The Challenges

I have to make some hard decisions come next month

I have learned a lot fromVocal Media

A lot about poetry, a lot about writing

But as hard as I try, I cannot place in a challenge

I don't even know as a free member, if Vocal pays for external reads

I have entered numerous challenges, but never, ever placed

I have even entered unofficial challenges, but never ever placed

Either I do not have talent as a writer, or something went wrong

I look at everyone else's profile and they have at least some credits

On their profile, for at least placing in the challenges

So it comes down to this, is it worth the money?

I also write on Medium, is that the problem??

I have my theories about that

The bottom line is the writing platforms are very competitive

And I am sure that Vocal Media won't miss one Vocal + member

However, I leave with mixed emotions

My subscription is due to re-subscribe January 12

I am waiting to see if I can place in the one of the challenges

I have already entered the three left in the fall series

I have already entered all of them, and one of them twice

However, it is a matter of economics and pride

If I am not any good at writing, I am wasting my time

I realize that is is very competitive, with Hub Pages closing its doors

And Medium having its struggles, but without placing in the challenges

The money isn't there, and I don't pay to write, for the pleasure of it

And I doubt many of you do either

I can still be inspired to write my best as a free member

I still have access to the prompts

I will still be writing as a free member, but just not as much

I would have to make $10 a month on the Vocal platform to stay, well $10.10 actually, I always like to turn a profit no matter how small. And as a matter of pride, I would also have to place in one of the challenges.

So the verdict is still out, and I have three challenges to go, I entered at all of them at least once, one of them I entered twice

I am grateful for the knowledge Vocal Media gave me but at 75 years old, it is a matter of economics and pride

I take pride in my writing, and I had one writer on Vocal, that seems to be winning all the time, call me unintelligent. No one has ever ever called me that before. I am surprise that Vocal allows name calling in this platform. Tim, you know who you are.

The results will be in for the last challenge January 7th. I doubt there will be time for anymore challenges for me.

Only time will tell..............