Girls Write Out
Monday, October 05, 2009

WHAT IS STARBUCKS THINKING?
I'm a coffee nut. And it's all Kristin's fault. We met for the first time when we roomed together at Glorietta Writer's Conference. My parents had always drunk coffee but I was not impressed. Kristin insisted on renting a car so she could have her iced mocha. I'd never been in a dedicated espresso shop. I inhaled that aroma and reeled with delight. K ordered her iced mocha and she got me one too. One sip and I was a goner. Coffee became an EXPERIENCE. And that is what Starbucks has built its business on. The experience we get when we walk into a cafe. The friendly barista. The aromas of the different blends. The myriad choices. Sitting at the table and chatting with friends or family. The experience is delightful.

I went shopping with Donna on Saturday. Of course we had to stop at Starbuck's for our afternoon treat. The first thing the cashier wanted was to offer me a chance to taste test the new instant Via. "Don't get me started," I said. "What is Starbuck's thinking? I can get instant at home. I come to the cafe for the experience. I like to hear the whir of the foaming milk, the sound of the espresso crema forming on the shots, the aroma of ground beans." People in line nodded as I talked to him. And I didn't taste it. What was the point? I don't want instant coffee. Not ever. My coffee loving soul just shudders at the thought! Coffee was never made to be instant. I want the full value of the antioxidants. I want the fresh stuff. No short cuts. No substitutes.

I walked out with a smile on my face and my iced Americano lightened with half and half in my hand. And it made me consider my books and my readers. I don't ever want to shortchange my readers. I want them to get the real thing. A book I've worked on, loved and produced with no shortcuts. One full of caffeine. :-) The real McCoy. No imitation. One that comes from my heart and is what I really love writing.

How about you? Do you have a pet peeve that you see your favorite company doing? Or something you are doing that you will vow to do to the best of your ability?

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Colleen Coble  
posted at 9:39 PM  
  Comments (23)
 
 
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The Authors
Kristin Billerbeck
Kristin Billerbeck is a proud Californian, wife, mother of four, and connoisseur of the irrelevant. She writes Christian Chick Lit; where she finds need for most of the useless facts lulling about in her head.

www.KristinBillerbeck.com

Colleen Coble

Colleen Coble writes romantic suspense with a strong atmospheric element. A lovable animal of some kind--usually a dog--always populates her novels. She can be bribed with DeBrand mocha truffles.

www.ColleenCoble.com

Denise Hunter

Denise Hunter writes women's fiction and love stories with a strong emotional element. Her husband says he provides her with all her romantic material, but Denise insists a good imagination helps too.

www.DeniseHunterBooks.com

Diann Hunt

Diann Hunt writes romantic comedy and humorous women's fiction. She has been happily married forever, loves her family, chocolate, her friends, chocolate, her dog, and well, chocolate.

www.DiannHunt.com

Hannah Alexander

Cheryl Hodde writes romantic medical suspense under the pen name of Hannah Alexander, using all the input she can get from her husband, Mel, for the medical expertise. For fun she hikes and reads. Out of guilt, she rescues discarded cats. She and Mel are presently taking orders from four pampered strays.

www.HannahAlexander.com

 
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