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My Worst Nightmare Essay

Type of paper: Essay

Topic: Cinema , Family , Parents , Violence , Dreams , Movies , Thinking , Sleep

Published: 02/19/2020

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My worst nightmare occurred when I was in high school. I was trying to get used to watching horror movies. I knew my weakness and I had never tried to watch such movies alone without the company of friends. On this day, I was home alone so I decided to watch a movie about vampires. Watching the vampires scared me and I could not sleep easily. I stayed in bed just wondering if vampires really existed. After a short time of meditation I got tired, my eyes were heavy with sleep and I dozed off. No sooner had I started sleeping than I started having a horrible nightmare that everyone in my neighborhood had turned into a vampire. My family members were never affected and we were the only human beings in the area. In my dream, it occurred to me that the other vampires had realized that there were people around. This meant that we would act as their source of food on that day, and it also meant that after being bitten we would be turned into vampires. In the dream, I saw myself waking up to peep through the window to see if they were really coming for us. I was not the only who heard roars. My parents and my brother were already awake thinking of a way that they could use to prevent the vampires from attacking us. At this point, I was already sweating and my heart was beating fast. I gave up and woke up I searched for my phone and called my brother so I could explain to him, maybe I would have gotten comfort. It is normally said that what a person dreams is normally in their thoughts. Now the vampires were getting closer, at this point we had to think of ways that would keep them from reaching our house. My parents suggested will light a fire because they feared light. However, it was too late. Some of them had already reached the door and were already pushing. The windows had already been broken and they were trying so hard to get in the house. I started screaming, however, I heard no voice. Since I could not run, I had to hold my brother tight thinking he was the one who would rescue me. I heard a loud knock on the door causing me to wake up. My heart was beating fast and when I peeped through my window, I saw our neighbors standing outside. I opened the door so I could hear what was happening. One of them asked if everything was okay, claiming he heard screams all night. It is at this point that I realized that I had my worst nightmare.

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Nightmares, Essay Example

Pages: 2

Words: 583

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This paper examines the concept of nightmares from a psychological perspective. It addresses the question of what actually causes nightmares and the psychological considerations relative to same.  The paper is split into the following sections: (i) Introduction and Background (ii) The causes of nightmares (iii) Psychological considerations (iv) Conclusions.

Introduction

Virtually everyone experiences nightmare or bad dreams at one time or another. The experience can leave you feeling scared, upset and frightened. The reality is that it cannot harm you.  Adults come to terms with this condition but this can be extremely frightening for young children who are still at an impressionable age and receive much more vivid dreams because of the very active state of the brain at that age.  As you sleep the brain does not shut down but goes through a state called Rapid Eye Movement (REM). During this condition you enter a dream state and these can potentially be very frightening or disturbing.

The Causes of Nightmares

The condition of a nightmare or bad dream is often a stress reliever and as such an upsetting experience during the day may be translated as a bad dream. This equally applies to watching horror movies like Nightmare on Elm Street, Dracula, Jason etc.  It can equally be induced by reading a scary book.  I remember being disturbed after reading a ghost story by Charles Dickens called the Signalman which portrayed tunnels.  Certain medications can also induce the state but equally there may be no apparent reason at all.

It is possible to help prevent nightmares for children by getting them into a healthy sleep state. Get them to avoid watching scary movies before they go to bed as the brain is particularly receptive to graphic images of violence. You may also use a nightlight in the child’s bedroom so that if they wake up suddenly they are surrounded by familiar things. Young children might be provided with a cuddly toy like a Teddy Bear that is essentially a prop as a trusted and protective friend.

Psychological Considerations

Where children experience repeated nightmare conditions, it may be prudent to seek medical advice from your Doctor who might recommend psychological counselling.  This is unusual but it may be symptomatic of a more serious problem. The child might have been traumatised in some way e.g. A marriage break-up or divorce, a dispute between the parents, a bullying situation at school etc.  These can be treated by medication but need to be addressed before more serious complications arise. Equally it might just require a simple condition change i.e. the child just needs to be hugged and feel protected. “ A sleep clinic can check your brain waves, muscle activity, breathing and other things that happen with your body whilst you sleep” (Gavin, 2009).

Conclusions

Adults are most prevalent to nightmares from taking medication or involved with heavy drinking “Particularly among adults, prescription drugs such as levedopa, reserpine, beta blockers, and antidepressants, as well as withdrawal from addictive drugs, all can provoke nightmares. Heavy drinking also is strongly associated with nightmares” (USA Today, 2010). In more serious cases Psychological intervention may prove to be extremely beneficial and they have access to a number of different techniques “Chronic nightmares have also been treated by a desensitization method that uses instruction about rehearsal of the nightmare and the imagining of a different ending.” (USA Today, 2010)

Works Cited

Gavin, M. L. (2009, 9 1). Nightmares . Retrieved 9 11, 2010, from Kids Health: http://kidshealth.org/kid/feeling/thought/nightmares.html#

USA Today. (2010). Health Encyclopedia – Diseases and Conditions . Retrieved 9 1, 2010, from USA Today: http://www.healthscout.com/ency/68/612/main.html

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My worst nightmare.

                                                                                                                                            The howling wind rattled the windowpanes in the bitter, damp night outside. I twisted and turned under my thin covers. My teeth chattered in the chilly air around me. I couldn’t sleep. My sweat dripped down my forehead and my heart was thumping hard at my chest. I was always afraid of the dark and I still am. But this was the first time I had slept alone in a hollow, ominous and shadowy room with no wallpaper. Instead of a carpet, there were filthy floorboards that creaked and moaned. There was also a wardrobe that I had never opened before because we had only moved in this huge house yesterday. I was afraid of this great, dirty old piece of furniture. But never mind that. I turned over and prayed that I would go to sleep. I couldn’t drift off. It was no use. I turned on my lamp and stood up. Is there anything here to do, I wandered. I decided to go downstairs to watch TV. The floorboards creaked under my feet as I slowly and silently crept downstairs. Then suddenly I stopped, my heart beating so fast that I thought my ribs were going to crack. Hands clutched tightly on the stair railings, I strained my ears for the sound that just came from the living room. Low moans could be heard, like a wounded dog. I struggled to catch my breath for a moment. But just then there came an angry growl. My blood froze and my whole body seemed like carved ice. Then tremulously, I stumbled to the living room door and opened it.  

This is a preview of the whole essay

I almost screamed when I saw the two occupants sitting on our living room couch. But I couldn’t. I just stared, gaping in horror, at an enormous shaggy black dog the size of a horse, which was panting loudly. There was also a short, stout man with a white beard longer than a walking stick. He was wearing a silky, black coat but it was too long for him that it trailed down the floor. He was also wearing a golfers hat. The man turned his head towards me and smiled. My eyes were wide with terror and fear and for a moment I thought my whole body was going to collapse.

“ You must be Drake, are you not?” Said the man cheerfully.

“ I am,” I said slowly, my voice cracking with fear.

“ Do you know who I am,” said the man, sitting comfortably on the couch as he spoke.

“ N-no,” I stumbled.

“ I am your fairy godfather,” the man pronounced proudly. “And this is Wellard, my transformer.”

“ You’re what?” I blurted out.

“ My transformer,” repeated the man. “Look, I’ll show you.” The man stood up and began to bark at the dog and in an instant it turned into a mouse trotting on the carpet.

I was shaking like a jelly. What the hec is going on, I thought.

“ Transform back, Wellard,” the man shouted. Wellard turned back into a dog.

“ Very useful you know,” said the man.” Now let’s get to business shall we. Well Drake, I’ve come here to warn you about something.” His voice was slow and very serious now. “The great witch Sathia will visit you when the clock strikes one. I want you to know that this grand house once belonged to her. She gets furious if anyone else lives here. For many years, this house had not been touched or lived by. Now that you and your family live here, she will try to kill you. It is up to you to save yourself and your family. There is also one more thing. If she bites you with your fangs you will either turn like her or become a fairy godfather like me. Good luck!” the man and the dog were gone in a swish of lightening. I was petrified to the spot. My head slowly swivelled to the clock. It read one 'clock. Then suddenly everything went dark.

“ This is your worst nightmare,” spoke a ghastly voice behind me. Trembling, I looked back. A girl with very long black wild hair and blank white eyes was floating in midair with a black cloak covering her and her fanged teeth drooling with blood. She had a pointed nose and a mean smile played around her reddish lips. It looked as if though she had no legs. She swivelled closer to me and spoke again.

“ Thought you and your little vermin family could live in my beloved house,” she croaked. My insides were like serpents and my heart was burning with fright.

“ Leave us alone,” I choked out. “ Or, or I’ll kill you.” The witch cackled.

“ You pathetic little boy. No one can kill me. Only the burning light can destroy me. But you shall be dead before morning will wake.” Then she whirled her cloak and disappeared.

“ Here I am you prat,” she screamed. She was on the other side of the room now.

 “Come and get me, little boy. Lets play some games.” She cackled madly and sent some sparks that hit me right in the stomach. Oh how painful it was. Anger started to build up on me. Then suddenly, I saw a torch in the corner of the desk near the television. Only the burning light could kill her, I thought. While she carried on laughing, I edged right next to the torch and then quickly grabbed for it. I turned it on and held the streaming torch, facing it directly at her. At once the witch began to scream in pain and agony. She tried to shield her eyes but the witch just burned and screamed. Then she sent her last spell before a trail of ash was left on the floor.

The spell hit me and I screamed and yelled myself until someone slapped me on the face. I opened my eyes. It was my sister.

“ Hey, what’s with the screaming,” my young sister cried out. I looked around. I was back in my plain bedroom with the big wardrobe and it was morning. I gasped for breath.

“ I had a nightmare. Oh lord it was only a nightmare.”

“ I had a nightmare too,” said my sister.

“ Did you,” I replied. I was so relieved.

“ Yeah,” my sister went on, “ I dreamt about a witch who bit my neck.” I looked at her neck. It had deep cuts. My lips began to tremble.

“ You still have the cuts,” I cried out.

“ I know,” croaked my sister, her eyes flashing. “Welcome to your real nightmare!!!”

Document Details

• Word Count 1105
• Page Count 3
• Subject English

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Worst Nightmare of My Childhood ~ Nightmare means very unpleasant and horrible scenes while we are sleeping. They are not real but many astrologists and experts tell that there may be some meaning behind a specific nightmare. For example, if a person sees that he is dead then may be it means that the person will have long life. Scientists revealed that there are many scientific reasons behind nightmares, for example, neural networks, health issues etc. Especially when a person is suffering from stomach problem then he may see very horrible nightmares. But nightmare is nightmare, it really scares us.

I want to share my bad experience of nightmare which I experienced in my childhood. Whenever I think about that nightmare, it scares my till now. But sometimes I used to laugh on my thinking and on that nightmare, because it had no meaning and I was frightened without any special reason.

It was a dark night and I was suffering from fever. My father asked me to eat something but I denied. He told me that if I eat something and take medicine then he will took me to that tree in the colony and will show me a genie (a Fay, or you may call it a ghost). I became exited and became ready to see that genie. My father took me near to that big tree in our colony and said, “Look! there is Fay on the top of the tree”, I looked up and suddenly that genie (Fay) jumped on me. Hooowwwwwwww…….

Oh my God, that was so scary, so frightening, thanks God it was only a nightmare. But I always became scared when I see that tree in our previous residence area. Nightmares are usually the result of unhealthy conditions so avoid them otherwise you will be stuck in them and they may affect your daily routine. Enjoy Nightmares 😉

How to Write Nightmare Scenes (21 Tips + Examples)

Nightmare scenes are haunting journeys into a character’s subconscious that can add layers of depth to your narrative and evoke intense reactions from readers.

Here is how to write nightmare scenes:

Write nightmare scenes by understanding your character’s deepest fears, using vivid descriptions, ensuring emotional depth, and creating disorienting transitions. Avoid clichés and ensure that the nightmare resonates with the story’s overarching themes.

In this guide, you’ll learn everything you need to know about how to write nightmare scenes.

What Are Nightmare Scenes?

Table of Contents

A nightmare scene is a narrative tool used by writers to delve into the subconscious mind of a character.

It often reveals their fears, insecurities, traumas, and sometimes even their desires.

The scene is typically a dream sequence but is marked by its unsettling, eerie, or even horrifying content.

Nightmare scenes give readers an intimate glimpse into the character’s mind, allowing readers to empathize more deeply with their struggles.

Anna’s eyes snapped shut, and she found herself in the middle of a dense forest. Trees with twisted branches loomed over her, casting long, sinister shadows. A chilling wind whispered her name, and as she turned around, she saw figures of her past, accusingly pointing at her, their eyes hollow and voices dripping with blame.

Types of Nightmare Scenes

Nightmare scenes can be diverse and serve different purposes in the narrative.

Here are ten distinct types you might consider:

• Flashback Nightmares – Revisiting traumatic past events.
• Symbolic Nightmares – Using symbols to represent fears or anxieties.
• Chase Nightmares – The character is chased by an unknown entity or fear.
• Loss Nightmares – Dreaming of losing someone or something dear.
• Monstrous Nightmares – Encountering monsters, either real or metaphorical.
• Apocalyptic Nightmares – Envisioning the end of the world or society.
• Trapped Nightmares – Being trapped or confined without escape.
• Falling Nightmares – The sensation of endlessly falling or failing.
• Failure Nightmares – Dreaming of failing at something critical.
• Mystery Nightmares – Ambiguous scenes that are unsettling but not clear in meaning.

For instance, if you want to hint at a character’s fear of abandonment, opt for a Loss Nightmare.

The vivid depiction of the character being left behind by their loved ones can have a profound emotional impact.

Mark stood at the train station, his family waving goodbye from the departing train. He ran alongside, shouting their names, but they couldn’t hear him. As the train faded into the distance, Mark was left alone, an overwhelming sense of desolation engulfing him.

21 Best Tips for Writing Nightmare Scenes

Here are 21 tips for how to write nightmare scenes in your story.

Tip #1: Dive Deep into the Character’s Psyche

When crafting a nightmare, it’s crucial to understand the character deeply.

What are their fears, traumas, desires, and past experiences?

Drawing from these will make the nightmare more personal and impactful.

For instance, if I know my protagonist has a fear of being alone, their nightmare might focus on isolation or abandonment. Such a scene would resonate deeply, as it touches on their core fear.

Sarah wandered the empty city streets, calling out for anyone. Every corner she turned, every building she entered, was eerily empty. The deafening silence weighed on her, a reminder of her greatest fear.

Tip #2: Use Vivid and Descriptive Language

Nightmares are visceral and intense.

To capture this, employ vivid descriptions that appeal to the senses. The aim is to make readers feel the character’s fear and dread.

In my writing, I often paint a vivid picture using rich details to immerse readers fully.

The more real the nightmare feels, the more unsettling it becomes.

The air was thick with the stench of rotting flesh. Every step James took was met with the squelch of decay beneath his feet. The moans of unseen creatures echoed around him, sending chills down his spine.

Tip #3: Manipulate Time and Space

In dreams, and especially nightmares, the constraints of reality can be bent.

Time can flow backward, speed up, or stand still.

Locations can morph and change in the blink of an eye. Leveraging these distortions can make the nightmare feel more dreamlike and surreal.

Personally, I’ve always found manipulating time to be especially disorienting in a narrative.

It leaves readers and characters feeling out of control, enhancing the overall unease.

Rebecca found herself standing at her childhood home one moment, and in the next, she was abruptly thrust into her school classroom from ten years ago. Clocks spun wildly, and days turned to night in seconds, creating a dizzying, disorienting effect.

Tip #4: Introduce Familiar Yet Distorted Elements

Twist the familiar to make it strange and unsettling.

This could be a beloved family member with a sinister grin, a childhood toy that comes to life, or a well-known place that’s eerily abandoned.

I’ve often introduced these distorted elements to give an uncanny feel.

The familiarity breeds comfort, but the distortion immediately shatters that, leaving the reader feeling uneasy.

As Lucy walked into her childhood bedroom, she saw her old teddy bear sitting on the bed. But its eyes were large, black voids, and its stitched smile had turned into a menacing snarl.

Tip #5: Play with Emotions and Sensations

A nightmare isn’t just visual.

It’s deeply emotional. Amplify feelings of fear, dread, panic, sadness, or guilt.

Think about physical sensations too – the cold grip of dread, the heat of panic, or the suffocating weight of despair.

In one of my stories, rather than detailing the nightmare’s visuals, I focused entirely on the protagonist’s rising panic and despair, making it palpably distressing for readers.

Every breath felt like a struggle, as if a heavy weight pressed on Alex’s chest. The air grew colder, his heart raced, and a sense of impending doom consumed him, even though there was no discernible threat in sight.

Tip #6: Use Repetition for Emphasis

Repetition can be a powerful tool in emphasizing certain elements or themes in the nightmare.

This can be a repeated phrase, scenario, or even a specific haunting image.

I’ve used repetition to represent inescapable fears or to emphasize a character’s obsession with a particular trauma or regret.

Everywhere Ellen turned, the same scene played out. Her brother, reaching out for help, and her unable to reach him in time. Over and over, the scene replayed, each time amplifying her sense of guilt.

Tip #7: Make It Personal

The most haunting nightmares are those that touch on personal traumas, regrets, or fears.

They should feel tailored to the character, reflecting their experiences, personality, and emotional state.

I once wrote a scene where a character constantly relived the moment she lied to a loved one, emphasizing her deep-rooted guilt.

The room was filled with mirrors. In each reflection, Clara saw herself, the lie spilling from her lips, the hurt in her friend’s eyes. No matter where she looked, the painful scene was inescapable.

Tip #8: Leave Some Elements Ambiguous

Sometimes, what’s left unsaid or unseen is more terrifying than a detailed description.

Leaving certain elements ambiguous can let the reader’s imagination fill in the gaps, often with something more terrifying than you could describe.

Ambiguity can be an ally.

It creates an unsettling atmosphere and allows each reader to imagine their version of horror.

David heard a whisper behind him, too faint to discern the words. He felt an icy presence, but when he turned around, there was nothing—just the echoing remnants of that chilling whisper.

Tip #9: Incorporate Real-Life Fears

Drawing from real-world fears can make the nightmare more relatable and terrifying for the reader.

Whether it’s the fear of loss, failure, isolation, or even societal issues, grounding the nightmare in reality can enhance its impact.

In my works, I’ve occasionally tapped into universal fears, making the narrative resonate with a broader audience.

Amidst a bustling crowd, Marie stood alone. Everyone around her wore masks, their eyes emotionless, voices silent. She screamed, but no sound came out. The fear of being isolated in a connected world became suffocating.

Tip #10: End with a Lasting Impact

The ending of the nightmare should leave a lasting impact, either on the character or the reader.

It could be a shocking revelation, a twist, or an emotional climax.

This ensures the scene remains memorable long after it’s over.

I’ve always believed that the ending of a nightmare should echo throughout the story, influencing the character’s actions or decisions.

As the shadows closed in on Jacob, a figure emerged—his younger self. The younger Jacob whispered, “It’s all your fault,” before the entire scene plunged into darkness, leaving Jacob waking up in a cold sweat.

Tip #11: Use Symbolism to Convey Deeper Meanings

Symbols can represent abstract fears, desires, or themes.

A crumbling house might symbolize deteriorating mental health, or a sinking ship might represent feelings of hopelessness.

From my personal experiences, readers often enjoy piecing together the meaning behind symbols, making the story more engaging and thought-provoking.

Lisa found herself in a vast orchard, but all the trees were barren. Each fruit she picked up turned to ash in her hands, symbolizing her deep-seated fears of infertility and loss.

Tip #12: Create Disorienting Transitions

Switch between scenes or settings abruptly to evoke a sense of disorientation.

In dreams, it’s common to jump from one place or time to another without a logical transition.

In my writing, these jarring shifts often mirror the character’s fragmented state of mind, emphasizing their emotional turmoil.

Henry was laughing with his family at a picnic when suddenly, the scene shifted. He was now standing on a cliff’s edge, the sea raging below, the laughter replaced with the howl of the wind.

Tip #13: Amplify the Unsettling with Sound

The soundscape of a nightmare can be as critical as the visuals.

The distant echo of a child’s laughter, the relentless ticking of a clock, or the muffled cries from an unknown source can elevate the scene’s eeriness.

I’ve found that a well-described auditory experience can deeply immerse the reader into the character’s nightmare.

Clara walked through the abandoned carnival, the only sound being the creaking of old rides and the haunting tune of a broken carousel, playing in a loop.

Tip #14: Utilize Unpredictability

The unpredictable nature of dreams can be a writer’s boon.

Characters can face sudden betrayals, unexpected dangers, or bizarre twists.

The lack of predictability keeps the reader on edge, unsure of what’s coming next.

I’ve often used unpredictability to mirror a character’s feeling of losing control in their life.

Jack was about to embrace his long-lost friend when the friend’s face morphed into that of Jack’s greatest enemy, sneering with malevolence.

Tip #15: Emphasize the Surreal

Enhance the dreamlike quality of the scene by incorporating surreal elements.

Floating islands, talking animals, or inanimate objects coming to life can make the nightmare feel otherworldly.

Incorporating surrealism has always expanded the complexity of my nightmare scenes, making them more memorable.

Maria stood in a field where the flowers had eyes, and the sky was a swirling mix of vibrant, unnatural colors. Birds with two heads flew overhead, singing in distorted melodies.

Tip #16: Allow for Emotional Resonance

The emotions experienced in the nightmare shouldn’t just vanish upon waking.

They should resonate, affecting the character’s mood, decisions, or relationships. This bridges the gap between the dream and reality, emphasizing the nightmare’s significance.

In my stories, the aftermath of a nightmare often provides a rich avenue for character development.

After witnessing his own death in the nightmare, Thomas became more cautious, his once fearless demeanor replaced with hesitation and introspection.

Tip #17: Keep the Stakes High

Even though it’s a dream, the stakes should feel real and high.

The character’s dread, the looming danger, or the potential loss should be palpable to maintain tension throughout the scene.

When I want to emphasize a character’s vulnerability, I ensure that the nightmare puts them in high-stake scenarios.

Emily found herself balancing on a thin plank above a vast chasm. With every step, the plank wobbled, and the abyss below beckoned with an eerie allure.

Tip #18: Play with Perception

Distorted perceptions can make the nightmare feel more disconcerting.

Giant objects, elongated corridors, or warped faces can create an environment of unease.

I’ve utilized distorted perceptions to represent a character’s feelings of being overwhelmed or disoriented in their waking life.

Walking through the town, Oliver noticed the buildings towering over him, reaching impossible heights. The people around seemed like giants, looking down at him with pitiful gazes.

Tip #19: Incorporate Real Memories with a Twist

Blend genuine memories with fictional elements.

This not only blurs the line between reality and fantasy but also makes the nightmare deeply personal for the character.

For instance, take a cherished memory and introduce a sinister twist, emphasizing the character’s guilt over past actions.

Sophie remembered the day at the beach with her sister. But in the nightmare, as they built sandcastles, dark waves approached, and her sister’s laughter turned to screams. Sophie couldn’t save her, no matter how hard she tried.

Tip #20: Use Opposites for Shock Value

Introduce elements that are the opposite of what one would expect.

A safe place becoming dangerous or a loved one turning hostile can be deeply unsettling.

I’ve played with opposites to catch the reader off guard, delivering unexpected shocks.

In the middle of the joyous wedding celebration, the music shifted to a mournful dirge. Guests, once smiling, now wept blood. The beautiful setting turned dark, foreboding, and hostile.

Tip #21: Convey a Sense of Inevitability

Sometimes, the terror in nightmares comes from the sense of inevitability.

No matter what the character does, they can’t change the outcome, creating a feeling of helplessness.

Drawing from my own fears, I’ve written scenes where the character feels trapped in a loop of dread, unable to alter their fate.

Jane kept running, but the monster behind her was always just a step away. No matter how fast or where she ran, it was always there, its breath on her neck, the sense of impending doom never fading.

How to Format a Nightmare Scene in a Novel

Nightmare scenes, while pivotal to a story, should also be distinguishable from the regular flow of the narrative.

This distinction not only signals to readers that they’re about to enter a different realm but also aids in immersion.

1. Use Italics or Different Font Styles

A common technique is to italicize the entire nightmare scene.

This visually separates the scene from the rest of the narrative. Some authors opt for a different font style or even a slight change in font size to denote the dreamlike quality.

2. Provide a Clear Entry and Exit

Always have a clear transition into and out of the nightmare.

This could be the character falling asleep, a sudden feeling of dizziness, or even an abstract transition like the world fading away.

Similarly, exiting the dream could be signaled by the character jolting awake, or the scene slowly fading out.

3. Consider Chapter Breaks or Segments

If the nightmare is significant and detailed, it might warrant its own chapter or segment.

Beginning a new chapter with the nightmare can give it the emphasis it deserves, and ending the chapter with the character waking up can provide a neat closure.

Biggest Mistakes When Writing a Nightmare Scene

Nightmare scenes, while captivating, can easily go awry if not executed correctly.

Here are some pitfalls to avoid:

• Being too vague
• Relying too much on cliches
• Disconnection
• Ignoring emotional depth
• Making the scene too long

1. Being Too Vague or Abstract

While ambiguity can be a tool, overdoing it can leave readers confused.

If the nightmare’s events or symbols are too abstract without clear relevance to the character or plot, it might come off as filler content.

2. Over-relying on Clichés

Haunted houses, shadowy figures, or monstrous creatures are commonplace in nightmares.

While they can be effective, relying solely on these clichés can render the scene predictable and dull.

3. Disconnecting from the Main Narrative

The nightmare should serve a purpose in the broader story.

Whether it’s character development, foreshadowing, or providing backstory, it should tie back to the main narrative.

A random nightmare with no relevance can disrupt the story’s flow.

4. Ignoring Emotional Depth

Nightmares aren’t just about scary or unsettling imagery.

They’re deeply emotional experiences.

Failing to convey the emotional and psychological impact of the nightmare on the character makes the scene feel shallow.

A well-written nightmare should resonate with the character’s deepest fears, regrets, or desires, leaving a lasting emotional impact.

5. Prolonging the Scene Unnecessarily

While it’s tempting to dive deep into the intricacies of a nightmare, dragging it out can lead to reader disengagement.

A concise, impactful scene is often more effective than an extended, meandering one.

Remember, the essence of a nightmare is its intensity, not necessarily its duration.

Over-extending the scene can dilute its potency and make it tedious for the reader.

3 Full Examples of Writing a Nightmare Scene

Let’s look at three full examples of how to write nightmare scenes in different genres.

As Clara walked down the aisle, the congregation’s excited murmurs turned to mocking whispers. The man at the altar wasn’t her beloved but a faceless entity. Her wedding dress became tattered and stained. The beautiful roses in her hand wilted, their petals falling one by one. As she reached out to the faceless groom, he vanished, leaving her alone amidst the jeering crowd.

Commander Ray floated in the vast emptiness of space, his spaceship a mere speck in the distance. His oxygen was depleting, each breath more laborious than the last. As he reached out for the tether to pull himself back, it snapped. Alien constellations watched impassively as the void consumed him, the cold, infinite darkness pressing in from all sides.

3. Historical Fiction

Amidst the bustling streets of Victorian London, Eleanor walked, but something was amiss. The cobblestone streets turned to quicksand, slowing her down. Horse-drawn carriages raced past, their drivers faceless, their horses skeletal. The once-familiar buildings loomed, their shadows twisted and menacing. The people she knew turned their backs, fading into the mist, leaving Eleanor isolated in a distorted version of her world.

Here is a good video about how to write a dream sequence (including nightmares) in your story:

Final Thoughts: How to Write Nightmare Scenes

Crafting a haunting nightmare scene can deeply enrich your narrative, unveiling layers of a character’s psyche in an evocative manner.

Before you go, check out a few of our other blog posts on writing scenes.

Read This Next:

• How to Write Montage Scenes (21 Tips + Examples)
• How to Write a Mental Hospital Scene (21 Tips + Examples)
• How to Write Fast-Paced Scenes: 21 Tips to Keep Readers Glued
• How to Describe Fear in Writing (21 Best Tips + Examples)

Harvard Medical School (Research on Nightmares)

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Essay on “A Nightmare” Complete Essay for Class 10, Class 12 and Graduation and other classes.

A Nightmare

 Don’t eat just before going to bed!” my mother used to tell me. “You might get a nightmare.” How right she was. I never believed her until it happened to me. It was on a night when I felt hungry just as I was about to go to bed. So I made myself a peanut-butter sandwich and a large cold glass of milk. After consuming them I went to bed. Soon I drifted off into a troubled sleep. I dreamt that I was with a group of people looking for an old woman. I was not sure why we were looking for her but we all seemed afraid of her. Somehow we had to find her. So there I was, searching high and low for her in frightful places I had never been before. Sometimes I seemed to be flying while at other times I seemed unable to move. The whole atmosphere was one of fear, like a dreadful horror-movie in which I was a victim. After some searching, I entered a darkened room and saw a figure sleeping on a bed. As I got nearer the figure suddenly threw away the blanket, got up and stared at me. It was an ugly old woman with shiny golden teeth. She raised her claw-l”e fingers and walked towards me. I wanted to run but was unable to. I tried to scream but found that I could not. In horror I struggled and struggled to get away from the frightful woman. The next moment I gave a muffled yell and found myself panting on my bed. My goodness, what a horrible nightmare it was! For a minute or so I lay on my bed not daring to close my eyes for fear of falling asleep again and continuing the nightmare. Then I sat up on my bed until the horrible feeling passed. From then on I never ate just before going to sleep.

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From NPR President and CEO Katherine Maher: Thoughts on our mission and our work

The message below was sent by NPR's President and CEO to all staff:

This has been a long week. I'll apologize in advance for the length of this note, and for it being the first way so many of you hear from me on more substantive issues. Thanks for bearing with me, as there's a lot that should be said.

I joined this organization because public media is essential for an informed public. At its best, our work can help shape and illuminate the very sense of what it means to have a shared public identity as fellow Americans in this sprawling and enduringly complex nation.

NPR's service to this aspirational mission was called in question this week, in two distinct ways. The first was a critique of the quality of our editorial process and the integrity of our journalists. The second was a criticism of our people on the basis of who we are.

Asking a question about whether we're living up to our mission should always be fair game: after all, journalism is nothing if not hard questions. Questioning whether our people are serving our mission with integrity, based on little more than the recognition of their identity, is profoundly disrespectful, hurtful, and demeaning.

It is deeply simplistic to assert that the diversity of America can be reduced to any particular set of beliefs, and faulty reasoning to infer that identity is determinative of one's thoughts or political leanings. Each of our colleagues are here because they are excellent, accomplished professionals with an intense commitment to our work: we are stronger because of the work we do together, and we owe each other our utmost respect. We fulfill our mission best when we look and sound like the country we serve.

NPR has some of the finest reporters, editors, and producers in journalism. Our reporting and programming is not only consistently recognized and rewarded for its quality, depth, and nuance; but at its best, it makes a profound difference in people's lives. Parents, patients, veterans, students, and so many more have directly benefited from the impact of our journalism. People come to work here because they want to report, and report deeply, in service to an informed public, and to do work that makes a difference.

This is the work of our people, and our people represent America, our irreducibly complex nation. Given the very real challenges of covering the myriad perspectives, motivations, and interests of a nation of more than 330 million very different people, we succeed through our diversity. This is a bedrock institutional commitment, hard-won, and hard-protected.

We recognize that this work is a public trust, one established by Congress more than 50 years ago with the creation of the public broadcasting system. In order to hold that trust, we owe it our continued, rigorous accountability. When we are asked questions about who we serve and how that influences our editorial choices, we should be prepared to respond. It takes great strength to be comfortable with turning the eye of journalistic accountability inwards, but we are a news organization built on a foundation of robust editorial standards and practices, well-constructed to withstand the hardest of gazes.

It is true that our audiences have unquestionably changed over the course of the past two decades. There is much to be proud of here: through difficult, focused work, we have earned new trust from younger, more diverse audiences, particularly in our digital experiences. These audiences constitute new generations of listeners, are more representative of America, and our changing patterns of listening, viewing, and reading.

At the same time, we've seen some concerning changes: the diffusion of drivetime, an audience skewing further away in age from the general population, and significant changes in political affiliations have all been reflected in the changing composition of our broadcast radio audiences. Of course, some of these changes are representative of trends outside our control — but we owe it to our mission and public interest mandate to ask, what levers do we hold?

A common quality of exceptional organizations is humility and the ability to learn. We owe it to our public interest mandate to ask ourselves: could we serve more people, from broader audiences across America? Years ago we began asking this question as part of our North Star work to earn the trust of new audiences. And more recently, this is why the organization has taken up the call of audience data, awareness, and research: so we can better understand who we are serving, and who we are not.

Our initial research has shown that curiosity is the unifying throughline for people who enjoy NPR's journalism and programming. Curiosity to know more, to learn, to experience, to change. This is a compelling insight, as curiosity only further expands the universe of who we might serve. It's a cross-cutting trait, pretty universal to all people, and found in just about every demographic in every part of the nation.

As an organization, we must invest in the resources that will allow us to be as curious as the audiences we serve, and expand our efforts to understand how to serve our nation better. We recently completed in-depth qualitative research with a wide range of listeners across the country, learning in detail what they think about NPR and how they view our journalism. Over the next two years we plan to conduct audience research across our entire portfolio of programming, in order to give ourselves the insight we need to extend the depth and breadth of our service to the American public.

It is also essential that we listen closely to the insights and experiences of our colleagues at our 248 Member organizations. Their presence across America is foundational to our mission: serving and engaging audiences that are as diverse as our nation: urban and rural, liberal and conservative, rich and poor, often together in one community.

We will begin by implementing an idea that has been proposed for some time: establishing quarterly NPR Network-wide editorial planning and review meetings, as a complement to our other channels for Member station engagement. These will serve as a venue for NPR newsroom leadership to hear directly from Member organization editorial leaders on how our journalism serves the needs of audiences in their communities, and a coordination mechanism for Network-wide editorial planning and newsgathering. We're starting right away: next week we plan to invite Members to join us for an initial scoping conversation.

And in the spirit of learning from our own work, we will introduce regular opportunities to connect what our research is telling us about our audiences to the practical application of how we're serving them. As part of the ongoing unification of our Content division, Interim Chief Content Officer, Edith Chapin, will establish a broad-based, rotating group that will meet monthly to review our coverage across all platforms. Some professions call this a retro, a braintrust, a 'crit,' or tuning session — this is an opportunity to take a break from the relentless pressure of the clock in order to reflect on how we're meeting our mandate, what we're catching and what we're missing, and learn from our colleagues in a climate of respectful, open-minded discussion.

The spirit of our founding newsroom and network was one of experimentation, creativity, and direct connection with our listeners across America. Our values are a direct outgrowth of this moment: the independence of a public trust, the responsibility to capture the voice and spirit of a nation, a willingness to push boundaries to tell the stories that matter. We're no strangers to change, continuously evolving as our network has grown, our programming has expanded, and our audiences have diversified — and as we look to a strategy that captures these values and opportunities, the future holds more change yet.

Two final thoughts on our mission:

I once heard missions like ours described as asymptotic — we can see our destination and we strive for it, but may never fully meet it. The value is in the continued effort: the challenge stretches on toward infinity and we follow, ever closer. Some people might find that exhausting. I suspect they don't work here. I suspect that you do because you find that challenge a means to constantly renew your work, and to reinfuse our mission with meaning as our audiences and world continues to change.

The strongest, most effective, and enduring missions are those that are owned far beyond the walls of their institution. Our staff, our Member stations, our donors, our listeners and readers, our ardent fans, even our loyal opposition all have a part to play: each of us come to the work because we believe in it, even as we each may have different perspectives on how we succeed. Every person I have met so far in my three weeks here has shown me how they live our mission every day, in their work and in their contributions to the community.

Continuing to uphold our excellence with confidence, having inclusive conversations that bridge perspectives, and learning more about the audiences we serve in order to continue to grow and thrive, adding more light to the illumination of who we are as a shared body public: I look forward to how we will do this work together.