In dreams, answers to a writer's prayers

We owe a lot to dreams.

The sewing machine. "Satisfaction" by the Rolling Stones. The Periodic Table of Elements. Miracle drugs. Frankenstein. Countless movies, epic poems, novels and works of visual art. All ported over from dreamland.

Almost every writer tells a story or two about how an idea came to them straight from dreamland.

I first encountered the dream freebie in college, while struggling with a long magazine piece. Had my article, just no way to begin it. Two, three days of dumb ideas and blank pages. Then, the next morning, voilà! I'd written the damn thing in my sleep. Nothing remarkable, but good enough. In the cold morning light, those opening paragraphs were things of beauty.

Deirdre Barrett of Harvard Medical School explains: "We can see things much more closely when we thing about them in dreams. (This) also helps us think outside the box. Our associations are looser, more intuitive and less linear."

Another school of thought says nothing is accomplished in dreams, really, they just get the credit for our musings just before and after sleep.

Maybe so, but I should have co-bylined the Sandman at least a half dozen times.

In recent years, I've taken to writing contemporary country songs in dreams. Curious, since I hate most modern country. One song, in particular, had real promise. Borderline brilliant.

A month later, I played Dwight Yoakam's greatest hits CD and learned he'd stolen it from me, almost line for line. Fine way to treat a fan.

Anyone else have experiences with dreaming and writing?