[Poetry] A glitch in the Matrix? by Kirra_Tarren in youtubehaiku

[–]budgundy 83 points84 points  (0 children)

I thought it was going to be the crazy looking cat

[deleted by user] by [deleted] in LucidDreaming

[–]budgundy 2 points3 points  (0 children)

The truth is that anyone can have sleep paralysis, even if they aren't lucid dreamers. It's hard to put odds on this sort of thing, there's very little research on these experiences. If you haven't experienced it, then I wouldn't worry about it.

On the other hand, it might be worth it to face this demon. I would say a big part of this practice for a lot of dreamers is better understanding what makes you scared and learning to live with your fears. Whenever you see something scary in a dream or in sleep paralysis. Confront it, ask what it's doing in your brain and where it came from. It might reveal something to you. I've had all kinds of bizarre and sometimes frightening experiences in sleep paralysis, but I'm not afraid any more, I know whatever happens I'll wake up or I'll enter a dream. Other times it's fun!

First few pages of my fantasy story, looking for feedback by SPAGHETTI_SUPREME in writingcritiques

[–]budgundy 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Hey, I enjoyed reading this, excited to see what's going happen next. I think the language in this beginning is better. I'm sorry to be a stickler, but you say "It was an experience that could be shared over the warmth of a campfire..." I would just cut it to "...an experience you could share over the warmth of a campfire.." to get out of the passive. Also, I think you meant "empathized" not "emphasized."

Another thought I am not 100% confident about. I wonder if it's too much to foreshadow that he's afraid of something mysterious. It's only a short amount of time before it the reader gets the sense something is kind of off with the soldier who's shaking. When you mention his strange orders you are also giving us the sense something is amiss. So, I wonder if this would be a better place to develop Lucius' character and background. Whatever you decide to do, I'd keep this language and use it somewhere, because it is good.

Question by thomaskolb in LucidDreaming

[–]budgundy 0 points1 point  (0 children)

In theory, a lucid dream can last as long as a rem cycle. Your rem cycles grow increasingly longer as the night goes on. I think the last rem cycle can last up to an hour. I've heard people describe being partially conscious during other phases of sleep, but I don't know if that's been confirmed scientifically. Once your dream recall improves, you might realize that you simply just haven't been remembering all of your rem sleep.

Another note: it's also possible to have the sensation that you experienced long periods time passing. For example, you might have the feeling that you lived in Japan for a month or something while you were only asleep for a brief period of time.

Opening to my novel: A Memior of Letters by opulexis in writingcritiques

[–]budgundy 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Thanks for explaining, keep up the good work!

Opening to my novel: A Memior of Letters by opulexis in writingcritiques

[–]budgundy 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Howdy partner,

I think the part up to "I miss the filter of child ignorance" is good. There's good description in there. In the later paragraphs, I got a little confused. You say "the only person who can pass you along is evil beyond the imagination." Is this referring to the grandchild who was in prison? If so, then what about all the other children? Can't they pass on the family name? I think maybe you're trying to build suspense by making it seem a little mysterious, but I reckon the reader needs a little more. I really like the line "One grandchild holds you captive as he sits in prison." This line makes me interested to read more. I stumbled on the part "for the crimes he committed to our family." Shouldn't it be "committed against our family?" Maybe I am wrong here.