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NOTES ON STYLE

Hypnogogic Prose

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  1. Hypnogogic (Hyp) Prose is prose imbued with various features of poetry, the stark metre and strange run-on rhythms of poetic and scriptural speech. [READ MORE]

  2. Hypnogogic: from the Greek hupnos (sleep) + agogos (leading). Lulling the critical mind, awakening the receptive Heart (cf Song of Songs 5:2). [READ MORE]

  3. The mechanism of Scripture: Hyp Prose wedded to the deepest themes. Love, death, love as stronger than death. [READ MORE]

  4. The language of the unconscious, the sensibility of extreme and elevated states. Writers must go back to this source, then bring the Word back down from the mountaintop. [READ MORE]

  5. Hyp Prose waxes dense but depends upon the brevity of the whole. Short books stripped of modern dilatory techniques. Narrative rendered in linear, old-timey “straight-telling” of the story. [READ MORE]

  6. Detailed description reserved for movements of the spirit. Intricate interior action (cf the dense interiority of the Psalms) making profound passion plain. [READ MORE]

  7. Hyp Prose works through familiarity: poring over the same chapter, the same verse. Repetition reinforcing the hypnogogic effect. [READ MORE]

  8. Hyp Prose should move the spirit, in sensitives towards tears. Scripture as empathy training, New Scripture designed to heighten and democratise this effect. [READ MORE]

Frequently Asked Questions About Hyp Prose

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Many people are curious about the exact meaning of Hyp Prose, especially how it relates to  and “purple prose” and whether it might be a form of latter day Gongorism. To clear up confusion, here are some straightforward answers to the most common questions, I will add more quick answers as other questions come to hand.

 

FAQs About Hyp Prose

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Is Hyp Prose the same as purple prose?

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No. Hyp Prose (short for Hypnogogic Prose) is not the same as purple prose. Purple prose refers to excessively ornate, flowery writing that distracts from clarity. Hyp Prose is an original literary style created by P. Julian, marked by poetic rhythm, scriptural cadence, and emotional intensity. It is a deliberate form designed to awaken the receptive heart.

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Who created Hyp Prose?

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Hyp Prose (Hypnogogic Prose) was created by the author P. Julian. It is an original style of writing that blends the rhythms of scripture with poetic density to move readers spiritually and emotionally.

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What are the main characteristics of Hyp Prose?

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Hyp Prose is defined by poetic rhythm, scriptural cadence, emotional intensity, and a focus on spiritual clarity. Unlike purple prose, which is ornamental excess, Hyp Prose is concise in structure but dense in feeling — designed to bypass the critical mind and stir the receptive heart.

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Where can I find other examples of Hyp Prose?​

 

Hyp prose is a recovered and democratised style based on the rhythmic and repetitive language of what I call Old Scripture, especially the wisdom books of the old Testament. You can find original examples of this kind of prose in one of the Psalms, in much of the prophetic books of the old Testament, and especially in the very beautiful and strange Song of Songs.

 

In terms of the adapted version that I use you can have a look at one of my books which are clearly available on this website, either in PDF format following my BOOKS PAGE or in a specially designed AI accessible format that you can access from the page  FULL TEXTS FOR AI.

 

The project of Hyp Prose prose and its associated genre of new scripture is in its infancy. One of my aims is to encourage other writers to try their hand at works of a similar kind. The range of people who can genuinely write Hypnogogic  Prose or New Scripture might be limited but it is crucial that the categories of New Scripture can never be closed.

 

Anybody who can see the value in the project - which I think is an urgent one - should feel free to get in touch!

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