The Tiktok Talk Hello son, thanks for coming. Have a seat. Don’t worry, your mother and I just wanted to have a chat with you. No, it’s not the Talk. We’re a bit concerned about your internet habits. No, it’s not about that. Or even that. Oh dear, we didn’t even know about that. We’ll…
Category: Funny
Shy Pain
Shy Pain There are many kinds of pain. There are the small angry pains of a papercut and the dull, lumbering pain of sore muscles after walking home when your mom forgets to pick you up from school again. Pains also live in different places. The pain that happily splashes around in a pot of…
Being Prepared
Being Prepared That story of the grasshopper and the ant haunted me. When I moved out to the forest, Thoreau-style, I was determined to BE PREPARED. All summer I cut wood, stacking it against the walls until the whole house was surrounded by piled firewood, five feet deep, then ten feet. By fall, the house…
Voodoo Ergonomics
Voodoo Ergonomics “Hey, check it out,” Hyo-Won said, pulling me into the corner of the classroom. She reached into her bag and took out a small doll. It was crudely made, with big, uneven stitches. “Nice,” I said. “Did your little sister make it for you?” “No!” She smacked my arm. “It’s a voodoo doll….
Muse on Monday – June 28, 2021, Featuring “What?”
Happy Monday everyone! I was away for a bit but I’m back now and ready to go with more writing challenges. As always, don’t forget the Summer 2021 Young Writers Contest going on right now until August 31. If you or someone you know are interested in entering, click here. The challenge of Muse on…
Muse on Monday – June 21, 2021, Featuring “The Mistake That Didn’t Change my Life”
Welcome to the longest day of the year, if you’re in the Northern Hemisphere, or the shortest day of the year if you’re in the Southern Hemisphere. It is the summer solstice, the first official day of summer! What a great day to submit a story to the Summer 2021 Young Writers Contest. Get your…
Muse on Monday – May 17, 2021, Featuring “The Boingo Job”
Welcome to a brand new week and a brand new Muse on Monday story prompt. The challenge is to write a short story and use the elements listed below. If you’re 18 years old or younger, you can submit your story using this link for a chance to have it published next Monday when the…
Fire Drill, COVID-Style
Fire Drill, COVID-Style “Just because things aren’t actually ‘normal’ right now, doesn’t mean we’re going to jeopardize your safety,” the principal’s voice said over the speaker. He had the desperately forced cheerfulness of a man who has said “Six weeks from now, tops” for over a year and counting. “Remember, if we change even one…
The First Artist’s Mom
The First Artist’s Mom Aerth was down by the stream when he heard his mother scream. He thought maybe a bear had wandered into the cave again until he ran in to see her looking at the wall. “Again?” she said. “I thought you had stopped drawing on the walls when you were a baby?”…
Muse on Monday – April 19, 2021, Featuring “The Usual Table”
Welcome back to Muse on Monday! The challenge is to write a story of your own based on the prompt below. If you’re 18 years old or younger, you can submit it using this link for a chance to have it published next Monday when the new prompt comes out. You just need to submit…
The Green-Walled Treehouse 