dream journal? - Writers Forum

FictionFan · 03-05-2008, 03:12 PM

I don't know where to post this question. I am wondering if anyone here keeps a dream journal? If so why do you keep it? Do you get story ideas from your dreams or do you keep it for some other reason?

I started a dream journal a few years ago when I started psychotherapy and I have kept it pretty consistently. I am hoping at some point to try and come up with a few stories from the dreams I've had but I really don't know how to go about doing that yet.

Has anyone kept a dream journal? Anyone out there have very vivid dreams?

sethp · 03-05-2008, 03:15 PM

well how do you do it? I can't be bothered to get up after the REM time and usually don't recall any dreams..my dream journal would be empty! lol

chimchimski · 03-05-2008, 03:27 PM

My Dream journal is a creative resource for me. Off and on I go back over my dreams and if one has enough color to it or depth, I will take what I have written and weave a complete character around it. Some dreams are easier to do this with than others.

Yes, my dreams are quit vivid!

Suzip · 03-05-2008, 03:46 PM

I don't think I could ever keep one. I do dream a lot and they are always very vivid during them, but after I wake up although I remember dreaming I don't remember much about them. Just bits and pieces with a lot of strong feelings.

ArlenOrobono · 03-05-2008, 04:28 PM

I've never ever ever woken up and immediately thought, "Man I have to write that down." Ever

.

I haven't ever been nearly conscious enough to have such thoughts.

chimchimski · 03-05-2008, 04:32 PM

It takes a special person with nothing better to do than to write at 2:30 in the AM. Fortunatly, I am that person.

I love to journal what can I say.

FictionFan · 03-05-2008, 06:57 PM

if i really want to remember a dream when i wake up i just write short notes (key words) about the dream and that will usually trigger memories of the whole dream when i finally get up then i write it out in full. i guess i started keeping a dream journal because i was in psychotherapy before that i never had a dream journal.

i would honestly love to not dream so much. i have major longstanding insomnia (from lyme disease) and i have frequent awakenings and that's why i remember so many dreams. i really hope my insomnia improves and i hope to not have such vivid dreams.

-fictionfan

Ilasir Maroa · 03-05-2008, 07:55 PM

I've tried, and I got a lot down even doing it after I woke up normally, but it took too much effort to keep it up.