The Things I Write While You're Asleep
The following collection of short works consists of stories written over the last 10 years. An associated collection of poems is currently in the midst of being edited and made available.
Below you will find the title and a brief description of each story. Also included are ratings (E for everyone, T for teen, and M for mature), as well as word counts and genres. While these stories rarely contain scenes of gratuitous violence or strong language, I do consider many of their themes to be darker and representative of very real personal struggles. I encourage parents to read the stories first prior to reading them to their children.
1. The Staircase
Summary: Our narrator finds themselves wondering how to escape a seemingly endless nightmare--or something like it.
Genre: Supernatural, Horror. Rating: T. Word Count: 3949
2. Test Chamber C-2
Summary: A man takes part in a science experiment that proves to have more than a few disconcerting elements.
Genre: Science Fiction. Rating: E . Word Count: 1840
3. By Color We Breathe
Summary: An artist is forced to contend with her most difficult and personal work.
Genre: Supernatural. Rating: T. Word Count: 2964
4. Random is Random is Random
Summary: The entirety of civilization must confront its values following the results of a critical world-wide vote. .
Genre: Science fiction, Dystopian. Rating: E. Word Count: 4470
5. Tree Day
Summary: For the Bramblekin of the Grove, Tree Day is the most important day of the season.
Genre: Fantasy. Rating: E. Word Count: 3909
6. If it Matters That Much To You
Summary: After taking part in a life-long scientific study, a man is forced to evaluate his views on parenting and humanity both.
Genre: Science fiction. Rating: E. Word Count: 2860
7. The Vault
Summary: Time is governed everywhere by much higher beings--even in metropolitan subway systems.
Genre: Supernatural. Rating: T. Word Count: 2530
8. Tales From Tinkertopolis, vol. 1
Summary: In the distant future, human contact has been replaced for purposes of efficiency.
Genre: Science fiction, Dystopian. Rating: T. Word Count: 6235
9. After
Summary: Following uncertain devastation, a group of children take shelter--and struggle for order--in an abandoned windmill.
Genre: Horror, Post-apocalyptic. Rating: M. Word Count: 2067
10. The Dream Eclipse
Summary: Only you know the truth of the Dream Eclipse.
Genre: Supernatural, Horror. Rating: E. Word Count: 1786
11. Specimen Retrieval Log
Summary: A researcher documents the events of a science experiment gone awry.
Genre: Science fiction. Rating: T. Word Count: 2611
12. Muse Games
Summary: In a world where art reigns supreme, those who inspire others are held coveted, perhaps even unhealthily so.
Genre: Dystopian. Rating: M. Word Count: 3083
13. The Invincible Man
Summary: A man immune to damage and death weighs in on how much things have changed over time.
Genre: Science fiction. Rating: E. Word Count: 2418
14. The Temple at the Edge of the Mountain
Summary. After generations of slavish deference, one tribe member decides it is time to solve the mystery of the temple.
Genre: Fantasy. Rating: T. Word Count: 5809
15. Excerpt From 'A History of Piracy': The Case of Stenton 'Madstrom' Morris as an Example of Mystery Influencing Perception
Summary: An academic analysis of a historical figure inadvertently unravels secrets about his complex character.
Genre: Psychological, Adventure. Rating: M. Word Count: 6814
16. The Angel of the Wick
Summary: Following their mother's passing, a pair of siblings struggle to cope with their father's bizarre new obsession.
Genre: Horror. Rating: T. Word Count: 3056
17. Through Walls
Summary: Childhood friends begin to realize that their bond is stronger than they initially realized.
Genre: Fantasy. Rating: E. Word Count: 1993
18. Hub 866
Summary: A space-dwelling supercomputer continues to collect data on extinct civilizations.
Genre: Science fiction. Rating: E. Word Count: 2357
19. The Eye Collector
Summary: A pathetic creature wanders in search of his former companions, his only aid the experiences of others.
Genre: Supernatural, Horror. Rating: E. Word Count: 2248
Below you will find the title and a brief description of each story. Also included are ratings (E for everyone, T for teen, and M for mature), as well as word counts and genres. While these stories rarely contain scenes of gratuitous violence or strong language, I do consider many of their themes to be darker and representative of very real personal struggles. I encourage parents to read the stories first prior to reading them to their children.
1. The Staircase
Summary: Our narrator finds themselves wondering how to escape a seemingly endless nightmare--or something like it.
Genre: Supernatural, Horror. Rating: T. Word Count: 3949
2. Test Chamber C-2
Summary: A man takes part in a science experiment that proves to have more than a few disconcerting elements.
Genre: Science Fiction. Rating: E . Word Count: 1840
3. By Color We Breathe
Summary: An artist is forced to contend with her most difficult and personal work.
Genre: Supernatural. Rating: T. Word Count: 2964
4. Random is Random is Random
Summary: The entirety of civilization must confront its values following the results of a critical world-wide vote. .
Genre: Science fiction, Dystopian. Rating: E. Word Count: 4470
5. Tree Day
Summary: For the Bramblekin of the Grove, Tree Day is the most important day of the season.
Genre: Fantasy. Rating: E. Word Count: 3909
6. If it Matters That Much To You
Summary: After taking part in a life-long scientific study, a man is forced to evaluate his views on parenting and humanity both.
Genre: Science fiction. Rating: E. Word Count: 2860
7. The Vault
Summary: Time is governed everywhere by much higher beings--even in metropolitan subway systems.
Genre: Supernatural. Rating: T. Word Count: 2530
8. Tales From Tinkertopolis, vol. 1
Summary: In the distant future, human contact has been replaced for purposes of efficiency.
Genre: Science fiction, Dystopian. Rating: T. Word Count: 6235
9. After
Summary: Following uncertain devastation, a group of children take shelter--and struggle for order--in an abandoned windmill.
Genre: Horror, Post-apocalyptic. Rating: M. Word Count: 2067
10. The Dream Eclipse
Summary: Only you know the truth of the Dream Eclipse.
Genre: Supernatural, Horror. Rating: E. Word Count: 1786
11. Specimen Retrieval Log
Summary: A researcher documents the events of a science experiment gone awry.
Genre: Science fiction. Rating: T. Word Count: 2611
12. Muse Games
Summary: In a world where art reigns supreme, those who inspire others are held coveted, perhaps even unhealthily so.
Genre: Dystopian. Rating: M. Word Count: 3083
13. The Invincible Man
Summary: A man immune to damage and death weighs in on how much things have changed over time.
Genre: Science fiction. Rating: E. Word Count: 2418
14. The Temple at the Edge of the Mountain
Summary. After generations of slavish deference, one tribe member decides it is time to solve the mystery of the temple.
Genre: Fantasy. Rating: T. Word Count: 5809
15. Excerpt From 'A History of Piracy': The Case of Stenton 'Madstrom' Morris as an Example of Mystery Influencing Perception
Summary: An academic analysis of a historical figure inadvertently unravels secrets about his complex character.
Genre: Psychological, Adventure. Rating: M. Word Count: 6814
16. The Angel of the Wick
Summary: Following their mother's passing, a pair of siblings struggle to cope with their father's bizarre new obsession.
Genre: Horror. Rating: T. Word Count: 3056
17. Through Walls
Summary: Childhood friends begin to realize that their bond is stronger than they initially realized.
Genre: Fantasy. Rating: E. Word Count: 1993
18. Hub 866
Summary: A space-dwelling supercomputer continues to collect data on extinct civilizations.
Genre: Science fiction. Rating: E. Word Count: 2357
19. The Eye Collector
Summary: A pathetic creature wanders in search of his former companions, his only aid the experiences of others.
Genre: Supernatural, Horror. Rating: E. Word Count: 2248
Photo used under Creative Commons from Onasill ~ Bill Badzo - New Format