In case you didnt know, November is National Novel Writing Month. A grass-roots movement of would-be writers who pledge to spend the month hammering out 1700 words a day (give or take) in order to complete a 50,000 word novel before the calendar kicks over into December.

This seems a pretty admirable goal, and it turns out, drinking coffee can help one complete it. There have been a slew of articles recently on the effects of coffee on creativity. Most of these in response to an article in the New Yorker claiming scientific evidence that caffeine was a hinderance to creativity.

The New Yorker article claims that caffeine supports a hyper-focused state, which in turn hinders the free-association type thinking that tends to lead to real creative breakthroughs. Think, Archimedes in the bathtub shouting “Eureka!”.

Fair enough. Im sure many of us have experienced those moments on a walk, in the bath, during a commute, where inspiration strikes. That said, a genius idea isnt worth very much unless it can be implemented. For that, youll be needing some coffee.

Coffee works on the brain in multiple ways, one of which is blocking adenosine receptors. Adenosine is produced by firing neurons and if those receptors detect a certain amount, thats the cue to feel tired. If those receptors are blocked, the body cant tell that its tired neuron firing can go on unhindered by drowsiness.

The result of all this science, is that you become hyper-vigilant and focused. Thats good, because its time to get to work. Once youve free associated your plot, or character development. Its time to get to the work of actually organizing those thoughts into 1700 or so words on a page or screen.

Read the original on: Benjamin Beard Kessler's blog