I would hate to not remember creating amazing shit--that’s the part of King’s story that haunts me. Because the process is so important to experience. I never got to where my writing was propelled by alcohol so (humbly) I think I just got lucky. I can’t actually write from a numb state which is what alcohol gave me: disinhibition yes but due to numbness. If the two had been entangled for me (writing and drinking) I know it would have been even harder to quit drinking. I’m (only) two years into alcohol abstinence and writing feels better.
Lady! ! I am thinking we all should have known he was fucked up because a sober mind writing say Cujo for instance, would be classified as sociopathic, psychopathic and legally detained in the nearest mental hospital. And of all things to abuse, NyQuil and Listerine, the thought of being sick enough to take NyQuil makes me actively work toward remaining healthy during cold and flu season! Not to mention every woman knows the alternative use for listerine.... and it’s not human consumption! And thanks for reading!
I didn't know this about Stephen King. I am grateful that we as writers are able to look and learn and be mindful of what we choose to fuel us and our writing. I'm very glad to see in the comments that his children are following in his legacy of writing too!
Great post! Lots of details I didn’t know, even though I was familiar with King’s story. I can add that he wrote all of the stuff I consider his best during his active addiction, but he also wrote his lamest and most lifeless work toward the end of that period.
A now-sober alcoholic told me once that it took him years to get used to doing regular things sober; i suspect this phenomenon always screws up the data on whether addiction is good or bad for your creative work.
I also think creative people can make use of almost anything in their work, even if it’s a thing that’s slowly killing them. But you can’t keep pulling that trick off forever. When I think about the writers who wrote classics while addicted, these classics were almost always outliers. It’s not sustainable. Faulkner wrote a few masterpieces while drinking, and then his writing fell apart.
I would hate to not remember creating amazing shit--that’s the part of King’s story that haunts me. Because the process is so important to experience. I never got to where my writing was propelled by alcohol so (humbly) I think I just got lucky. I can’t actually write from a numb state which is what alcohol gave me: disinhibition yes but due to numbness. If the two had been entangled for me (writing and drinking) I know it would have been even harder to quit drinking. I’m (only) two years into alcohol abstinence and writing feels better.
Lady! ! I am thinking we all should have known he was fucked up because a sober mind writing say Cujo for instance, would be classified as sociopathic, psychopathic and legally detained in the nearest mental hospital. And of all things to abuse, NyQuil and Listerine, the thought of being sick enough to take NyQuil makes me actively work toward remaining healthy during cold and flu season! Not to mention every woman knows the alternative use for listerine.... and it’s not human consumption! And thanks for reading!
Oh wow - my partner and I were just having a conversation about the role of addiction and creativity so this across at the right time.
I didn't know this about Stephen King. I am grateful that we as writers are able to look and learn and be mindful of what we choose to fuel us and our writing. I'm very glad to see in the comments that his children are following in his legacy of writing too!
I was floored also to learn the same!!
I mean writing. Joe Hill and Owen King are both widely published authors, and both of them have produced pieces in collaboration with their father.
Ok, thanks for clarifying! 😉
Great post! Lots of details I didn’t know, even though I was familiar with King’s story. I can add that he wrote all of the stuff I consider his best during his active addiction, but he also wrote his lamest and most lifeless work toward the end of that period.
A now-sober alcoholic told me once that it took him years to get used to doing regular things sober; i suspect this phenomenon always screws up the data on whether addiction is good or bad for your creative work.
I also think creative people can make use of almost anything in their work, even if it’s a thing that’s slowly killing them. But you can’t keep pulling that trick off forever. When I think about the writers who wrote classics while addicted, these classics were almost always outliers. It’s not sustainable. Faulkner wrote a few masterpieces while drinking, and then his writing fell apart.
Thank you, and I agree - at some point one has to get their shit together! Appreciate your encouragement also, thanks again!🙂
His sons Joe Hill and Owen King are carrying on the family business.
By family business Do you intend writing, entrepreneurship or addiction? If the latter, that’s unfortunate
Love this perspective on addiction/creativity in general and on King in particular!
Thank you, I think! And to your point, there is always perspective...
Meghan, hey! Yeah, I was the same: oh wow! (Also, you and I did VONA together in 2922, you may not remember me because you know my given name).