Sleep deprivation & creativity

simu

When it comes to writing, I can come up with more and better ideas whether for creative writing or papers for uni. Does anyone else find this?

asphalt-cushion

Actually yeah, sometimes. Ever wake up at say 4 in the morning and start writing? You can get some really crazy ideas.

Fysh

The ideas often come more easily, but I tend to find I need a lot of subsequent editing....I'm not at my pinnacle of eloquence when I've been awake for ages, sadly.

ven0m

simu wrote:

When it comes to writing, I can come up with more and better ideas whether for creative writing or papers for uni. Does anyone else find this?

Yup - this happens with me also. I write some of my best stuff when this happens. My song writing partner has more or less requested that I 'not sleep' more often at this rate, as we're supposed to be going into the studio in a month or so, & the fact I've penned 7 of our 9 songs, most of which were done during periods of 'lack-of-sleep' amazes him!!!!

I just find it easier to be 'free' for writing when I'm in a state of I-don't-care-cos-i'm-wrecked.....



http://www.boards.ie/vbulletin/showthread.php?t=203109

When I do finally get to sleep & then wake up to review what I wrote I usually suprise the **** outta myself..... I hope this doesn't set a trend going forward, as I've a publishing deal lined up for my poetry collection, & we're sure a 1 album record deal isn't too far off neither, otherwise I'm in some seriously deep sh1t!!!!


::: ven0mous :::

shiv

Hey ven0m
How'd you get your poetry publishing deal?

solas

have you already been signed shiv?

Sarky

My job requires night shifts every once in a while. Being forced to stay up 'til 8am does things to a person. I get some very interesting ideas sometimes. I've written a lot of strange stuff to pass the time, and I quite like some of it even after a good night's sleep and proper look at what I did...

edibility

Yeah, I find that when I'm finding it hard to sleep I'm more creative, and more in the mood for writing, although it something works the other way round, in that I can't sleep because I'm want to write and can't get it right...if you get me.

None of you have mentioned if you share your bed or not. I think thats really important as (I, like you) get more creative at night-time. But I believe its something else. At night, everything is louder, the clock that ticks, The tap that drips, etc. And at the same time because sound is magnified, I believe our thoughts are magnified and hence, more focused. Things come easier to us. Where if you share a bed, you're still concious of another soul in the room. The prose I posted here was written (I believe) at around four thirty.

Its the silence, the stillness and the loneliness of a fleeting moment that drives us on at night. IMO

ven0m

Papa Smut wrote:

None of you have mentioned if you share your bed or not. I think thats really important as (I, like you) get more creative at night-time.

Sometimes my bed does be shared with my g/f, but it never stops me waking up grabbing a pad & writing or else disappearing off into the living room, lighting a candle (mood people..... MOOD!), & writing.... only once has she ever noticed I do this & she came out & told me to come back to bed (hey who am I to argue??? LOL ) - but she does know I write & is my favorite critic LOL.... so I wrote a song about her (wasn't intentional, just what came out when I had an idea or two) & gave it to her.... took her a while to figure it out, but there you go...


::: ven0mous :::

Shad0r

Yeah some of the most creative ideas or most eloquent english I write comes out when I'm either sleep deprived or otherwise somewhat wrecked. That said it is always fragmented to bits and in dire need of edit. Also I find in terms of word count that I write much slower.

Quality or quantity seem to be the trade off.

BEAT

some of my best stuff came from my insomnia episodes

Undergod

I once wrote this really screwed up short story when I was sick with the flu and in a deep teen-angst mode. Turned out pretty well. I'll have to try this sleep deprivation idea... at least it'll get me into the habit of getting up early again.

elbee

I find I get good ideas when I'm a bit drunk - that stage where you can still walk and talk but you're seriously considering telling someone (anyone) how totally sound they are.

This really only works if you drink sparingly, the state of mind that induces freer thought needs to be unusual for ideas to flower. So moderation, people!

*slugs tequila to help finish essay*

shiv

solas wrote:

have you already been signed shiv?

I wish!!

JustHalf

Sleep deprivation saps my creativity.

Being awake at night doesn't. When I'm alert, I can write concisely and forcefully. When I'm not alert, my writing lacks cohesion and falls apart.

I find it's when I'm relaxed and alert that I am most creative, and my work is at its highest quality.

BEAT

simu wrote:

When it comes to writing, I can come up with more and better ideas whether for creative writing or papers for uni. Does anyone else find this?

Hey Simu,
now that we know you like to write things...why dont you share some of your work with us?

simu

BEAT wrote:

Hey Simu,
now that we know you like to write things...why dont you share some of your work with us?

It's mostly essays and stuff for college.

I've thought about writing prose or maybe even peotry but I haven't gone beyond rough notes yet.

2 Espressi

I find lack of sleep is effective only to a point. I can write stuff more freely, but I can't 'self edit' at all. That is if I try to filter, or school, my thoughts the whole thing just falls apart incoherently. At the moment I'm on night 2 of a 4 night shift. It's really quiet so I should be able to try loads of stuff, get good and creative. But I just feel really drained. I've tried to do a couple of bits, a .sig, my website, but I'm in danger of doing more harm than good...
Even writing this piece is immensley diffiuclt. I'm afraid to look up as I type , in case it breaks the fragile train of thought. I guess the smart thing to would be to just throw stuff down at night when the creative juices are flowing, but leave the editing till the day time, or at least until after a nap! Hope this is making sense.

[EDIT] I also find that the lack of sleep wil affect my mood, which in turn will affect my ability to do anything. I tend to get more down when I'm tired.

Ditto for Booze, as elbee mentioned. A Glass (or two), or a pint (or two), can help drop the mental barriers to expression, but those barriers also act as quality control!