Improving on Home Improvement Improvers
So why doesn’t Lowes or Home Depot have a lounge area for builders and shoppers to “hang out” in? They could serve coffee, have home improvement magazines, videos (made by them of course), and even a “genius” on staff — like the Apple store — who lounges around with everyone, talks about cars, sports, and whatever else and can help with questions.
If this would work, why doesn’t someone open a garage that allows people to rent a space for a day, bring in their cars and trucks, use the tools, diagnotic equipment, and watch others work on their cars. There could be couches all around, big screen TVs with sports on all day, and a bar that serves more than coffee if desired.
While neither one of these ideas appeals to me personally I think they would work because I know they appeal to the hundreds of thousands of guys (and girls) who don’t like to hang out at bookstores and coffee shops. But they have a community, just like “we” do, and they would love to have access to that community just like we do.
The fact is our culture is moving more and more towards leisure… but we all also have hobbies, and those hobbies often “drive us” — no pun intended — so why not capitalize on those hobbies… on that drive?
I think Tim “the toolman” Taylor would certainly visit it.
Noel, I know that many of your readers are hungry for high-quality Christian fiction. Several of us who are trying to “raise the bar” in that area have a new blog, featuring six Christian novelists (including myself.) It’s called “Novel Matters,” and it will include giveaways (like getting a top agent to read your novel-in-progress, for instance), writing advice, and a look into the hearts of people who are writing sumptuous, irresistible fiction by using surprising and satisfying language, and creating unforgettable characters.
“We aren’t afraid to ask the difficult questions that linger in the reader’s mind long after the last page. We are students of craft and desire to join with you in provocative discussions about irresistible fiction, stirring up the passion within author and reader.”
Take a look at http://www.novelmatters.blogspot.com.
Latayne C Scott
http://www.latayne.com
When I was in the Navy about 20 years ago, yeah I’m that old, I was stationed near Miramar Naval Air Station (Top Gun). The base had a garage with several stalls where you could rent a stall for however long you wanted to. I rebuilt an engine on an old Toyota SR5 truck. I thought it was a great idea. I completely agree with your blog entry!