A college friend of mine wrote two critically acclaimed mysteries. Then he had a kid and 
so stopped smoking. It turns out that the smoking was an integral part of his creative process. He's published no novels since.
I myself write at a local café. My brain's gears are lubricated by pot after pot of green tea. In fact, when I try to write without sipping, my brain is like a car engine without oil. I crunch to a halt, just as my college friend did when he forswore smoking.
so stopped smoking. It turns out that the smoking was an integral part of his creative process. He's published no novels since.I myself write at a local café. My brain's gears are lubricated by pot after pot of green tea. In fact, when I try to write without sipping, my brain is like a car engine without oil. I crunch to a halt, just as my college friend did when he forswore smoking.
So, I confess. I am a tea addict. As sure as some people need nicotine, cocaine, or alcohol to function or to make it through the day, I need caffeine. 
Every word I write is drug-enhanced. William Burroughs (using the pen name William Lee) wrote Junky addled by morphine, and I finished my manuscript of Two Graves floating on green tea.
Every word I write is drug-enhanced. William Burroughs (using the pen name William Lee) wrote Junky addled by morphine, and I finished my manuscript of Two Graves floating on green tea. What does this matter? Yom Kippur, the Day of Atonement, starts this evening. Nu? Well, you see, from sundown tonight till three stars appear in the sky Saturday night, I'm supposed to refrain from eating and drinking. (Sex, too, by the way.) That way I can devote all my attention to a review of my transgressions over the past year and how I intend to improve myself over the next one. (Let me tell you, twenty-five hours is not enough for that double task. And by the way, I ask your pardon, dear reader, if I offended you in the past year.)
Some time Saturday morning, I'll feel that a belt is being tightened around my forehead. Kinda the tea DT's. Well, I've decided to cheat. Yesterday I bought a bottle of Excedrin which is a combination of aspirin, acetaminophen, and caffeine. When the headache starts, I'm going to pop a few. That way I can focus on my wanderings from the path of righteousness and the route back to it, rather than the little gremlins jackhammering inside my head. First caffeine and now Excedrin. Seems almost like the Valley of the Dolls, doesn't it?
Here's what I would like to know. What habits, drug-related or not, help you get your writing done?
This posting also published on Inkspot, the blog by Midnight Ink authors.
To be truthful, it's my husband's opera music across the hall. Don't tell him I've become addicted to The Barber of Seville.
Posted by: patti abbott | September 21, 2007 at 04:46 PM