7 Starbucks Drinks for Writers
By Amy Groening

A few weeks ago we talked about our favourite places to write: now what about our favourite things to drink while we write? Anyone who follows Word Alive Press on Twitter (or Pinterest, or Facebook) has probably noticed we’re coffee fiends. And with a Starbucks a mere 15-minute jaunt from our workplace, you can guess what our coffee shop of choice is. So, here’s a Starbucks beverage guide for writers!

Grande Dark Roast

You are the no-nonsense writing type who’s looking for an efficient, cost-effective fuel-up before your next writing sesh—which is, of course, the type of bare bones, down-to-earth, minimalist style that would make Hemmingway proud.

Americano with three espresso shots

Burning the midnight oil last night, were we? Of course! You get your best writing done in the magical post-midnight hours. You make Little Miss Grande Dark Roast look like a non-fat vanilla steamer. Room for dairy? Absolutely not. There’s no room for sweetness and light in your dark, brooding, literary soul.

Caramel Macchiato

You like the sweeter things in life: cozy Saturday afternoons curled up in a sun-drenched window seat wrapped in a fuzzy afghan with your notepad in your lap and your jealous cat by your side, composing lush descriptive scenes for your next breakaway romance novel.

S’mores Frappucino

You’re a kid at heart—and your writing benefits from every ounce of your wide-eyed, fun-loving soul. Quirky, fanciful, and at times just a tad silly, people flock to your writing for a refreshing break from adult life. But there’s an unexpected depth beneath that marshmallow fluff and extra pump of chocolate syrup that your readers can benefit from; just because your writing is on the sweeter side doesn’t mean it can’t speak volumes about the more serious aspects of life.

Peach Tranquility Brewed Tea

Other writers might flock to coffee shops for an idea-fuelling caffeine fix, but you’re here for a more calming type of refreshment. Your writing is clear and clean, on the level and devoid of the vices that so many writers lean on. Your over-energized companions may puzzle over your preferences, but that doesn’t bother you one bit. You are fuelled by creativity alone, and you love every minute of it!

Shaken Blackberry Mojito Iced Tea

You are the embodiment of summer: your books demand to be read under a beach umbrella with sand trickling between your readers’ toes. A spot of sunshine in the dead of winter, a breath of hibiscus-scented air in a stuffy centrally heated room, your writing is the ideal in the winter escape for your snow-bound Canadian readership, and the perfect refreshment on sweet summer days.

Pumpkin Spice Latte

No mention of Starbucks is complete without adding the much-loved PSL to the list—much like your writing, which is a sweet and welcoming staple to your readership. As the school year begins, stresses peak and workloads pile up, PSL Writers are in their element. Rich and fluffy with a hint of spice, your books are the ultimate comfort read.

About this Contributor:

Amy Groening is a project manager at Word Alive Press. She is a passionate storyteller with experience in blogging, newspaper reportage, and creative writing. She holds an Honours degree in English Literature and is happy to be working in an industry where she can see other writers’ dreams come to life. She enjoys many creative pursuits, including sewing, sculpture and painting, and spends an embarrassingly large amount of time at home taking photos of her cat committing random acts of feline crime.