Comments on: Those Drunken, Vomiting Writers Were So Adorable

By: Keir

Keir — Fri, 12 Sep 2008 16:04:48 +0000

I think you’re dead on, Alison–we don’t really know if writers booze it up the way they used to because writers aren’t the celebrities they once were.

And, yes, everyone drinks less than they used to–except reality show contestants and 25-year-old pop stars.

By: Alison

Alison — Fri, 12 Sep 2008 11:00:14 +0000

Slow day at the NYP…

I’m sure there are plenty of drunk writers out there, getting into all sorts of trouble (I know I’ve met a few). A better question would be to ask why we don’t hear about it. Is it because their antics are not considered newsworthy by the media, who prefer to show us the latest reality TV star (generally more photogenic, let’s face it), or is it because today’s writers go out of their way to keep their private lives private?

In terms of fame, who would you consider to be today’s equivalent of Hemingway, say? JK Rowling? Stephenie Meyer? Neither really fits the bill of having a public, “showbiz” life and of course they have the additional burden of writing for a younger audience – public misbehaviour is definitely out of the question.

If it should be true that there is less drinking in the overall writing profession, would that not be a simple reflection of the overall decline in drinking in Western society? Even investment bankers now routinely go back to their desks in the afternoon to do work instead of just sleeping off their boozy business lunches.

And for the avoidance of doubt, rum + OJ is not a “Dakota Grand” it’s a rum screwdriver.

By: Elizabeth Evans

Elizabeth Evans — Thu, 11 Sep 2008 21:50:13 +0000

I’m on “mood regulators” so when i try to study I CAN’T have a soothing glass of wine or more than 1 beer. I’m doing something fundamentally backwards, i think

By: Meta Smith

Meta Smith — Wed, 10 Sep 2008 22:44:38 +0000

This literary lush (and Chicago girl) is far from dry! I think a lot of writers are taking themselves way too seriously and taking the fun out of being a writer if they don’t have a nip or two!

There is truth to the fact that being published (and I am) means you’ve got to be a business person which to me seems like more of a reason to drink, not less. LOL. Corporate America is nervewracking. AND I’m a mom (another reason why I drink) so I don’t exactly get drunk at 11 am but I could since my son is at school then. I’d just have to be sober by 2 which is no fun. Oh and did I mention I’m living with my mother. If I didn’t drink I’d be totally insane.

My choice cocktails start with beer. I’m a Midwesterner! Imports are preferred but if I’m waiting on a royalty check domestics will be happily imbibed. Miller High Life is after all “The Champagne of Beers”.

Next at bat has to be Jack Daniels: Black Label, straight, no chaser, and if I’m feeling ladylike, a couple cubes of ice.

Last on the list is wine. Screw off, fancy cork, it makes me no nevermind, just fill my glass all the way up please.

Viva La Literary Lush!

By: Nowadays, writers are a lot dorkier

Nowadays, writers are a lot dorkier — Wed, 10 Sep 2008 14:30:43 +0000

[...] at Booklist’s Likely Stories, Keir Graff looks into the sadly declining link between booze and writers by checking out a NY Post article by Justin Rocket Silverman on the subject. Says Keir, For [...]