Hmm, have just had it on good advice (someone established in the field) that writers like to tipple. You know have one tooooo many, especially at writer’s festivals, however not exclusively. In fact it can happy anywhere- drinks after meetings with one’s agent, one’s publisher, one’s publicity doyenne, or perhaps with the marketing department or with the sales reps … the list goes on. Lunches are a particular sporty type venue for consuming at least more than the average and can apparently lead to louder than needed vocals, discussions that fly like a kite from point to point and lastly-my favourite, dancing on tables. Bet that nicely reserved English cook chappy who never swears or abuses anyone would like that one! But back to writer’s festivals where ‘lateness’ is not uncommon, especially if you’re holed up on the 20th floor of some recently modernised by famous whoever with a lavish mini bar. Of course there are years of illustrious imbibers behind writers. Centuries actually. You can’t tell me Tolstoy didn’t need a drink after his efforts and old Oscar Wilde only wrote for half the day and drank the rest of the time. Which gets me wondering about the pressures of performing at a wine and food festival, especially when there is tasting on offer. Book signing? Do-able. Talk lucidly about writing and the creative process-no probs. Stand with mic in hand before large audience and talk articulately about latest novel-mmmm; maybe if I don’t drink the night before, it won’t affect me as much; then again I think I’ll need one. I’ll let you know.