How to show that a character is dreaming?

[Guest]

I'm working on a narrative that delves into the dreamscapes of my characters, and I'm seeking effective ways to convey to readers when a character is transitioning into or experiencing a dream. Seamlessly transitioning between reality and dreams can be challenging but is vital to maintain the flow and coherence of the story.

For seasoned writers, literature enthusiasts, or those with insights into narrative techniques: How do you best indicate or show that a character is in a dream state within a story? Whether it's through stylistic choices, specific cues, narrative structures, or any other creative methods, I'd greatly appreciate recommendations and tips to effectively depict dream sequences in my writing.

[Craig]

This is one of those "don't over think it" issues. Have them go to sleep/loss consciousness, then skip a line or two and begin.

[Terri]

Write the scene as normal and at the end put that the person woke up from their dream. Put the emotion they felt ect. It's a good way to trick the reader temporarily.

That's how I would do it.

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[Miriam]

You should read more books.
Someone wise once told me;
‘There is no output without input.’

Read…

[Jessica]

I always write dream sequences, illusions or anything like that in italics, then double space before returning back to their reality, either having them wake up or snap out of it.

[Shwetarvind]

Just write he or she is dreaming...or write the sequence and then write showing the character wakes up and realises it was just a dream...

[Ragnarok]

I love doing dreams, or psychedelic trips, or visions. They all have similarities.

You can use very descriptive language to create a surreal and vivid otherworldly atmosphere. Also, keep in mind that dreams don't always follow a logical sequence. Characters, settings, or situations can change abruptly and without reason.

Sometimes changing the writing font, or format, can help the reader indicate the character is in a dream. If dreams play a significant role in your narrative (i.e. they have at least 3 significant dreams you wish to explore) maybe have them either written in italics, or, have the scenes written in a poetic style. The rhythmic nature would alter the style and mood, helping to indicate to the reader this is in the dream world.

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[M.T.]

Put them in the middle of the situation without context or explanation. Just like dreams start. Then add something impossible in real life and show the character not questioning it.

[Ed Griffiths]

…if the dream is an essential part of the story and contains a revelation, don’t state it as a dream all at once; start events normally and have them become increasingly fantastical until the character wakes up. Otherwise simply state they’re dreaming, or distinguish the text in some way such as with italics…

[Valerie]

I’ve just been writing the dream as if it’s happening for real and my character realizes at the end of the dream. As a reader it’s slightly confusing, like a real dream, but there are context clues that it’s not reality.

And once it’s revealed without a doubt that it was a dream I may have questions that need to be answered by the character.

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[Robert]

I would use italics for a dream sequence, except in my latest WIP I am already making heavy use of italics to indicate the words are in a specific foreign language. Boldface is too heavy handed.

So I state in regular text that the character is dreaming, put {{ and then start every paragraph with an open { until the end of the dream closes with }}. Not sure how well it works, but that's my current scheme.