Writers Dreaming

What an interesting book. It is literally about the dreams — the hallucinations of slumber — of writers. Not so much about daydreams, or aspirations, or anything other than the literal dreams of writers.

Naomi Epel worked as a driver/helper of visiting writers in San Francisco. She’d pick them up, drive them to book signings, talks, etc. Naturally, they’d talk, and she was keenly interested in dreams. She later hosted a radio show on the subject as well, eventually putting together this book. 20+ years later, it’s still a fascinating read. A couple of the essays sounded familiar — especially Sue Grafton’s. Grafton edited a book about the process of mystery and thriller writers, including herself, and she talks a lot about show more how dreams play a part in her process.

Gloria Naylor, in her essay in Naomi Epel’s Writers Dreaming, says that writers are a work’s first audience. The idea stuck with me, and I’ve been thinking it over. I think it may be true. It feels true at least, and that’s not the worst test.

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This was very much a "meh" book for me. Writers discussing the role of dreaming in their work. Yeah, okay, different angle, but not one that grabs me that much. Still, Clive Barker was in there. So was Elmore Leonard. And Stephen King. Each had some interesting nuggets, but most of those nuggets had very little to do with dreaming.

Anyway. I read it. I'm done.