Writing Prompt – Dreams and Other Gifts of the Night

Do you dream?

I almost never dream. I’m always excited when I do.

I had a dream about two weeks ago where I was walking across the landscape and there were black snakes all over the ground as far as I could see. I couldn’t take a step without watching closely so that I wouldn’t step on one. They weren’t stationary, but moving sinuously in all directions. The entire landscape undulated with movement.

Seriously cool. I love snakes.

(I know a bunch of you are probably creeped out about now. Sorry.)

Author Judy Reeves refers to dreams as “Gifts of the Night.” Lately, I’ve been seeing a Chinese doctor who disagrees. He says it’s bad for your health to dream. I used to agree with Ms. Reeves, but my doctor is starting to win me over…maybe dreaming isn’t all it’s cracked up to be.

What do you think?

Here’s Your Prompt:

• Think back to your last dream. Pretend that what happened there actually happened in real life. Write it down as a diary entry or create a short story. Embellish it, flesh it out. Make certain it has a beginning, a middle, and an end.
   
• Think back to your last nightmare. Pretend that what happened actually happened in real life. Write it down as a diary entry or create a short story. Embellish it, flesh it out. Make certain it has a beginning, a middle, and an end.
   
• Use this as a story starter:
  
  Ev’n now your eyes stare wild; your hair stands up—
  Your pulses throb and flutter, reeling still
  Under the storm of such a dream—

  From “Life is a Dream,” by Pedro Calderón de la Barca
   

• What is the language of dreams?
   
• Hemingway said, “I love sleep. My life has the tendency to fall apart when I’m awake, you know?” Do you agree or disagree? Why or why not? Write an essay or a journal entry about your thoughts.
   

Good luck!