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Post A Note > The Forum  > Open Question Week > Dreams
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Author Topic: Dreams  (Read 224 times)
GollyGreen32
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« on: July 05, 2012, 03:02:26 PM »
Is it ever OK if you let the reader know from the beginning that the protaganist is having a dream? I'd appreciate any advice.
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Marzipan
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« Reply #1 on: July 05, 2012, 03:11:28 PM »
I'm no expert, but I would imagine that it depends on your intent. If you intend to make the fact that it's a dream a surprise, then save it for the end. If you have no reason to make it a surprise, or if you plan to set the story within the dream itself, then I say go for it. Hope that helps :-)
« Last Edit: July 06, 2012, 01:18:00 AM by Marzipan » Logged
lizbeth
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« Reply #2 on: July 05, 2012, 05:36:41 PM »
I don't see a problem. The only thing I've read about the subject is agents saying they hate when he whole book turns out to be a dream!
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Marzipan
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« Reply #3 on: July 05, 2012, 06:16:56 PM »
Ditto, Liz.
« Last Edit: July 06, 2012, 05:51:59 PM by Marzipan » Logged
MaryR
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« Reply #4 on: July 06, 2012, 01:11:54 AM »
Dreams are fine, as long as they're dreams and they clearly serve the story . They're very useful for revealing info to the readers that the POV can discount because 'it was only a dream'.  But that said, making the entire story 'a dream' ticks readers off bigtime. I would not ever do that.  You want those readers to say nice things about you on Facebook!

Mary Rosenblum, LR Web Editor
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Humi
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« Reply #5 on: July 06, 2012, 01:32:55 PM »
wasnt Alice in Wonderland a dream? or there cud just be one mishap like that to create a classic that really doesnt leave room for wannabes? hmm...i dont think there cud be another alice.
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mbj451
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« Reply #6 on: July 07, 2012, 12:10:29 AM »
Wizard of Oz!
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MaryR
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« Reply #7 on: July 07, 2012, 01:44:08 AM »
There are always lots of examples of things that `worked, to counter every piece of 'don't do this' advice.  And truth be, there are no absolutes in writing.  The only rule is 'it must work'.  Go ahead and do whatever.  If it works, you're good.  :-)  Much of this type of advice is based on 'this is very hard to do well enough to engage readers' and is intended for novice writers.   Smiley

Mary Rosenblium LR Web Editor
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ann
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« Reply #8 on: July 07, 2012, 03:26:16 AM »
And...we are all novice writers here...at least most of us are. I am for sure.
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David
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« Reply #9 on: July 07, 2012, 07:54:49 AM »
yes we are all novice writers or else we'd have no reason to be here. Mary (a Pro writer) is here because it's part of her job to be here!

David
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