📢 Raise Your Voice Thread: 5/11/23

i write fiction--recently had my 1st top story! i have a few things i want to share! this by KJ Aartila https://vocal.media/beat/the-rhythm-of-change, this by Naomi Gold https://vocal.media/humans/why-you-were-ghosted, this story by Em Starr https://vocal.media/fiction/gingerbread-0fayrv02xt and this by Dharrsheena Raja Segarran https://vocal.media/horror/meloetta-s-jealousy

I really enjoyed this microfiction poem by Kelli Sheckler-Amsden, I think its a fantastic piece. https://vocal.media/fiction/a-wives-tale As for me, while I primarily write fiction, I've been branching out to try my hand at some 'how-to' articles lately.

I'd like to recommend this very dark and psychologically impactful horror story written by a writer I admire this week https://vocal.media/horror/human-compounds

Hey ya'll I am Kristina. I just write...about life. The good, the bad, and the sometimes - ugly... but it is all factual life experiences that can and may happen to us all. Love ya'll...

I am a novice writer, 3 years on Vocal, from Greenville SC. A courageous Story I’d like to recommend by Roy Stevens. https://vocal.media/fiction/what-kind-of-monsters

Hi, I’m Shane, one of the admins over at the Vocal + Assist Facebook group. Just dropping in to draw everyone’s attention to this excellent collection by Mackenzie Davis https://vocal.media/fiction/ten-100-word-stories

Hi All: I write YA fiction, acting monologues & poetry. Mariann Carroll has been doing a phenomenal job with her Vocal Interview blog series! I'd like to share one of her recent interviews with you all below:https://vocal.media/interview/winner-of-2-vocal-challenges-misty-rae She also wrote a very intriguing Micro-fiction piece that I'd love to share as well: https://vocal.media/fiction/the-prophetess-and-the-witch Enjoy!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Hi, I mostly do short stories with a smattering of poetry now and again. This is one I loved this week by Amelia Moore: https://vocal.media/poets/war-iu1ep08f1

Hey, I write poems and film reviews. I’ve read a lot of great pieces this last week, yet I particularly enjoyed this poem entitled Gemini Dreams by JD and Anneliese. https://vocal.media/poets/gemini-dreams

Hi everyone! My name is Loryne and I serve as an admin in Vocal+Assist. I bring you 5 more Hidden Gems from our talented members for your enjoyment :) 1. Let's kick things off with a smile. I have to hand it to Lori Melton. I had no idea there was a World Smile Day until I read her article. This is just good feelings all around. Thank you Lori :) https://vocal.media/motivation/the-power-of-a-smile-t9umn0zth 2. Next we have a poem from Andrei Z. This one is bound to bring a smile to your face (I mean, if the opening comic does not make you grin, I don't know what will). https://vocal.media/poets/dambo-flies-no-more 3. Are you smiling yet? Well, I think it's good to add a cautionary tale. Smiles are powerful and those who use that power are not always good. The accomplished PK Colleran expresses this in beautifully poetic form https://vocal.media/poets/beware-of-foxes 4. But don't worry, you can still chuckle and Novel Allen's got you covered. In this Epistolary verse we are confronted with the age old question and complaint. Why can't I eat this anymore? - sob - https://vocal.media/poets/pancake-v-backside 5. Finally, we end with a celebration recalled by Denise E Lindquist. With Spring in full swing there needs to be a day to welcome the season of growth, to give gifts to neighbors - and bring smiles to more faces. https://vocal.media/poets/no-one-celebrates-may-day-where-i-live-now-no-treat Thank you all for reading :)

I have two favourites from this week! First up, is this incredibly vivid and warming piece by Kristen Balyeat. Simply beautiful. https://vocal.media/poets/timber-jhm101x9 The other is this exquisite piece of art by Morgana Miller. https://vocal.media/fiction/the-calling-9nxa08vh

Elevating writers on this thread can make a huge difference in encouraging their creativity, increasing their engagement, and uplifting the entire community. One of the writers I posted about in the first such thread is EJ Arundel. After a dry spell, the recognition recharged their involvement and they have since posted this piece. https://vocal.media/pride/own-it-fj127085d I encourage creators to continue, regardless of WHEN the post they suggest was written, to continue suggesting their favorite pieces.

Love this story from Scott Wade - https://vocal.media/fiction/citizen-sam-v51iy081k

Mohammed here, usually write poetry, fiction and occasionally some articles about interesting topics I think about. I wanted to share Shane Dobbie's story "The Meeting of Poets". It was really interesting how he mashed up poetry and fiction together in this one: https://vocal.media/fiction/the-meeting-of-poets

Dana Crandell always puts out incredible work! He is an amazing storyteller and his poetry is absolutely outstanding! I always feel something when I read his pieces. He can easily draw a laugh or a tear- or both at the same time. It’s hard to pick a favorite from his lineup, but this last poem he wrote just blew my mind. https://vocal.media/poets/after-the-burnout I have really enjoyed getting to know the work of JD Pernoste and Anneliese Dahl! This poem by Anneliese was beautiful and dark and hopeful and so much more! Enjoy: https://vocal.media/poets/among-the-strawberries I recently discovered em (another great Em!) Her work is so fun! She’s hilarious and she delivers a great message! I loved this recent piece: https://vocal.media/motivation/stop-what-you-re-doing-and-look-up