Given the diverse range of writers throughout history, it’s reasonable to question whether a certain level of unconventionality is necessary to become a successful writer. Considering that a writer stares at a blank screen or a piece of paper and somehow creates a masterpiece could be deemed a certain type of pathology.
But what really is considered crazy? Sometimes being crazy is good. Crazy can be someone who takes risks, reaches higher, and isn’t afraid to fail. And yes, sometimes the best writers work this way. It’s the only way they know how and for them, it works. Being a great writer doesn’t require you to be crazy, but the examples below demonstrate that it’s a valuable trait if it comes naturally to you.
Your English teacher may have told you not to drink or use drugs when you write, as it can impair the comprehension of your thoughts, but plenty of writers have shown the opposite. They’ve untapped new and exciting psychological nuances through their wild ways.
One of the most exciting and influential writers of the 20th century is undoubtedly Hunter S. Thompson. He essentially pioneered a unique journalism style known as Gonzo journalism, which immerses the writer directly into the narrative. His first book, Hells Angels, casts him as one of the main characters in his exploration of one of the first outlaw motorcycle clubs. Thompson considered himself an honorary member until he received a beating for standing up for an Angel’s girlfriend. That was only the beginning of the antics that Hunter would participate in.
Hunter Thomspon fully solidified his wild man of journalism persona in his book Fear and Loathing in Las Vegas. Thompson understood the essence of the American dream by fully immersing himself in chaos. Before pursuing his daily journalistic duties, he would ingest insane quantities of things such as alcohol, marijuana, mescaline, LSD, and the infamous ether. Thompson famously said, “The only thing that really worried me was the ether. There is nothing in the world more helpless, irresponsible, and depraved than a man in the depths of an ether binge. And I knew we’d get into that rotten stuff pretty soon. Probably at the next gas station.” Hunter found that his indulgence in such substances made for some pretty enticing and humorous writing material, as long as he could remember it.
Another wild man who also chose to write about his crazy experiences was Ernest Hemingway. Known for the massive amounts of alcohol he could drink, he always stood by his testament of not drinking while writing. He figured if he drank enough in his daily life shenanigans, it would infuse and inspire his writing. He was notorious for embarking on exciting adventures. In his 1926 book, The Sun Also Rises, he didn’t merely read about bullfighting; he went to Spain and trained with the matadors, sitting in on several bullfights himself. He is another great example of infusing your own exciting life moments into your writing.
Psychiatrists and psychologists would certainly have opinions about the habits and behaviours of Thompson and Hemingway. Both committed suicide. Hemingway used a shotgun held between his knees. Thompson aimed a pistol at his head, then pulled the trigger. While on the phone. With his wife.
While some writers indulge in excessive alcohol consumption and drug use, others risk their lives for their craft. Jack London was a great example of one reaching an extra level of craziness for the sake of his readers. He wanted to create such an honest portrayal that when he wrote his famed novel, Call of the Wild, he went and lived with wolves in the actual wild, studying their behavior. He also lived and worked alongside indigenous people, learning their ways of survival in the harsh elements of the winter wilderness. Immersing himself there gave his writing such realness that he could believably showcase the wondrous behaviour of wolves in the wild.
There is certainly no shortage of stories about writers who go above and beyond the edge of madness. Such stories are so compelling that they prompt any writer to question whether they should elevate their level of craziness for the purpose of their art. The best writers can embrace craziness, whether it involves alcohol, drugs, or engaging in risky situations.
Thoughts by two writers on mental health, with tongue pressed to cheek:
Roddy Doyle said of writers: “Do not place a photograph of your favourite author on your desk, especially if the author is one of the famous ones who committed suicide.”
William Goldman said: “It’s an accepted fact that all writers are crazy; even the normal ones are weird.”
If you have an idea for a book of any sort but lack the time or skill to write it, Ghostwriters Central, Inc., can assist. The company has been providing top-notch book ghostwriting services to clients worldwide since 2002. Company president Michael McKown says the writers he contracted with are, as far as he knows, quite sane and able to provide excellent client service.
Lisa Montalto is a passionate writer with a keen interest in exploring the creative eccentricities of literary legends. Her work delves into the intersection of unconventionality and brilliance in the world of writing.
