Quote Originally Posted by Ctharlhie View Post
Another (rather unexpected success), I barely focused on process this time and just made it to the dream. However, I didn't have a dream on tap this time and struggled to establish visuals/get of bed until I woke myself. Any advice for such situations other than incubation and developing mental schemata? Next time I'm going to try visualising a new scene.
Though incubation and developing schemata are your best bet (that waking-life work is oh-so important; try not to skip it), and visualizing next time is also an excellent choice, there are other options:

* You can simply go with whatever your dreaming mind provides you ... if it provides you nothing at all (ie, still in NREM, perhaps, or you caught your subconscious off-guard), you could just "sit" quietly and enjoy the piece of nothingness -- I often do this on purpose, as it can be more rewarding than an actual dream at times!

* You can spend more waking-life time preparing an extensive list or file in your memory of Things to Do at WILD Onset that includes many plot/activity options, beyond just rolling out of bed or starting up that session's specific dream. If you've spent enough time daydreaming about possible scenarios (and don't we all do that anyway?), you shouldn't have a problem calling one up -- or having it called up for you, at moments like this. Also, this file helps patch up gaps left by impromptu WILD dives done without sufficient mental prep!

* Finally (and perhaps as an addendum to the first suggestion), just relax and wait a bit longer. REM and dreams will come eventually, whether they're what you wanted or not. If you think you've got nothing, don't give up; just hang back a bit and let your dreaming mind fill in the blanks. You do run the risk of losing lucidity with this choice, but at least you'll still be dreaming!

I hope that helped, and sorry it's abbreviated -- my time is short today but I wanted to answer...