\"Writing.Com
*Magnify*
SPONSORED LINKS
BY ONLINE AUTHORS
Printed from https://writing.com/main/newsletters/action/archives/id/12025-I-had-the-strangest-dream.html
Horror/Scary: June 21, 2023 Issue [#12025]




 This week: I had the strangest dream
  Edited by: Arakun the twisted raccoon Author IconMail Icon
                             More Newsletters By This Editor  Open in new Window.

Table of Contents

1. About this Newsletter
2. A Word from our Sponsor
3. Letter from the Editor
4. Editor's Picks
5. A Word from Writing.Com
6. Ask & Answer
7. Removal instructions

About This Newsletter

Quote for the week:

"Sleep with one eye open
Gripping your pillow tight
Exit light
Enter night
Take my hand
We're off to never-never land"

~From "Enter Sandman" by Metallica


Word from our sponsor

ASIN: 1542722411
Amazon's Price: $ 12.99


Letter from the editor

Have you ever had a dream that was so vivid that even after you woke up, you still weren't sure it didn't happen? Or a nightmare that made you fear going to sleep for weeks?

A nightmare is an unpleasant dream that evokes a strong emotional response, often fear or sadness. The word comes from mare, an old German or Slavic demon that rides on people's chests when they sleep, causing bad dreams. The word doesn't have any connection to the modern word for a female horse, although a demon horse would be a great subject for nightmares!

Well known movies where dreams figure prominently include the "Nightmare on Elm Street" series and "Inception."

Dreams can be a great part of horror stories, even if they aren't all that scary. If the characters are going through something horrific in real life, a dream where everything is suddenly normal might be a great contrast.

Here are some suggestions for incorporating dreams in to horror stories:

~A bad dream comes true. Or a good one comes true, but with a bad outcome.

~A person gets a warning or threat in a dream.

~A dream tells a character how to get out of a bad situation.

~A character dreams of their own death.

~A character cannot distinguish real life from dreams.

You can probably think of many more!

If you are stuck for story ideas, maybe consider your own dreams. Some of my best stories are based on dreams I had.

If you include dreams in your stories, try to include subtle clues that it is a dream. It doesn't have to be obvious. Just one thing out of place might be a signal that the character is dreaming.

Definitely avoid the common trope where the whole story is a dream, which has become a cliche. Maybe you could turn it upside down, and what was thought to be a dream is actually real.

Something to try: Write a horror story that involves dreams.




Editor's Picks

Magic Word Open in new Window. (18+)
A man discovers the Magic Word works... to his detriment. (9600 words)
#2209674 by s Author IconMail Icon


 Invalid Item Open in new Window.
This item number is not valid.
#2124200 by Not Available.


STATIC
The Details Open in new Window. (GC)
What if there is no small print?
#2054248 by Tiggy Author IconMail Icon


STATIC
The Harmony of Silence Open in new Window. (13+)
The silent ones come to raid the orchard.
#2290623 by J.B. Ezar Author IconMail Icon


STATIC
Road to Nowhere Open in new Window. (13+)
Entry for August
#2278173 by ♥noVember tHiNg♥ Author IconMail Icon

 
Submit an item for consideration in this newsletter!
https://www.Writing.Com/go/nl_form

Word from Writing.Com

Have an opinion on what you've read here today? Then send the Editor feedback! Find an item that you think would be perfect for showcasing here? Submit it for consideration in the newsletter!
         https://www.Writing.Com/go/nl_form

Don't forget to support our sponsor!

ASIN: B01CJ2TNQI
Amazon's Price: $ 5.99


Ask & Answer

Question for next time: What subjects would you like to see in future horror newsletters?

*Bullet* *Bullet* *Bullet* Don't Be Shy! Write Into This Newsletter! *Bullet* *Bullet* *Bullet*

This form allows you to submit an item on Writing.Com and feedback, comments or questions to the Writing.Com Newsletter Editors. In some cases, due to the volume of submissions we receive, please understand that all feedback and submissions may not be responded to or listed in a newsletter. Thank you, in advance, for any feedback you can provide!
Writing.Com Item ID To Highlight (Optional):

Send a comment or question to the editor!
Limited to 2,500 characters.
Word from our sponsor
ASIN: B083RZ37SZ
Product Type:
Amazon's Price: Price N/A
Not currently available.

Removal Instructions

To stop receiving this newsletter, click here for your newsletter subscription list. Simply uncheck the box next to any newsletter(s) you wish to cancel and then click to "Submit Changes". You can edit your subscriptions at any time.


Printed from https://writing.com/main/newsletters/action/archives/id/12025-I-had-the-strangest-dream.html