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A Gen-Xer Speaks about Music
It started in a hallway. I was teaching a session one semester at a college. My students, when not passively absorbed by their cellphones and laptops, tried to be studious. One student in particular was often picking my brain about assignments and material that needed be completed for the course. He was a young man, running his own business, and happily continuing his education both in class and outside of those bare walls.
Kendall DefoePublished about 22 hours ago in Beat
Praying on the weak
The mirror showed a reflection that wasn’t my own. It showed my lonely chambers, in the back of a cold church. It showed Alby Duncan and his daughter, Lucy, standing behind me. Alby had been a member of my flock so long that I remember Lucy being born. 19 years ago that was. It was always a delight to see them. Lucy smiled at me in the mirror. “Hello, Father Morris,” she says.
Shane DobbiePublished a day ago in Fiction
Imposter Syndrome
An inalienable fact about Autistics is that we tend to struggle at life more than the average neurotypical. This is particularly true of female Autistics, who face greater barriers to get diagnosed, and find it harder to ger support when they are. It doesn't particularly help that common co-morbids of Autism are the Trauma Twins: Anxiety and Depression. As such, on the occasion that Autistic people find themselves succeeding, we promptly find ourselves taking up arms against Imposter Syndrome.
Natasja RosePublished a day ago in Humans
Maple Leafs, You Have One Job!
On Sunday, March 26, 2022, the Toronto Maple Leafs defeated the Nashville Predators, 3-2, behind two goals from their captain, John Tavares. On the following day, the Leafs were off, but they could clinch a playoff spot during their idle day with a loss from the Florida Panthers. Even better, because the Leafs picked up two points, Florida's loss didn't have to be in regulation. In a crazy scenario, the Panthers were in Ontario, but against the province's other franchise, the Ottawa Senators. This meant that the Leafs and their fans had to (for that night) pull for their provincial enemies to pull out the victory. The Sens did just that, winning 5-2 over the struggling Panthers, and that gave the Leafs another playoff appearance.
Clyde E. DawkinsPublished a day ago in Unbalanced
Shards
"The mirror showed a reflection that wasn't my own." I saw the scrap of paper at the top of the desk drawer. I squinted at the crabbed writing, so like mine, but definitely not my hand. My aunt and I were very similar in a lot of ways, and our lefty scrawls were near the top of the list. I sighed as I put it in the box with all the other papers. This box would go in the van with the others, to go through when the loss wasn't so raw.
Meredith HarmonPublished a day ago in FictionWhite Washed Walls
The mirror showed a reflection that wasn't my own. The mirror showed a reflection that wasn't my own. The mirror showed a reflection that wasn't my own.
Caroline JanePublished a day ago in Fiction
Jadis
JADIS - by Pernoste and Dahl The mirror showed a reflection that wasn't my own, and in reflex, in cowardice, I turned away.
JD Pernoste and Anneliese DahlPublished a day ago in FictionBella Ballerina
Before becoming blindly branded Be bodacious Bloom blissfully Breathe benevolence Bring brighter beginnings Bask beside butterflies
C. H. RichardPublished 2 days ago in Poets
Write Here, Write Now: Burden of Proof by Scott Hardy
It's one of the hottest summers in recorded history and a couple are attempting to navigate their relationship to each other — and to the future of the Earth. In "Burden of Proof," Scott Hardy captures cycles of inner and outer conflict with a dark and biting wit.
Write Here, Write Now: A Vocal PodcastPublished about 9 hours ago in Resources
The Legoland Jazz Club Murder
As soon as I opened the door to my office, I noticed the smell. She smelled fresh, the sort of smell you get when you’ve only been unsealed from your bag a short time. When I saw her, I could see that she was more plastic than Pamela Anderson’s boobs. She had auburn hair, a color so bright you just knew it had to be artificially made. She was going to be trouble.
Challenges
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Broken Mirror
Write a horror story about a haunted mirror. We’ll give you the first sentence.
$1,000 Grand Prize28 hours leftTautogram
Write a poem where every word starts with the same letter.
$1,000 Grand Prize6 days leftLudicrous Limerick
Write a limerick about the absurdities of life.
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Write Here, Write Now: Burden of Proof by Scott Hardy
It's one of the hottest summers in recorded history and a couple are attempting to navigate their relationship to each other — and to the future of the Earth. In "Burden of Proof," Scott Hardy captures cycles of inner and outer conflict with a dark and biting wit.
Write Here, Write Now: A Vocal PodcastPublished about 9 hours ago in Resources
Write Here, Write Now: The Envious Flood by Steve Hanson
A familiar scent is a surefire way to catapult the mind back into memory, to a particular moment in time. Decay, a sea breeze, wine. Three smells that tie this story together, and propel the protagonist down a west coast highway. Steve Hanson’s “The Envious Flood” resists the pull of nostalgia to level a clear-eyed gaze at the past.
Write Here, Write Now: A Vocal PodcastPublished a day ago in Resources
Time Capsule Haiku Challenge Winners
We've been asking ourselves lately why we keep doing these haiku Challenges because, frankly, they are very difficult to judge!
Vocal Curation TeamPublished 13 days ago in Resources
Write Here, Write Now: Bull by Jacqueline Garrahan
There’s fear of the unknown - darkness, monsters, and the like - but sometimes the most terrifying are the things - and people - we think we know best. Jacqueline Garrahan’s “Bull” is a masterful look into the frigid, the cruel, and the disturbing, deep in the dead of a Maine night.
Write Here, Write Now: A Vocal PodcastPublished 14 days ago in Resources
10 Ways Entering Vocal's Broken Mirror Challenge Can Make You a Better Writer
So, you're interested in writing a horror story for the Broken Mirror Challenge? Diving into the horror genre can do wonders for your writing skills. Not only will you learn to create a spine-chilling atmosphere and develop strong, relatable characters, but you'll also master the art of suspense and pacing. Horror writing encourages you to explore psychological themes, experiment with narrative techniques, and craft impactful endings. You'll become more resilient to feedback and improve your ability to engage readers emotionally. Ready to take your writing to the next level? Let's review the elements that define the terrifying world of horror fiction together.
Vocal Curation TeamPublished 15 days ago in Resources
Write Here, Write Now: Going Fishing by Lucas Díaz-Medina
Settle into the southern humidity with Lucas Díaz-Medina’s “Going Fishing.” A journey of introspection and self discovery unfolds as two boys mosey down a bayou back road. Family history and mythmaking collide when a passerby gives the boys a lift.
Write Here, Write Now: A Vocal PodcastPublished 21 days ago in Resources
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