Some people like to write at home, but others find that they're too easily distracted, or not focused enough when they try to write at home. I thought we might compile a running list of places around town that are good spots for people to escape and NaNo. If you're like me, you're always on the hunt for a cozy haunt but maybe aren't that familiar with where the good spots are to be found.
Please include the name of the place, the location, and what makes it a great place to NaNo.
I'll start with one I found while I was at work:
Bennu Coffee
2001 E. MLK Blvd, 78702 (East Austin)
It's open 24 hours, has lots of places to plug in, an endless supply of snacks and caffeine, cozy couches, and is usually inhabited by tons of other people also being productive with their laptops.
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NaNo 2009:
6,532 / 50,000
Okt 15, 2009 - 08 09
Austin Java
12th and Lamar, other locations
Good food, good drinks, and a decent number of plug-in places. Can get busy at times, and the parking lots are small, but it's been home to many of us for years.
29,296 / 50,000
Okt 15, 2009 - 11 57
Cafe Caffeine is no longer open in the evenings! =-(
----------Silver
Team Lushguin
2009 - The Night of the Descendants
“You’re pure, gallant and cheeky; but I’m unbearable, insufferable and intolerable.”
50,014 / 50,000
Okt 16, 2009 - 06 09
Has anybody tried Dominican Joe's near Riverside and S. Congress - around the corner from the Writers' League? I haven't written there, but it looks pretty nice inside.
----------ML Captain of Capital Ideas & Austin, TX Municipal Liaison
29,296 / 50,000
Okt 16, 2009 - 07 47
I'll check it out! I'm really trying to find a place that suits me. Love Green Muse, but the seating just doesn't really conduce writing for me for some odd reason. ----------
Silver
Team Lushguin
2009 - The Night of the Descendants
“You’re pure, gallant and cheeky; but I’m unbearable, insufferable and intolerable.”
41,471 / 50,000
Okt 16, 2009 - 10 24
~alan m rogers
Dominican Joe's - drink coffee; save the world!
I had a critique group that met there for about six months or so; it's not a bad place, as coffee shops go. It's major flaw is it's lack of of easily accessible outlets. Otherwise, it's not a bad place.
The music is a bit loud for my tastes, but I've long since learned I'm in the tiny minority on not liking music playing at stores and (especially) coffee houses and restaurants.
----------~alan m rogers
42,607 / 50,000
Okt 16, 2009 - 21 40
Any participants from Round Rock or Georgetown or Pflugerville? I'd love to go to a write-in, but I live in RR.
Will use this as an intro -
This is my third year as a member. I entered in 07 a week late and finished 25,000 words. That copy is what I am now working on (until November 1, when I change to NaNo) for what will take a few months. I didn't try last year, but this year I am fully aiming for 50,000 words.
I've been in RR for five years. Spent most of adulthood in Seattle. Am old. Is EVERYONE here young?
My NaNo novel is named "The Egg". It is about the summer of 1964 in San Francisco. See, I TOLD you I was old. It was a unique period of time, sandwiched in between the beatniks and the hippies. It was a glorious period that I haven't seen written about much except in the last writings of the beats.
THIS time I will have an outline. Two years ago,starting a week late anyway, I had no idea where I was going. This time I do. It will be written in first person and based on true experiences, but it will be a novel, with license and all.
Saavedra
50,014 / 50,000
Okt 17, 2009 - 05 19
There are quite a few write-ins scheduled for Pflugerville and Round Rock so far. The calendar isn't set yet, so there will likely be even more. You can also create your own - I'll be posting soon with tips on how to do that.
The regional calendar is at the top of the main Austin forum page: http://www.nanowrimo.org/eng/node/74
----------The calendar on the forum page shows a few events at a time - scroll down to see more. Or, if you want to see the whole calendar at once, click here. And check back often for additions or changes.
ML Captain of Capital Ideas & Austin, TX Municipal Liaison
0 / 50,000
Okt 17, 2009 - 08 20
For people around Hyde Park/on campus, I really like Spider House. The outdoor patio is loud, but if you go into the back, there's a little room set up for studying that's perfect for NaNoing. Flight Path is good as well.
40,094 / 50,000
Okt 17, 2009 - 16 45
I'm South Austin, near Brodie and Slaughter. Does anyone know of any good spots near there? The only places I know of are the Barnes & Noble in Sunset Valley and Borders @ Westgate... both of which seem to have a little too much traffic through them, a little too much noise, and not a very cozy atmosphere. Still, they'll do if I have no other place, I suppose...
----------NaNo 2009:
29,296 / 50,000
Okt 17, 2009 - 17 52
Burgerlicious - if you find a good place let me know. They know me by name at Seattle's Best in Borders at Westgate, and sometimes I'm there for hours, but write-ins there don't really seem to be really successful for long. I think not enough comfortable seating, definitely not enough outlets.
I'm near Ben White and Manchaca.
----------Silver
Team Lushguin
2009 - The Night of the Descendants
“You’re pure, gallant and cheeky; but I’m unbearable, insufferable and intolerable.”
40,094 / 50,000
Okt 17, 2009 - 19 08
Well, I'll cross my fingers for a nice haunt for the both of us, then!
----------NaNo 2009:
44,386 / 50,000
Okt 18, 2009 - 06 56
Hi South Austinites! I am at Stassney and Congress, and also struggling to find a good nearby location. Often end up going north to meet with some others at Flightpath, but it is quite a drive, and would be keen to fit in more local days. Also new to Austin (6 months) and a Nanowrimo virgin so still finding my way around generally. I like the Bakehouse on Manchaca near Stassney, but not tried writing in it - does anyone know if they are laptop friendly?
50,014 / 50,000
Okt 18, 2009 - 07 10
Southies - we will also be having an official write-in on Sundays at Cafe Caffeine - from 3-5 pm (though you can go and write there any time). They are partnering with us this year as a NaNo supporting venue, and there are a decent number of outlets, and good wireless there.
----------ML Captain of Capital Ideas & Austin, TX Municipal Liaison
40,094 / 50,000
Okt 18, 2009 - 08 10
Welcome aboard, Weeone! I'm a transplant to Austin also, and had been here about six months when I did my first NaNo. The natives are friendly, so hopefully we'll see you at some events.
----------NaNo 2009:
31,302 / 50,000
Okt 18, 2009 - 09 23
Hi weeone -- I live very close to you (Stassney and Dove Springs) and I'll sometimes go to Ruta Maya in Penn Field on S.Congress near Woodward (next to Opal Divine's). It's not perfect, as there are sometimes yoga classes and such going on, but it is convenient and the coffee is good, plus they offer free wireless internet. I also frequent Green Muse on South First and Oltorf, which also has wireless internet and plenty of outlets, but has terrible parking and is often overcrowded.
----------Clear thinking manifests as clear writing.
0 / 50,000
Okt 18, 2009 - 21 25
I'm in Georgetown! I'll probably be doing some of the RR/Pflugerville events if I can find the time.
Also, I second Bennu Coffee. Best place ever. Another good and very quiet and well-lit place to go to write is Flightpath, though parking and finding a place to sit are sometimes an issue when they're busy. There's also Quack's bakery in the Hyde Park area, and the Green Muse Cafe in Southish Austin that I like a lot. :)
----------Tally-Ho!
17,907 / 50,000
Okt 18, 2009 - 21 35
Also a South Austinite here (near Brodie and William Cannon). Transplant as well, though I've lived here now for 3+ years. For the most part I had been writing in my house for the past two years, and there are definitely way too many distractions here. I've been to Ruta Maya a few times and like it there. I might need to try Green Muse, despite the parking. I haven't looked for outlets in La Madeline on Brodie, but maybe that's an option?
Sounds like we need to get a bunch of us together....
40,094 / 50,000
Okt 19, 2009 - 08 08
La Madeline on Brodie is a great suggestion. I'm not sure what their outlets situation is either, or how they feel about people hanging out for great lengths of time. They're definitely worth scouting out a bit, though. I love their cheese croissants. :D
----------NaNo 2009:
29,296 / 50,000
Okt 19, 2009 - 10 41
Ooh! Cheese croissants!
----------Silver
Team Lushguin
2009 - The Night of the Descendants
“You’re pure, gallant and cheeky; but I’m unbearable, insufferable and intolerable.”
18,782 / 50,000
Okt 19, 2009 - 22 54
Not an Austinite, myself, so I really know very little about good spots in Austin. However, in previous years I've found the Green Muse to be an excellent place for me. I always seem to get a lot more done there than I can ever manage at home. In fact, that's why I started hosting a write-in there.
However, it isn't a place that works for everyone, and I'll be the first to point out that it's a real good idea to bring your own music and headphones. Sometimes, the music they play is all right, but at others it sounds like someone strangling a cat while it's hurling down the tracks of a roller coaster on fire and being chased by screeching flying monkeys. :)
Kendra
41,058 / 50,000
Okt 20, 2009 - 18 19
I think my only "regular" place I haven't seen posted yet is Epoch on North Loop. You may want to bring headphones, as they don't like turning the music down.
-Marianne
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Marianne
40,094 / 50,000
Okt 20, 2009 - 18 50
Glad you mentioned that place... it's another one I've passed in my travels during work, but I couldn't think of the name of it when I started this thread.
----------NaNo 2009:
9,236 / 50,000
Nov 2, 2009 - 20 19
Summermoon on S. 1st (just north of Ben White) is a great place for writing. It is tiny, and the coffee is great. They're not open after 6 or something like that, so it's only helpful if you can go during the day or on the weekends. Unfortunately, I rarely get to go there for that reason.
11,700 / 50,000
Nov 2, 2009 - 21 26
I have a friend that works at Texenza and they say it is usually pretty quite there. There is one South by Brodie and Slaughter (the one he works at). They have plenty of tables although I'm unsure about the outlet situation. I know they have wifi though.
24,067 / 50,000
Nov 4, 2009 - 14 39
Jeezy Creezy! All these southern folk doin' the NaNo just like last year! Can't a guy up on the north side of town get a little love?
Granted, there are far less places in the way of cafés or bars that would cater to our specific needs. There are a handful of places I know that at least LOOK like the kind of place to use, but I've never been to most of them. Here's the list:
- 360 Primo (Arboretum)
- Barnes and Noble café (Arboretum)
- Kick Butt Coffee (by Highland Mall)
- The Steeping Room (the Domain)
- Triumph Café (off Spicewood Springs, also has great Vietnamese food and lots of light during the day!)
Anyone else know of some good writing spots around north Austin?
----------"One man wrote War and Peace. Twenty-six screenwriters wrote The Flintstones." - Joe Esztherhas
50,014 / 50,000
Nov 4, 2009 - 15 05
Um... erm?
Please have a look at the calendar at the top of the forum (or, to see the whole month's write-ins, click the Direct Link to Calendar link). There are many write-ins on the north end. Tonight's write-in at Vino 100 in Round Rock may be further than you want to drive, but there's a write-in tonight from 6-10 pm at the La Madeleine at 9828 Great Hills Trail, # 650, Austin, TX 78759. If this one works well, it's likely to be a weekly event.
There is also a weekly write-in at Genuine Joe on North Anderson - not too far from Triumph Cafe.
I'm not sure where you are, so I don't know what "north" means to you, but there are far more write-ins this year to the north of central Austin than to the south. I hope you find something that works for you.
----------ML Captain of Capital Ideas & Austin, TX Municipal Liaison
24,067 / 50,000
Nov 4, 2009 - 15 31
Thanks for the quick reply, Lazym, and of course I was exaggerating a bit for comedic effect.
To me, "north Austin" means from around Northcross Mall up to the Domain. I myself am over by the Arboretum, but last year I was off Far West and had the same problem. Most of the write-ins seemed to be held down south of Lady Bird lake (what I'd consider South Austin) and was usually at a time I'd be unwilling to drive through town to get there. Asking me to drive to Round Rock would be akin to asking someone from south Austin to drive to San Marcos. Not impossible, but at the same time not something I'd be willing to do more than once every so often.
I'll admit that I get a bit frustrated when I see most of the Austin events happening south of downtown, and then anything further north usually ends up Pflugerville or Round Rock. Campus is a little better, but getting to and finding space to park and work around campus has its own unique set of challenges, especially around exam time. This year seems much more spread out around town than last year, and I am grateful, but I on this thread specifically I didn't see many places listed that would be a reasonable trip for me or anyone in my area.
Of course, I understand that I'm thinking of this in Austin terms and this city has spoiled me. I spent some time in LA, and an hour drive would be considered a small distance to go. Here in Austin, anything further than 20 minutes feels practically a road trip to me!
----------"One man wrote War and Peace. Twenty-six screenwriters wrote The Flintstones." - Joe Esztherhas
50,014 / 50,000
Nov 4, 2009 - 17 27
Thanks for clarifying -K-!
If all else fails, I encourage you to create your own write-in. The main reason that Austin has so many events to chose from is because we've got a bunch of folks stepping forward to do this. There are few regions (especially the size of ours) that have this many events - but until we break the calendar software, we can always add more!
----------ML Captain of Capital Ideas & Austin, TX Municipal Liaison
40,094 / 50,000
Nov 4, 2009 - 18 58
Don't panic too much, -K-, I started this thread not so much with the purpose of finding a write-in, but just to brainstorm places that might be a good for a writer who needs to escape from their house for an hour or two to find some peace and quiet and get the creative juices flowing. Being a southie myself, I of course have encouraged the brainstorming of ideas close to my own house, since I am woefully ignorant of places that might be suitably cozy, have plenty of outlets, and keep NaNo-friendly hours.
----------NaNo 2009:
7,345 / 50,000
Nov 4, 2009 - 19 46
I haven't written there myself, but I hear good things about a place called Friar Tuck's in Round Rock.
----------Kathryn S
http://fangstories.wordpress.com