Introspecting My way Forward.

You know those times when, like the L.C. Schafer's Grinch, you really want to tip, tip-toe into Vocal and spread some hate, hate, hate and actually 'loatheeeeeeee' the fact that you haven't won a challenge, placed second, or even gleaned a tiny slice of the 'runner up' pie.

Then they go and do something spectacular like REVERBING themselves and us creators. My mojo was at an all-time low, I was now panicking, I had no idea what to write for this challenge, or even if I wanted to write one.

Then lo and behold, like 'abracadabra', I found Ms. Mojo betwixt the Reverb.

Then there is also this:

I was most pleasantly surprised to see this post in my e-mail a few days ago.

Sharon Combs posted in Vocal + Assist

January 6 at 12:05 AM

Author of the Day: Novel Allen

Novlet Allen is a proficient and prolific writer on Vocal, with over 718 stories on the site. She is one of V+A’s UK members. She has perfected her writing style, and it is splendidly uniquely her own. I like so many stories by her; this has been a hard choice. I’ve finally settled on her poem "Never Buy Me Chocolate" for its humorous quality.

Please show her some V + A Love and read one of her stories today!

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Thank you, Sharon. You have brilliantly and graciously summed up my time on Vocal. It is by far the best new year's gift I could ever have received. I will endeavor to conjure up the energy to immerse myself in the FB groups again.

And you know what else I am realizing:

I AM FREAKING Vocally AWESOME!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

I was the first creator to receive a direct comment from Justin@Vocal (All Father) in my story's comment section. I created Vocal history with just a few well chosen words. What??? I deserve bragging rights. :). Disclaimer...I have no idea if anyone else ever did.

Now let me delve into these soul searching grueling questions if I must!

* How has the past year on Vocal shaped your goals for this year?

Every year I become more bold, more versatile and fearless while growing into and honing my writing craft. I received 24-25 Top Stories (counting woes). Many more were top to me, but hey, I will take it. I do not have lofty goals beyond continuing to create on Vocal, but I would like to delve into writing children's humor stories along with plans with a friend.

* What genres or writing forms do you wish to explore?

As suggested above, Children's stories, I have also developed a taste for the Criminal and Horror genres (thanks Dharrsheena). I also need to finally get that camera and start snapping, I love Photography. The Styled community has also piqued my interest.

* What skills do you want to hone?

The ability to mesmerize and captivate my readers with every story told. I want them to come thirsting for 'more please'. I also want to become more acquainted with many more of the under visited communities. I also really, really, want to write winning stories. Darn it!

I will try to navigate on Discord, though it seems quite daunting.

I really need to finish my guitar lessons, it leans against my bed, begging to be played, and I need to read a lot more books this year, Book Review awaits.

* How often will you write?

Oh! I am constantly writing. But I have to be in the zone, mostly. I write best when motivated by sight, sound, smell, taste or even stories written by other authors, I try to mention the author when I encroach upon their story ideas. I become self conscious when posting every day, it feels tedious and self serving. I will have stories sitting in holding mode for days. But now since everyone is pledging daily postings, maybe I will jump on that bandwagon.

* How often will you read other creators' work?

I read stories every day, I readily acknowledge needing to read more, I will have to have a serious conversation with my attention span. Honestly, some communities have not had the pleasure of my company, I hope to amend that bit of oversight.

* Who will you collaborate/connect with on Vocal?

I am so proud to say that my first 'connective' effort of sorts was the very lovely, talented and kind Dharrsheena DRS (full name is a huge mouthful). Then came Donna Fox, then Grz Colm, and the wise D. Alexandra Porter. Happily, and a tad sadly for me (like kids moving out of the house) the 'students outgrew the teacher', so to speak, and gained their own personal and well deserved fame and fortune. I tried others but they have yet to stick around for a while. I will keep reaching out to anyone willing to parlay a bit. Tiffany you are my rock. Hi Sid Hirji, hi Catherine Nyomenda, hi...Geez...Everyone else, I do love you, thank you so much for always popping by to visit, but you are too many to do a personalized list.

I really am a loner by nature, collaboration will be a work in progress.

* How will you support other creators?

I will endeavor to give reading, advising, encouraging, mentoring and tipping a more serious venture.

* How will Vocal challenges help shape your creative journey?

I say, bring on the challenges. There is no better way to think outside of those inner boxes. Just please, make them hot and spicy, mix them up and spread them into things that make us go HMMMMM!!!!

* Is there a specific piece you want to finish or work on?

I have started and stopped my autobiography/memoir a few times. I think that I have finally evolved my writing enough by being on Vocal to make continuing that a goal for the new year. It will be my gift to my family along with my 'anthology' of poetry which I am amassing for family posterity upon their bookshelves.

* What do you want your impact to be on Vocal?

I am already one of those voices which make people smile on Vocal, after all, I do 'own the Humor Community' by virtue of having suggested the addition of fun and laughter to the mix. I really want to be taken seriously to a point, without my writing being dull and uninteresting.

I want to be a voice in encouraging the younger folks to stay the course and enjoy just writing, it takes time to find your own style and inner voice. And I would also encourage them to invest in Vocal. You have time on your side, and I believe that it will pay off dividends in the not too far future.

I may seem a bit hypocritical on the investing issue, since I have yet to finalize mine. But I will, setbacks do happen sometimes.

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I found my Reverb in my trash folder, in case anyone was wondering what happened to theirs.

Best of luck to everyone on this venture.

I hope we get a challenge that makes us reverb Vocal.

Also, did they reverb everybody? I am trying my best to imagine such a task. What awesomeness!!!!!!!!