Vocal
Top Stories
Find new, handpicked stories you’ll love, updated daily.
A Multiverse of Madness: 5 Things I Loved About Everything Everywhere All At Once
I had no idea the film Everything Everywhere All At Once existed until my husband showed me the trailer, and it promised to be everything I wanted in a movie. For one, it's like those loopy time travel stuff that I really enjoy. And it looked to be equal parts chaotic, dark, weird, funny, action-packed, mind-boggling and thought-provoking, but also emotional and family-centered.
Marie SinadjanPublished about 19 hours ago in GeeksGrandma, Dostoevsky, and the emotional pull of literature
My grandmother became a Reader in her late 80s, by accident. Her early education in the east of Poland during the third decade of the last century was interrupted by World War II when she finished grade 4. She never went back to school. Moving to Poland’s capital after the war, she took up manual labor right away to make ends meet.
Tess V. FlairePublished about 21 hours ago in Geeks
X's & O's
Let it Hurt - Then Let it Go. That prophetic phrase washed over me once I turned 60 and I applied it wholly to my estranged relationship with my mother.
Donna Wick, PhDPublished about 21 hours ago in ConfessionsSmile, Say Cheese
Hey Mom! I never told you this before, but I did it. I ate all the cheese you specifically purchased to place on your charcuterie board. You know the one you special ordered straight from Italy? You waited months it seemed, just to try those seven different varieties of aged cheese, and I stole your moment of glory. I didn't intend to eat it all, I just wanted a little nibble of each, and why on earth would they send such small squares of cheese anyways? I mean honestly, if anyone is to blame, it simply must be them for sending such minute sample sizes. Those blocks of cheese, and I use the term "blocks" loosely, were the size of petit fours. I've seen much bigger squares of cheese placed on the ends of traps for house mice or rats. Now, don't get me wrong, I'm not making any excuses for my moment of mischief. However, in my defense, I now understand the famous lays motto " betcha can't eat just one". I know this confession is twenty years overdue, but better late than never right? I'm getting way ahead of myself though with this confession , let me start from the beginning.
ImperfectlyTeePublished a day ago in ConfessionsI’m Not an Impaired Extrovert, I’m an Introvert
I have just finished reading a book that resonated so very deeply, I feel totally validated and it explains to me characteristics of myself that I haven’t accepted at all. And tells me why I tend to reject these characteristics.
Kate StrongPublished 2 days ago in HumansTo-Do
2/14/87 • buy flowers (daisies? she likes daisies) • buy new comb • buy chocolates (the good kind) • make Valentine’s Day card- homemade!
annika la vinaPublished 2 days ago in PoetsThe Cost of Canine Diabetes
When I found out that my dog Tia had diabetes mellitus, I was ashamed at how quickly I began to worry about money. I have pet insurance, of course, but the fact that she was considered a senior pooch meant this had a 20% co-pay along with the excess payment. Thanks to her dental surgery last year, I had next to no savings and maxed-out credit cards (pro pup parent tip - most insurance plans do NOT cover dental work of any kind - start saving early, because dental work is expensive and gum disease is the single most common issue amongst elderly dogs and cats). Could I afford her care, I wondered. Not just immediately, but long term?
S. A. CrawfordPublished 2 days ago in PetlifeDealing With Emotional Fallout When You Begin To Stop People-Pleasing
I was talking with a client recently. She had asserted a boundary with a friend as she didn’t want to talk about certain subjects and he did. When my client said that she didn’t want to discuss these subjects her friend became annoyed and started to put her down, calling her unreasonable and stupid. She stuck to her decision to not discuss the subjects and decided to reduce contact with this particular friend for the time being. It was the first time she had done this.
Gail HooperPublished 2 days ago in PsycheI Worked In Aviation - Lessons I Learnt and Now Apply As An Entrepreneur
My first job after college was in aviation. I remember my first day like it was yesterday. I had to memorise the phonetic alphabet in a day, otherwise I wouldn’t have been able to communicate with anyone.
Rejoice DenherePublished 2 days ago in JournalA Fool's Meal
Everyday...every damn day you ask me the same question. And every single cursed time I hand you the same answer on a silver platter. Why? Oh, Mother... you're always asking why. The missing piece to the puzzle is simple: because YOU secretly want it to ring true. And you have no idea how badly I want that answer to be real.
Challenges
Enter themed storytelling contests to put your creativity to the test.
Mother's Day Confessions
Write a letter to your mom and confess something you’ve never shared before.
$2,500 Grand Prize4 days leftThe Fantasy Prologue
Write the first chapter of a fantasy fiction story. We’ll give you the first sentence.
$10,000 Grand Prize11 days leftThe Moment of Freedom
Write about freedom. Do good for Ukraine.
$10k donation Grand PrizeClosed
Creators We’re Loving
Meet the people in your communities creating extraordinary things.
Resources
Discover tips, guides, updates, and spotlights from our team.
Introducing Comments on Vocal
Over the last 5 years, creators on Vocal have shared nearly one million stories that have attracted, inspired, and entertained hundreds of millions of readers around the world. In response, readers have provided creators with valuable insights and feedback via Likes, Tips, and Pledges to show their support.
Justin MauryPublished 14 days ago in ResourcesAnnouncing the Ship of Dreams Titanic Challenge Winners and Runners-Up
Congratulations to Harmony Kent, author of “Lifeboat Seven” and to Ryan Smith, author of “No Man’s Land” — both worthy winners of our Ship of Dreams Challenge here on Vocal.
Erica WagnerPublished 16 days ago in ResourcesThe Moment of Freedom: A Collection of Stories
In peace, continue your art; in war, continue your art; in freedom, continue your art; in captivity, continue your art! -Mehmet Murat ildan
Vocal TeamPublished about a month ago in ResourcesFrom Across the Room Poetry Challenge Winners
From across the room (or rather, the screen), the Vocal Team fell head over heels in love with nearly 3,500 poems submitted to the Vocal+ “From Across The Room" Challenge. Inspired by the idea of love at first sight, the Vocal creative community once again delivered with heart and soul. After a month and a half of reading love poems, and with final judging by Kirun Kapur, esteemed editor of the Beloit Poetry Journal and creative writing professor at Amherst College, we are thrilled to announce our winners.
Vocal TeamPublished 2 months ago in ResourcesIntroducing Reader Insights
Having access to unique and informed statistics is a key part of the Vocal experience. We use data to run our business, and we know you use data to run yours. Whether that means using readership stats to determine which of your stories are the most relatable, earnings to determine where the highest returns are, or subscriber stats to determine how wide your reach is, we want you to have access to the data you need to succeed.
Justin MauryPublished 2 months ago in ResourcesVocal Stands with Ukraine
As chaos, fear, and tensions mount during Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, people all over the world are looking for ways to help. We've all found ourselves talking about this war with friends and family, and there's a big reason for that: those conversations bring visibility to the things that matter and make room for change. They allow us to hope and imagine a future where peace, unity, and safety are accessible to everyone.
Vocal TeamPublished 3 months ago in Resources
Explore Communities
Join communities powered by creators who share your passions.