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Does drinking improve your writing?

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Reaver

Staff
Moderator
It hasn't helped mine...have you read "The Blameless Servant"? Perhaps I need to drink something besides scotch. Or in addition to...
 

Steerpike

Felis amatus
Moderator
Have a bit of Ardbeg. If that doesn't do it for you, move over to the irish stuff. Connemara is my recommendation :) I don't think I've ever written after drinking any appreciable amount. I suppose I could try it.
 

Devor

Fiery Keeper of the Hat
Moderator
I think a few beers can help with creativity and looseness, but they can ruin focus.

I found that a single beer or a half-glass of wine back in college would help me give presentations in class, as the adrenaline of being in front of people would more than compensate. But it's never helped me write.
 

Masronyx

Minstrel
Alcohol: no. it makes me sleepy.
Marijuana: no definitely not. Yes, it DOES give you some great ideas, but not the motivation to write them down or put them to use. I will admit to that. That was one of the reasons why I quit smoking pot.

I am glad to say that I've been clean for almost 2 and a half years.

Both drugs may give you ideas that are completely awesome when you are drunk/stoned, but make absolutely no sense when you are sober. Been there, done that with the pot....

I only drink on Saturday nights during a reenactment. That's my social drinking. I'm too busy listening to old men sitting around the fire talking about the old days to write anything... ;)
 

Telcontar

Staff
Moderator
It has helped in the past, though not with creativity or actual writing quality. All it does for me is help me to judge myself less as I'm going, which helps me get into the flow better. Normally when writing my brain is doing two primary things - the writing, and the critiquing. Every word I type gets second-guessed as it hits the page. I stop often to edit even as I'm just trying to get a first draft out.

When buzzed, though, the brain can't do those two things at once. Gotta concentrate on one. Loosen the filters and let the words flow!
 
the brain can't do those two things at once. Gotta concentrate on one. Loosen the filters and let the words flow!
Really I seem to have the exact other issue, my mind is running a million miles a min. Not that it does not do that anyway, and while a tad more sluggish than normal I am still doing three or four things at once. It's kind of annoying really... :|
I write something, while thinking about edits I should or could make in pervious or upcomming sections, Thinking about new matterial that can be added either earlier or later in the work. All while watching TV and Im'ing with various people, sometimes while on the phone with family members. My mind is a dark and freaky place indeed.
 

Sheilawisz

Queen of Titania
Moderator
Hello everyone =) Actually I am a wine freak, like a wine vampire really and yes... drinking, and especially drinking wine (even though I like a few beers sometimes) helps to boost my creativity and my writing!!
 
In my own experience I find that I am useless for anything creative if I drink or if I've ever been high. Good luck convincing me of that during the period of chemical intoxication, though. I've often thought I knew precisely the best way to word something and then, reading it the next day, I'm shocked and appalled at how horrible it is. This may well be because I don't drink or get high terribly often. I've seen people who are used to being intoxicated or high most days who are functional at their arts. I've really never met anyone who was better at the mechanics of the thing when high or drunk, though. Inspiration may come of those states but actual skill? I think not.

I know an awful lot of people who disagree with me, though. Maybe I just suck at drinking.
 
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Masronyx

Minstrel
@ OblivionJones, I don't think it's "sucking" at drinking is how well you handle the amount of alcohol you consume. It doesn't take much for me and I'm ready to lie down for the night.
Drinking is more fun when you're with friends (even better if they are experienced)
 

Xanados

Maester
I don't drink. Drinking and taking drugs are for the weak and the timid. I'm an 18 year old and I've never taken drugs.
 

Xanados

Maester
Drugs are for people who do not have a capacity for imagination. They need to seek an external source that will give them some sort of boost, some form of understanding of the world. Brain damaged, lazy people are drug users.
Edit: Oh and, by the way, before I get a warning from the Mods, I'm not insulting people who use drugs or drink. This is just my subjective opinion.
 
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Drugs are for people who do not have a capacity for imagination. They need to seek an external source that will give them some sort of boost, some form of understanding of the world. Brain damaged, lazy people are drug users.
Edit: Oh and, by the way, before I get a warning from the Mods, I'm not insulting people who use drugs or drink. This is just my subjective opinion.

Words fail me. Mods, is there a "hall of fame" section for truly amazing posts?
 

Xanados

Maester
Words fail me. Mods, is there a "hall of fame" section for truly amazing posts?
Your wit is utterly astounding. Do you wish to challenge my opinion , or are you going to waste time by making sarcastic remarks? In any case, I find it remarkable that someone can be directly offended by a subjective opinion that was not aimed at anyone specifically.

Words fail you? Can you not convey your thoughts properly, or are you having trouble attacking my opinion with a proper differing view? Instead of taking a shot at somone for having a different opinion than you, try arguing with them properly.

I can already predict that you are going to tell me that I'm being too harsh. No, I'm not. Your post is clearly plagued with sarcasm. You think that my opinion is so off the wall that it is laughable and should be displayed for all to see. Pathetic.

I'm not stupid or naive, so get to your point
 
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