The Book Pirate

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The Book Pirate’s Musings on… Literary Drinking

August 23, 2008 By: The Book Pirate Colin Matthew Category: Thoughts on Books

The Book Pirate’s Musings on… Literary Drinking

I was musing last week about the fact that writers tend to surround themselves with other writers. It probably has something to do with all of them being able to relate to each other. All writers will at some point know the frustration that comes with writing either in the form of writer’s block or the dreaded rejection letter. We have people who when they say “I know how you feel” actually do.

Another thing we tend to all have in common is that writers are drinkers.

It’s a fact. Name one writer who does drink. Go ahead. I dare you.

Sure, there are writers who jumped on the proverbial bandwagon and gave up the sauce and wrote a book about it. But they were just doing it for a chance to be on Oprah. Real writers drink. And I feel comfortable saying this because it is something I believe to be true. Anyway, there is nothing wrong with drinking. It can be fun and sociable. If thing go right you often end up with a story that you can work in to your writing.

I bring the subject of drinking up because last night, while at a wedding, Portland author Jamie S. Rich (of Love the Way You Love and Have You Seen The Horizon Lately? among others) told me that he knew my secret identity and that I was going to blog about it. He was right. And since I know he uses Google Alerts and will be reading this. I’m also going to post a picture of him.

Anyway, more about Jamie S. Rich and his books next week. Until then, enjoy the rest of your weekend with this fancy adult beverage.

The Old Pirate
- 1 oz. Irish Cream (Bailey’s)
- 1 1/2 oz. Vodka
- 1 oz. Coconut Milk (Malibu)
- 1/2 oz. Orange Juice
- 1/2 oz. Pineapple Juice
- 1/2 oz. Mango
Shake everything with ice, pour and serve.

  • I don't think it's just writers who surround themselves with people in the same field. I think it's what happens in any job. You can talk about things you have in common and you don't have to explain the intricacies of your trade. I always think it's weird too though when I'm drunk and hanging out with a bunch of my old friends from college journalism classes. "Isn't it so weird how we know so many journalists and writers?!" And they all look at me like, "Duh!"

    P.S. Secret identity? I feel so, so LIED to! Actually, not really, but now I'm super curious...
  • Dear Lord, did I ever drink! I remember all of your faces when I had my deja vu moment of thinking, "I have been hear before." I still have no idea what I might have been cross-referencing in my brain.

    One thing I will note, I can't write while on the sauce, but when the last book I was writing was really kicking my ass, I did often imbibe in a single drink after I stopped working to switch my head off. I looked at it like my version of a commute home, something to clear the cobwebs away and provide the illusion of distance between my desk and the rest of the apartment. It was the first time I understood for real why maybe so many writers have had problems with the sauce.

    By the way, I have you on a google reader feed, so that beat the alert, which has yet to arrive.
  • If I get really, really drunk I write good poetry which I can never seem to remember the next morning.
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