dream as deus ex machina???

[CAP811]

What do you guys think of stories in which it turns out that most of the events in fact took place in a dream?? Does it leave you disappointed that it "didn't really happen?" What if there are clues along the way that this could be a dream?
I've written a tongue-in-cheek story (for Humor & Satire) that uses this plot device. Somehow it works better when the main character ends up where he began, realizing that he had fallen asleep and dreamed it all. But I'm not sure. Input would be appreciated.

 

[KarennaC]

My personal opinion is that the "it was all a dream" plot device has been so overused that a humorous/satirical story is the only type of story in which it *would* work, because it's almost become a satire of itself.

 

[dr_mabeuse]

I don't go for it. Like Karenna says, it's old and hackneyed and enough to make me throw the book against a wall,

Or was that just a dream?

 

[Guest]

I don't go for it. Like Karenna says, it's old and hackneyed and enough to make me throw the book against a wall,

Or was that just a dream?

When you woke up was your pillow gone?

 

[Stella_Omega]

What do you guys think of stories in which it turns out that most of the events in fact took place in a dream?? Does it leave you disappointed that it "didn't really happen?" What if there are clues along the way that this could be a dream?
I've written a tongue-in-cheek story (for Humor & Satire) that uses this plot device. Somehow it works better when the main character ends up where he began, realizing that he had fallen asleep and dreamed it all. But I'm not sure. Input would be appreciated.

Now, you see? This is a perfect case of the exception that (just might) prove the rule. You add those clues, and you can give your readers a perfectly legit "gotcha" moment.

The reason is because the dream becomes the point of the story, instead of the excuse for actions that you, the writer, are not willing to endorse.

 

[sr71plt]

It seems fine for a story that is emphasizing the stroke element over plot, so as long as you aren't going for a Pulitzer . . .

 

[jomar]

It seems fine for a story that is emphasizing the stroke element over plot, so as long as you aren't going for a Pulitzer . . .

I did that and the result was solidly mediocre.

 

[voluptuary_manque]

My students are forbidden to write any story that ends ". . . and then I woke up. It had all been a dream." If they write themselves into something, I expect them to write themselves out of it.

 

[lesbiaphrodite]

I think it very much depends on the overall quality of the writing and the strength of the storyline. I'm not too keen on the idea in many instances, but I have seen it done deftly and in such a way that I admired the device. But, those instances have been rare.

 

[CAP811]

I suppose I should mention that this the 2nd story about a character of mine, George Prufrock, whose sex life mainly consists of daydreams in the first place. But thanks for the input. I'm seeing now how the real dream might be dropped from the storyline.

 

[john-the-author]

My students are forbidden to write any story that ends ". . . and then I woke up. It had all been a dream." If they write themselves into something, I expect them to write themselves out of it.

EXACTLY my thoughts, VM. "It was all a dream" is usually the writer throwing his/her hands up in despair and walking away from the keyboard. If it could be used as a plot device (I recall an episode of "Friends" where this worked), fine; otherwise, I'd probably avoid it.

 

[sr71plt]

EXACTLY my thoughts, VM. "It was all a dream" is usually the writer throwing his/her hands up in despair and walking away from the keyboard. If it could be used as a plot device (I recall an episode of "Friends" where this worked), fine; otherwise, I'd probably avoid it.

I always feel a chill whenever I hear that anal-retentive "never ever," though. The art of good writing includes the possibility of using a cliched device and getting away with it on the strength of everything else going on in the writing.

 

[voluptuary_manque]

I always feel a chill whenever I hear that anal-retentive "never ever," though. The art of good writing includes the possibility of using a cliched device and getting away with it on the strength of everything else going on in the writing.

Among adults, especially the truly skilled ones, "never ever" is an overstatement, agreed. But for children just learning to write narrative, I expect then to work a little harder.

 

[CAP811]

The general thrust of the story is that George shifts from reality to fantasy and back, and begins to have doubts as to what is real and what is imaginary. In this context, perhaps a revelation that he was in fact dreaming all along won't be completely out of the blue?

 

[bb_peaks]

One of my very first stories I wrote, around 15 years ago, I ended by saying it was a dream. I had a huge crush on the man in the dream but nothing ever came of it. We did go repelling with a group before and had fun so that's how I had the basis for the story. When it came time to end it, I knew it was never going to happen and at the time felt it should be more of it only happened in my mind.

 

[sr71plt]

There's always the flip side. In the story I'm writing at the moment, the protagonist thought she was in a dream--but she wasn't--to her horror.

 

[dr_mabeuse]

What I don't understand is: this is a sexual fantasy site. All the stories here are already dreams. SO why would you want to put a dream into a dream?

For instance, say I want to write a story about fucking Sophia Loren 50 years ago? Why not just write the story. Why have to footnote it that "It was all a dream!"?

If you want to have a guy coming flaming gasoline or a woman with three vaginas, just write it. No one expects it to be factual anyhow.

 

[Stella_Omega]

The general thrust of the story is that George shifts from reality to fantasy and back, and begins to have doubts as to what is real and what is imaginary. In this context, perhaps a revelation that he was in fact dreaming all along won't be completely out of the blue?

As I said, I do think that your premise can work, the way you've laid it out.

It's kind of "Walter Mitty" ish, and that can be a lot of fun!

 

[oggbashan]

... No one expects it to be factual anyhow.

Except the readers of Loving Wives and the religious nut-cases who stray here looking for something to get angry about...

Og

 

[Weird Harold]

The general thrust of the story is that George shifts from reality to fantasy and back, and begins to have doubts as to what is real and what is imaginary. In this context, perhaps a revelation that he was in fact dreaming all along won't be completely out of the blue?

Sort of a pornographic Walter Mitty?

That plot worked well for James Thurber and the Danny Kaye movie, The Secret Life of Walter Mitty, made a buck or two for hollywood.

 

[CAP811]

<<Sort of a pornographic Walter Mitty?>>

Yes, the first story was just that - Walter Mitty with sex on his mind.

 

[sweetness6280]

The general thrust of the story is that George shifts from reality to fantasy and back, and begins to have doubts as to what is real and what is imaginary. In this context, perhaps a revelation that he was in fact dreaming all along won't be completely out of the blue?

I suppose I should mention that this the 2nd story about a character of mine, George Prufrock, whose sex life mainly consists of daydreams in the first place. But thanks for the input. I'm seeing now how the real dream might be dropped from the storyline.

The way you describe it wouldn't really be a deus ex machina dream season, the use of which really bothers me. I won't say they never work, but most just make me feel that the writer was too lazy to resolve the plot.

What you describe could be an excellent device, keeping your readers guessing and waiting for the resolution.

Props for the allusion to the master of allusions, T.S. Eliot.

 

[CAP811]

I think I'll just submit the story, dream and all. George and his antics are not very politically correct anyway, so, I'll not hold my breath waiting for that Pulitzer.

 

[DeeZire]

If it's a satire, I think you should include product placement, which is becoming a joke these days in mainstream media entertainment. You could also have the TV on, which would give you even more opportunities to slip in a sub plot about Bill O'Reilly or others of his ilk. Perhaps Sarah Palin is giving an interview, and as the guy passes through his semi-waking states, SP could become part of his fantasy.

Also, if it's a satire, I think you should put it in the Loving Wives category, since that's the bunch least likely to be able to take a joke (assuming your goal is to annoy people. I write satire, and that's my goal.)

 

[WRJames]

Dream episodes can be an important element of a story. In the Eden series there is a series of recurring dreams that have their own slow plot development,

And of course H P Lovecraft fans will remember his masterful use of a nightmare world slowly sucks in the narrator and the reader.