7 Ways You Can Use Dream Techniques In Your Writing

I have drawn upon multiple dreams in my writing and, as my post last week showed (12 Famous Novels Inspired By Dreams), I am not the only author to have done so. The dreaming world opens up exciting and never-before thought of realms for writers and can be used to thwart writer’s block, rev up the imagination, produce story ideas, and fix plot holes.
 
But if you are new to the world of what I call “dream writing”, where do you start?
 
My top 7 tips for using dream techniques in your writing:
 
Tip #1 – Pay attention to any common symbols, themes, and motifs that appear in your night-time dreams. Is there an element you can expand upon in your writing?
 
Tip #2 – Use part of your dreams as a story prompt or starter.

Tip #3 – What is the main impression you were left with? There is a reason your conscious brain has latched onto this. Write it down and draw a “mind map” around it. Can the ideas you’ve gathered help you create a character, story, theme, or plot?
 
Tip #4 – Take an aspect from the mind map you made and expand upon that further. Take another and do the same, and so on until you have no more ideas.
 
Tip #5 – If your writing has come to a standstill and a boost of creativity or new direction is what you need, indulge in a bout of daydreaming. You’ll be surprised by the results. I recommend at least 5 minutes, with a maximum session of 20 minutes.
 
Tip #6 – Daydreaming can also assist you with problems in your story. Think about the specific point you would like to address before you drift off in a daydream then wait to see what comes up.
 
Tip #7 – Brainstorm ways you can incorporate an aspect of your dream into your current work-in-progress.
 
There are so many easy, fun, and interesting dreaming techniques you can use to take your writing to the next level. Have a go at the ideas listed above and add your favourites to your writer’s toolbox.
 
What other tips can you think of?
 
Check back next week for my blog on improving your dream recall!
 
Yours in dreaming, writing, and dream writing,
 
Alicia Leigh :-)

THE DREAMING WRITER is packed with dreaming tips, techniques, and exercises you can use in your writing!

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