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There's quote about writing that I particularly like: write drunk, edit sober.
The expression begs for my writing writing to be created during a stuporous drive. It yearns to be brought out without any hesitation, without any barriers.
The problem is, I've been sober.
It's frustrating to be unable to enter that trance which would allow me to unlock the deeper thoughts of my mind. I feel nothing but pain and anger as I stare at a blank template whose only desire is to be filled with honest, pure emotion. I cannot satisfy its demands and have to regretfully turn and walk away, only being able to say that there will be a next time.
Looks like I'll need to raid the liquor cabinet.
  
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9 times out of 10, alcohol can't do anything that a little vulnerability and introspection can't do imo; all it does is make editing way more work.
Hemingway said that, I believe. He was notoriously fucked up, so I wouldn't be surprised if he had issues with repression and whatever else up in his head. Plus, he was a bit of a boozer 
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I do something similar. Before I make big decisions, I get really fucked up with friends then just let my thoughts come out. We have a chill discussion about it and I always feel like I'm more receptive to advice. Then when I wake up the next day, sober, I often feel a sense of clarity and proceed with a decision.
Or maybe this is all just an excuse to drink. 
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On May 28 2014 13:25 Meepman wrote:9 times out of 10, alcohol can't do anything that a little vulnerability and introspection can't do imo; all it does is make editing way more work. Hemingway said that, I believe. He was notoriously fucked up, so I wouldn't be surprised if he had issues with repression and whatever else up in his head. Plus, he was a bit of a boozer
Some people get too caught up in introspection when sober imo, get a bit of analysis paralysis and then don't end up writing anything down. Alcohol or other mind altering substances can help ease the flow of thoughts and feelings into words which can be refined with a clearer head.
Sure editing might be harder, but it's better to have a more difficult time editing than having nothing to edit at all.
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I'm underage so I can't drink, but I substitute being super tired for that. It's fairly effective, removes my tendency to write slowly and analytically so that I can just let the creativity flow out without regard for formality. Then, once my ideas are on paper, I can go refine it to make it into decent writing.
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Needs more Linkin Park IMO.
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On May 28 2014 18:19 Daswollvieh wrote:
Needs more Linkin Park IMO.
Why ? You know that in the end, it doesn't matter.
When i was playing, i'll always get Two beer before going on stage to loosen me a little, but not more since i would play like crap :p
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The thing is, even though a good number of excellent writers were drinkers and prolific drinkers at that, imagine every drunk that fancied himself to be living the Bukowskian fantasy that didn't make it.
What Hemingway and other great writers/drinkers, in that order, didn't mention was just how much time and effort they put into their writing. My point is, be a writer, then a drinker. If you have to raid someone else's liquor cabinet to be both, consider other options.
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On May 28 2014 20:22 ThomasjServo wrote:
The thing is, even though a good number of excellent writers were drinkers and prolific drinkers at that, imagine every drunk that fancied himself to be living the Bukowskian fantasy that didn't make it.
What Hemingway and other great writers/drinkers, in that order, didn't mention was just how much time and effort they put into their writing. My point is, be a writer, then a drinker. If you have to raid someone else's liquor cabinet to be both, consider other options.
Well said.
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On May 28 2014 20:22 ThomasjServo wrote:
The thing is, even though a good number of excellent writers were drinkers and prolific drinkers at that, imagine every drunk that fancied himself to be living the Bukowskian fantasy that didn't make it.
What Hemingway and other great writers/drinkers, in that order, didn't mention was just how much time and effort they put into their writing. My point is, be a writer, then a drinker. If you have to raid someone else's liquor cabinet to be both, consider other options.
Damn you must've got hammered to write this. Such insight
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I used to go to uni with other students who thought you had to get high right before writing an essay to make sure you get "really good ideas". I couldn't believe how retarded that was and people actually thought it. They didn't do so well obviously.
I had people also come up to me after gigs and assume that I had to get massively drunk before setting foot on stage. I never ever drank before playing cos I'd be shit if I did. So wierd people think that. Must be people looking for excuses. Even authors like Tom Wolfe who wrote while tripping had to edit out most of thier work cos it aas utter bullshit.
Writing and playing are the true drugs. If you start writing and you get nothing, well she's a harsh mistress - better write harder.
Chilli is the drug of the gods it must be said.
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a better hemingway quote, i think, about writing, is when he said something like, "sometimes, writing is throwing orange pits into a fire"
i think hemingway writing drunk is probably something he made up to help cultivate his brand.
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Same can apply to music. And by drunk you mean in a higher state of perception and with limited blocks towards yourself. You don' t need to actually get drunk to do this. Just stop thinking critically.
Edit: weed also works better for this pourpase than alcohol
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On May 28 2014 23:46 pebble444 wrote:
Same can apply to music. And by drunk you mean in a higher state of perception and with limited blocks towards yourself. You don' t need to actually get drunk to do this. Just stop thinking critically.
Edit: weed also works better for this pourpase than alcohol
Maybe alcohol affects me differently but I wouldn't call any drunk I've been a, "higher state of perception."
I am actually trying to think of the great pot head writers and coming up short. Keasey was more psychedelics if I recall, and Kerouac did a bit of everything, wouldn't say his writing was directly pot influenced. Not many authors out there I can think of seem to prefer pot to booze.
As Dave Atell once said, "... You never hear of the great pot head writers because no one wants to read 300 pages on why if you put a hat and sunglasses on a dog, he looks like he could drive a truck."
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I believe Goethe also did that. Of course it's a little dangerous to do it. You wouldn't be the first alcoholic writer. I myself have been trying to write a novel recently and I totally get what you mean. I guess for me it's easier tho as for a novel I have the story outlined already.
I will try to write drunk too tho. I have to try it myself. It definetly takes the pressure away. Its much easier to write if you don't constantly wonder if its any good what you are doing there.
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Drinking just lowers your inhibition and self-criticism enough to be more creative/random. It's not a terrible way to generate ideas but in terms of actually writing you tend to end up with a lot of random crap in need of delediting.
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Always drink while writing. It makes it seem like you're getting something done. xD
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On May 29 2014 01:12 Scarecrow wrote:
Drinking just lowers your inhibition and self-criticism enough to be more creative/random. It's not a terrible way to generate ideas but in terms of actually writing you tend to end up with a lot of random crap in need of delediting.
I agree somewhat. I also feel lower inhibition allows one to more quickly recognize and admit what one truly wants or how one truly feels.
Not sure what you mean about the self-criticism thing though? Wouldn't more self-criticism also be helpful for writing/creative tasks?
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On May 29 2014 11:02 Titusmaster6 wrote:Show nested quote +On May 29 2014 01:12 Scarecrow wrote:
Drinking just lowers your inhibition and self-criticism enough to be more creative/random. It's not a terrible way to generate ideas but in terms of actually writing you tend to end up with a lot of random crap in need of delediting. I agree somewhat. I also feel lower inhibition allows one to more quickly recognize and admit what one truly wants or how one truly feels. Not sure what you mean about the self-criticism thing though? Wouldn't more self-criticism also be helpful for writing/creative tasks?
It depends on how much. If you're overly critical in the early draft stages, you won't make much progress because you're constantly thinking about and trying to revise every line.
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On May 29 2014 11:02 Titusmaster6 wrote:Show nested quote +On May 29 2014 01:12 Scarecrow wrote:
Drinking just lowers your inhibition and self-criticism enough to be more creative/random. It's not a terrible way to generate ideas but in terms of actually writing you tend to end up with a lot of random crap in need of delediting. Not sure what you mean about the self-criticism thing though? Wouldn't more self-criticism also be helpful for writing/creative tasks?
Not in coming up with ideas. Self-criticism can keep you from having more tangential thoughts. When you're a bit drunk you're more likely to explore them than immediately discard them as stupid.
In terms of actually writing yes, self-criticism is important but taking some time to turn off the inner critic can help you get past blocks and pump out pages (even if they're mainly crap - sift through it). I'd advocate a drunken brainstorm and writing spree from time to time but for the real grind of writing and editing you better be fairly sober.
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You can just build up your courage stat so you can do things IRL then you won't need the buff (which comes with a debuff as well) to be able to write.
Go sing in public, pick fights, watch manly movies. Once you get that stat up you will notice your writing get a lot better.
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EPT
