John Lindal’s Blog

Stories

Artifact, Part 1

Magic, lots of magic.
This was my first story. I woke up in the middle of the night after dreaming it and then couldn’t get back to sleep because my brain kept filling in more and more details. When I got up in the morning, I wrote it from start to finish in one sitting: 11AM to 2:15PM.

The Big City

Why would anybody want to build a city in the middle of a desert?
I dreamt this story, too, on the night before Christmas Eve, 2000. This was the first story that I showed my wife, in the short interval between first meeting and getting married.

The Eternal Game

God may not roll dice, but he does play chess.
I only dreamt the first half. My subconscious would make a great GM! In addition to the obvious, the title is also an oblique reference to The Immortal Game.

The Joker’s Early Stand-up Comedy

Batman’s arch-enemy is not a nice guy.

The Magic Lamp

Be careful what you wish for!

Mary had a Little Lamb

Just plain crazy.
Cooked up during our trip to Oslo.

The McGuffin

A science fiction story disturbingly close to possibility.
Inspired by a joke in What’s New with Phil and Dixie.

Negotiations

Disaster strikes the Federation Starship Intrepid, but that is only the beginning of their troubles…
I originally dreamt this with the crew of ST:TNG, but I decided it would be more interesting to build my own crew.

Off to School

Mensa, eat your heart out!

Thanks For All the Fish

It’s all a matter of perspective…
I dreamt this story in two parts shortly before New Year, 2009. I woke up from the first half and was sufficiently impressed that it kept me awake wondering about the cause. When I eventually fell back to sleep, I dreamt the rest.
Update (3/3/09): I just saw an episode of Stargate built around the same premise, except that it involved invaders from a different galaxy.

What Color Is the Sky?

Sometimes, it’s better to keep your eyes closed.

Other Writers

Adam Smith Academy

Short stories by famous authors

Sam Huges

Science Fiction shorts

The Metamorphosis of Prime Intellect

Short novel with an interesting take on the Singularity. Be warned that chapter 1 is really disgusting. It still works if you start with chapter 2.

Andrew Rilstone

Fantasy shorts

Shyam

Just like me: gets inspired and can’t stop until it’s out.

Tor.com

Short stories from professionals.

Eliezer Yudkowsky

Philosophical fiction
Review of The Sword of Good