BellaOnline Forums Beauty and Self Creativity Creative inspiration from dreams and fears

I often dream about my characters when I'm writing a novel. Sometimes in that half-lucid state I manage to work out problems I'm having with my plots, or realise what I need to do with a scene. Twice, so far, I've dreamt suitable ideas for completely new stories and gone on to write those down the next day. (I'm writing a novel based on one of those at the moment.) Sometimes I just like to spend some time getting to know my characters better, so that I can get a sense of who they are and how they react to situations.

My stories don't tend to come from things I fear - although after having researched this week's article I think it might be worth making a note of what makes me jump and trying my hand at a horror story one day. It could be fun, I think...

What about you?

Do your dreams inspire you? What about your fears? Have you ever created an artwork in order to deal with something you couldn't face any other way?

I find that sleep is an interesting way to clear the brain for creative insiration. Often if I have a buzzing brain, full of jumbled ideas, I'll switch off by taking a nap, even if I'm not feeling tired. I invariably wake up with real clarity and sense of purpose. It's like a form of re-boot!
In this case, it's better not to have dreams, but the inspiration still seems to come from the unconscious, sleeping mind.

I know exactly what you mean Mary. I really enjoy having an afternoon cat nap, where I find all those ideas and information my brain's been too busy to handle, get sorted and organised a little bit better. Sometimes I just need twenty minutes - and sometimes I don't even close my eyes because something like the dappled light through the leaves outside the window has caught my subconcious's attention and I find it very soothing and relaxing. I guess it's a bit like meditation.

Oh how lovely! Dappled light through the leaves outside the window. I think I feel a snooze coming on right now <img src="/images/graemlins/blush.gif" alt="" />)

Oops... wrong smiley there. I think this was more what I was aiming for! <img src="/images/graemlins/smile.gif" alt="" />

Yes, as for inspiration for stories, and for working out plot.

I often get weird lines that come to me in dreams, I had one just a few days ago that I turned into a poem. Usually they don't make much sense but that's kinda how I like to write. Sleep is very cathartic as many here have already stated.

Fears--I guess I have written from fear in the past (not much anymore).

My day dreams yes but I have never had a dream when sleeping that has inspired me.