Guys, you need to comment on the stories that you read.

I just had twenty three (23) reads on my story, with eleven (11) likes, just overnight all within vocal. Happy me.

Now, I am not boasting, it is a small number compared to the success of other lucky creators, but yeah for me.

The reason for writing this however, is that I do not know who you all are. Of the twenty three, (Thank you very much), only three people commented, so I was able to give their stories a read and thank them properly for taking the time. I am not great with technology, so there may be another way to identify who you are, if so, someone please let me know.

Whenever people read my stories and leave comments, I make sure to read a story or two of theirs. I subscribe, I heart, if I really love it, I add insight, and I make sure that I reply to their comments. I subscribe because it allows me to return from time to time to keep reading their stories. It takes time to read stories, there are a lot to go through, so even one story at a time allows us to support each other.

I was even surprised to see a comment from the Vocal team on my story. That was a first for me. Did not know that they did that. Another yeah for me. Every tiny victory helps to build one's confidence.

If we each read one story from every creator, imagine how much we could assist each other to build both our wallets and our self confidence in the pursuit of successful strides in our writing and creative journey. There are a lot of us.

I must admit that I read and comment on many stories and receive no feedback even though I do expect feedback. I am a firm believer in tit for tat that way. It is a bit daunting, because the whole purpose of the Vocal enterprise is to foster creativity, sisterhood, brotherhood and camaraderie within the circle of oneness.

Some of our fellow creators are seriously ill, some are a bit down and out of sorts. In reading and commenting on their stories, I believe it helps to uplift their spirits. It also does wonders for your spirit as well. I have a young person who I follow keenly. I made positive comments all along her journey. She went from obsessive thoughts of depression to having a very positive change in her writing style. Now she has many positive comments and a keen following on her work.

There are a great many of us. Commit to reading at least three to five stories per day. Schedules are rigorous I know, but if we are serious about writing on this platform we all need to support and care about each other. Never mind if you read and comment and receive no feed back, keep going, it takes time and one by one you will get others who are of like minds. I find that if I add "please give mine a read", or "take a quick look at my story", I tend to get a feedback, rather than just leaving it hanging and expecting a read in return.

When you continually read, subscribe and comment, you build a following on Vocal alone. The more media conscious folks have a much wider following on other platforms that enables them lots of reads, I do not have much, but, I am working on it. I have been reading other folks' stories and find that there are many like myself who do not. I am making small strides in that direction while enjoying my creative expressions. I envy the younger folks their savvy in this area.

When I first joined Vocal, I had a proud string of zero reads on my stories, my first unread saplings who waited in vain for someone to read them. I was a bit (maybe greatly) disappointed. I thought every story would be proudly read. But I kept going, got better as time went by, and I am still learning and improving. Some stories receive one (1) read. Even that one gives me hope. I have received a Top Story or few. Still waiting for the big win. Smile. So, yes, there is hope for everyone, we improve with time. I see myself as proof of that.

My best story earned over two thousand, five hundred (2,500) reads. I was totally shocked, I think it was shared from Facebook to where I have no idea. But thanks to all those folks who read it. I was mad at my phone and simply wrote it down. It just took off. To me this is a great achievement, considering that social media terrifies me. Still this is nothing compared to what reads others are racking up out there.

I say it again, if I can do this writing and social media thing, anybody can. Then there are the guys who are really great at it, and do not really need to indulge us small fries in the reading of stories, don't be party poopers and not be open to being a part of the family by reading and commenting on other people's stories.

Teamwork = Success

N.A.