Does alcohol help or hinder the creative process?
And mainly do any of you find that you're particularly creative when you're hungover? Like you're brain is wired differently?
Alcohol
Yes, on the second question. I have most of my best ideas in the first few moments of morning hung-over semi-consciousness.
But the amount of time you lose by working to establish that state of mind in the first place...
Not worth it.
Probably.
I once heard an interview with an advertising exec who woke himself up at 5am every morning to take advantage of the early morning confusion of the mind to come up with something original and interesting.
I really like the idea of the semi half asleep dream state giving you material. It's a bit like you're imagination, without you telling it to get to work.
Instead, someones left the gate open, and it's f**ked off, rented a hot air balloon, and killed everyone who can lead the police to it's whereabouts.
You're imagination, that is.
Hey, the subject of alcohol has lured me out of the shadows the make my first post. A few years ago I got the idea in my head that I needed a couple of pints before starting to write. Things felt looser and more flowing when I did. But I think that's wrong, so I stopped. I think the idea is to get your mind empty. If you write at the tail-end of the day (like I mostly do) you have to clear out all the shit you accumulated during the hours before. Alcohol probably helped that. But there are other ways.
Writing while actually drunk, that's a different thing. Most drunks reject their drunken writing as soon as they read it sober, but you might find a nugget of gold in there, hidden amongst the sick, kebab wrappers and traffic cones. In vino veritas.
Hungover I wouldn't know. When I'm properly hungover, you can forget everything.
Quote: Stuart Doherty @ February 6 2009, 3:23 AM GMTDoes alcohol help or hinder the creative process?
And mainly do any of you find that you're particularly creative when you're hungover? Like you're brain is wired differently?
It helps. 
Alcohol makes me create problems for myself, but that's it.
Alcohol actually kills brain cells, so long term it probably damages the creative process. And if you need a crutch like that to write, you've got problems as a writer.
And it's a depressant.
On the plus side, it does make talking to girls easier.
Quote: chipolata @ February 6 2009, 9:35 AM GMTAlcohol actually kills brain cells, so long term it probably damages the creative process. And if you need a crutch like that to write, you've got problems as a writer.
You say crutch. I say aid. 
Quote: Dolly Dagger @ February 6 2009, 9:53 AM GMTYou say crutch. I say aid.
Oooh, Dolly, where did it all go wrong for you? 
Quote: Dolly Dagger @ February 6 2009, 9:53 AM GMTYou say crutch. I say aid.
I do like a good crutch.
Quote: Ben @ February 6 2009, 10:02 AM GMTI do like a good crutch.
I'm more a crotch man.
Quote: Ben @ February 6 2009, 10:02 AM GMTI do like a good crutch.
There's a joke here about 'good AIDS' but maybe the Brass Eye reference is too obscure.
Quote: Dolly Dagger @ February 6 2009, 10:09 AM GMTThere's a joke here about 'good AIDS' but maybe the Brass Eye reference is too obscure.
<tumbleweed, except for one hard-core, never-let-it-go Chris Morris fan whooping, applauding and going 'Yeah!!' at the back of the room>
Dan