During the night, I slept for a while semi-seated on the couch (a "skill" I inherited from my father).
I had a bit of an idea for my next story, but only that.
But after trying to fall back asleep again in the same position, I didn't quite get there. What did happen, though, was the ending part of the story decided that was the perfect time to announce itself in my brain.
I had to turn the lamp back down, grab a pen and paper and write it down -- the plot points, a few lines of dialogue -- so I'd have it down and not forget it.
It looks like I might have to keep pen and paper handy near where I'm sleeping now, just in case.
I don't know if I'm the only one or how many of you have had something storywise when you're in that state and had to make sure you wrote it down so you could come back to it.
Comments
Well . . .
I did give up on the pen and paper. I type everything now!
— Emma
In This Case
My computer was already off, so it was easier to write it down.
I just hope I can read my own handwriting later.
Alternative
If you sleep alone, or have a partner who sleeps like a log, and you own a black rectangle (fondleslab, cellphone, mobile, handy) you could use the sound recorder on that. It saves fumbling with the keyboard at zero dark thirty.
Same for me...
Have a short I'm working on and been stuck w/ where to take it. Laying there in bed I thought of where I might take it. We'll see if it will work.
XOXOXO
Rachel M. Moore...
STories From Dreams
Several of my recent short stories came from dreams.
Gwen
Definitely
Dreams have been the source of some of my best ideas. Whether for writing, parenting, or business I've had a pad and pen by my bed for decades.
Do you carry a writer's journal? That way if you hear or see something you can keep it for when you need it.
There is an urban legend that the Rolling Stones heard the phrase You Can't Always Get What You Want in a drugstore in Excelsior, Minnesota.
You never know where inspiration will come from. I believe reading other stories in your genre leads to inspiration.
Angela Rasch (Jill M I)
Funny story...
I have kind of a funny story about that, actually...
Several years ago I read about people keeping dream journals, and I thought that sounded like fun. So I put a notebook and pen by my bed, even with a little light attached. I was ready for this. :)
The next morning I woke up, and...nothing. Oh, well. But as I was brushing my teeth, I suddenly remembered having a dream about my sister and then waking up in the middle of the night and writing it down in my dream journal. Excited, I went over to see what I'd written, only to discover that the paper was blank.
That's right. I'd apparently programmed my brain to give me a DREAM about having a dream and then waking up and writing about it.
That was pretty much the end of my journaling experience. Stupid brain.
But yeah, quality story ideas will get me out of bed to write them up. Though in the harsh light of day, the "quality" does tend to vary... :)
Dreams, writing them down, a good time for me to get ideas
Me too. Had a great idea in my dreaming & wrote it down. ... Except for the part where I neglected to wake up enough to use physical-world pen & paper ...
Some of my dreams ... be very glad that I have managed to forget them, and without sharing ...
As I'm retired (and it's rather cold just now in Chicago), one of my 'good times' for ideas is in the 'half state' between not asleep, but not fully awake with the covers off. It seems my mind is sleepy enough to hand me sometimes good stuff, but awake enough to remember it.
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I hope it's not a matter >having to< sleep on a sofa or recliner because of acid reflux. That might suggest having sleep apnea. My former Wife has it big time, and using a CPAP put her acid reflux into 95+% remission.
If you have a smartphone
install a voice recorder app. There you go. As most people have them with them 24/7 you don't have to worry about a pen running out or your pencil tip breaking at the most inopportune moment.
Just a thought...
Samantha
PS,
You are not the only one to have story ideas while in bed. I think that being nice and cosy is part of it.
While not terribly efficient
my increasingly ECCENTRIC self takes what I can get by talking a story to myself; often with voicing the dialog. Since I live alone in a nice apartment with very thick walls and floors, I've received no complaints.
I do, however repeat the process on occasion sotto voce on my two block walk to the drug store. The physical process of writing has become difficult because of issues with my hands, so notes aren't an option.
Whatever I spoke that I cannot recall is just how it is, and whatever I CAN include seems to work.
Love, Andrea Lena
Not quite dreams
I often have difficulty sleeping. I get too focused on something and find it hard to shut down unless I'm completely exhausted. When I lie down to bed I know very quickly whether I'll fall asleep on that attempt or not. I know I will fall asleep when my mind finds a topic I can focus on and explore that isn't too weighty.
For a long time that topic was what I'd do if I won the lottery. When I was a teenager it was what I'd do if I was a woman/trans (of course I couldn't be trans, I was just a weirdo, all kinds of messed up. Thank you less enlightened times, you were bloody brilliant, weren't you?)
Lately it's been on stories. Just exploring what my characters could be doing and what fun they could get up to. I never write it down because the whole purpose is to help me fall asleep, not turn on a light and wake up fully all over again. However, plenty of Toni has come from that pre-sleep dreaming and imagining. I think it's one of the many things I love about my writing lately. The pleasure in exploring enjoyable and fun things my characters can get up to. And it's a big bonus that it sometimes help me get a good sleep.
Funny how we think. The brain
Funny how we think. The brain solves problems while we sleep. I have awoke often with answers to problems I have. I rarely get story ideas like that though. I get an idea and the story seems to write itself as I type. I have an idea where it is going, but other things just happen while I type.
Leeanna
Most of the time when I can't sleep
The most frequent cause of insomnia for me is the fact I can't shut my brain off because of story ideas or continuations of WIPs. My wife hates it when I do it, but if I lay awake more than an hour the only solution is to get up, fire up the laptop and sit in my recliner and pound the keyboard until I can sleep. Normally after I do fall asleep in the recliner, I'll wake up in about two hours. Then I can get back in bed and go to sleep.
Hugs
Patricia
Happiness is being all dressed up and HAVING some place to go.
Semper in femineo gerunt
Ich bin eine Mann