A great book can be hard to put down. With each page turn you’re dying to know: what happens next? With each twisting plotpoint and thrilling character arc, great authors impress us with their style and ingenuity. For particularly ingenious stories, you may find yourself wondering how these authors came up with their ideas. For some tedious outlining works. For others, seclusion and dedication uncovers the story they want to tell. They may draw upon their own life experiences, or the tales of others, or simply upon their imagination.
A few lucky authors come up with their book ideas while dreaming. You may be surprised to learn how many famous books were conceived while their author was dreaming. From major plot points, characters, or even the entire premise, many authors can credit their success to their dreams.
If you’re a writer or creative who wants to tap into the power of dreams to brainstorm your next big idea, there’s a few things you can try. Think about your project or story while falling asleep. Ideas we remember tend to come out in the first stages of sleep. Even if you can’t dream a great idea, don’t worry. Creativity is highly individual, and it can take time to find what works for you, so don’t be afraid to try something new!
For a list of famous authors inspired by dreams, plus tips for your own creativity, check out this visual by Sleep Advisor:
