How to write a difficult dream sequence?

[TexasBluebonnet]

I'm trying to write a dream sequence where my character is lead to seek God (this set in N.T. times btw, and she actually goes out looking for Jesus), but I'm not sure how to go about it. I don't want it to be scary, or anything, but one that would definitely get her attention. See, the problem is I read Gone With The Wind one too many times growing up and so that's the only dream sequence that keeps popping up in my head. I want the feel of being chased or a sense of urgency but I'm having a hard time with it. Can anyone offer any advice?

 

[Shabby]

I'm not sure what kind of biblical imagery you were planning on using, but as far as rhythym and structure go I would tend toward short, terse prose that perhaps separates paragraphs frequently, the more it breaks paragraphs and shorter the prose - the more urgent it may seem.

 

[MrBF1V3]

Think about your own dreams, and how you would describe them--although when my characters dream, there is a lot more detail than what I remember from mine. Also, keep in mind the imagery which would make the most sense to your character.

B5

 

[sunstruckdream]

I love dream sequences

In dreams, at least for me, details are often optional. When I dream I usually see a lot of blur, and only a few focused details - the important ones. Shabby's definitely right about the short, terse prose, IMO. Long sentences and flowy words will slow down the feel of the piece. Try words with hard sounds and lots of consonants, and I'd recommend playing with short and crisp sentences. Also, consider why your character feels the need to seek God so. Is it something in their life - a feeling, an experience? For a chase, placing something that symbolizes their conflict literally behind them and growing/becoming more threatening is a good way to increase urgency. If she's seeking God more as part of a call from above, though, maybe it would be less of a chase and more of a magnetized pull towards her destination (?)

Hope at least some of that helps. If I can clarify anything, let me know. Good luck

 

[TexasBluebonnet]

Hey, thanks for all of the help. I did a little research and used elements of a traditional Roman funeral to depict the misery and gloominess that I wanted to portray. Your posts gave me the idea to go in that direction. It's different from what I had planned, but I think it still works. I've learned sometimes you have to step back and just let it flow on its own. Thanks again.

 

[avatarblade2000]

I don't know if this is a little information a little too late, but here goes.

If your character is being driven to Christ by something, like a situation or a vice, then why don't you put a face on them? Make these abstract concepts into symbols, or people, or monsters, what have you. You wanted the feeling of a chase, right? Why don't you have these things chase your protag around?

I also support the idea of short and crisp sentences. Sunstruck knows what she's talking about, I've learned. Dreams are supposed to be chalked full of more detail than we can actually remember, which is typically why we find the deepest one to be so realistic. In waking life, we see a lot, but we don't actually "pay attention" to it all. It all kind of blends in aesthetically and we take advantage of it. If you wanted to emulate that in your writing, only give some vague notions and details, or only give some extreme detail sparsely. Write in such a way that the reader's imagination can't help but run wild. If you can deprive them of enough detail without it being confusing, that's exactly what will happen.