when began working solely freelance writer february biggest fear wasn't finding work fear much solitude classic extrovert honestly enjoy some good regular time alone best ideas problem solving wound-licking energy come interactions with others freelancing best choice someone like freedom flexibility being able what love even east central illinois were attractive give cafes with wireless internet access have saved often begin working dining room table porch eventually that focus energy begins fade pack cafe like activity like seeing people know having little water cooler moments getting office like watching other characters drawn cafes tracking narratives they unknowingly spin like that cafe there dishes away laundry fold computer needs babysat essence chained work easy supply caffeine another good thing right sitting caffe paradiso it's just four-block walk from house favorite cafe bread pastries from mirabelle wonderful french bakery town soups made from scratch space large open with pressed ceiling lots natural light hodge-podge random tables chairs some them really scattered about music played from generic predictable that pretty much describes crowd here from generic predictable writing fiction this where would come inspired develop characters their stories plenty expected things happen here studying dissertation writing lunch eating newspaper reading there many interactions conversations that catch just enough astounded ellen like while sitting cafe this place full freaks ahem case point some might argue here's good cafe story tell detail because actually character awhile back agreed favor friend meet with someone knows town needed some professional networking opportunities looking this todd exchanged some emails agreed time meet caffe paradiso final email described myself could identify longish dark hair dark-framed glasses working powerbook todd enters cafe through doorway vision gets coffee approaches first person happens -something year woman with dark hair dark-framed glasses powerbook kristin asks says sits down saying something like it's good meet don't even know exactly what kind writing this kristin looking confused wanting rude says something like student just writing dissertation hope turn into book they chat more it's incredibly awkward soon makes excuse packs stuff leaves todd left thinking that really strange shortly after that notice because he's sitting alone without books study computer anything wonder he's todd think it's hasn't approached walk todd kristin beginning think weren't coming turns pale says strangest thing just happened proceeds tell about other kristin whole circumstances leaves amazed bizarre real life somehow quite regularly find myself situations that seem coincidental real with people come across caricatured taken seriously conversations where people involved witty insightful quick that think there must script this scene somewhere incident with todd left feeling like scene from movie this scene movie would seem contrived funny that works life indeed stranger more wonderful than fiction 