Why do we need sleep? So we don’t bite the head off our loved ones and get fired for telling off the boss. But there are other reasons. Believe it or not, our brains are far more active while sleeping than they are awake. Some research shows our brains remain busy rehearsing the things we learned during the day. The brain does all of this during REM sleep. If you wake during one of these cycles, then the memory can be lost.
That’s why I did so poorly in Math! I kept waking up in class and couldn’t form a proper memory. Ha! The mystery has been solved. Now that we solved that let’s get back to the book Around the Writer’s Block by Rosanne Bane. Annnnd…pour a cuppa, shove a nibble in your pocket and settle in for our next adventure into the world of sleep. Join me on page 99. Who would like to read along with me?
The lack of sleep and REM cycle have created a mess in my head from time to time. I would research all these amazingly awesome details for the stories I have been working on and then flat out forget them by the next morning. Thankfully, I am an avid note taker. Remember, the REM cycle is important to create memories and build skills. At the point of true REM sleep your brain can also open creative avenues. I have been blessed to remember a few moments of a dream to create a plotline and story board for it. Just think about it! Great pieces like Kubla Khan (one of my favs), Sophie’s Choice, and Frankenstein, among others were formed in the dream state. AWESOME! This means that napping is good, and the Hubs can just get over it. HA! I can just tell him that I am working.
Just so we are clear- when I mention REM it is not the band but the cycle of sleep. Cool?
Creativity rests in the brain patterns of…rest. Sleep allows us to formulate and test ideas. The unconscious mind is free to explore all the possibilities we tend to shy away from while awake. Remember all the way back a few posts ago we discussed Product Time and the incubation stage? At that point we talked about the benefits of a good nap. Go take one. NOT NOW! Wait till the end and THEN go to sleep.
A few things that are not included in the book at this point.
1. A sleep journal, buy one, or make one. Do not steal one cuz that’s bad. Get a notebook and pen and leave them by the bed. When you wake up jot down whatever you remember about your dream or ideas that popped into your mind.
2. A voice recorder. As a writer I get some of my best material just as I am drifting off to sleep. I would get up and stumble around for a pen and have to turn on a light and wake the Hubs…it was a mess. So, said Hubs, bought me a handy dandy voice recorder from Wal-mart. It was under $20 and has saved me many stubbed toes.
a. A quick little jabber into the voice recorder and back to sleep I can go.
i. I must warn you- if you are sharing your bed and you start speaking chances are, they will think you are talking to them. Sorry Hubs!
Sleep is good. Naps are good. Rest is good for all involved.
New Ink. Used Ideas. 