Vocal
A Mountain of Words
It is not known exactly whence came the mountain of words the ambiguous darkness flooded the interior of the mountain and he surrounded him on the outside
Mihai BrinasPublished about 17 hours ago in Poets
Ethical Bird Photography: Best Practices for Protecting their Natural Habitat
Bird photography is very popular; however, not everyone makes sure to practice ethical bird photography and to protect natural bird habitats. This is something we as mindful wildlife appreciators and photographers must do if we want to continue to engage in bird photography. Ethical bird photography tips aren’t as obvious as they may seem, and few photographers know how to protect birds’ habitats while engaging in bird photography. From photographing at an appropriate distance with the right bird photography lens to not taking your 4WD on your bird photography trip, here are some of the best practices for ethical bird photography and protecting their natural habitat:
Untamed PhotographerPublished about 18 hours ago in Earth
Home Alone Trips are Pricey
You know you are getting old when you question the costs in the film - Home Alone. No, I am not alluding to the production costs of this holiday classic. Instead, how does one survive the financial costs of the McCallister clan when you look at it?
Men Can Be Victims of Abuse, Too
There is a culture of shame around experiencing and reporting abuse, particularly when it relates to intimate partner relationships. According to the CDC, nearly half of all women and men report being the victims of psychological abuse and intimidation, and I suspect those numbers are underreported. Society still tries to justify the victim's role in the abuse, which discourages speaking out.
Kyra BussanichPublished about 22 hours ago in Confessions
Movie Review: 'The Death of a Telemarketer' and the Uncanny Valley of Mediocrity
It’s not that there aren’t truly bad movies anymore but rather that our society has changed to such a degree that it has become harder for a movie to be truly incompetent or terrible. The incompetent and the terrible still exist but they are finding it harder to escape into the mainstream. In their place have arisen movies that are competent but tone deaf. These movies are well made enough to convince people that they deserve to exist but they aren’t objectively good movies. Mediocre is one way to describe these movies or perhaps merely dull.
Sean PatrickPublished about 23 hours ago in Geeks
Surviving My First Sober Party
I quit drinking well into the throes of the Covid pandemic. We had been on quarantine orders for months at the time and while small, safe gatherings were finally being allowed, Sean and I were still spending 95% of our time at home away from others.
Taylor Moran WritesPublished about 23 hours ago in Psyche
Ghosting is Just a Fancy Word for Emotional Abuse.
He said, "Good night, Skye" and that was the last I heard from him…three weeks ago. My serious boyfriend who had just sworn to me the night before that he still wanted our relationship even though he had moved to another state (we were planning for me to move there), just up and quit talking to me out of nowhere after a very small disagreement…
Skye PresleyPublished about 23 hours ago in Humans
Watching Seinfeld for the first time
Sometimes, more often than not, living in this hectic, Pandemic driven world, where everyone is coming and going without interacting—where the fear and the pain and sadness is pervading every aspect of society, I just need a break.
Melissa IngoldsbyPublished a day ago in Confessions
What’s The Hype About FIRE?
Well First, What is Financial Independence? Let’s keep this in mind first: There is no FIRE movement without discussing financial independence! Having the ability of work flexibility or being work-optional are cornerstone benefits worth aiming for. These days, many people are coming to the conclusion that working 40–60 hours a week for 40+ years is no way to live a full, enjoyable life. To combat this, people will need to build their wealth. Acquiring assets build your wealth over time, which in turn, creates financial freedom. Assets are investments that provide the required passive income needed to be free from waiting on a traditional paycheck.
TheBusinessPeriodPublished a day ago in Trader
It Ain’t Over T’ill the Black Widow Sings—A Greek Tragedy in Italy with a Splash of Commedia d’ell arte
A stylish production all dressed to kill in vintage Gucci hot iron lapels and tempers, complimentary power suits and pin stripped scars of love and jealousy—a world adorned with decadence, betrayal, passion and ambition tells its story of a famed famiglia whose roots run deep—Six feet deep in this Crime Saga about the Gucci‘s cursed legacy.
Regina CampbellPublished 2 days ago in Families
The Remarkably Real Challenge
Supported by: Charles & ColvardTell us a candid story where your authentic self shone through.
$5,000 Grand Prize14 days leftThe Vocal+ Fiction Awards
Enter our biggest Challenge yet: 25 winners, $125,000 in prizes, and Vocal's first ever book of short stories by our creators.
$5,000 Grand Prize22 days leftThe Scarlet Macaw
Supported By: Untamed PhotographerShare a creative story that includes the endangered bird, the Macaw.
$2,500 Grand PrizeFinished
Creators We’re Loving
Meet the people in your communities creating extraordinary things.
Creator Spotlight: Lilia
Lilia is a multitalented creator of fiction and fantasy worlds. While she initially chose the "safe path," studying at Princeton University and taking a job in management consulting, she now finds herself trailblazing a new one—pursuing the art and stories that stem from her imagination.
Vocal SpotlightPublished 5 days ago in Resources
Creator Spotlight: Justin Douglas Lee
Justin Douglas Lee is a writer and poet who covers everything from science fiction, to music reviews, dog content, and reflections on his experiences with homelessness and mental illness. While it was his fiction that drew us in initially, one look at Justin's poetry and non-fiction pieces kept us engaged and confirmed his talent as an all-around creator.
Vocal SpotlightPublished 19 days ago in Resources
Creator Spotlight: Casey Promise Thompson
Casey Promise Thompson is a mixed media artist, writer, and poet based out of Nashville, Tennessee. A studied virtuoso in the visual arts, Casey came to Vocal in pursuit of a new form of artistry—one that's been reluctantly placed on the back burner since middle school. Writing has always offered Casey a different sense of expression, and now she finds herself engrained in the endlessly supportive Vocal community.
Vocal SpotlightPublished about a month ago in Resources
Creator Spotlight: Tom Bradbury (In Memoriam)
Tom Bradbury was everything we could have asked for in a Vocal creator. He was diligent and intentional with his craft—always putting every ounce of genuine effort into his stories. He was a knowledgeable and patient resource to others—always teaching and lending a helping hand to fellow creators. He was brilliantly himself—always an authentic glimmer in the greater spectrum of creators on Vocal.
Vocal SpotlightPublished 2 months ago in Resources
Introducing the Vocal+ Fiction Awards
Since the launch of Challenges nearly two years ago, our mission has remained consistent: inspire great stories and put money directly into the hands of our most unique, innovative creators. Now, we're celebrating two huge milestones simultaneously. As of this week, over 100,000 stories have been entered into Challenges, and we have given away over $500,000 directly to our creators. That's one hundred thousand ways to inspire, and a half a million reasons to celebrate your creativity.
Vocal TeamPublished 2 months ago in Resources
Creator Spotlight: Poems by Kiesha
Poems by Kiesha is a project by creator Kiesha Solanki, an independently published poet who, in the span of only four months, has made a name for herself as one of over 27,000 creators in Vocal's Poets community.
Vocal SpotlightPublished 2 months ago in Resources
