Jerilyn Winstead

Both men and women get writers block sometimes. It just happens. Here’s an accidental method I came across to help writers blocks. It greatly helped me as a woman but I suggest it will help any writer.

DISCLAIMER: Some people should never drink. Check with your doctor and use your own discretion. This is not intended to be medical advice and I am not a doctor. By reading this post you hold me harmless from any negative consequences from using this writers block help.

Writers Block Help

I was registering for my very first writer’s conference. I’d won a partial scholarship so was able to go this year – I was so excited.

One of the extra sessions they offered was called “Write Drunk; Edit Sober.” They were going to meet in a bar and enjoy a beer flight while writing to a prompt given at the session. Next morning they would meet in a conference room, sober, to edit their creations.

Naturally it cost extra to attend this session, so I wasn’t able to participate in it at the conference.

Try it at Home

But I didn’t let that stop me. I was working furiously on my first novel, trying to get it done on time for the conference.

Then I ran smack into a writers block. Help!

Well, I thought, I can’t attend the class, but I could certainly try this technique at home. Why not?

Unexpected Results curing Writers Blocks Writing Drunk

I set aside a day, I tend to write in the mornings. That’s right – uh oh.

I’m a lightweight so a couple of glasses of champagne and I was beautifully buzzed.

I opened a new page and just started writing, additional material I needed for my novel.

I was in the flow, felt really great, and completely unexpected things came out – a direction and ideas I’d never intended to go with my novel, but it was flowing and I felt great. It all just poured out. I sensed that the writing was really good, too, but since I was a little drunk I knew I couldn’t trust my judgment just then.

So I got in a wonderful writing session, filling several pages. When finished I no longer wanted to be drunk. Uh-oh! It took me quite a few hours and lots of coffee to come back down. I wished I could just flip a switch and stop being tipsy immediately.

I can’t do this on a regular basis, especially not in the mornings!

Tip: Only use this technique sparingly, and only in the evenings or late in the day, when you have no other obligations and will not be driving.

Edit Sober

Next day I looked at my new material. I was right, it was really good! Goodness, I’m a gifted writer when I’m a little drunk!

An exciting new development was created for my novel. I edited and fit into my book and it worked seamlessly.

Men & Women Writers Block Aid

Since then I’ve used this technique a couple more times, making sure to do it in the evening with no upcoming obligations. I use it sparingly, of course, but I did buy my own special Lavender Gin just for this purpose.

Later I was chatting with one of the leaders of the writer’s group who hosts the “Write Drunk, Edit Sober” writing night once a month. I shared how this technique has helped me a lot.

“You’re not supposed to really get drunk, that’s just an expression – a quote,” she said.

Uh oh.