what is with all the alcoholic writers, hemingway fitzgerald, etc. was it just there to ease their pain or did it actually help them, does it help you?
2007-09-04 07:17:14 · 18 answers · asked by ? 2 in Arts & Humanities ➔ Books & Authors
"What is it with all the alcoholic writers, Hemingway, Fitzgerald, etc.."
Creative writers are an odd bunch and I am speaking from experience as I write both fiction and non-fiction. I believe most writers share similar traits such as being left-hand dominant, possibly suffer with ADD/ADHD, etc... Most are open-minded about almost anything. Writing requires open-mindedness, particularly creative writing. It is the only way one can pluck a story complete with city, people, and plot together straight from thin air. As for the greats dealing with alcohol problems, I believe they probably began drinking socially and it became a problem later.
"Does it help you?"
I thought about this before answering it and I have to say that I do tend to drink alcohol when I working on creative pieces; however, I am always careful of my alcohol intake. I never drink to the point of becoming drunk but I do usually have either a glass of wine, imported beer, or a mixed drink when working on creative works. I tend to drink more coffee (I have an espresso bar in my kitchen) when writing article pieces.
2007-09-04 10:09:07 · answer #1 · answered by Paisley Place 3 · 1⤊ 0⤋
A small amount of liquor - 1 or 2 drinks - may help people relax so their minds can wander free and come up with creative ideas. But an alcoholic is a slave to the liquor, so it couldn't possibly help them. It may have eased their psychological pain. Also it is said that alcoholism is a disease. It is certainly an addiction that is very hard to get rid of once you get caught in it. Maybe that's what happened to Hemingway and Fitzgerald. It would be interesting to know - why not read their biographies to find out?
2007-09-04 07:24:56 · answer #2 · answered by BrooklynInMyBones 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
NO.... Alcohol and drugs just make you stupid. Take it from one who has been there... Clean and sober 11 years TODAY in fact. What you write under the influence of alcohol and drugs may seem like the most brilliant things you have ever written - at the time. But read them later when you are cold sober and they are downright embarrassing. Alcohol and drugs are depressants. They may make you feel great for a while but just wait until you crash. The more dependent you become on them, the more you need to read that high place and the bigger the crash. What I have written in the past 11 years clean and sober has been a billion times better than anything I ever wrote high or drunk. I have honed my craft. I have listened to people and learned how to use the gift my Creator gave me and turn it into a talent and a skill. I could never do what I do today drunk or stoned. Hemingway, Fitzgerald - all would tell you the same thing. They were drunks - that is true - but they didn't do their best work drunk. They threw most of that out and started over.
If you truly want to know what Fizgerald thought about drunks, read Babylon Revisited - one of the finest short stories you will ever read and clearly pro-sobriety....
http://gutenberg.net.au/fsf/BABYLON%20REVISITED.html
Stay sober - write sober. In eleven years I have learned it is a better life. Edward Albee said in his play The Zoo Story "Sometimes you have to go a long way out of your way in order to come back a short distance correctly" I am now coming back that short distance - correctly. Pax - C
2007-09-04 07:32:04 · answer #3 · answered by Persiphone_Hellecat 7 · 0⤊ 1⤋
Writing is a lonely business filled with cynics and depressed individuals flock to the drink like moths to a flame.
I can say with experience alcohol does nothing for creativity, when I'm drinking I generally am thinking about things that aren't industrious, so to speak.
2007-09-05 00:51:19 · answer #4 · answered by Dan A 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
No, it makes me want to take a nap. When I'm working on a project, I can't relax. Even when the project is complete, I'm still wound up. Alcohol helps me mellow out. Maybe it's the same for others too.
2007-09-04 07:35:09 · answer #5 · answered by ☆skyblue 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Helping or inhibiting your "thinking" is NOT the same as helping or inhibiting your "creating" -- works for some, not for others. Never tried myself.
Do you like Stephen King? A lot of his early stuff was written under the influence of cocaine and alcohol. His newer stuff, however, is better. Coincidence? Hmmmm . . .
2007-09-04 07:25:53 · answer #6 · answered by herfinator 6 · 1⤊ 0⤋
if you have a LITTLE, it MAY improve your creativity, but in most cases it makes you an idiot.
But alcohol can make you feel easier. And creative people often see the world worst than it is, so they drink to feel easier. But you only make everything worst in reality.
Just my guesses :)
2007-09-04 07:24:35 · answer #7 · answered by Kaja Bilek 2 · 1⤊ 0⤋
There are alcoholics that have succeeded in every field and their are others who havent. Its whatever works for you. Many more people drink everyday and are not successful, these examples just stick out in your mind because they are more publicized.
2007-09-04 07:36:03 · answer #8 · answered by Snarf 3 · 1⤊ 0⤋
with some people yes, with most people no. most of the greatest poets, writers, and artists take some form of drugs or alcohol. and some of the best works have come from them. however most people are not as great drunk :/
2016-05-21 02:44:09 · answer #9 · answered by ? 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
No, my father played the jazz clubs in Philly and alcohol ruined his career, he got to the point where he couldn't even remember the notes to the music !!!!!!!!! He also ruined our childhood !!! I play classical guitar and I can't imagine playing with even one alcoholic drink in me, I would lose my concentration !!!!!!!!
2007-09-04 07:21:25 · answer #10 · answered by chessmaster1018 6 · 4⤊ 0⤋