Everybody wants to be a writer...

Everybody wants to be a writer. More than a million Dutch have unpublished stories or poems. Bloggers are with many and writing courses are all fully booked.

What I did not expect when starting a literary magazine, was that for the largest part of my time, I would be writing rejection letters. That’s no fun for anyone. Getting your dream criticised is painful and I would much rather stimulate everyone to write.
 

Romantic cliché
Wannabe authors often try to live a romantic cliché of the writing life. They seek out nightly adventures about which they can write deeply felt stories. To be honest, I cannot recommend the writing life: it takes a lot of time, pay is shitty and success never ensured. Big chance no one will notice your work and you will end up unread. Becoming a writer is something you do against all reason, but the rebellious nature of the job, makes it even more alluring. 

Tsjechov & Co: for all your vodka needs.
Since a while now, everyone in Rotterdam can be a writer, or at least pretend to be one. In the former harbour neighbourhood Katendrecht, known for its gambling and hookers, literary café Tsjechov & Co opened its doors.
Besides readings and workshops, they have concentrated on the most attractive part of the writers cliché: drinking shameless amounts of booze. With their vodka evenings and special beer nights, they serve all (wannabe) writers until they are drunk as a skunk. Will they write better prose? Most positively, it will inspire them. In the worst case it will give them a hangover. But that it is for sure that it will taste good.

Literary café Tsjechov & Co is opened from Wed. until Sun. from 12.00 tot 00.00
Adress: Delistraat 2, Rotterdam