Do you dream? Not just at night, but do you sometimes zone out in a pleasant way during the day?
As Robert Olen Butler suggests in his book, From Where Your Dream, there is power in dreaming to create art.” Why? “Only the unconscious can fit together the stuff of fiction.” It strikes me that accessing the dream zone is helpful both in writing and in life generally.
The Pulitzer-Prize winning author urges us to “move past the analytical, critical side of their brain. Then access the subconcious, where ‘yearning’ [dreaming] acts as the compass.”
I’ve added some metaphors to flesh out what I understand of his advice:
- Act like a tuning fork! Writers (and other sensitive folks) are like tuning forks. We respond when we are struck by something. We act as conduits, “ultimately transmitting a powerful, authentic note that resonates beyond our own personal experience.” Roxana Robinson in The New York Times.
Image from Shutterstock
In the 1940s and 50s, I heard a joyful noise each Sunday morning at Bossler Mennonite Church as sopranos, altos, tenors, and basses lifted their hearts and voices in praise. The four-part harmony was pitch perfect, thanks to brother Monroe Garber’s tuning fork. He struck the metal instrument, then emitted his own smooth hum, and the congregational hymn was off and running. Later, choristers used a pitch pipe replacing the tuning fork. However, in church now, tuning forks are long gone; so are pitch pipes. A piano by the window close to the pulpit accompanies the congregational singing these days
- Stay in your Lane, Keep on Going
Just so you know: Husband Cliff is driving; I’m doing the filming.
A country girl at heart, the hills and dales of two-lane roads near Elizabethtown, Pennsylvania, have formed the map of my early driving experience. As a teen, when I wanted to go shopping in Lancaster, I learned that I could exit route # 230 switching on to Duke Street, which took me into the heart of the shopping center with department stores like Hagers’ and Watt & Shand.
Giant leap forward: After I married, I first learned to navigate Jacksonville, Florida, on routes from the east side of the city to McDuff Avenue and Lee High School where I taught English. At the time, the Bold New City of the South had a population of approximately 250,00. It has grown to well over a million. Now I can cruise down tame streets and boulevards to go grocery shopping or visit my sister, but when I attend my women’s Bible study, I brave two interstates (I-295 and I-95). The alternate route with traffic lights would take much longer. The best course of action: stay in my lane and keep on going. I rely on 18-wheelers and giant RVs to do the same, fingers crossed!
- Become Focused! Avoid getting distracted—whether you are at the wheel driving or at your writing desk!“ For peeps sake, stop checking your phone!” Displayed on Marquee along I-295 at Easter time
On pain of my life, I never check my phone while driving—unless I’m stopped at a red light. I enjoy Sirius XM and country tunes, but sometimes I don’t even have the mental bandwidth to listen to music as I drive.
When the green light arrives, I accelerate gently and go forward, but I sometimes find myself going back in time: Aunt Ruthie driving my sisters and me to the Lancaster train station, so we could visit the Philadelphia Zoo. Daddy driving me to Laurelville Camp for girls’ week, the squeals and yells as I (with a learners’ permit) drive the family on Sunday morning, tracing the boundaries of farmers’ land all the way to the church on Bosslers’ corner, and flying backwards down a snowy hill, with brother Mark posted at the top of the hill to forestall an unsuspecting driver coming the opposite direction. Flashes of memory now.
- Take time to smell the roses . . . or admire the orchids! (my 40+ bloom orchid)
The lanai, a screened-in porch, in the rear of our home is ideal for ferns, bromeliads—and orchids, my favorite. Orchids have become my pets, and I make a big fuss over them when they re-bloom. Roses don’t do well in our part of Florida. I don’t even have a disease-resistant Knock-Out Rose bush. Still, the peace lily, begonias and impatiens are happy here too, these in a tiny garden on the patio.
- Recognize that you are not over the hill regardless of your age . . . keep climbing!
Back in 2019 as I was writing my first memoir, my sister Jean sent me this encouraging birthday card, one I’ve saved to savor and inspire you too. As the drawing implies: Keep on pedaling. Motion is lotion for your physical and mental muscles.
- Schedule time away from the daily routine! Find new horizons.
In mid-April Cliff and I enjoyed our first-ever ocean cruise to the Mediterranean. Landing in Venice, Italy, we crossed the Adriatic Sea and explored quaint villages in Slovenia, Croatia, and Montenegro—Then the ship crossed into the Aegean Sea where we visited Santorini, finally docking in Athens, Greece. (The photos here are a sampling. Expect more later.)
On our way to the Mediterranean, landing first in Venice, Italy
All tuckered out! Lemonade after 7000 steps on cobblestones, inclines, and uneven terrain in Koper, Slovenia
Charrming Dubrovnik, Croatia
How do you stay focused as you drive? Does your driving experience feei relaxed or fraught with danger?
How do you schedule breaks in your routine?
On another note, how do you cultivate a dream life?
Good morning, Marian! I’m so happy you got to visit such a beautiful part of the world!
I hate driving, and I tend to get very anxious now when I have to drive on highways. But as for dreams–well, I do a lot of that, as you probably know. I have sometimes dreamt poems, and yes, I daydream a lot, too. 😊
Thanks for the good wishes, Merril, and for being #1 again! I think we were both happy that Doug could drive us to Chincoteague now many years ago. I believe dreams and poetry have a strong connection in your world. My ideas usually come randomly when I’m awake, probably from my subconscious. 😀
I have FROM WHERE YOU DREAM. It was recommended years ago as a writing craft book. Love your metaphors. Such a creative way to share what you learned from Butler’s book.
How wonderful that you went on a Mediterranean cruise! Wonderful photos! Was this your first time there?
Here’s the link to FROM WHERE YOU DREAM: https://www.amazon.com/Where-You-Dream-Process-Writing/dp/0802142575 Even though it’s focused on fiction writing, memoirists like me can surely benefit.
Yes, this was our first time going to the Mediterranean. Except for Ukraine, this was the furthest east we’ve traveled. I’ll have more photos next time. Thanks so much, L. Marie! 😀
I found myself drawn to the itinerary of your cruise. Some hand-picked “best places to visit” still on my list — Santorini and Dubrovnik. Would love to hear more about this company and your experience.
The Mediterranean is a large expanse. Our trip focused on the Adriatic and Aegean Seas. If you want to feel pampered, Viking is ideal—a class act, for sure. I’ll share more of the story and photos on the next blog post.
Thanks for your interest- you and Stuart are super – experienced travelers. You will enjoy this part of the world, Shirley! 🤗
Oh my gosh, your trip sounds wonderful, Marian!! I can’t wait to read/see more photos. What an adventure! And in a different way, It sounds like an adventure on the highway getting to Bible study. I completely understand the focus. I will not talk on the phone or look at texts while driving. And although I used to listen to music regularly, I don’t anymore. And speaking of music, Keith Richards of The Rolling Stones would keep a recorder by his bed. One night, he woke and recorded what he had dreamt, and it was one of their biggest hits. Whether awake or sleep, dreaming has enormous power. Welcome back! 😊
We hadn’t take a major trip in 9 years, so this one was very special.
You packed so much in to your reply. I especially enjoyed the anecdote about Keith Richards. He was certainly aware of how his creative life worked and book advantage of inspiration–whenever it arrived.
Melanie, thanks for your comment and the “welcome back.” It’s good to be in my own bed again. 😀
I really am very happy for you. I’m glad it was so special. ❤️ And it truly is a welcome back; you’ve been away from the red shoes for a long time now! 😃
How sweet! Thanks, Melanie for the warm welcome back.
Hi,
I am so glad you enjoyed your cruise.
As for driving, I don’t use my mobile when I am driving and I don’t play music. I finally have my focus back after experiencing a very difficult year in 2025 and I have begun to read again and to record the dreams that I have in my journal.
Wishing you the very best,
Shalom shalom
Pat, a day or two ago I thought about you–and voilå–here you are!
I’m so happy you have survived a difficult year, and persevered through it. I know you’re not a quitter; it’s wonderful to know you can return to reading and recording dreams in your journal now. Thanks so much for staying in touch! 😀
I love the overhead bridge sign!
Yes, “peeps” may survive the road trip if they re-focus after glancing at the sign. Tee hee! 😀
I pretty much stopped driving when we moved from Ontario to Winnipeg, Manitoba after our retirement. When Hardy passed away my grandson bought the car and it has been a godsend for him! I walk more, it’s better for the environment, and I have discovered the kindness of neighbours, relatives and friends. On the whole I have been ok with this decision.
Elfrieda, like you, I prefer to be a passenger. This weekend, we made two trips to Gainesville, Florida, when our grandsons graduated from the University of Florida on separate days. They had different majors and each college had individual ceremonies. Our son chauffeaured us to and from the campus, so I was happy to have him behind the steering wheel.
Walking is such good exercise. and I’m happy to hear you are blessed with friends and relatives who take you where you need to go otherwise. 😀
It looks like you and Cliff had a great time on your cruise!
Interesting coincidence! I just had an exchange with someone on Substack about how much I hate driving on the Chesapeake Bay Bridge. I’m afraid of breaching the guardrail and plunging into the water to die a horrific death by drowning, trapped in my car. Then there’s driving in Boston, speaking of fraught with danger. ‘Nuff said about that!
I don’t schedule breaks in my routine. My husband takes me on a drive if he thinks overwork is making me grumpy.
Among other things, we do share a preference for being a passenger, not a driver, in the car. Jacksonville has seven bridges. I don’t need to travel over any of them where we live now, but we used to drive across two of the bridges regularly. (I doubt that you would breach a guardrail on a bridge because you are probably a cautious drive. Still!)
You have one gem of a husband, able to sense when you need a break. My own break was long this time because of the extensive cruise and then coming back to two college graduations on separate days for our grandsons. I’m glad to stay home for now! Thanks for your input always, Liz! 😀
My pleasure, Marian! Now back to your regular routine?
That’s the plan. (Thanks for the follow-up!)
You’re welcome!
Welcome back, Marian! I hope you two had an amazing time and adventure in Europe and I can’t wait to learn more about it.
In our relationship and lifestyle, Mark does most of the driving. He is a more careful driver than me, but we both have lost our patience and tolerance in traffic. Yet, driving all over the world, we have to be super careful, because the driving behaviors in most countries are aggressive, pushy, and quite dangerous. I could write an entire article, blog, or chapter about this topic. 🙂
That being said, now that we’re in Belgium, I’m the designated driver. Mostly because I grew up with the sometimes funky traffic rules, the written signs are in a language he doesn’t know, and some of the terrain is familiar to me.
Yes, I’m write more about the Balkans and Greece next time. I have tons of photos and a few iMovies I’m still organizing.
Like Mark, Cliff likes to drive. When we were in Paris, Rome, and London (on the left side of the road!), he was behind the wheel. All I did was sit there — and scream — sometimes. How awesome you understand Belgian (and French) and can navigate for Mark right now. Our experience in Belgium was mostly by train.
Congratulations for driving (and sailing) all over the world, safely. Maybe I’ve given you an idea for a blog post. Thanks for all of this, Liesbet! 😀
Yes, Marian and I had a great time on our Eastern European Cruise and used a lot of “oomph” (catching our breath) steps on the individual port tours with cobblestones and inclines. It was wonderful to be a part of Europe that prior to our trip was only in guide books as 2D photos, and then to be enjoyed as a 3D experience!
The Michelin star food was so varied and rich that after halfway through the voyage I ate less and came back to the U. S. a few pounds lighter!
I can’t wait to see what to see what photos my live-in writer selects.
Yes, to all this.
Actually, Cliff lost 5 pounds in spite of feasting on fabulous food. After our trip, one Viking staff member noted that whenever we walked on board ship, the motion of the vessel activated muscles to help keep our balance. We were astonished by this because on such a large ship this motion is almost imperceptible. Anyway: a good result. Such a memorable trip! 😀
I often listen to audiobooks when I drive. That way I’m not tempted to check my phone unless I’m using Google Maps. I paint and write poetry as a form of dreaming. Thanks for this interesting post, Marion. I’m glad you had a nice holiday.
You have an abundant creative life; I don’t know how you manage it all–baking, poetry, prose and more. I like how you seem to strike a balance while supporting other writers too.
Audio books keep you focused–and safe on the road. Thanks for the good wishes. I believe you are your family enjoyed a holiday too, Robbie. 😀
What a lovely and peaceful drive Marian. I had to take a double look at the video where you label it I25 traffic, lol. I live in a traffic jammed, overcrowded city with crazy drivers who seem to be given a license. I detest driving – a once loved event. I’m convinced my blood pressure going up may burst one day in my car, lol. Hugs x
Actually, I-295 is often more crazy than this video shows. It was a Sunday morning with less traffic than usual.
Here’s hoping your blood pressure will ease–even on Toronto highways, Debby! 😀
HI! I’m a little late. Blogging is more challenging these days to me, and one reason is that Word Press makes it more difficult to navigate the site. Yesterday I just about gave up (and told WP that they are ignoring those of us who have been loyal for years – no word back). I had been able to find a way to use the classic block, but no more. Your posts still look great.
Anyway, this is one example of how I lost my focus, and usually I allow myself to use my ‘awake’ dream consciousness to lead me in my stories. I love that process. I will admit that I focus when driving but my mind may wander (no phone NO) and I have found myself lost for a bit. Oops. But it’s not so bad to get “lost” in our stories, is it? Thanks for introducing this book – I’d like to read it and it – and making it even more interesting with your own examples.
I’m glad you got lost in your last story. What brainy children–and grandsons you have! The petulant ones, while a handful when they’re young, usually excel as adults.
I’m sorry you are having trouble with WP. The last time I reached out to them, they were called “Happiness Engineers” — Ha!
As you may know, I took a blogging break: We had a longish vacation, the first in years and then two grandsons graduated from college in separate ceremonies, so I’m have some trouble getting back in gear. I guess I’ll be satisfied with a slower pace. I don’t think I’ll give bloggng up any time soon. I love my connections here, including YOURS, dear Pam! 😀
hi again! I’m finally home and glad to know you were off sailing somewhere–Sounds great, and I’ve heard great things from Viking cruises, especially from my cousin. We were in unexciting Indiana–and Ohio for 5 days, visiting my sister who had broken her femur a couple of weeks ago. We also got to visit our grandkids in Columbus. I’m glad you got to see parts of the world you hadn’t seen yet…. I’ll be watching for your photos and videos!
Brava to you for the visit to Ohio. I’m sure your sister appreciated seeing you–probably as an angel of mercy, helping her out. And the grandkids too. So great to make these connections.
After all the hoopla–voyage and graduations–I’ve come down with a cold and hacking cough. I suspect we both need some rest.
Thanks for checking in, Melodie. It’s always great to hear from you! 😀
I live in a sleepy little beach town in Spain, and we don’t have much traffic. I just returned from a 3-week trip to Canada and had forgotten how heavy traffic can be. I can’t believe I used to drive in it every day! As you know, I’m a big believer in following your dreams. If you dream it, it can happen!