Protagonist pulling an object out of a dream

Gray Rose · Nov 8, 2007

I recently had a conversation with a friend who is writing a story. The friend said his story is unique because the MC pulls an object out of a dream. I said I've read this a few times before, but can't for the life of me imagine where.

Have you read this before, and if so, could you please give me the story/book reference? If it is, indeed, unique, please let me know.

Thanks!
Rose

sunna · Nov 8, 2007

Happened in one of the books in LKH's Merry Gentry series, I believe. I gave up on them a while back, so I don't remember which one, but I do remember that happening in one of them. Probably the 2nd or 3rd.

ChaosTitan · Nov 8, 2007

I know it isn't an novel, but this happened quite frequently in the Nightmare on Elm Street movies.

Voyager · Nov 8, 2007

Why not? JKR pulled plot devices out of her butt all the time. :gone:

Gray Rose said:
I recently had a conversation with a friend who is writing a story. The friend said his story is unique because the MC pulls an object out of a dream. I said I've read this a few times before, but can't for the life of me imagine where.

Have you read this before, and if so, could you please give me the story/book reference? If it is, indeed, unique, please let me know.

Thanks!
Rose

Gray Rose · Nov 8, 2007

OMG, I am such a moron. I know what this reminded me of: Lathe of Heaven, by Ursula Le Guin. But I don't remember the particulars very well... Need to re-read.

TheIT · Nov 8, 2007

In Lathe of Heaven, the protagonist could do a form of "lucid dreaming" where whatever he dreamed became reality for everyone. Very interesting book. I still remember trying to figure out the ending with my best friend.

Oddsocks · Nov 8, 2007

It may not be absolutely unique, but I don't see that as being a major problem - It can still be interesting and effective if done well and done differently.

Soccer Mom · Nov 8, 2007

It's been done in various forms, but it's not so common that we all riffed on fifty books or groaned that it had been done to death.

It could be very interesting.

There is one about a knife that I'm thinking of (could I be much vaguer?) I'll try to remember it.

Ziljon · Nov 8, 2007

Don't destroy your friend's confidence. It's a good idea.

Gray Rose · Nov 8, 2007

Oddsocks, SoccerMom and Ziljon - thanks, you are right, of course. I'll do my best to be more encouraging.

Richard White · Nov 9, 2007

Back in college, we needed a new wandering monster for our D&D campaign.

So, we came up with the "Lukonthrope"*, otherwise known as the were-painter. He could paint objects on the walls of the dungeon that came to life. If he liked you, he could paint something useful (like food). However, you really didn't want to get him mad. He had a habit of painting something quick like a small group of goblins to harrass you, while he was busy painting something huge (like a dragon) in the other room.

(*dedicated to our suitemate, John Lukon, who was appropriately a fine arts major and very good cartoon artist.)

Gray Rose · Nov 9, 2007

Richard White said:
Back in college, we needed a new wandering monster for our D&D campaign.

So, we came up with the "Lukonthrope"*, otherwise known as the were-painter. He could paint objects on the walls of the dungeon that came to life. If he liked you, he could paint something useful (like food). However, you really didn't want to get him mad. He had a habit of painting something quick like a small group of goblins to harrass you, while he was busy painting something huge (like a dragon) in the other room.

(*dedicated to our suitemate, John Lukon, who was appropriately a fine arts major and very good cartoon artist.)

Richard, this truly great idea is at the base of Melanie Rawn's Golden Key.

MattW · Nov 9, 2007

Robert Jordan extensively used his World of Dreams. People met and fought in their sleep, spied on each other, and even tore mythic heroes from the dreams into reality.

Wintermule · Nov 9, 2007

Well, I remember that Corwin takes future-Benedict's arm from Tír na nÓg in the Chronicles of Amber...

Oh, and if anyone pulls anything out of a dream...well then, it's not a unique concept. Unique doesn't mean 'very few people do it', it means only one person has done it before.

kiwiauthor · Nov 9, 2007

"lucid dreaming" in David B Coe's work, too. Great series.

Protagonist pulling an object out of a dream

Gray Rose

Beware of the Thorns!

sunna

ChaosTitan

Around

Voyager

Ribbed for your pleasure.

Gray Rose

Beware of the Thorns!

TheIT

Infuriatingly Theoretical

Oddsocks

Soccer Mom

Crypto-fascist

Ziljon

Tortilla di Patate

Gray Rose

Beware of the Thorns!

Richard White

Stealthy Plot Bunny Peddler

Gray Rose

Beware of the Thorns!

MattW

Company Man

Wintermule

kiwiauthor