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Potter-a-thon
Can I have some warm lemonade? That someone else made. A blanket pulled over my prone form, To keep me warm. Lunch of a cheese butty and Heinz tomato soup,
Comfort in Despair
The game of life is rigged Death always wins Crawling on our fins Now obsessed with our sins From the dawn of rain
Atomic HistorianPublished 5 days ago in Poets
Christopher Paolini Interview: Part 1 of 3
This is part 1 of a 3-part series in which Vocal interviewed world-famous fantasy author Christopher Paolini. In our interview with Christopher, we talked childhood, Montana, writing, and of course, fantasy and sci fi. It was a joy and education to speak with Christopher and we hope you enjoy his stories, thoughts and advice as much as we did.
Vocal Curation TeamPublished 3 days ago in Interview- Created with: Sundays For Dogs
The Clean Plate Club
We’ve all seen it—those puppy dog eyes that seem to grow cartoonishly large right around dinner time. It was truly a battle to say “no” when our fur baby, Saucy, would stare longingly at our plates, completely ignoring the overflowing bowl of kibble that sat untouched beside her. What began with a few bites of chicken from our plate here or a carrot tossed to her there, quickly escalated into a nightly begging routine in which we wound up losing half of our meals to Saucy! This constant table-side begging became an issue we both wanted to solve for ourselves and our sweet girl. We wanted Saucy to eat food she loves, but it was difficult to get her to want what’s on her plate instead of what's on ours, especially when we know that the ingredients in her generic-brand food are oftentimes toxic and a bit sketchy.
Meghan & JackPublished 4 days ago in Petlife 
Merfolk of Randos
The first thing that one will notice when they lay eyes on a Mer is the ornate mask that is afixed to their faces. No one is sure what lies beneath it but the mask itself is rather unusual. The mask is crafted from an assortment of shells in the image of a human face. This practice of wearing these masks goes as far back as anyone can remember. The Merfolk have an admiration for humans, seeing them as their protectors. Time and time again, men have proved themselves to be allies to the Merfolk, whether they live in their waters or the seas abroad, men tend to arrive at the perfect time to be their saviors. This has resulted in the custom of mask wearing in their likeness and returning the favor in being devoted allies to the nations of men they are in need of them.
Braison CyrusPublished 3 days ago in Fiction
how she started modeling for TARGET stores ✨
Watch the full video here: Q: How did you get started modeling? A: We actually had close friends who modeled for Target before us! Finley Smallwood and her sweet mama, Christina, introduced us to our agency after we met and stayed with them in NYC while Finley was shooting for her Target Holiday Ad!
EMandKids | AmazingAbigailGracePublished 24 days ago in Confessions
How I navigated these stages of culture shock when I moved abroad
When you are traveling around, moving in a group of others doing the same thing, it is still a protected bubble. I was in the backpacker’s group, doing the regular route most people follow. It was easy to avoid culture shock.
sara burdickPublished 3 days ago in WanderA Horrid Heat
The constant heaving of the searing heat Leading to bleeding in the sweating streets No more drops of relenting rain No more hope for a slowing change
Gideon 6ixPublished 5 days ago in Poets
I'm Insecure About My Writing
I don't fear people as much as I fear being known. Being seen from all sides including my insides. Being utterly exposed. And viewed, in my unedited essence.
Sunshine on Brown SkinPublished 5 days ago in Humans
Jack
Jack’s grandmother warned him about Harvest Lane. Each October, when the moon loomed high and the candle burned low, she’d whisper of the monsters that lived there. Beasts that lurked behind mock-orange hedges and cobweb drapes, armed with candy-corns and snickerdoodles and all the tricks and treats a beast might use to lure a young one to their demise.
Em StarrrrrPublished 6 days ago in Fiction
Challenges
Enter themed storytelling contests to put your creativity to the test.
Christopher Paolini's Fantasy Fiction
Write a fantasy fiction story for a chance to meet Christopher Paolini & $10,000.
$10,000 & 30 min Zoom Call with Christopher Paolini Grand Prize36 days leftGet Comfortable
Write a poem that celebrates what gives you comfort.
$5,000 Grand PrizeClosed24/7 Companion
Created with: Sundays For DogsWrite about your favorite memory with your pet.
$2,500 Grand PrizeClosed
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Resources
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Vocal Moderation Updates
If you are a veteran Vocal+ Creator, you may have noticed changes recently in moderation protocol. It's likely your stories are being moderated faster than ever. This is not a coincidence.
Vocal TeamPublished 5 days ago in Resources
Write Here, Write Now: Everyone has a Yellow Coat by Flora Weston
From Write Here, Write Now: A Vocal Podcast, Everyone has a Yellow Coat by Flora Weston. People aren’t always what you expect; it’s wise to pause before rushing to judgment. After a reading of “Everyone has a Yellow Coat,” host Erica Wagner talks with author Flora Weston about how asking a simple question about an ugly coat actually changed her life.
Write Here, Write Now: A Vocal PodcastPublished 2 months ago in Resources
Write Here, Write Now: My Single Friend by Caitlin Fladager
From Write Here, Write Now: A Vocal Podcast, My Single Friend by Caitlin Fladager. How do you keep that 'first date' feeling alive after 12 years of marriage? What happens when you start to yearn for your single days? In the inaugural episode of Write Here, Write Now, host Erica Wagner sits down with Caitlin Fladager, TikToker extraordinaire, passionate advocate for mental health—and a wife and mother. They cover everything from first date to first child to how her family is today.
Write Here, Write Now: A Vocal PodcastPublished 2 months ago in Resources
Introducing the Vocal App
2022 has been a year of explosive growth for Vocal. At the heart of our product strategy, we have remained laser-focused on building social-oriented features to foster community across the platform. A perfect highlight of this was the recent release of our most requested feature, Comments. With over 25,000 comments exchanged and counting, this feature was the most quickly adopted in Vocal history.
Justin MauryPublished 2 months ago in Resources
Write Here, Write Now: A Vocal Podcast
When I asked Vocal creator RJ Wade whether she found a commitment to writing early on in her life, or whether the development of her gift was a slower burn, her response was immediate and powerful. “It was right away, and it was full-blown and passionate,” she said of her love affair with the written word.
Erica WagnerPublished 2 months ago in Resources
The Vocal Community Reacts to Roe's Reversal
The constitutional right to an abortion—granted to all U.S. citizens in 1973 in the case of Roe v. Wade—was overturned by the Supreme Court on Friday, drastically altering the future of health care and bodily autonomy in the United States. The Vocal Team recognizes and acknowledges that this is a deeply complex ongoing conversation, and many groups are divided over this issue. While some are celebrating, others are grappling with feelings of hopelessness, confusion, and grief due to the Court's decision. To aid our community, we have created a list of links and resources to inform and facilitate ongoing discussions around the subject of abortion rights in the U.S.
Vocal TeamPublished 3 months ago in Resources
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