Writing Drunk

[Robert McEvily]

Have you tried it?  Do you think it works?  Are loaded writers able to tap into thoughts or emotions that are otherwise suppressed?

[Kristine_ES]

Hi Robert,

Skunk-drunk, 6-sheets-to-the-wind drunk writing doesn't work for me. Wake up the next morning (aside from feeling awful) to find text looks like ALDKS;FJOWIUTH, which not even e e cummings could decipher.  

However, I find being nicely toasted or above-average buzzed helps me relax. I worry less about crafting the "perfect" sentence and just write the damned thing already!  Frequent daydream: that I could beam myself into an ancient pub somewhere in the UK, sit in the corner, get crocked and write by candlelight.

Anybody else?

 

[Cita]

I do it all the time.  It does not work well. 

However, writing during my FIRST drink of the evening rocks.  For some reason, that is my internal signal that "work" is done and now I can "play."  And "play" as most people will admit is the key to great art.  When I relax with that first drink, my brain goes into play mode and somtimes the BEST things come rolling out.

[Jamie Hogan]

Drunk, no. A beer or two to loosen up the gearing? Yeah, that can work sometimes. I think it helps me see connections between thoughts and words that wouldn't be there if I was hard sober.

[Abhi Kantamneni]

If my drunken scrawling has ever taught me anything, it is that when subjected to a much more sober scrutiny the morning after, I am probably not as funny as I think I am (when drunk). 

[Angela]

Never tried it -  buzzed, or blotto.  Most of you convince me that I am okay like that.

[Gita]

 Alcohol shuts down my left brain (where the language center is) and writing comes to a dead stop. Caffeine, now, that's a  yessiree.

[Teresa]

As I've said (written about) before, drinking and writing don't mix for me.  I can't even say that a little is okay.  I'm with Gita - caffeine is a "yessiree". 

[Deborah Jovan Reed]

Sugar in general works for me - large amounts, insanely large amounts - and I will pass out eventually and feel horrific later... can't compare that to drinking alcohol but it's as close as I'll get.

[shauna mcclure]

My ritual is one bourbon, one scotch and one beer (okay, I didn't make it up, but that's how really how I've done it since I was 19 and it seems to have worked thus far).

[Sandra Davies]

Writing, drawing, printmaking - all creative acivitiy benefits from a glass or two of wine for me - the loosening of self-consciousness which allows ideas to rise to the surface.   But I don't get drunk.   Ever.

@Kristine - sometime we shall have to plan a UK pub crawl til we find an ideal ... jk probably could come as advisor too.

[Kristine_ES]

You know how much I would enjoy that, Sandra.  It's on my bucket list. : )

[Cita]

LOVE this Bill.