Often when I'm either writing or revising a book, I dream of dresses. In the dream, I'll be looking for 'the right dress' and I'll discover–around a corner or in a back room–a cache of beautiful dresses in rich, rare fabrics and unusual design–nothing outlandish but exactly what I am looking for: something classic and yet different from all the other many look-alike dresses I've encountered.
I used to awake from these dreams wishing I could create dresses like those, and one day I realized I had already created the dresses, in the dream(s). Ta da!
I have come to recognize that these dreams are transparent reflections of my dreams for the book: I'm trying to write something beautiful, something classic and yet different from all the other books out there. Something that fits me.
The above sketch, which doesn't do justice to the dresses I 'saw,' is from a dream two nights ago. In the dream, I 'found' them in a back room of a small boutique. They were of the softest, combed cotton, summery and light. The front had two longer panels on the sides and a shorter panel in the front. There were two dresses: one in faded denim blue with a narrow khaki stripe, and the other in cream with tiny brown flowers sprinkled across the field of cream.
Try as I might, the sketches never do justice to the visions in the dreams, just as perhaps my books never do justice to the visions I have of them in my head.
But if I keep track of all these dresses, maybe one day I'll have enough for a collection! Ho!
I forgot to add that the label in the dresses said "Yves St. Laurent" ! Rather presumptuous of me, don't you think?!
ReplyDeleteAhah! You even dream in technicolor! I love the way you compare your dreams about dresses to your books. They fit! You have good taste in designers.
ReplyDeleteAt least for a recurring dream it's a rather pleasant subject! And why not Yves? At least the labels in your dreams don't say Wal-Mart or Target! (Although living where I do that's where most of what I will own in the future will come from!)
ReplyDeleteI really admire those that can sit up abruptly and write down their dreams for use the next day. That would be pushing it for me. They say we all dream a lot each night. Mine? I have trouble recalling and btw never about dresses. I think, but can't be sure. Now, you have me thinking!
ReplyDeleteI love what you said about how you've already created the dresses--in your dream. So true for writing as well, and I think the attention to intricate details that you achieve in your dress dreams shows in the final product of your writing, too!
ReplyDeleteHow nice to dream about such lovely things and then remember the details so vividly.
ReplyDeleteAh Sharon! I love this! Those dresses, those dreams, that book...
ReplyDeleteThanks so much for your kind words on my blog. To answer the question, I only "show" my photographs to nice people like you! I'm a newbie at photography and still learning.
ReplyDeleteToday in my class in Branson, Missouri, I finished reading Walk Two Moons for probably the 15th time in my 21 years...and I cried...because I always do...and my kiddos didn't quite know what to think!! I assured them that I cry everytime I read this book...it is that powerful!! Thank you so much for writing this extraordinary book! It will ALWAYS by my favorite!!
ReplyDeleteGreat idea to record the visions you see, especially if you really like them. Do you sew? Re-fashioning existing clothes is the hot trend now and really rather practical. Looking forward to more sketches.
ReplyDeleteI adore the combo of light denim and khaki.
ADorable story, I think your dream is very fashion!
ReplyDeleteLéia
@natalie: me too, I cry every time. I have read it 24 times, and I'm not even a teacher!!
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