I’m not that crazy about coffee anymore. There I said it. It’s a weight off my shoulders. A burden gone. And to take it even further – I not much of a drinker of alcoholic beverages, either.
So…what’s the big deal? I’m a writer! For the normal person, these proclamations may not be a big deal. But I’m not normal. I’m a writer.
Some of my writer friends write in coffee shops. Some have very productive writing sessions while sipping on a cup of joe. I’ve been debating on packing up the laptop and heading to a local cafe myself to try and up the daily word count, but I’m scared my secret would surface. The image of a writer typing away at the keyboard while a cup of…grape Kool-Aid sits nearby doesn’t conjure up the same mythical vision. 
Don’t get me wrong. There was a time not too long ago when I was one of those writers whose words were tethered to a cup of coffee. But then something happened – I don’t know, like hot flashes or something – and I was no longer in want of any type of drink with steam rising from it.
In my mind, the marriage of writers and coffee was so ingrained, when my taste buds changed, I wondered if I was cut out for this writing life. All my writer friends thrived on the stuff as if it were an intravenous happy drug. While I was chugging the (sugar free) grape Kool-Aid.
Not really all that fond of sweet ice tea now, either. Holy Crap! Now I’m not even a true southern! But that’s another post for another day.
Ahhh…to drink, er..write like Papa!
Back to the drink of choice…in all the “how to write” books I’ve read, they all say study the masters. You know, guys like Papa Hemingway and that Faulkner guy (who leaves me banging my head against hard objects!) So I did…and discovered Papa, Faulkner, Dylan Thomas, Hunter S. Thompson…they all liked to, um…partake in Miss Mamie’s throat soother. A lot. But their writing was brilliant (I reserve judgement on Faulkner, but he IS considered one of the greats.) For some reason I don’t think the how-to books meant to emulate the greats in every way so I’ll leave the hard drinking to frat boys.
So am I still a writer even if I no longer like coffee? Am I still a writer if I write without having a good buzz? Or go on a binge after the writing is done (that Faulkner guy again)?
Stand up to the stereotype my fellow writer friends! Ditch the coffee and the spirits. Want you join me for a cup of Kool-Aid?
Have never liked coffee. It smells good sometimes. Maybe God has you moving on from the coffee thing. :0)
Thanks for the comment, Zoe. I think it smells good, too. Just don’t have a taste for it.
Well, Lynn, sounds like you’re far from alone in refraining from java addiction. I don’t drink it either…unless I’m freezing absolutely to death – as in, turning blue and calling for last rites (even though I’m not Catholic). But I can’t write without a glass of ice cold Dr. Pepper at my elbow. But I’m a writer, bygolly! lol It took too many years to be able to say that to backtrack now. 🙂
I feel so much better now, knowing I’m not alone 🙂
You are not alone in not drinking coffee with your writing. My best writing is done early in the morning, while I’m chugging down my two cups of 75% decaf. Unfortunately, that’s all my body can tolerate. Then I switch to water. I seldom drink soda. If it’s late in the day, I may sit down to write with nice cold beer or a Pino Grigio (I prefer it room temp).
Whatever gets your thoughts flowing – that’s what counts.
Thanks for the comment, Claire. I think we’ve all become accustomed to having some type of drinkable liquid within arms reach. A security blanket, perhaps 🙂
LOL. I have to admit I’m one of those coffee chugging writers. Mine is decaf though. They say writers are a strange lot-so grab cup of….. Kool-Aid… and get writing.
LOL – I’ll order an iced mocha next time we meet for breakfast
You are not alone! I don’t partake of any coffee substance. As far as that goes, I don’t partake of any alcoholic substance either. But, don’t you dare touch my Diet Dr. Pepper. That’s what usually is next to me as do anything writerly. Hey, but you do your Koolaid if that’s what keeps you going. : )
Feels so good to know there’s more of us out there 🙂
You’re definitely still a writer despite your drink preferences. After all, there’s nothing that says you can’t write with Kool-Aid quenching your thirst! Besides, I’m another non-coffee-drinker, non-alcoholic-beverage-partaker who is most definitely a writer. It’s the words that make the author, not the drink of choice. 🙂
Ah, bless you Elizabeth. I’m not alone in my non-coffee writing ways.
Cold coffee? Frap? Iced coffee? There must be someway you can find to drink it. How will you go on?
I have started drinking iced mocha but 8oz has 100 calories and that’s the light version!
Coffee is my drink of choice. The thought of drinking Kool-Aid makes me want to wretch.
I’ll refrain from getting out the pitchforks for your lack of interest in coffee but only because you mentioned Hunter S. Thompson. Had you not mentioned him or the other greats I might have screamed blasphemy and called you a hack (no, not really…I’m not that mean. =) )
I couldn’t write a blog post about any kind of writing and drinking and NOT mention Hunter S. Thompson, now could I? LOL