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These days, once I've sent my husband off to work, I have the luxury of going back to bed for a bit.
It is during these times—when I don't need to sleep any more, but I still can—that I invariably have lucid dreams. I keep hoping that these will provide insights and material for my writing (usually in vain, but I have one story in progress which builds purely on a dream scenario. Alas, no conflict yet. For that matter, that's also true for FWS.).
Yesterday's was one of the few such dreams where it all becomes clear.
The occasion was a meeting of Worldcon supporters (either pre-con, or about future cons); the setting a loose assembly of concrete benches in a patch of grass on top of a hill, next to a forest. (So yeah, it was unmistakenly a dream, but I bought into it wholesale.)
My husband (!) had taken centre-stage, outlining the worldbuilding for his famous Science Fiction series.
When he'd finished, he turned towards me and said "of course it's all thanks to Denni".
Before I knew it, I was cajoled into talking.
I remember scrabbling frantically through the contents of my conference bag (the 1998 Nashville Cystic Fibrosis Conference one—a sign that this was serious). Of course I had taken the synopsis with me. (Once I'll finish writing it, I will take it everywhere I go, along with a memory stick with the full manuscript and technical appendix on it.)
Tattered pages in hand, I started to talk, slowly rising from my seat.
It was preposterous, but I felt myself drawn to that centre-stage. And, thanks to my 'famous' husband, the audience was humouring me.
They wanted to hear the story behind his worldbuilding, but he had already given it to them. I realized that I was in danger of repeating it. I realized that I had to tell them my story instead.
And—this being a lucid dream (which will go my way if I want it to)—I gradually eased into it.
Slowly, with trepidation, I approached the murky waters of the crew-colonist conflict half-way into the novel (beyond it being firmly 'Lord of the Flies' territory, I knew next to nothing about it).
While I explained, it all became clear. Suddenly I could see that I'll not only get away with murder, but that this murder slots in neatly as a turning point in the crew-colonist relations and those to the ship AI (which is, then and now, the most elusive of the bastard characters in the novel). I could see what the implications of the murder and its aftermath are for each of the crew members, and two of the colony's lead characters.
I was explaining the relevance of this whole mess for the crew/colonist, crew/crew and human/AI sub-conflicts (as well as—of course—the human condition, blah, blah, etc., etc.). All those issues were resolved as the words poured out of my mouth.
Better still, I have remembered many of these words. I was able to sit down at the computer and work them into my outline, chapter by chapter. I patched up plot holes and embroidered sub-plots. I weaved and I stitched, and I can feel the whole novel coming together as a result.
Of course, even while I was still speaking, I realised that I was the only one left in my dream who was listening. The meeting had long since run out of time.
P.S. In case you think that this entry contains spoilers, it doesn't. Merely teasers. This isn't a detective novel, you know...
Anonymous
May 25 2007, 10:25:53 UTC 5 years ago
Pontefract Liquorice Festival
Hi,I noticed you talked about last year's liquorice festival and the circumstances as to why you weren't able to go. I don't know if you're still living in the area but this year's is going to be bigger than ever. It's a nine day treat this time with a week-long music festival. I've put the agenda below and hoped you'd be able to flag it up to your regular readers as a great event.
Deb
AGENDA 2007
Saturday 7 July
Castle in Action
11am-5pm Pontefract Castle
A heritage day organised by the Pontefract Heritage Group including children’s battles, jousting, falconry displays and medieval stalls. There will be themed street entertainment, re-enactments, music and food, living history camps, demonstrations, historic art and craft workshops.
Free
Sunday 8 July
11am to 5pm - departing Pontefract castle
NEW. Discovery Trails and Tours - walks, talks and tours in Pontefract.
Organised by the Trust to include talks about Pontefract liquorice and historical and heritage aspects of the town as well as walks through the town, the old liquorice fields and the Hermitage. Take a guided tour of the castle grounds and underground magazine or an open top bus to a local liquorice farm to hear one of local liquorice expert Tom Dixon’s informative and entertaining liquorice talks. Enjoy a guided walk around the town to discover past Pontefract people or take in a tour of 13th century architecture, the relief of the battle of Trafalgar in the Georgian Town hall and climb a double helix staircase.
The four trails are open to everyone but priority will be given to people with tickets. Tickets can be bought for £2 from the Trust’s office at 19 Southgate (just behind Ropergate), Pontefract, on Tuesdays, Wednesdays or Thursdays between 9.30am-2.30pm.
Sunday also heralds the start of the music festival.
Sunday 8 July
All day Battle of the Bands
Local bands compete for a spot on the Liquorice Festival main stage Sunday 15 July.
Sunday 8 to Friday 13 July
Music Alive
Various venues around Pontefract (evenings)
Live music in a variety of venues featuring top quality professional musicians crossing a range of popular music genres from rock, blues, folk, A Night at the Musicals to Big Band Dance Night, kicking off with the final heat of a battle of the bands featuring Pontefract’s best emerging young talent. Some events are free, others are ticketed – various prices - on the door.
Saturday 14 July
Enchanted Garden
11am-5pm at Valley Gardens
Created in the 1950’s, Valley Gardens was landscaped from the gardens of a Victorian Mill and provides a picturesque venue for a day of Victorian themed entertainment with market, craft and food stalls, traditional games, street entertainment and live music.
Free
Theatre in the Park - Conference of the Birds
4.30pm at Valley Gardens
A fun, family street theatre production by Faceless Street and Community Arts with energetic masks and amazing puppets.
Bring a picnic and a cushion. £2 each or family ticket (two adults, two children) £6 available from the Pontefract Liquorice Trust stall on the day or phone 01977 790593/629874
Sunday 15 July
National Liquorice Day
11am-5pm Pontefract town centre
The traditional Liquorice Day market with the excellent street entertainment that has become synonymous with the festival.
Opening in front of the Town Hall with a spectacular themed parade and continuing with the best of live music, specialist foods, street acts, community performances, exhibitions, activity and fun zones, art and craft workshops. All this sits alongside a bustling art, craft and liquorice produce market which includes liquorice sweets of all varieties as well as liquorice beer, cheese, bread, sausages, bacon, pies and herbal remedies.
Free. Free Park and Ride from Pontefract Park
May 25 2007, 14:04:30 UTC 5 years ago
Re: Pontefract Liquorice Festival
Normally, I have a low tolerance for spam, but I let this one ride.How on earth did this spam-bot know that I'm author of the Liquorice Lovers blog?