The Big Question: Should You Write Drunk?

Pouring a glass of wine or a measure of single malt is not entirely unknown in the writing world. The general consensus seems to be that if you oil the cogs with a little alcohol, the words come much easier.

I often used to write with a half-bottle of scotch or glass of wine by my side. The trouble is that most of the first part of this process involved me musing and staring into space. By the time I was ready to put pen to paper, I was too pissed to care.

There are other questions to ask here, of course. The first and foremost is whether it makes you a better writer or not. There is an adage that some stick to which is that you should write drunk and edit sober. While the second part of this may be true, the first almost certainly isn’t, at least not for most people.

Which Famous Authors Were Known to Write Drunk?

There are some notable writing greats who had a drinking problem and undoubtedly imbibed while they were penning their masterpieces. These include:

• Ernest Hemingway was known to enjoy alcohol and was often seen drinking while writing. He once said, “I drink to make other people more interesting.”
• William Faulkner was known to have a drinking problem throughout his life and would often write while intoxicated. He said: “Civilization begins with distillation.”
• Charles Bukowski was a notorious heavy drinker and often wrote about his experiences with alcohol. His work is often characterized by its raw and gritty depictions of life.
• Edgar Allan Poe struggled with alcoholism and was known to have written some of his most famous works while under the influence. It also eventually took his life.
• Dylan Thomas was a heavy drinker and also wrote while in a drunken state. He once famously said: “An alcoholic is someone you don’t like who drinks as much as you do.”

It’s not just the men who like a drink or two while they’re penning a classic. Dorothy Parker was a writer, poet, and critic known for her wit and sharp humour and was famous for her heavy drinking, once stating: “I like to have a martini, two at the very most, after three I’m under the table, after four I’m under my host.” Poet Sylvia Plath known for works such as The Bell Jar and Ariel, struggled with mental illness and alcoholism, and her death by suicide at the age of 30 was attributed to these issues.

Is There Any Scientific Evidence that Alcohol Makes You a Better Writer?

There is no scientific evidence that suggests that people write better fiction when they are intoxicated. In fact, studies have shown that alcohol and other drugs have negative effects on cognitive function, including memory, attention, and decision-making skills.

While some writers may believe that alcohol or drugs enhance their creativity or help them to access deeper levels of consciousness, the reality is that these substances impair our faculties rather than unleash a storm of creativity. Of course, the quality of writing is often subjective and depends on a variety of factors, including skill, experience, and personal style.

In other words, you may write drunk but that doesn’t mean you’re Ernest Hemingway or Sylvia Plath.

So, what do you think? Write with a glass of wine or write sober, let us know in the comments section below.