it, because there is a variety of seating and it doesn’t feel crowded like most Starbucks and other coffee shops do. It takes about 20 minutes to get there from my house, and I like the feeling of commuting and going to work.

There are lots of coffee shops in my area, but this is my favorite because most of the others just feature one single space, and it just feels cramped to me. I like La Belle Vie because it’s a large, segmented space where I’m around people but I’m not super close to them. You might want something different, but that is what suits my style.

2. Choose the right kind of table for working.

Personally, I like sitting in a booth, but most coffee shops don’t have this. I’m lucky that La Belle Vie does, but sometimes those couple of booths are taken.

If a booth is not available, I’ll often sit at a unique desk they have where there are several seats that face out the front window. I love that there is no distraction because you can’t see other people. I think the type of table and workspace does make a difference. If you don’t feel comfortable, you won’t be as productive. So, choose a seat that’s comfortable, and where you can spread out your stuff. I know I take up a lot of space at a table!

3. Bring your headphones.

As I’m writing this, I’m sitting in a coffee shop and there is a table of 7 ladies sitting a few feet away having lunch. I’m wearing my headphones to block out their conversation so I can focus. Personally, I love my Airpods. They are expensive but totally worth it.

4. Make sure your computer is fully charged.

I made this mistake earlier this week because I went to a coffee shop to work but my computer only had about 30% of its charge left. This seems like such a simple thing, but with devices running our lives these days, making sure you have battery life is critical. You may not always have access to an outlet.

5. Use a great writing playlist.

There are a couple of music playlists I use when I’m working and writing. One is called “LoFi Beats,” and it’s available on Spotify. The other is a movie scores playlist, and this is also on Spotify. I put the links down below. I love instrumental music because it helps me focus.

6. Know what you want to accomplish before you start working.

It is very easy in a coffee shop environment to just zone out and not be productive. But before I sit down, I always know what I want to accomplish in those couple of hours. It helps me stay motivated and work quickly.

I always try to keep the words of the legendary basketball coach John Wooden in mind when writing or working. He said, “Be quick, but don’t hurry.” There is a lot of value in following that advice. Work with speed and intention, but don’t rush and get sloppy.

Whether or not you write in coffee shops, these tips can help you be more successful and productive in your writing. Also, if you’re interested in the music playlists that I listen to while I write and work, check out the links below:

LoFi Beats Spotify Playlist

Movies Scores Spotify Playlist