A lot of writers and artists profess to writing while drinking a lot of coffee and sometimes alcohol.Many other creators over the decades have created music and art while under the influence of mind altering drugs.
A recent survey found that editors/writers are the 4th heaviest consumers of coffee. Is this solely because they need to be up late at night to get any writing done – or is it simply a cheap and easy way to kick the writing brain into gear?
A recent survey found that editors/writers are the 4th heaviest consumers of coffee. Is this solely because they need to be up late at night to get any writing done – or is it simply a cheap and easy way to kick the writing brain into gear?
I don’t drink or smoke or take drugs. I limit myself to one coffee a day.
This might or might not seem odd to a lot of people, but my decision to abstain or limit these vices is purely for medical reasons (I have a history of heart arrhythmias) but to be honest I don’t think I’d produce very good writing if I had a few beers in me. It’s hard enough to focus the mind on fiction when I’m sober, so why would I want to hamper my synapses with alcohol (alcohol is a depressant after all)?
Or am I wrong? Do writers really feel different or more at ease with their prose while sipping from a brew – alcoholic or otherwise?
I’d be interested to hear some examples from authors on how coffee or alcohol has helped them with their writing – or hindered them?
At the end of the day, imagination is my drug and I’d gladly overdose on it anytime. J
Darkscrybe 
If I'm struggling with a scene a nice red wine at night helps the Muses swirl and deliver. I think it's because the relaxation of the body and mind allows the subconscious ideas to creep out from their cave.
That's interesting Cherie – so it's more of a relaxation thing than tackling writer's block?