Woops... I Forgot

While I was getting ready for work this morning, my sister, clad in PJs and sporting adorable bed head, whipped out her phone and declared, "You were talking in your sleep last night, and I wrote it down."

 
Apparently (though I will always deny it), I am a notorious sleep-talker. After sharing a room with me for seven months, my sister has finally caught on to this. And now, whenever I make the slightest mumble, she jots it down as a note in her iPhone.

Last night I said the following, "Oh my goodness. Oh my goodness. Oh my goodness! They really wrote on the basement walls, didn't they!?"

Cinderella sure got her song wrong. I don't want anyone writing on any walls. Especially not basement ones with who-knows-what. Yes, my mind immediately went to blood. I'm a pessimist with a dark imagination, so what?

                              

Dreams are crazy things. Scientists still aren't quite sure why or how we dream. But we do. And dreams hold excellent ideas for writing a book.

In fact, my current WIP? You know, the twist on "Alice's Adventures in Wonderland"?

It all started from a dream. Not that the dream necessarily had anything to do with Wonderland. But it did have to do with crossing worlds and a debonair young man. Vampires and soul-stealers were also involved. Thankfully the idea went through quite a metamorphosis during plotting!

This isn't the only dream I've had that I thought would make a good book. Only, with most dreams, I forgot what they were about. Or, while daydreaming, I've thought up a great dialog line. But then started doing actual thinking and lost it. Even after I swore I was going to remember it. Five minutes later? Nothing.

Ever happen to you?

There is one cure: a journal. Whether it be a physical journal or an app on a smart phone... INVEST! Keep it close to you at nighttime to write dreams down. Carry it in your purse (or guys... a pocket, maybe?) to pull out when inspiration strikes.

So invest the $1.99 (or if you're feeling fancy, a bit more). It's immeasurably worth it.

NaNo Nightmares

I've gone camping!

--Figuratively, of course. I'm not one for actual camping. Bugs, behind-that-bush bathrooms, and lack of showers don't have much appeal. For me at least.

This month, I'm cyber roughing it at Camp NaNoWriMo. What is Camp NaNoWriMo, you ask? For those of you too lazy to click the link, it's "An idyllic writers retreat, smack-dab in the middle of your crazy life". You pick your word count and strive to meet it in a month. Camp NaNoWriMo has an awesome cabin system where you're matched with other writers.

My goal for July is to reach 40,000 words, which will finish my current WIP. I've tried to participate in the last three NaNo's: two Camps and one November. I failed each time. Why?

I wasn't dedicated enough!

This time around, I've really gotten involved. I've made use of the cabin chat feature and connected with other writers. I've forced (seriously, forced) myself to at least get 1,000 words written per day. And those cool emails the folks at NaNo send that I used to ignore? Yeah, I actually read those now. I also bought a camp shirt. So a monetary investment and personal guilt trip certainly help matters.

And so far I'm on track, even slightly ahead. Which is an awesome feeling.

Actually, I think I'm a little too obsessed with CampNaNo. In fact, I had a nightmare about it. Apparently this t-rex-like monster would stalk and eventually eat me unless I was able to say a sentence with a certain word count.

                                   

Weird and creepy? Definitely.

What is the point of this post other than bragging and letting you act as a dream psychologist?

To show the importance of apply butt-to-chair and fingers-to-keyboard! I procrastinate sooo much when it comes to writing. CampNaNo is a world-wide writing frenzy that forces me to get on the computer to write. So, whether it be a NaNo activity, a friend keeping you accountable, or giving yourself a personal goal. Write!

Seriously.

                                

Like now.