I just had my first cup of coffee in almost two months. OHMYGOD was it ever good.
I’ve been trying really hard to cut the crap from my diet. It really isn’t a New Year’s Resolution, since I started doing this in November, and for the most part I’ve managed to eliminate all forms of junk food (chocolate is NOT a junk food, by the way). In between my vacation to Mexico and my Christmas holidays in Toronto last month, I went on a very strict detox, and while it was hell (a two-week hell that I would never wish on anyone), I came out with a much clearer head, softer skin, and a few less pounds. Best part of all, my cravings – even for chocolate, which (did I already mention this?) is NOT a junk food – were eliminated.
BUT! And there is a but. I miss coffee. I don’t crave coffee, but I miss the taste and I miss the warmth and I miss all the creamery goodness (I don’t drink it black) because I used to always drink it WHILE WRITING. And now that I’m back to work on my book, it’s hard to be tapping away at the keyboard only to reach for the mug of coffee that no longer sits on my desk.
I switched to green tea. But it’s So Not The Same Thing. And the writing has pretty much been a struggle since the new year.
So today, I indulged and had a cup of coffee. And had the BEST writing session I’ve had in a long time. *sigh* Knew that would happen.
What about you? What do you need to fuel your writing?
I gave up coffee about 12 years ago because I was a two pot a day addict (for three decades). I would get crippling headaches if I didn't have a cup within an hour of getting up. Now I drink green tea from waky time to about 4pm. My nerves are less jangly and if I skip it I'm just grumpy, not on the floor whimpering.
So, to write I drink green tea (a Japanese Sencha style) and sometimes San Pellegrino Sparking Water just to break things up. I also snack carbs and protean during the process.
Chocolate is for the afterglow of writing.
I enjoy coffee, hot chocolate, or the occasional soda (Mountain Dew especially) while writing.
And you're right, chocolate is definitely not junk food! 🙂
Funny – I always say soda is the devil! I never used to drink coffee until I started my current job about 3 years ago, and now I need it to stay energized. When I write though, I usually drink tea. Plain green tea is not usually tasty, but have you tried jasmine or Tazo lemongrass/spearmint? Yum…
coffee is definitely one of the top ten best things ever invented. I used to drink it all day long right up until bed time. Now, however, I seldom have more than two cups as it keeps me up 🙁
Hot chocolate doesn't cut it for you? Glad you had a good day! Might have to limit yourself to writing coffee? It's for you career after all.
What is this not-coffee stuff that you speak of? I am not aware of it.
Coffee, incense, and a dead chicken.
Two of the three, at least.
OMG, I could never go without coffee. Seriously, I think they should make it available intravenously. Straight to the veins and straight into the heart. I don't drink it when I write, though, because my writing time is at night and if I was chugging the java, I'd never sleep. Strange how I can drink Mtn. Dew at night, though. :shrug:
Good luck keeping up your goals. I wish you success. (Or, like Colene said, limiting yourself to 'writing coffee' only.)
Coffee in the mornings to write and peppermint tea in the evenings! I can't give up my coffee. Nor could I last two weeks through a cleanse. I commend you! That would be wonderful to lose all my cravings – even the one for NOT a junk food, chocolate.
Coffee, coffee. Gimme, gimme.
Not much of a replacement for coffee from what I hear, but I'll take chai tea with vanilla any day. That and some good post-rock (Explosions in the Sky, Russian Circles, Hammock), and I'm good to go, words a spillin'.
Have you tried decaf? Still warm and creamy, just without the jolt.
I write in public, mostly on a train or at a diner. I don't get much done at home, but when I'm in public in a venue where no one pays any attention to you, I can just fly. I get a ton done on the train. Some days off, I ride the train all day just writing (I call it hobo writing). If I'm at a diner, I'll have coffee while I write. If I have more than two cups, though, I get groggy.
Coffee is always good because when you do one Coffee pot, you have no choice but to finish it. For smart drinks, I take Full Throttle or Nos. Both are bombastic.
Great job on the detox! I don't think I would be able to do it. But we writers all need coffee… I think it's in the job description!
I think I might be the only writer on the planet who is NOT a coffee drinker. I've just never had the taste buds for it. Instead, I drink Mountain Dew while I write. A lot of Mountain Dew.
I love coffee but I don’t drink it every day. I like to switch it up. While I’m writing, I don’t have any drinks by my computer. I, uh, have learned accidents can happen.
Jessica Hill – yikes that mountain Dew is crazy with caffeine.
I like a mug of warm, milky chai and a big bag of Trader Joes cheese crunchies! I'll have the occasional cup of coffee while writing, but I'm always running out of creamer!
PS. I love your blog header! It's so completely awesome. Thanks for following my blog. 🙂
I'm trying not to be a coffee addict, but I so am. I switched to tea in the mornings, but I love writing in coffee shops, and I get my best work done there. And I can't order tea at a coffee shop–it's like blasphemy!
@Holly Ruggiero – I know, I'm sure it's unhealthy to drink as much of it as I do. I've been attempting to cut back, but it's difficult!
I tried quitting coffee once and made so many mistakes at work i stopped that nonsense immediately. Also, it's delicious. Also, I agree with B.E. – intravenous drip should be an option.
I LOVE coffee. I will not give it up. I'm pretty good most of the time and if I don't keep a few bad habits, then I'll just be soooo freakin' boring.
So I'm drinkin' it. So there. Call me a rebel, I don't care.
Coffee lovers of the world unite!
It's the source of all my power. I'm sure of it.
In stead of NanoWriMo, you did NaNoCoMo. That's hard! Since coffee is my fuel, I don't know what I'd do. I did stop when I was pregnant, but I think my body was telling me not to drink it then. Good for you for making a point to take care of yourself.
My fuel is chocolate. Quality dark chocolate. YUM
Definitely coffee! I love it SO much. I could never break up with it!
Someone needed to reveal the truth about coffee and writing- it's been a dark secret for too long.
COFFEE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Fortunately, I have found some forms of de-caf that actually are decent. Therefore…
COFFEE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
I'm so glad you think chocolate is not a junk food! I couldn't live without chocolate.
The caffeine level in coffee makes me too jittery. I drink decaf, like DL, or I drink tea. I actually love tea.
Diet Coke.
I even went so far in my justification that, when out to breakfast with friends this weekend, I pointed out the Diet Coke has no calories and orange juice does.
I need help.
Oh, I love coffee too! But I *try* not to drink it. You know what I discovered recently? These herbal teas that taste like vanilla, or strawberry, or fun things! I'm making myself love them! 😀
I understand! I'm on a low-carb diet and I would give anything–anything! for a brownie!!!
Ahhh.. I know exactly what you mean! I gave up coffee almost three years ago (still an avid tea drinker though), and I save it for "special occasions"… like vacations. But when I have that first sip… oh man… hehe 🙂
It is ALL about the coffee (cream and sugar please). I can cut just about anything but not my 2 morning cups of coffee.
I can't imagine writing without my trust mug of jo.
what a great post. I love my coffee. srsly don't know how you lasted that long, but i'm sure your body appreciated the break (even if your writer's brains didn't). funny how it seems to be connected to your writing. i don't think i really have anything that i need to have when i'm writing. i quit smoking almost 7 years ago. that was the only thing i felt like i needed to do anything, but alas, i have prevailed without. but coffee. i will NEVER give that up. NEVERRRRRRRR welcome back to the coffee world. Have a nice sip, see you next cup. 🙂
Coffee and black spiced chai tea. Those are my favorites. I know, not the best…but I love 'em. They coach me through the tough times.
I can't do sweet cocoa or things of that nature. But any type of coffee. Hot, cold, iced, frappe…you name it. It's mine! muuahhhaa!