Aug 31, 2016

Does chocolate help us write better? Kandy Shepherd

What is it about writers and chocolate? My experience at a recent writers conference made me ponder the question.





 I know my fellow LoveCats have shared tales from the recent Romance Writers of Australia conference in Adelaide, South Australia, so I won’t go over ground already covered.

Suffice to say it was a fabulous conference. As usual, the generosity and friendship of fellow romance writers was the highlight. The conference was held in the most wonderful spot right on the beach and if I can go back to Glenelg any time soon I will!

South Australia is known as home to wonderful wineries. But it’s also been home to a wonderful chocolate brand, made there since 1915. The Haigh’s chocolate shop was five minutes walk from the conference hotel. Each delegate got a discount voucher for Haigh’s and I suspect a high number of them were redeemed.



I lost count of the number of times people at the conference asked me, “Have you been to Haigh’s yet?”

“Um, yes, three times already,” would be my reply.

The delightful staff at Haigh’s told me they were inundated with romance writers. The Aprichocs, a nugget of apricot enrobed in chocolate was my favorite—a nice thing to buy in SA, a state known for producing apricots. Then there were the choc-coated liquorice bullets. And the chocolate frogs, particularly the giant 375 super frog.

I suspect my room-mate and I were not the only romance writers nibbling on chocolate in their rooms. We actually ate so much of it, we felt we’d come down from a high when we went home and were craving chocolate for days.



Chocolate has fired many a deadline for me. Does it help me write better, or help reduce stress? Chocolate contains  phenethylamine, said to be a natural anti-depressant (dark chocolate has the most).  Eating chocolate releases endorphins—the so-called “feel-good” hormones in the brain. If eating chocolate makes us feel better, perhaps that kick starts our creative processes and we write better stories.

So writers need chocolate because it helps us write better and more effectively. Well, that’s my story and I’m sticking it!

Oh dear, I’ve just visited the Haigh’s website to check spelling—and they do mail order…

Are you a chocoholic or not? Do you have a favourite treat? I’d love to hear your thoughts!

Note: Stock photos - not Haigh's (They didn't last long enough to be photographed.)


16 comments:

  1. Absolutely a chocaholic! (And yes, I'm quite sure it makes me a better writer haha).

    I actually spent a number of years not being able to have cocoa (due to it giving my stomach migraines.) Thankfully I outgrew that issue, but in that time I developed a love for white chocolate which has stuck with me. I love all types of chocolate :D

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    1. Shake hands,Stefanie, fellow chocoholic! Glad to see the migraines have gone. Chocolate was banned for me too because of migraine but wasn't the culprit (thank heaven!) I am also partial to white chocolate. Any chocolate...

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  2. Hi Kandy

    You know I didn't visit Haigh's when I was there but I did visit the other chocolate shop Bracegirdles and yummo and yes I love chocolate but I have been very good about it for the last year although I still have some not as much as normal and I need to get back on track but it is so good for you it always makes me feel good :)

    Have Fun
    Helen

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    1. Helen, it was so lovely to catch up with you in Adelaide. I didn't get to Bracegirdles (what a great name) which was an omission. I over-indulged in Adelaide but can't do it all the time - I came back with some excess luggage on the hips...

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  3. Thankfully chocolate is not one of my vices. I like it sure but I can take it or leave it. For example, I didn;t feel compelled to visit Haigh's whilst in Adelaide.
    Now wine on the other hand....

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    1. I wish I didn't like chocolate quite so much Amy. I hope you got to sample some good South Australian wines in Adelaide!

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  4. Lovely post, Kandy. I selflessly gave my Haigh's voucher to another author as I knew my pantry was well-stocked with chocolate from a well-meaning friend.

    Yes. Chocolate has powered me through a few deadlines. I try not to use it that way but occasionally when someone else provides it I find myself using it that way. I can't possibly name a favourite as there are many... I particularly enjoyed some of the European chocs I was treated to on my last trip there too. :)

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    1. Oh, yes, Annie - European chocolates are wonderful aren't they. (Though I have to say, I think the Haigh's product stacked up very well compared to Swiss and German.) When my Swiss stepmother first took me to a chocolate shop in Switzerland I thought I was in heaven!

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  5. I love this theory, Kandy. In fact I love it so much I think I need to head down to the shops and stock up on some chocolate pronto! ;-) My chocolate poison of choice -- Lindt dark chocolate with a hint of sea salt. Mmmm...

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    1. I'm glad you like my theory Michelle! Your Lindt favourite is my daughter's favourite too and there is some in my pantry. Wish I could send some up for you!

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  6. I'm another chocoholic... definitely helps with reading. I'm sooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooo slow with my writing at the moment that I can't say whether chocolate helps or not. The speed or lack of it is more due to combination of mental exhaustion caused by day job and balancing day-to-day life/living things with pain.
    I've going to add Adelaide and Haigh's to my list of Australian places to visit

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    1. I'm sad to hear life is so stressed Lyn, but also glad that eating chocolate helps. Adelaide really was lovely, I thoroughly enjoyed it. Next time, I might add the Haigh's factory tour to my agenda! Hope you're feeling better soon.

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  7. I went to Haigh's on the last morning to use my voucher. I spent ages choosing and spent a heap of money buying presents for those at home. Then I walked out the door, ran into an RWA person who had her voucher out and realised I hadn't used the voucher. Gah!

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    1. How annoying Rachel! A discount did help. I'm sure everyone enjoyed the gifts , though!

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  8. Well I did use my Haigh's voucher, but only for gifts for others, Kandy. I don't eat chocolate - I know, how can I be a romance writer. Of course I occasionally eat some if offered, but I would never buy it for myself.

    I'm more a savour girl. Now, if you were talking about hot chips!!

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    1. How admirable Jen! One of my oldest friends is a hot chips girl, right back to when we were tiny her pocket money went on hot chips, mine on sweets. And other friends are more into cheese than chocolate.

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