After a long and glorious winter break, it can be difficult to get back into the swing of a new semester, especially when it comes to those writing projects. One way to boost your writing energy and motivation after a long break is to find a new, exciting writing environment. Thankfully, there are an abundance of perfect writing spots less than twenty minutes from campus. Check them out, and get your writing back on track.
Portola Coffee Lab at The Mix at SoCo, Costa Mesa. A hot spot for working young professionals, The Mix at SoCo has several food and drink options, including Portola Coffee Lab. The baristas wear lab coats and serve indulgent drinks, such as a vanilla lattes made with real vanilla bean. The scene is quiet and has a rustic look with ashy raw wooden tables and benches—perfect to clear the mind before starting to write.
Honor Coffee Roasters in Lido Marina Village, Newport Beach. The white exterior contrasted with a rich, cherry wood interior gives this café a cozy feel with a lovely ocean breeze passing through it. The large glass windows let rays of sunshine spread throughout the entire café, which helps writers stay alert and engaged while allowing creativity to flow. Bonus point: dog owners love bringing their dogs along, so taking a break to pet one (with permission) can be a great idea way to relieve stress while writing!
The Lost Bean Organic Coffee & Tea, Tustin. With bar stools, vintage couches, and dining tables, The Lost Bean offers different seating options so that everyone is happy. Customers often go there to work on their laptops, which provides a sense of group motivation—perfect for writing. Go early in the morning to enjoy their banana bread or frittata with a cup of matcha tea to fuel your brain before writing a long essay.
A slump in creativity and energy can be frustrating, especially when it comes to writing. Writer’s block is a common issue among student writers, but don’t despair. Instead, take advantage of all the writing spots Orange County has to offer and conquer your writing assignments one coffee at a time.
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Noorah Alfaddagh is a fourth year majoring in communications. She is from Saudi Arabia, and reading English books from a young age helped her learn to write until writing became a hobby of hers. To Noorah, writing is not only words and sentences on a piece of paper but also an outlet of expression. When she’s not on campus, you can find her at the movies or walking her dog at the beach. She is very excited to be part of the Writing Studio this year and to be able to guide and help her fellow students through the writing process!