The New "Latest Stories" Feature
Vocal's Most Recent Added Game-changer
The New “Latest Stories” Feature
I think I’m in love with the new “Latest Stories” feature on Vocal! Already, I can see myself getting lost down that rabbit hole, as I watch the new stories being published every few minutes. It’s a little bit shocking, really - the multitude of new stories piling in.
I enjoy the variety of topics written on, that I’m seeing, and appreciate the ability to see what seems to be of interest to the majority of people publishing here.
I also am enamoured with filing through to open and read stories that catch my interest. I like the ability to find new authors whom I enjoy reading, and I think it’s a brilliant way for creators to get some recognition for their work.
The biggest issue I’m experiencing at the moment, is that I can’t keep up! How do you guys at Vocal do it?
So, to reiterate the benefits of this feature, as I see so far upon just a short time viewing, are:
1. The ability for creators to receive recognition.
⁃ Many of the creators have gone, essentially, unrecognized for their hard work and creations. This option provides a more opportunistic way for them to be found. I am enjoying the plethora of unique voices presented to me, that I didn’t realize were out there. I don’t know that I ever would have found them.
2. The ability, as a reader, to come across different creators.
⁃ There are so many excellent creators on this site, which I miss, who may be very interesting to me, or have more information to provide in a niche that holds my interest. There are emerging experts here with loads of information to share. As well as unique voices and expressions.
3. The ability, as a creator, to see what topics are being written about.
⁃ I can find inspiration for writing about certain topics that may interest me, that hadn’t crossed my mind.
⁃ I can see what topics may be of interest to the general public, if I’m so inclined.
The downfalls I see right now:
1. I can’t keep up with the number of new stories coming in - which is great, but overwhelming!
⁃ It’s a staggering, the amount of new content being published every minute or so.
2. I can see the huge possibility of getting caught up in siphoning through and reading all the new stories coming in, instead of writing my own!
⁃ Which is in no way Vocal’s responsibility - just sayin’.
⁃ Filtering might be nice for narrowing down topics, but then I might still miss so much of the others, I don’t know.
For me, I guess it comes down to using this new feature with intention for finding inspiration, improving my skills as a writer, finding new information and entertainment, and to boost other creators.
Overall, I think this can be a useful tool for creators and readers alike, but it also could be detrimental to our mindset as writers if we aren’t careful in our utilization of it. I, personally, really like the option - use it wisely!
Thanks for reading! What do you see as benefits or downfalls of this added feature? Do you like it? How could it be improved?
KJ Aartila grew up in a small, rural community surrounded by animals and family. She, along with her husband and daughter, horses and other pets, now live on 40 acres in Northern Wisconsin, surrounded by forest and wildlife. She has spent her life reading about, writing about and working with animals, her goal always to be as reliable, trustworthy and honest as a horse, but her innate humaness keeps getting in the way. She remains determined to keep trying, though.
About the Creator
KJ Aartila
A writer of words in northern WI with a small family and a large menagerie.
My Substack
Reader insights
Nice work
Very well written. Keep up the good work!
Top insight
Excellent storytelling
Original narrative & well developed characters
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Comments (18)
Indeed, the new feature does not guarantee that all authors will meet their readers, as well as the opposite. This is similar to visiting a book store, where you may unknowingly pass by a book you would love. However, this feature undeniably creates greater opportunities for both authors and readers alike.
great writing and fantastic characters
Is it new? I genuinely thought it had been there ages!
I've been checking it out and am also fascinated at seeing just how many things are published moment to moment. I don't particularly feel overwhelmed as I'm not trying to read them all. It's fun to just jump on and then hop off when I'm done looking, like a train, lol. Great article, Keila. Congratulations on Top Story :)
Excellent article KJ, but I see little benefit in it, like the publications that flood my notifications and make them virtually no use at all. My subscription feed shows me the new stories from my subscribers and I look at the latest stories feeds in individual communities to see them in a more focussed sequence.
I am so grateful that you took the time to write this article as I now know about the "latest stories" feature (Yes, my eyes go 'woo-woo' when I've looked at a screen for too long.) Truth: I can't cope with all this information online. Can't. I wonder how others do it and I just s t r u g g l e. Maybe I missed other writers who've said "I can't keep up," but I didn't miss you KJ Aartila. And just like that, I don't feel as inadequate with reads PLUS I know about this helpful tab. Girlfriend, today...you are a life raft. So top story? HECK yeah!
Great article, kJ!
Great article, KJ! Yes, it's a very nice feature and the few times I have taken advantage of it, it felt like a rabbit hole! It's great to be able to see a variety of stories from so many different creators, instead of the same names.
Well done!!! Congratulations on Top Story!!!♥️♥️💕
Awesome insights ❤️😉Congratulations on your Top Story🎉❗❗
Thanks for the insight. My 1st category in vocal media is Earth which is not popular tho. I hope my articles get featured on the latest stories someday. I have a YouTube channel @inkandray I will be uploading real videos of my articles. Episode 1 of my article is now LIVE! on YouTube and even TikTok
Great introduction to this new feature! Thanks for writing.
I first noticed it while browsing on my phone recently. I remember back in May when it was suggested on the vocal's creator chat page. So vocal was pretty fast at making it happen. And agree, it's a great way to discover the work of all creators new and old. It's also a way to see how many fake A.I. submissions there are. You can usually tell, especially when a ton of them begin with "Once upon a time" lol. Good article, K.J. and congrats.
Congrats on the TS
I haven't seen this section! Thank you so much for making me aware. :) I definitely need to check it out. For me, the easiest way to stay up to date with everyone is still Facebook, because I find that the notifications on Vocal move way too quickly and I can't keep up with them all. When it comes to operating without Facebook, I find that I almost need to create my own list to make sure I'm popping by everyone's profile every once in awhile. I think it's been suggested before to have a reading list feature -- I would use that so much!
I'm considering all of the new tools introduced, and I think this could be useful. It did lead me to ask during the chat thread yesterday if we could have the ability to block creators. For me, those 'medical product 'reviews'' that pop up by the same people every minute or so are just clutter, and I would happily block them.
I don't think I've seen that section yet. Off I go to check it out. Good article.
Thanks for sharing your thoughts on the subject, KJ. I haven't checked it out yet. (I already find it hard to keep up with those I follow.)