Does booze boost creativity? - Page 2

SeaKing · 03-19-2012, 04:15 AM

I remember the husband of a cousin of mine in carrier jet pilot flight training got really upset and tense over it. He started to drop out. His commander thought he had the makings of a good pilot though, except for his nerves, and strongly suggested that he "go out and loosen up, just get drunk" with some of the guys that were already doing it. He didn't mean being drunk during flying.

The flier decided not to do either and changed from pilot training to navigator training. That was less stressful for him. He made a career there.

A lot of guys did go get drunk to "loosen up."

If you loosen up so to speak you will think of different things from what you think not drinking. Not all good or course.

Otherwise I think it is just excuse given to justify what you are doing because you have problems. Of course after you drink enough, the drink is the problem, so it works full circle. If you really need that drink, probably your writing is going to be adversely affected. What you need to do is to change your habits until you don't need that drink and then you can be really productive.. Smoking is the same way.

By the way, I have known a lot of very proficient drunks. Some were talented and very skilled at different things. The alcohol only hurt that talent and skill. Never enhanced. it.

gmw · 03-19-2012, 04:20 AM

There's a big difference between getting drunk and having a couple of quiet ones to help you relax. I don't think getting drunk does anyone any good. Being relaxed, however you achieve it, can be very beneficial.

Justin Nemo · 03-19-2012, 05:02 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by EileenG

Okay, I've got to admit that I make a point of having a glass of wine beside me when I'm writing sex scenes. It just allows me to lower my inhibitions enough to put the kinky stuff on the page, instead of just in my head. Even if I have to tell myself that I can write this because no-one is ever going to read it. Then I go back and edit when I'm stolne cold sober.

Hey Eileen do you have a cigarette too after you've written that stuff.

Sorry just kidding.

Personally I think too much booze can numb the brain and I have enough trouble writing as it is.

xg4bx · 03-19-2012, 05:03 AM

i don't drink anymore but i've always had my best ideas about anything and everything during a nice hot shower. especially when the water hits that sweet spot where it almost matches your body temp and it feels like you're back in the womb or something.

VicLavigne · 03-19-2012, 06:13 AM

Most of my writing has been either college papers or technical writing. I do have to say, a small amount of alcohol (just shy of a buzz) helps me a little with writer's block. If I've gotten to a point where I'm stuck and don't know how to proceed, a small drink usually helps me get started again.

Of course, the next morning when I reread the paper, it doesn't necessarily read as good as it did while I was writing it. Increased creativity does not always equal increased skill.

Vic

EileenG · 03-19-2012, 09:16 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Justin Nemo

Hey Eileen do you have a cigarette too after you've written that stuff.

Sorry just kidding.

Personally I think too much booze can numb the brain and I have enough trouble writing as it is.

Nah, usually an expresso! I tend to write my sex scenes in a very crowded food hall with no internet.

And I have one glass of wine. Just enough to loosen my internal "You can't write that, it's disgusting, what if someone sees it?" voice.

SeaKing · 03-19-2012, 09:12 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by EileenG

Nah, usually an expresso! I tend to write my sex scenes in a very crowded food hall with no internet.

And I have one glass of wine. Just enough to loosen my internal "You can't write that, it's disgusting, what if someone sees it?" voice.

That's interesting.
I would have thought you would have gone to the beach, or a club, where people were flaunting their sexuality, to get the right mood. A food court just doesn't seem the right place. For me anyway.

I was riding through a College Campus today just coming from a Chick Fil A and a Southwest salad and a milkshake and I saw a cute couple walking and holding hands, and the girl was all smiles while the boy was like "what is happening here?" That would set up a youthful sweet type scene, but really nothing much was happening at Chick Fil A to set up anything.

WT Sharpe · 03-19-2012, 09:32 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by SeaKing

...I would have thought you would have gone to the beach, or a club, where people were flaunting their sexuality, to get the right mood. A food court just doesn't seem the right place....

I don't know—ever seen Kate Upton eat a Southwest Patty Melt?

EileenG · 03-19-2012, 10:05 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by SeaKing

That's interesting.
I would have thought you would have gone to the beach, or a club, where people were flaunting their sexuality, to get the right mood. A food court just doesn't seem the right place. For me anyway.

I was riding through a College Campus today just coming from a Chick Fil A and a Southwest salad and a milkshake and I saw a cute couple walking and holding hands, and the girl was all smiles while the boy was like "what is happening here?" That would set up a youthful sweet type scene, but really nothing much was happening at Chick Fil A to set up anything.

I always know ahead of time what's going to happen in my story, and who is going to be in it. I don't sit down and wait to be inspired. But the noise and bustle provides white noise that lets me work without hearing a clock go Tick Tock, and since I'm away from home, I'm not thinking of all the things in the hosue I should be doing.

Sometimes you do overhear bizarre snippets of conversation at nearby tables. Last time, there were three women discussing getting Brazilians, and how much muff-diviing they expected as a reward.

eBooksgp · 03-20-2012, 01:44 PM

I would say booze can help open the mind and help with creativity. I've spend evenings writting with a glass or two of red and felt the process flowed somewhat smoother.

SeaKing · 03-20-2012, 04:58 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by EileenG

I always know ahead of time what's going to happen in my story, and who is going to be in it. I don't sit down and wait to be inspired. But the noise and bustle provides white noise that lets me work without hearing a clock go Tick Tock, and since I'm away from home, I'm not thinking of all the things in the hosue I should be doing.

Sometimes you do overhear bizarre snippets of conversation at nearby tables. Last time, there were three women discussing getting Brazilians, and how much muff-diviing they expected as a reward.

Well, I think that EileenG has given some of us at least a new appreciation of the "Food Court."

ScalyFreak · 03-20-2012, 07:29 PM

So there is a writer's version of the Ballmer Peak...

orlok · 03-21-2012, 04:30 AM

Well I experimented last night. Two glasses of red wine whilst I was writing, and hey presto! I wrote twice my normal target word count, and the inspiration flowed. Haven't gone back and read the output yet, though...

eBooksgp · 03-21-2012, 06:14 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by orlok

Well I experimented last night. Two glasses of red wine whilst I was writing, and hey presto! I wrote twice my normal target word count, and the inspiration flowed. Haven't gone back and read the output yet, though...

I may try that tonight....

VydorScope · 03-21-2012, 07:03 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by orlok

Well I experimented last night. Two glasses of red wine whilst I was writing, and hey presto! I wrote twice my normal target word count, and the inspiration flowed. Haven't gone back and read the output yet, though...

Do you remember what you wrote? LOL

03-19-2012, 04:15 AM	#16
SeaKing Frequent Flier Posts: 1,282 Karma: 2058993297 Join Date: Oct 2011 Device: KB kindle aboard, Galx Tab 7.0 Plus, trying out Droid 1 as mini-tab	Just excuses. I remember the husband of a cousin of mine in carrier jet pilot flight training got really upset and tense over it. He started to drop out. His commander thought he had the makings of a good pilot though, except for his nerves, and strongly suggested that he "go out and loosen up, just get drunk" with some of the guys that were already doing it. He didn't mean being drunk during flying. The flier decided not to do either and changed from pilot training to navigator training. That was less stressful for him. He made a career there. A lot of guys did go get drunk to "loosen up." If you loosen up so to speak you will think of different things from what you think not drinking. Not all good or course. Otherwise I think it is just excuse given to justify what you are doing because you have problems. Of course after you drink enough, the drink is the problem, so it works full circle. If you really need that drink, probably your writing is going to be adversely affected. What you need to do is to change your habits until you don't need that drink and then you can be really productive.. Smoking is the same way. By the way, I have known a lot of very proficient drunks. Some were talented and very skilled at different things. The alcohol only hurt that talent and skill. Never enhanced. it.

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03-19-2012, 04:20 AM	#17
gmw cacoethes scribendi Posts: 5,809 Karma: 137770742 Join Date: Nov 2010 Location: Australia Device: Kobo Aura One & H2Ov2, Sony PRS-650	There's a big difference between getting drunk and having a couple of quiet ones to help you relax. I don't think getting drunk does anyone any good. Being relaxed, however you achieve it, can be very beneficial.

03-19-2012, 05:03 AM	#19
xg4bx Are you gonna eat that? Posts: 1,633 Karma: 23215128 Join Date: Jun 2011 Location: Phillipsburg, NJ Device: Kindle 3, Nook STG	i don't drink anymore but i've always had my best ideas about anything and everything during a nice hot shower. especially when the water hits that sweet spot where it almost matches your body temp and it feels like you're back in the womb or something.

03-19-2012, 06:13 AM	#20
VicLavigne e-reading since 2008 Posts: 197 Karma: 112730 Join Date: Oct 2008 Location: Hinesville Georgia Device: Nook STR, Sony PRS-T1	Most of my writing has been either college papers or technical writing. I do have to say, a small amount of alcohol (just shy of a buzz) helps me a little with writer's block. If I've gotten to a point where I'm stuck and don't know how to proceed, a small drink usually helps me get started again. Of course, the next morning when I reread the paper, it doesn't necessarily read as good as it did while I was writing it. Increased creativity does not always equal increased skill. Vic

03-20-2012, 01:44 PM	#25
eBooksgp Connoisseur Posts: 67 Karma: 608380 Join Date: Nov 2011 Location: Cardiff Device: iPhone	I would say booze can help open the mind and help with creativity. I've spend evenings writting with a glass or two of red and felt the process flowed somewhat smoother.

03-20-2012, 07:29 PM	#27
ScalyFreak Sith Wannabe Posts: 2,034 Karma: 8017430 Join Date: Jun 2011 Location: I'm not sure... it's kind of dark. Device: Galaxy Note 4, Kobo Aura H2O, Kindle Fire HD, Aluratek Libre	So there is a writer's version of the Ballmer Peak...

03-21-2012, 04:30 AM	#28
orlok Close to the Edit! Posts: 9,797 Karma: 267994408 Join Date: Jan 2011 Location: UK Device: Kindle Oasis, Amazon Fire 8", Kindle 6"	Well I experimented last night. Two glasses of red wine whilst I was writing, and hey presto! I wrote twice my normal target word count, and the inspiration flowed. Haven't gone back and read the output yet, though...

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