What are their reasons that you should not use dreams?

When it comes to dreams, you have to weigh the pros and the cons, finding out how it would benefit your story, and if it would hurt your story in any way.

Ooh! I like this topic!

So, I haven't used dreams in my stories yet, I don't think, but I do think they can be a very useful tool.

In the 1970's TV show The Incredible Hulk, they used a recurring dream in the pilot episode. It was like a flashback (it was the death of Banner's wife), but it was important that it was a dream because it, first of all, showed a lot about Banner, what he had and was going through, it was realalistic, and it did help progress the plot later. Then, throughout the series, Banner had a couple more dreams, and they added on to each other. Again, it showed a lot about Banner and what he was going through, made him a 3D character, and just added so much to him.

I think there are times when dreams might be more of a hinderance than something that adds to the story, but if done right, it can be a very awesome tool.

I would have voted, but there was no option entitled 'Once'

What about opening a book with a dream?

For example, the opening chapter of Raising Dragons by Bryan Davis is a dream. It's not completely clear until Billy wakes up, and it makes you think something is happening that isn't. Also, it is completely unsubtle foreshadowing.

Does that kind of thing annoy you? Or is it a good way to open a book that might have a slightly boring beginning otherwise?

What about opening a book with a dream?

For example, the opening chapter of Raising Dragons by Bryan Davis is a dream. It's not completely clear until Billy wakes up, and it makes you think something is happening that isn't. Also, it is completely unsubtle foreshadowing.

Does that kind of thing annoy you? Or is it a good way to open a book that might have a slightly boring beginning otherwise?

“Although both of you recognized the incompetence of Uranus, neither of you are worthy to inherit his powers. You, Cronus, instead will be overthrown, just as you overthrew your own father. You will have a son, and he will take over. And he shall serve me. The reign of the Titans will end.”
“NO!” Cronus shouted, his eyes popping wide open, staring into a great darkness. He lay there, panting, afraid to move.
“Cronus?” Oceanus said, coming over to his bedside. “Are you alright?”
Cronus said nothing in reply. He just continued to breathe heavily, not daring to say or do anything. Beads of sweat dropped down his face.
“Cronus? Can you hear me?” Oceanus asked. “You’re sweating, and your eyes dart from place to place, but you do not speak. Tethys!” he called.
“Yes, dear husband?” Tethys responded.
“What is wrong with Cronus? You are a woman. You may be able to determine better what is going on.”
Tethys studied Cronus. “Quick, fetch me a clean cloth and some water,” she commanded. Oceanus obeyed and soon returned with what she requested. Tethys wiped the sweat off of Cronus’ face and spoke comforting words to him.
“Shhhh. It is alright, Cronus. It is I, Tethys, and Oceanus. We are here. You have nothing to fear. We will take care of you. Do not worry. Please speak to us, dear one."
Cronus heard and saw everything that Tethys and Oceanus did, but his mind would not process the actions. It would not translate the words. He just laid there in shock. The nightmare had come again. The one that had tormented him for years. The nightmare that had driven him in a mad fury ever since the shinning angel appeared. Before he had been able to conquer the dream in a feeling of power and control, but tonight. Tonight the dream had come so vividly. So strongly. Its threatening words paralyzed him. He was too afraid to do anything.

OK, so in my NaNo story, I just argued with myself on whether or not I should include a dream in it, because of this thread. So I have decided to share the dream segment that I made and see what y'all think. I wanted to see what you'd say to this type of dream:



The dream here serves many purposes: 1. It reiterates a prophecy that the reader may have forgotten, so it gives them that reminder. 2. It shows the torment Cronus is going through.

Does this type of dream work for y'all? It's short and obviously a dream because it is in italics. It just has that little sense of being a dream that helps out the scene. It shows the reader a little bit of the mind of the character.

Let me know if what I have said doesn't make much sense...

I think it would make me mad. In the beginning of The Door Within by Wayne Thomas Batson, he does something that sounds pretty much the same as what you've described. And I basically hated it. I'm still reading the trilogy, but the first chapter almost completely turned me off. It was a really cheap hook, and it wasn't needed.

Give your readers a little more credit. If someone has picked up your book (and is your average reader), they are WANTING to enjoy your story, and a slightly "boring" beginning with an excellent character will grab their attention long enough for something interesting to happen. Some of the best classics have the most boring beginnings.

If your story naturally begins with gripping action, then fine! But don't put in a dream to make it more exciting. If you do absolutely NEED a dream to do that, then there's a problem with the rest of your story (characterization probably.)

I ask this question because I have read a lot where people always say "Cut the dream, you never need to use dreams!" when it comes to film and to novels. However, I have a problem with that statement. Dreams are a big part of our life, we all have dreams, good and bad, so why should fiction, which is our portrayal of reality (albeit at some times alternate or amended reality) not keep this vital aspect of our lives?

Willow I hate to spoil this for you but the whole dream thing is actually VERY important to the plot.

Well, it would seem to me that dreams could be included to the extent to which they're important somehow. It may always be a good idea to make it clear that it is a dream, though, to avoid the whole 'it was just a dream' thing.