On Writing On Vocal

Introduction

These are just some observations on how I write and get ideas, I know everyone has their own path, but this is just how I do things and hopefully may give ideas to others who read this.

I am an absolute attention whore but I feel that people see me as a doer and supporter rather than an actual creator and writer. A lot of people appreciate my work otherwise people would not have read my stories as often as they have.

When Vocal went down I think I only had seven reads on that day, but I know there are creators who do not get that in a normal week, so I may feel that I am being ignored, but the reality is I am not.

So What Do I Do?

This was my first Vocal post that talked about posting on Vocal, though at the time I didn't have a clue what I was doing and some days I still feel like that.

I then started to write poetry and enter a challenge or two and liked the fact that work was moderated and we had to write at least a minimum amount of words to get published.

I find that I need something to prompt me to create a story. Sometimes the prompt is from friends, in the form of a suggestion like this from Cathy Holmes that was featured in a recent Vocal "Raise Your Voice" article:

This was for a more formal Challenge from Cendrine:

I was once at a loss wondering what to write about and Judey Kalchik gave me five subjects to tackle, I have only used two of them so far, but here is one of them.

I still don't rate myself as a writer as I feel that I have to place in a Vocal challenge before I can be considered a writer, in my own mind, but it's a bit like that you have to be able to play "Angi" by Davey Graham before you can consider yourself able to play the guitar. I can't but can still get up in front of people and make a noise.

I think this proves that I am just not very disciplined.

Vocal's two latest challenges, the Awards and The Next Great [American] Novel are so far beyond my capabilities and belief in myself that I will not be taking part in them, I only do that if I believe I have a chance however slim.

The thing is, this is the third Vocal story that I have written today, and I know it will be read and appreciated.

Since joining Vocal I have written many pieces like this, but also consider myself a poet, and can sometimes create fiction that people enjoy reading. When I see the comments, it gives me confidence and inspiration to write more. I know this is at odds with me saying I don't consider myself a real writer, but I know I can write and know that there are many who cannot see that, and when it's the ones in control that don't see you that when the dogs of doubt come sniffing around, but I will send them packing.

The Visual Side Of My Writing

Someone once suggested using emojis to split up my poetry, I'm really sorry I have forgotten who that was. But I started doing that and believe it makes my work more interesting. One of my great friends Call Me Les taught me the value of presentation in fiction, poetry, interviews and informative articles and I suggest you check out her work to give you ideas to put into your own work. This is a great one of hers including video as part of the deserved Top Story

This is one of my visual pieces

I Am Sorry

This seems to have gone off track and become full of self-pity, but I will listen to music, talk to friends, go for walks and will hit you all with stories and poetry and maybe even Vocal will one day deem me worthy of a challenge place, but it won't be in their latest challenge.

I've included Janelle Monáe's "The Way You Make Me Feel" for my friends and audience.

So I am going to wrap this up now and consider my next piece of work.