Resources
From tips and tricks to product updates and inspiration, explore our resources to learn how to grow as a Vocal creator.
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Under Purple Clouds Challenge Winners
Magical realism seems to be where so many of our writers shine. And it's no surprise why. A great writing prompt gives writers the ability to use their imagination while keeping the writing grounded. Magical realism is so special because it lets us exist in both the magical realm and the real world. We have the weighty comfort of reality to help define our story while exploring the freedom that magic offers.
Vocal Curation TeamPublished about a year ago in ResourcesTime Traveler Challenge Winners
We've all thought about it. Going back in time. What would we do? How would our actions alter the present and future? Of course, we can't take credit for this prompt, it's a classic, and for good reason.
Vocal Curation TeamPublished about a year ago in ResourcesWrite Here, Write Now: Burden of Proof by Scott Hardy
It's one of the hottest summers in recorded history and a couple are attempting to navigate their relationship to each other — and to the future of the Earth. In "Burden of Proof," Scott Hardy captures cycles of inner and outer conflict with a dark and biting wit.
Write Here, Write Now: A Vocal PodcastPublished about a year ago in ResourcesWrite Here, Write Now: The Envious Flood by Steve Hanson
A familiar scent is a surefire way to catapult the mind back into memory, to a particular moment in time. Decay, a sea breeze, wine. Three smells that tie this story together, and propel the protagonist down a west coast highway. Steve Hanson’s “The Envious Flood” resists the pull of nostalgia to level a clear-eyed gaze at the past.
Write Here, Write Now: A Vocal PodcastPublished about a year ago in ResourcesTime Capsule Haiku Challenge Winners
We've been asking ourselves lately why we keep doing these haiku Challenges because, frankly, they are very difficult to judge!
Vocal Curation TeamPublished about a year ago in ResourcesWrite Here, Write Now: Bull by Jacqueline Garrahan
There’s fear of the unknown - darkness, monsters, and the like - but sometimes the most terrifying are the things - and people - we think we know best. Jacqueline Garrahan’s “Bull” is a masterful look into the frigid, the cruel, and the disturbing, deep in the dead of a Maine night.
Write Here, Write Now: A Vocal PodcastPublished about a year ago in Resources10 Ways Entering Vocal's Broken Mirror Challenge Can Make You a Better Writer
So, you're interested in writing a horror story for the Broken Mirror Challenge? Diving into the horror genre can do wonders for your writing skills. Not only will you learn to create a spine-chilling atmosphere and develop strong, relatable characters, but you'll also master the art of suspense and pacing. Horror writing encourages you to explore psychological themes, experiment with narrative techniques, and craft impactful endings. You'll become more resilient to feedback and improve your ability to engage readers emotionally. Ready to take your writing to the next level? Let's review the elements that define the terrifying world of horror fiction together.
Vocal Curation TeamPublished about a year ago in ResourcesWrite Here, Write Now: Going Fishing by Lucas Díaz-Medina
Settle into the southern humidity with Lucas Díaz-Medina’s “Going Fishing.” A journey of introspection and self discovery unfolds as two boys mosey down a bayou back road. Family history and mythmaking collide when a passerby gives the boys a lift.
Write Here, Write Now: A Vocal PodcastPublished about a year ago in ResourcesIf Walls Could Talk Challenge Winners
If walls could talk, what would they say? Of course, there's so much more to walls, these ubiquitous, often overlooked necessities. Walls give us comfort but they also pen us in. They stave off the elements but also block us from the world. At once necessary and obtrusive, walls are often the only witnesses to our most intimate moments, and at the same time, the very things that allow us to be intimate.
Vocal Curation TeamPublished about a year ago in ResourcesWrite Here, Write Now: Mistress of the House of Books by Matthew Daniels
Matthew Daniels puts a new spin on job interviews with “Mistress of the House of Books.” With a heavenly interviewee, the power dynamics are bound to be flipped. But there are some roles in this world that just can’t be reversed.
Write Here, Write Now: A Vocal PodcastPublished about a year ago in ResourcesHow to Motivate Your Readers to Support You
When it comes to showing their support, readers have the option to subscribe, tip, or pledge to your profile. Each of these features works differently, so let’s sort out the differences between them before we go any further.
Vocal TeamPublished about a year ago in ResourcesHow to Engage Your Readers and Subscribers
Vocal is proud to be the network you chose for sharing your stories and finding your audience, but we know that engaging with that audience may not be second nature for you. With the help of these three strategies, you can bolster the connection between you and your audience to keep them coming back for more.
Vocal TeamPublished about a year ago in Resources