Story Prompt: June 15, 2026 Write a story where the character is trapped in a closet with a stranger For this prompt, the main question to answer as a writer is ‘why’: why are they in the closet in the first place, since the rest of the story will follow from that. The tone can…
Ghost in the Machine
Ghost in the Machine “Mom, it’s not real!” “Please! Don’t shout.” “It’s not him. It’s just an AI-generated version of Dad. You can’t even talk to him.” “I miss him so much.” “And I don’t? I’m his son. But he’s dead, Mom.” “You’re cruel.” “It’s not healthy.” As soon as he left, she put on…
The Cameraman
Written as a response to the Muse on Monday prompt for June 1, 2026: Write a story about something caught on camera The Cameraman The man held the phone steady, filming the trio of thirteen-year-olds sitting in the booth across the McDonalds dining area. They were talking and laughing, completely in their own little world. He zoomed…
Muse on Monday – June 1, 2026
What do you think of when you think of something caught by a camera lens? A TV interview? A crime caught on a security camera? An investigator or spy’s clandestine photos? A selfie at a party? Cameras often catch us at our best or worst moments and there are so many stories we can find…
Tourist to the Uncanny Valley
Tourist to the Uncanny Valley The market outside the tourist attraction was crowded. “Sir, you buy postcard? Three for a dollar.” A little girl held out an assortment of postcards. There was something just off about her face and voice, the uncanny valley of 99% accuracy. I realized she was an android. She looked up…
Manly in Pink
Written as a response to the Muse on Monday prompt for May 25, 2026: Write a story where a mistake ends up being beneficial Manly in Pink “So what’s this?” my neighbor Trent asked, swaggering over from his garage to stare at the truck-sized box in my driveway. “Nothing,” I said casually, trying to keep the smugness…
Muse on Monday – May 25, 2026
The writer Neil Gaiman accidentally misspelled the name Caroline in a book and wrote Coraline instead. It struck him as interesting and he eventually made a character and a whole book around that. It was a mistake but something good came of it. I don’t suppose anyone loves making mistakes, but it’s nice when it…
One Small Step for Kid
One Small Step for Kid “I just feel weird sending our child alone into space,” Jessica said. “She’s seven,” I said. “She’s not a baby. Plus, she’s just going to the moon for a playdate. What could go wrong?” “And Tiffany’s with her.” Tiffany, the onboard AI would do all the actual driving. “Still ….
Grid Games
This story is a response to the Muse on Monday prompt for May 18, 2026: Write a story about a game Grid Games The chalked grid on the wall outside my door was two lines crossed with two more. A piece of chalk was wedged into a crack nearby. It was a pretty obvious tic-tac-toe setup, even…
Muse on Monday – May 18, 2026
Games are kind of like stories. There is a point of conflict (everyone is trying to win), a climax (the end of the game or round) and stakes (bragging rights, if nothing else, unless you’re playing for money). Some games, like Clue, have actual stories inside them, where the game is about a group of…
The Green-Walled Treehouse 