Original image courtesy of MFer Photography, via Flickr Commons
Image courtesy of MFer Photography, via Flickr Commons

I like to write helpful posts. Information, discoveries, inspiration, resources—things that’ll help you do whatever it is you’re trying to do.

This probably isn’t one of those posts.

But it still might brighten your general outlook. So here we go…

A writer’s brain likes to entertain itself, especially when it’s had a sleep aid.

Last night, I dreamt that I was on a sail boat packed bow to stern with other contractor creatives, mostly copywriters and designers. The skies were charcoal grey. The seas were stormy. Wave after wave dumped water on our heads (I was on deck). We all wore argyle sweaters.

Whoever was at the helm took us to a deserted island and unloaded us onto shore, still wearing our argyle sweaters.

One by one, we had to stand in a wooden outhouse from the Wild West; complete with moon silhouette on the door.

And one by one, as we stood in the outhouse, we were shot.

Dead.

Through the door.

With a shotgun.

All because we were contract creatives.

Strange part was my “oh crap, not again” attitude. No fear. Just mild, sardonic disbelief.

Now, my brain will usually come up with some weird dream to wake me up when it’s biologically necessary (gotta pee). However, most of those are full of zombies, spiders and ax murders.

But shot while standing in a wooden outhouse on a deserted island? Just for being a contract copywriter?

That’s just mean, Brain.

I was fifth in line. By the time I was stuffed in the outhouse, there was an argyle-clad body pile to step around.

Now, a writer’s professional life is full of ups and downs. I get that. I live that. It comes with the territory. I don’t need that in my dreams. There are other ways to get me up.

So when you, dear reader, are having a tough day, just think: at least you’re not being shot to death in a wooden outhouse on a deserted island.

Did that brighten your day? At least a little? What’s one of the weirdest curve balls your dreaming brain has ever tossed your way?

5 responses to “What writers’ dreams are made of…?”

  1. Kendra Francesco Avatar
    Kendra Francesco

    So much symbology there, Ducky!

    My brain is wired so tight because of the bipolar that I’ve had nothing but bizarre dreams for decades. Sometimes I wake up gasping for breath. Sometimes, I’m sobbing. Most of the time, I don’t know where I am if I wake up abruptly. Meh. I used to try to figure them out. For the most part, now, I just let them go. I know what part of my life (and the when, where, and who) they’re coming from anyway.

    Occasionally, I’ll have a non-frightening, loose-knit, full-length story – which I can’t remember when I wake up. Darn!

    1. Erica Avatar

      I’m sorry your dreams are so troublesome. The least the full-length story ones could do is linger long enough for you to write them down. That’s just rude.

      1. Kendra Francesco Avatar
        Kendra Francesco

        “Rude.” What a perfect sentiment!

  2. Laurence Partan Avatar

    Disturbing. I loved my handknit argyle socks. Darned them three or four times till there was no longer any purchase to be had. Buried them with honors that befit them, their long service, and the many hoots they had garnered and withstood. Now I’m standing in an outhouse door buffeted by a chill mist and clad in argyle socks awaiting my just desserts. As a goad against procrastination, it has promise. Thanks, Erica.

    1. Erica Avatar

      If you’re going down, you may as well wear something you love. (Nicely written.)

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I’m Erica Wall.

Erica Wall, Rubber Ducky Copywriter

Award-winning copywriter.
Real-world creative writer.
Multi-cup-a-day coffee drinker.

Answers to a cat.

Present and ready to write.

Resolutions for 2026

  • Block off three hours a week to write
  • Delegate more to reduce overwhelm
  • Clean up and clean out home office
  • Practice finishing what I start
  • Practice good habits and let results be whatever they’ll be

“If you don’t have time to read, you don’t have the time (or the tools) to write. Simple as that.”
> Stephen King

“There is nothing to writing. All you do is sit down at a typewriter and bleed.” 
> Ernest Hemingway

“Cut out all these exclamation points. An exclamation point is like laughing at your own joke.” 
F. Scott Fitzgerald

“I love deadlines. I love the whooshing noise they make as they go by.”
> Douglas Adams

“Creativity is intelligence having fun.” 
>Albert Einstein