Write Drunk. Edit Sober. I ran across this saying the other day, and I’ve been thinking about it ever since. It is one of those often-misattributed quotes that might or might not be an actual quote at all. It is often (apparently erroneously) attributed to Ernest Hemingway, who is in his memoir, A Moveable Feast, actually claimed quite the opposite:
My training was never to drink after dinner nor before I wrote nor while I was writing.
Regardless of where the concept originated, what does it mean and is it good advice?
Is it right to write drunk?
I don’t think writing while intoxicated is likely to produce much worthwhile writing. Writing, like other creative endeavors, takes effort and persistence, qualities that are not enhanced by alcohol consumption. So, in my opinion, writing while drunk is not good advice.
However, writing with the lack of inhibition that alcohol sometimes produces is the kind of thing I strive for. The best, most creative writing comes from the subconscious, but it can be difficult to tap into that wellspring of imagination and genius, because the conscious mind keeps butting in. The more I can block out that critical, grammar- and style-conscious voice, the easier it will be to come up with truly original and worthwhile ideas.
I am not, however, talking about some mystical altered state that can be achieved through drugs or alcohol. The best creative stuff takes consistent work, an intuition trained to recognize great ideas, and the courage to lay bare our souls. So the ideal is to write diligently, but with total abandon. Not an easy goal, is it?
Edit Sober
This half of the quote is valid advice. While creating a first draft is a place for uninhibited creativity, editing that draft requires a different kind of thinking. Editing involves logic, structure, grammar and technique—all of which need a sober, logical manner of thinking. (Which is why even those who advocate writing drunk know they need to face their gibberish while sober if they hope to make anything of it.)
In conclusion, I’m offering an emended quote:
Write with Total Abandon. Edit strategically.
It’s not quite as catchy, but it’s much better advice. Don’t you agree?
Writing is not the only activity where we need different kinds of thinking for different tasks. What areas in your life would benefit if you refused to listen to your inner critic and let your imagination run free? When would forcing yourself to think logically and strategically help you better achieve your goals?
Which kind of thinking do you find more difficult?
There are dozens of books out there to help you think creatively, or strategically. Here are a few suggestions: