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Monday, April 4, 2011

D is for Dream, Dream, Dream...

One of the ways I can tell I need to be writing fiction instead of non-fiction is my dreams become extra vivid and extra strange.  It's like my subconscious is so full of ideas that insist on coming out, one way or another.  Most of the time, the dreams are unconnected and don't make much sense but ever so often I dream something that's really good.  I've even gotten a couple ideas for stories from my dreams.  Which is kinda cool.  What's interesting is when I'm writing a lot of fiction, if I dream, I don't remember them.  

And speaking of remembering, I remember as a novice writer being told never start a story with your character dreaming.  And I kinda understand why.  I seriously dislike starting a story only to find out it's a dream.  It's annoying.  Same thing with television shows.   It's like I've put all this time and emotion into whatever's happening to the character only to find out it's not real.  I feel cheated.  Of course, there's always exceptions to any rule.  The mystery novel I'm working on now has a prologue that's a dream.  However I make it plain from the start it's a dream.  The dream also gives the reader some info that is important later.  I'm still not sure if I'll use the prologue but it's there for now.

And speaking of dreams, I read an article this past weekend (I think) that basically asked how much you sold your dream for.  Meaning, at one time you had a dream, yet you settled for something else.  The example was a man who had at one time dreamed of becoming a chef  but had instead gone into business. It sorta made me think about the things I let get in the way of acheiving my writing related dreams.   I realized I need to be more focused on what I want instead of what just sorta happens.  And, I find it sad when people give up on reaching their dreams because the journey becomes a little tough. 

So, here's some questions for you to ponder.  Please share your answers in the comments if you like.

1.  Have you ever gotten any ideas from your dreams?  Do your dreams ever connect with your writing?

2.  How do you feel about dreams in novels?  What about in movies?  Do you use dreams in your writing?

3.  Are you letting unimportant things distract you from your writing dreams?  And just what are those dreams anyway?

9 comments:

M.J. Fifield said...

I have gotten more than one idea from my dreams. It's one of the reasons why I have a notebook and pen and a book light at my bedside every single night.

And I also use dreams in my writing when the story calls for it.


M.J. Fifield
My Pet Blog

Spanj said...

I can wake up every single day and tell my dream to someone (my poor husband usually!) I always dream vividly.

I have written one story based on a dream, but not got too far with it. It might get finished for NaNoWriMo one year.

I never put dreams in stories. They do have a bad reputation for being a sign of bad writing, but I'm sure, as with all things, there are lots of good exceptions.

Keena said...

I have come up with a title from my dreams but no story line. I am a novice as in I only blog as of yet, but would love to write a book about my illness. I just dont know how to start.

Brianna said...

I have gotten ideas from my dreams, but I haven't used them for some reason.

I don't mind dreams in novels or movies but I don't want to come to the end and find out everything was a dream - an example that comes to mind is the ending of Roseanne when we find out an entire season was just her imagining life. (Not really a dream but the same idea.)

My writing dreams are simple - to write and be published so that I can share with the world what I have written. This dream often takes a backseat to many things though.

V.R. Leavitt said...

Dreams definitely play a big part in my writing. I get ideas from them sometimes, I solved a major plot hole in a dream once. I love dreams. :-)

As for my writing dreams. I'd like to make a living from it one day, but right now it just helps me keep my sanity, so that's good too. :-)

Anonymous said...

I get some of my ideas from dreams, when I remember to write them down.

I've never written a dream into any of my writing.

Susanne Drazic said...

I get some of my ideas from dreams, when I remember to write them down.

I've never written a dream into any of my writing.

Angeline said...

I can wake up every single day and tell my dream to someone (my poor husband usually!) I always dream vividly.

I have written one story based on a dream, but not got too far with it. It might get finished for NaNoWriMo one year.

I never put dreams in stories. They do have a bad reputation for being a sign of bad writing, but I'm sure, as with all things, there are lots of good exceptions.

M.J. Fifield said...

I have gotten more than one idea from my dreams. It's one of the reasons why I have a notebook and pen and a book light at my bedside every single night.

And I also use dreams in my writing when the story calls for it.


M.J. Fifield
My Pet Blog