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To the ones January has not been kind to
To the ones January has not been kind to Hey there stranger, I hope you realize how amazing you are and how beautiful the world is because of you in it. This one is for you if January has not been kind to you. I know right now all you feel is how the darkness that surrounds knows no end, and the light that you are so desperately and intently searching for seems to lose its way in the dreariness of despair. I know all you long right now is a moment of peace and this month has constantly put you on the edge of your sanity. January has not been your month, all it has done is test your strength and remind you that you need to keep it all together. Life in its entirety has plonked you into the land of uncertainty, and all you yearn for is to be lost in a land where you cannot be found, only to be rescued with the warmth of love and a warm cup of coffee.
By Hridya Sharma2 years ago in Writers
Fitting in or Standing out?
As this was a topic that I was consciously thinking about yesterday, I loved that this challenge popped back in my inbox. It is along the lines of focusing my intentions (or atleast) for knowing why I want to do, what I do. This title might have you questioning on what does it have to do with the theme. Well here you go-
By Prart R2 years ago in Writers
The Dog Ate My Underpants
I have had a little adventure. “Tell it to social media!” I hear you cry. Please rest assured I have. But I felt compelled to tell it here also, due to the timing. Timing, you see, is everything.
By Hannah Moore2 years ago in Writers
2024 is the Year of 420
“Write it and let it go” is the intention for this year. Above all, I want to release myself from the shackles of perfectionism. At least, that’s the goal. Whether I attempt fiction or more personal essays in creative non-fiction, I know I need to write more freely, edit once, and publish without second-guessing myself. I tend to get caught up around three pages. It’s a curse I have written with for years, breaking only occasionally when inspiration boldly strikes. I have so many unfinished drafts floating around the three-page mark. This year, I am leaning into the curse and allowing myself to write and publish all the three-page stories and essays that my heart desires. 2024 is the year I give up the “shoulds” of my writing and embrace what is. Short-form narratives are as valid as any novel when done well. Quality can be anything, length be damned.
By kp2 years ago in Writers
Classifieds: The Ad Collab (unofficial challenge)
I'm looking for creators who are interested in an unofficial challenge created for collaborations. In this challenge, collaborators will either write an ad in the comments of this post to pitch their idea for a short story to like minded creators; or, they'll respond to someone's ad that they're interested in. There's also a third option where you can opt to be randomly grouped to write together.
By Jennifer David2 years ago in Writers
I Am Getting Sick Of Myself
Introduction Vocal has five challenges running at the moment and I seem to be getting addicted to the poetry formats especially the Abecedarian one. My last three stories have been for that challenge, absolutely ridiculous.
By Mike Singleton 💜 Mikeydred 2 years ago in Writers
Writing Engaging Openings
Wherever you get your writing advice, one of the first things you are going to hear or read is going to be that you need a hook right in the very first sentence of your story to grab your reader's attention.
By Elise L. Blake2 years ago in Writers
2024 Vocal Life
Vocal has challenged me to write an article about my goals for this coming year. And I realized when I read the entry I had not even thought about it. I am still coming up from a downward spiral and before today, it felt like setting goals was overwhelming for me.
By Hope Martin2 years ago in Writers
A Long Battle with Instant Gratification
Over the years, I've made myself available to random people who have questions about my transition. Sometimes, people contact me about surgeries, becoming a parent, or dealing with family, and those who don't accept them. When I talk to people who identify as trans about transitioning, I always place importance on thinking about the longer-term YOU. I made a lot of poor decisions initially. I can't say with certainty the decisions I've made and have internal conflicts with until this point in my transition will be another person's internal challenges.
By Creating Balance 3602 years ago in Writers
Foolish Things
I read this challenge prompt with a lazy sigh. Less than a month into creating this Vocal account, scarcely a few weeks into the new year, and already I gotta talk about my aspirations? Clearly I’m up to it, otherwise I wouldn’t have opened a word document in the first place, nor would I be typing about it now. True confession, I still don’t exactly know what aspirations I’m going to write about (and here we are, one paragraph in).
By Elle Marie2 years ago in Writers
The Myth of Success: Debunking the Illusion of Habits in Your Writing Journey
If you scroll down any blog you'll find post after post about writing habits, writing routines, productivity hacks, and almost ritualistic practices some writers will swear you need or you will never write your novel, or it will never be a best-seller, or the sexy singles in your area won't be able to find you. (am I showing my age here?)
By Elise L. Blake2 years ago in Writers
This Heaven We Have, Here . First Place in #200 Challenge.
There’s an author on Vocal named Raymond G. Taylor, who, at least from what I can tell based on his profile, is one of those prolific, enviable writers who seems to always earn dozens of likes and comments on the stories and contemplations that he posts on a near-daily basis. On Raymond’s own response to this challenge, which he titles, “Sorry, Vocal, but it’s not all about you,” he shares an altruistic commitment to the rest of us:
By Catherine Dorian2 years ago in Writers