This page is dedicated to the written side of Elise Crane's creative work. In the future she will add notes on process, experimental texts and the evolving principles that shape her storytelling. 

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Below is a living list of personal writing rules/guidelines that reflect her ongoing exploration of surrealism, symbolism, and narrative structure. These principles grow and shift over time, just as the stories do. 

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Rules

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1. Characters can either treat the strange as normal. Which would be extreme dream logic. Or characters can be the only sane one in the story. Which is moderate dream logic.

2. Radical shifts in tone.

3. Language expression should feel slightly or completely off.

   • Examples:

     • Making up words.

     • Strange word juxtapositions.

     • Give pre-established words new context or meaning.

4. Try to achieve an Uncanny Valley effect in your writing.

5. You can use non-congruent and non-linear storytelling to add to the dream like quality of your piece (though it is not absolutely necessary).

6. Make sure to add strange or off-putting juxtapositions.

7. The use of symbolism can be taken or displayed literally or figuratively.

   • Example:

     • An air-headed character can have a literal balloon for a head.

8. The ending is either vague, contradictory, or left out.

9. Things just happen and are usually not explained.

10. Random scene additions with or without ambiguity are welcomed whether they’re apart of the plot or not.  

11. Because surreal stories level of ambiguity, it allows for audience participation and interpretation.

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Tips 

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1. Initial writing should be done in a stream of consciousness format.

   • Don’t over edit or over think. Write everything down as it comes into your mind.

     • Overthinking is for editing; the first draft is for childlike imagination and exploration. ​

   • When you do stop writing, follow this suggestion before your next writing session. ​

     • For a short break, only read the first paragraph above where your going to write. ​

     • For a longer break, only read the last writing session before continuing. 

     • In doing this you will help to keep your work in that "dream" zone. 

2. Use found objects to help spur on story direction

3. Write in segments that you can comfortably manage before your thoughts lose their flow (e.g. 3 hours, 4 hours, etc...) ​

4. Give yourself a specific timeframe for completing a project.

   1. e.g. 72 hours, a week, a month, etc...​

   2. Keep track of the amount of time spent in each writing session. This pressure helps you avoid overthinking. 

      1. Note taking suggestion. Break down each new writing session: ​

         1. Heading 1 - Session 1​

         2. Regular text: Current time spent [00h:00m:00s] & Time Left [00h:00m:00s]

   3. Only ecord the time you spent actively writing and the remaining time in your project’s overall allotment.​​

   4. Make sure to use a stopwatch for each session.

5. Don't be obvious in your use of symbolism or dream imagery. ​

   1. Many surrealists rely heavily on Freudian symbolism that is sexually charged and violent. While anyone can be deliberate when portraying dreamlike imagery, it takes real skill to imply or suggest.

   2. Creative constraints are not obstacles—they generate originality. Subtext, suggestion, and innuendo are all linguistic tools for achieving your desired themes, messages, or tone.

6. In the end, your work should leave readers/viewers saying:

   1. “That was weird.”

   2. “I think I get it?”

   3. “What does this mean?”

   4. “Here’s what I think happened…”

   5. “What the heck did I just read/watch?”

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These rules are not limits, they're invitations to experiment, distort, and discover.

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