tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19336675.post4487996889874186888..comments2023-11-03T06:02:02.128-07:00Comments on By Ken Levine: The Starbucks writing academyBy Ken Levinehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17305293821975250420noreply@blogger.comBlogger32125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19336675.post-56703060286315793342007-03-21T20:39:00.000-07:002007-03-21T20:39:00.000-07:00So, my question is, has anything ever actually bee...So, my question is, has anything ever actually been <I>finished</I> and sold and/or produced from anything done by the Permanent Sophomore English Major Trust-Fund Babies you see playing Mr./Ms. Pretentious, "writing" in a cafe??<BR/><BR/>Trust me, folks, it didn't happen in Paris in the 20s, either, and they didn't have to worry about batteries.<BR/><BR/>Sitting around trying to write where you can be distracted is sitting around waiting to be distracted from you failure to write.<BR/><BR/>There's a <I>reason</I> why the rooms in the Writer's Building at Warner Brothers don't have good views.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19336675.post-60498123214374271782007-03-21T15:03:00.000-07:002007-03-21T15:03:00.000-07:00I only got to Dodger Stadium once - a doubleheader...I only got to Dodger Stadium once - a doubleheader vs. the Reds in September 1987. Stunning park, gorgeous setting, perfect day. Lousy team. <BR/><BR/>I wonder if you were the guy who sat in my row and did the play-by-play, complete with a little kit that included scorecards, notes, etc. If that was you, you were pretty good. If it wasn't you, it was nice to have someone calling the game because I had no idea who the hell was down there. <BR/><BR/>I thought they'd won both, but they split. Thanks, Baseball Almanac!Davidhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12072692177027318361noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19336675.post-29494858929891633722007-03-21T13:54:00.000-07:002007-03-21T13:54:00.000-07:00I know I'm late to the party, but I couldn't resis...I know I'm late to the party, but I couldn't resist this quote <A HREF="http://mediabistro.com/articles/cache/a9571.asp" REL="nofollow">I found today</A>:<BR/><BR/>"Being in Los Angeles arouses the crazy-competitive-fearful side of my nature. I couldn't walk into [popular West Coast coffee chain] the Coffee Bean [and Tea Leaf] without noticing how many people had laptops with screenplays on the screen."<BR/><BR/>That's from some guy named David Koepp who wrote some little movies about angry lizards and aliens hunting Scientologists.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19336675.post-1993041024278814912007-03-21T11:45:00.000-07:002007-03-21T11:45:00.000-07:00I have to say as somebody who writes at Starbucks ...I have to say as somebody who writes at Starbucks every morning I do it less out of showing people that I am a writer (take that Family Guy) and more out of necessity. <BR/><BR/>I have no overhead deal so my choices are home (free streaming porn via my neighbors wireless signal) or Starbucks (pay 19.95 for a T-Mobile wireless hook up and look over my shoulder nervously every time I search youtube for 'Boobs, springbreak, barnyard animals) If I had another place to go I really would.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19336675.post-31517270119206329312007-03-20T23:58:00.000-07:002007-03-20T23:58:00.000-07:00I never realized how narrowly I avoided making mak...I never realized how narrowly I avoided making making a tragic career mistake.<BR/><BR/>I earned an invaluable <I>Radio/TV/Film</I> degree in college with the thought of pursuing a writing career. However, once I was out in the real world I quickly realized I had neither the passion or talent to actually write screen or teleplays.<BR/><BR/>Little did I know at the time I never stood a chance because I absolutely hate the taste of coffee and would have never been able to find a suitable place to get any work done.<BR/><BR/>Lucky for me I found another profession that doesn't require drinking coffee, a simple commitment to drinking 10 cans of Coke a day is sufficient.<BR/><BR/>I do occasionally sneak into Starbucks and order a hot chocolate just to see what all of the fuss is about. But, I still feel like an outcast because I don't get to list a litany of coffee specifications required in order to brew up the <I>perfect</I> cup of java for me.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19336675.post-47101971387012453182007-03-20T18:56:00.000-07:002007-03-20T18:56:00.000-07:00Ken,Just was about to say that since I've relocate...Ken,<BR/><BR/>Just was about to say that since I've relocated to LA from Boston (2 weeks and counting) I've been craving the DD. But Kristen beat me to it.<BR/><BR/>Starbucks and CB&TL just aren't the same ... <BR/><BR/>If this screenwriting thing don't work out, clearly my mission will be to open a Dunkin franchise out here ... all the Massholes could hang out. :)daphmaxhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13035832078897732248noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19336675.post-63194501258366093382007-03-20T17:03:00.000-07:002007-03-20T17:03:00.000-07:00Schoi, he probably got it off of Google Image Sear...Schoi, he probably got it off of Google Image Search, which means it's readily available to anyone and everyone. I'm going to assume the file name for the picture has "Starbucks" in it? Might wanna change that before you decide to get anal about it.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19336675.post-63883715654587981762007-03-20T17:02:00.000-07:002007-03-20T17:02:00.000-07:00Starbucks coffee is ass. There are no Dunkin' Don...Starbucks coffee is ass. There are no Dunkin' Donuts in L.A., which I find to be a tragic flaw.Oh. It's Kristen Again. *sigh*https://www.blogger.com/profile/02059444551763120295noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19336675.post-66277797710331013412007-03-20T12:05:00.000-07:002007-03-20T12:05:00.000-07:00Where did you get that picture from--it is of my h...Where did you get that picture from--it is of my husband and off of my private website. Please give us credit--Soyeun Choi for the picture and Tommy Hui for being in it--or remove it since it we have not allowed your use and besides, it's not his laptop and he's not writing. <BR/><BR/>(Although it is at a SF Starbucks and yes, otherwise, he'd be programming.)Soyeunhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03596315487861345242noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19336675.post-6937707474290998502007-03-20T10:51:00.000-07:002007-03-20T10:51:00.000-07:00Leave the house? That's a great idea! Genius, Le...Leave the house? That's a great idea! Genius, Levine! Sheer genius! Look out, Panda Express!Murphhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03432663750378436035noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19336675.post-73378326938213528672007-03-20T10:10:00.000-07:002007-03-20T10:10:00.000-07:00I actually do pretty good writing my blog at a loc...I actually do pretty good writing my blog at a local pub. Any facts or research I need for my posts are via free wireless...<BR/><BR/>Naturally, this means (sometimes) proof reading one's work later before hitting "publish"...Dan Kelleyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02687607457269279943noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19336675.post-11405287860158645722007-03-20T09:19:00.000-07:002007-03-20T09:19:00.000-07:00I've put in many hours at Starbucks here in Seattl...I've put in many hours at Starbucks here in Seattle, and many more at Tully's (better coffee). I'm not writing scrips yet, just short stories and novels, and I found in about two hours I can get out 2,000 to 2,5000 words (some times 3k to 4k if I'm really going).<BR/><BR/>I don't mind all that much working at a coffee shop, there wasn't a lot of others there and a good amount of plugs. I also brought headphones and would usualy watch a movie as I was writing (still do). It worked out well.<BR/><BR/>Of course I've now moved into my kitchen, but with the same setup (sans whip cream). Just by being on my laptop is enough to remove quite a few distractions.Fox Cutterhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03074347237179927369noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19336675.post-25067042350427045312007-03-20T09:17:00.000-07:002007-03-20T09:17:00.000-07:00Dear Mr. Levine -- I've awarded you a "Thinking Bl...Dear Mr. Levine -- I've awarded you a "Thinking Blogger" award. You'll not be able to carry it into the Coffee Bean near UCLA... or, at least if you did, no one would notice, so what's the point?<BR/><BR/>See my <A HREF="http://secondeffort.blogspot.com/2007/03/nominated-and-thinking-perhaps-too-much.html" REL="nofollow">post</A> about it this morning. Not that you would -- but it would be interesting to see what you'd do with this meme disguised as an award.The Curmudgeonhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14723009641287783218noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19336675.post-40551780705004224062007-03-20T08:49:00.000-07:002007-03-20T08:49:00.000-07:00Where did you get that picture? That starbucks is...Where did you get that picture? That starbucks is in San Francisco and up here people mostly write code and found startups in coffee shops - although typically starbucks isn't cool enough for that (well, and because the wifi costs money).Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19336675.post-66441598274201760822007-03-20T08:32:00.000-07:002007-03-20T08:32:00.000-07:00I tried to write at my office in assistant land fo...I tried to write at my office in assistant land for a while. Sadly, stopping every three to five minutes to answer the phone "John Smith's office" in my bestest sing-song turned out to be a hindrence to my work. P.O.C indeed. So now I hide in my hovel on the weekends clickity clacking away. It's cozy, quiet and the coffee is freeeeeee.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19336675.post-89173752607835331152007-03-20T08:31:00.000-07:002007-03-20T08:31:00.000-07:00I still write by hand, in pencil, in notebooks. De...I still write by hand, in pencil, in notebooks. Depends on where I am in the city but, usually a coffee shop for the first drafts. Then the laptop comes out to enter the text. Then it gets printed and brought to either Swingers or Home Cafe or another coffee shop, re-written and re-entered.<BR/>Oh, this is not a script. These are individual chapters. <BR/>Only one a day, and only 2 or 3 days a week.Allen Luluhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12572137416801958769noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19336675.post-44343191784045386952007-03-20T07:10:00.000-07:002007-03-20T07:10:00.000-07:00I worked as Ken Levine's assistant for two years, ...I worked as Ken Levine's assistant for two years, and he only hit me once.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19336675.post-6752743746929332342007-03-20T06:37:00.000-07:002007-03-20T06:37:00.000-07:00Nordstom's cafe. Starbucks is way too crowded and ...Nordstom's cafe. Starbucks is way too crowded and noisy. I like it because I can order what I want and go sit in a corner booth to write & not be bothered the whole time. It's an odd choice but it works for me.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19336675.post-78512753289560054782007-03-20T05:51:00.000-07:002007-03-20T05:51:00.000-07:00Hey, Ken: Did it ever happen that while you and D...Hey, Ken: Did it ever happen that while you and David were wearing your priest collars at Coffee Bean someone came up to you, knelt down and confessed: "Bless me Father, for I have sinned... I wrote POLICE ACADEMY 4: CITIZENS ON PATROL?"....Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19336675.post-82026636846630725772007-03-20T05:40:00.000-07:002007-03-20T05:40:00.000-07:00Hi,Kevin I like your site. I write a comedy blog, ...Hi,Kevin I like your site. <BR/>I write a comedy blog, I wondered if you wanted to take part in an interview to highlight your site. My blog is http://mrjoeblogs.blogspot.com. The questions are as follows : <BR/><BR/>Name : <BR/>Age : <BR/>Location : <BR/>Vocation : <BR/>Philosophy : <BR/><BR/>Sum up what your blog is about.<BR/>Why are you doing your blog?<BR/>What’s the funniest entry on your site?<BR/>What is your writing style?<BR/>What do people commonly say about your site?<BR/>What would you be doing if you weren’t doing your blog?<BR/>Why should someone visit your site?<BR/>What did you learn from your first love?<BR/>Are there any blogs, you enjoy reading?<BR/>As an incredibly successful comedy writer, do you laugh at your own jokes?<BR/>Which of your TV work are you most proud of?<BR/>How much time do you commit to writing in a week?<BR/>Tell us about a good deed you have done recently.<BR/>Tell us a random funny story that comes to mind.<BR/>Any interesting travel stories?<BR/>What’s the most incredible thing that ever happened to you?<BR/>Now it’s your turn! Ask me one question, anything you like.<BR/>Your Site Address : <BR/><BR/>Kind Regards<BR/>Joe Blogs<BR/><BR/>(please include any picture at all that you want to add to the interview)JoeBlogshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06690626632540482421noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19336675.post-67741863942261051372007-03-20T01:53:00.000-07:002007-03-20T01:53:00.000-07:00That last post is actually me, and it is obviously...That last post is actually me, and it is obviously very important that people know this. I somehow forgot to put my name in. As I said, I make many revisions.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19336675.post-61140590534257262002007-03-20T01:48:00.000-07:002007-03-20T01:48:00.000-07:00I don't have a laptop. So it's at home for me. Som...I don't have a laptop. So it's at home for me. Sometimes I'll jot stuff down on a napkin or in my phone if I come up with something when out and about.<BR/><BR/>I'm one of those P.O.C. writers, to tell the truth. However, I'm also a compulsive proofreader and I go back and change and tweak things a TON.<BR/><BR/>The Starbuckses(?) here in ATL have a ton of Apple laptop people, but they're all doing journalism, schoolwork, or real estate stuff. Not too many fiction writers.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19336675.post-36064826062426670372007-03-20T01:08:00.000-07:002007-03-20T01:08:00.000-07:00"There’s a Coffee Bean near UCLA that’s always loa...<I>"There’s a Coffee Bean near UCLA that’s always loaded with spectacular women. I will sometimes write there and bring my Emmy."</I><BR/><BR/>Genius, sir. Pure genius.<BR/><BR/>As for me, I usually write in the tub with a glass of Chardonnay and a set of ovaries.IQCrashhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14602445872864488724noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19336675.post-21121743776266572032007-03-20T00:44:00.000-07:002007-03-20T00:44:00.000-07:00I used to hate assholes writing at Starbucks, but ...I used to hate assholes writing at Starbucks, but my procrastination skills have progressed to a point now where where working at home is virtually impossible. Now I can't write unless I go out.<BR/><BR/>I tried libraries for a while. On the plus side they are free but I don't like being cut off from drinks and being too far from bathrooms (I am paranoid about leaving my laptop behind so packing it up each time is an ordeal). Also the hours are not as good.<BR/><BR/>I don't mind a little noise, I think it helps me focus. When kids start running around it's pretty awful but usually doesn't last too long.<BR/><BR/>The Office is for morons. I was given a coupon once for a free hour, as if that was even worth the trip out there.Kennyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02125259992970822694noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19336675.post-56138054536954046192007-03-20T00:20:00.000-07:002007-03-20T00:20:00.000-07:00The whole writing-on-a-laptop-at-Starbucks trend h...The whole writing-on-a-laptop-at-Starbucks trend has given rise to a new phenomenon -- laptop envy.Ianhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16688301329863871296noreply@blogger.com