Not many of us know that there is a stage where you mind is relaxed and your subconscious is more accessible when you wake up in the morning and just before you sleep at night. This stage is called hypnagogia. It is one of the most productive creative times, if you can train yourself to use it.
Two scholars coined the terms 'hypnagogic' and 'hypnopompic'. This was in the 1800's. They used these terms to refer to the state of conscious as one slid into sleep and as one came out of sleep, respectively. In 1983 however, the term 'hypnagogia' was coined by Dr. Andreas Mavromatis to refer to the general state of half asleep, half awake, regardless of which way you were going.
Writing is easier in the morning as you aim to finish awake. Yet, you get the best bits just before dozing off, and when you try to write it down you only wake yourself up again, and may not manage even to do that. You can also use this time to produce some great ideas, you just have to learn how to remember them in the morning. This is why hypnagogia is the most wonderful tool for a writer.
If you use these stages to develop your work, you will come up with amazing results. When balanced properly, this state will allow you more freedom in your writing and the ability to write much, much faster. Yet sometimes, if you tend to go more towards the sleep side, you get very strange results. Remember that during this stage, your subconscious is much more accessible and your critical nature is often disengaged. If you have problems coming up with ideas or being overly critical of your work, milk this state for all it's worth.
So, if you want to become a prolific writer then do not waste these free periods. Spend every night as you drift off contemplating your book. Allow dialogues to take place in your head and present your genius with any problems you are stuck on. Then first thing in the morning write, write, write! Write whatever answers your subconscious has thrown back at you. While still only partially awake, recall the messages of the night and write as much as you can.
You could actually come up with an entire story outline in twenty minutes if you try to write down a dream while it is still warm and malleable. If you write in this partially conscious stage, your genius can still mold the dream into a more book appropriate form. A little late than that and you will face difficulty in understanding how the dream progressed and what could make it a good book.
Learn how to use these stages and you will realize how exciting your work could become if created during these times. Train yourself to always spend the first few waking moments writing, and your last few focused on your work.
Two scholars coined the terms 'hypnagogic' and 'hypnopompic'. This was in the 1800's. They used these terms to refer to the state of conscious as one slid into sleep and as one came out of sleep, respectively. In 1983 however, the term 'hypnagogia' was coined by Dr. Andreas Mavromatis to refer to the general state of half asleep, half awake, regardless of which way you were going.
Writing is easier in the morning as you aim to finish awake. Yet, you get the best bits just before dozing off, and when you try to write it down you only wake yourself up again, and may not manage even to do that. You can also use this time to produce some great ideas, you just have to learn how to remember them in the morning. This is why hypnagogia is the most wonderful tool for a writer.
If you use these stages to develop your work, you will come up with amazing results. When balanced properly, this state will allow you more freedom in your writing and the ability to write much, much faster. Yet sometimes, if you tend to go more towards the sleep side, you get very strange results. Remember that during this stage, your subconscious is much more accessible and your critical nature is often disengaged. If you have problems coming up with ideas or being overly critical of your work, milk this state for all it's worth.
So, if you want to become a prolific writer then do not waste these free periods. Spend every night as you drift off contemplating your book. Allow dialogues to take place in your head and present your genius with any problems you are stuck on. Then first thing in the morning write, write, write! Write whatever answers your subconscious has thrown back at you. While still only partially awake, recall the messages of the night and write as much as you can.
You could actually come up with an entire story outline in twenty minutes if you try to write down a dream while it is still warm and malleable. If you write in this partially conscious stage, your genius can still mold the dream into a more book appropriate form. A little late than that and you will face difficulty in understanding how the dream progressed and what could make it a good book.
Learn how to use these stages and you will realize how exciting your work could become if created during these times. Train yourself to always spend the first few waking moments writing, and your last few focused on your work.
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