Bed time stories?

[BlengiMan]

Like, I'm just saying, It'd be cool if there were some short novels or comics that you could read before going to bed(and are intended to put you to bed). I'm also wondering when was the last time anyone read a bedtime story, or if any have worked at putting them to bed. On a side note, do you guys use bedtimes stories as writing devices/tools? I think it's a little tricky, but maybe some one has already mastered that art. Thoughts?

[VibrantFox]

I feel like bedtimes stories are something I've woven into my stories but never really had as their own separate thing. like i've written planned scenes where old world lore is shared through "bedtime stories" or old tavern tales but it's specifically within the context of the stories they're written for and that shared universe

that's like from what i've observed most stories on the platform in genral are geared towards older teens and young adults so bedtime stories or children geared content in general is likely few and far between which isn't to say it's not something folks can make or share but i dont think it's something i've ever come across

i also emphasize that point since bedtime stories are one of those things people feel like you're meant to grow out of at a certain age so it's another reason why it feels less likely. if anything i'd say the closest i've seen to that would be maybe lulabies like that popular "there's an axolotl" song that went viral on tiktok or maybe the guy i found recently who does narrated video similar to what you used to find in old kids shows showing how things are made (link later).

what's most interesting though is there is a desire i think for that kind of thing it's just not too widely expressed because i think of that whole ingrained mindset of 'well that's for kids and if you're not a kid then there's no need for that' but lots of adults talk about how comforting it is so if people do come across this thread and have some good ones i'd probably check them out myself because it is kind of interesting

[BlengiMan]

Very interesting, sounds like an excellent use of world building, I think that might be partly due to the fact that, like you said, bedtime stories are geared for to children, so I'm thinking that it's maybe a sensible way to convey some things in a simpler manner. Kinda regret not thinking of this sooner lol.

children geared content in general is likely few and far

Yeah, I can say from experience that it's a hard job. Maybe I'm over exaggerating, but the one time I tried to make a kids book, I failed miserably. Still got an A for it, so yay Ig.

i also emphasize that point since bedtime stories are one of those things people feel like you're meant to grow out of at a certain age so it's another reason why it feels less likely.

It's kinda bitter sweet if you think about it. People want to push that stuff as just being things for children. I personally think that mentality can be a bit lackluster. Why should we close that door if it's just stuff for children? Personally, I've only heard a couple bedtime stories in the context of my bedtime, and part of that is because my parents were never familiar with them. It really doesn't have to be about children sleeping, I see the goal of a bedtime story as a means of bringing good dreams. To my knowledge, a dream is just a culmination of thoughts, feelings, and the brain's own attempts to rationalize them in it's least demanding way. Maybe if we all had bedtime stories, our dreams would be more positive, and everyone could be happier.

My childhood hasn't been so far since, but I do sometimes get that feeling of wanting to relive it. That's something that everyone feels. I guess what I really mean is that no one should let opinions stop them from, y'know, being a little childish every now and then. Let themselves be playful, comforted, like they once were.

I'm not sure if anything I said was relevant, but thanks for the reply, it really got me invested in this idea of bedtime stories, maybe someone will throw me a bone and, yknow, share their bedtime stories that they came up with...?

[beebutterbee]

They actually do make bedtime stories for adults! There’s a few podcasts like that, my mom listens to them to go to sleep but I don’t enjoy them as much when I tried listening to them. Perhaps they’re what you’re looking for though :0? The one I think of immediately is “Nothing Much Happens” and it’s just sort of serene or every day visual settings describes in a calm voice, and yeah nothing much happens But some people find them very calming and use it as a sleep aid, and I wonder if you might be looking for something like that?

If you wanna find more things like that I’d googled “sleep/dream podcasts”. I don’t have much other recommendations because they’re not my thing per se, but I hope that points you in the right direction!

I think I sort of wind down for the night with stories? I’m not sure if they’re necessarily bedtime stories though, often they’re recounts of other dreams we’ve had. And sometimes talking about dreams makes me want to sleep! But I have pretty bad insomnia so it doesn’t work that way usually, but it’s fun to just talk in a dimly lit room about fictional worlds still even as an adult :0! I think though, I’m almost always talking about fictional or dream stories. Not always, but conversations always tend to lead that way. I feel like it’s all my family and besties talk about I just love creating stories and hearing other people’s worlds too.

I think I may have used a bedtime story once or twice in my stories. But oddly enough I think in both instances they leaned a bit more towards horror than exposition. :0! What way do you think of when using bedtime stories in your writings/comics?

[abigaillmartin]

I’ve been thinking of doing it with my fanfiction where Harry reads the children a bedtime story and it’s very dark. 🤣 it’s German!

Ernest reading a story to the gang would be really funny too! 🤭