Sometimes you have to find a new perspective. And sometimes that new perspective finds you. I took the kids to an event at a local bubble tea shop that would keep them busy for several hours. It gave me time to shop for a new summer hat. (The sun is relentless here, and I am quite fair-skinnned.) By the time I returned, I was hot, cranky, and more than a little sweaty.
Inside the shop was cool, and the owner offered up a seat and some iced green tea to take off the heat. I’ve had a few conversations with him during our visits, while the kids peruse books and tea options. A quiet, friendly, and very chatty fellow! In addition to running the shop and helping run various book-related events around this small country, he also owns and runs a book publishing business. Anyone who knows me knows my obsession with books…
Our shared interest made for easy talk. Arriving early for pickup meant that I had more than a little time to kill, so we sat talking books and careers, publishing stories, and art. It was absolutely delightful. It gave me the courage to voice outloud one of my hopes for this move abroad: that it’s time to finally write my book(s). Needless to say he was very excited about the idea.
We ran through the basic plot, my goals for writing, and some ideas on how to progress that writing more quickly. In just a brief hour, I accomplished more to move this book project forward than I have in months. It felt good to be seen as a writer once more and to hear that my book concept isn’t complete garbage. He also had another rather unexpected idea that has me quite excited. But I’m not ready to share that just yet.
Inspiration comes in funny places. Like bubble tea shops on a hot afternoon down a quiet side street in a busy city in Europe.
pine sap & paper 