Dreaming the Dream

Dreaming the Dream

Traci Kenworth

 

As I’ve said on here before, my dreams often contain kernels of story ideas. They hit me when I least expect it and add such treasures to the day. But what about those other kinds of dreams? The ones where we see ourselves a successful author with hordes of fans seeking out our autographs? Do we nurture them or shoot them down as impossible? In other words, are you stifling yourself by not encouraging yourself to pursue your dreams?

I admit to a healthy fear of crowds, of the notion of me seated before a table, greeting my readers. But if I let that conquer me, I won’t be taking hold of the favor God gifts us with daily. I know part of my terror lies in my being tongue-tied and shy. What if I say the wrong things, react wrong to someone, worse what if they consider me as acting superior to them? Talk about shaky legs. And then there’s the speaking platform. Me? In front of my peers? Cold, clammy hands steer my thoughts.

If we let these things haunt us, we do ourselves a disfavor. How about turning the tables and imagining your readers and the thrill they get from meeting their favorite author? Or being on a stage where others await your nuggets of experience? We can choose to base things on our fears, or we can choose to drive forward by staying positive. This is not to say everyone will love you, obviously that’s not true: but in times of these types of confrontations, we can remember our dear fan that does.

What we have inside us is a gift. Our storytelling is meant to be shared. To bottle it up would be a mistake. Remember how delighted you were to meet your favorites then imagine how much your reader will be to see you. We touch others’ lives and in return, they want to celebrate ours. So relax. Smile. Extend your hand. Living your dream is going to be both heart-pounding and rewarding. But isn’t that part of the adventure we all go on when our character’s beckon? Not knowing how things are going to work out, just trusting that things will do so.

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To Dream a Dream

Image by unNickrMe via Flickr

To Dream a Dream

Traci Kenworth

 

I’ll admit it. Most of my story ideas come from dreams. It usually starts with a snippet then I know I have something when it continues to plague my sleep for days. Character’s names, looks, personality traits show up full-blown, ready to be explored. I don’t know how or why I dream what I do, but I’m sure glad I do. I’ve gotten some amazing writing out of just that quick snap of a scene that draws me in and captures my attention.

Some people might ask if I play one of the characters in my dreams. It kind of starts out that way, then I realize I’m seeing the “world” through their eyes and I’ll catch a glimpse of my hero/heroine or even villain. Sometimes, it’s just a bit player who comes to show me the way out of a terror-filled nightmare. Grateful as I am, I give them a role to play in my next-work-in progress.

There are times that dreams help me to figure something out that’s wrong with my story (a sort of unconscious tinkering on the problem until “boom” my vision clears and I see the way past.). I’m not sure if all writers do what I do, but it’s basically how I figure things outs when I reach a stumbling block.

So do your dreams help you past a sore spot? Deliver you the goods on an exciting premise? Or is there another way you come up with your stories? (Ideas also come to me when I’m watching TV, a movie, listening to music, or reading a book.) Always bounce your dream off what you know works as a whole in writing (I mean, sometimes a dreams just a dream).They can become that next popular novel, or fizzle if half-baked. There are times when dreams weave together too, strands of a rope. So catch on, let it drag you through the waters, and help you avoid those dreaded sharks of uncertainty. Good luck in your writing.