Top Stories
New stories you’ll love, handpicked for you by our team and updated daily.
I’m Calling Corporate Bullshit: Why You Should Never Bring Your Authentic Self to Work
In a world where the office is increasingly turning into a new altar of worship, and work is the religion, the concept of ‘bringing your whole authentic self to work’ is a siren song. This song promises a sense of belonging, purpose, and even transcendence. But as we look closer, a cunning corporate ploy emerges from the depths: the commodification of your identity. The implications of this ploy go beyond the workplace, permeating the very fabric of our society and personal lives.
Paige HollowayPublished about a year ago in JournalRelic
Sophie Murphy paid the Uber driver as she stood in the circle driveway. Ten years ago she vowed to never come back to this place. The memories were painful, the resentment nibbled at her even now. Her grandparents’ house looked the exact same, huge and intimidating. The Greek revival home towered among the blooming magnolia trees. Sophie squinted at the white façade as it gleamed in the shadows of the afternoon sunlight. She knew her mother would be inside, all of them would be. The whole family. Granddaddy Murphy was the only one of them that ever really loved her and he was the reason she made the trip. With his final breaths, he begged them to come together and try to be a family one more time. For his sake, she would try again. Her peace of mind was on the verge of evaporation. But vows meant nothing in the face of death.
Dana StewartPublished about a year ago in FictionSkeletons in the Closet
It was a stunning ordeal for Celine Anderson; her good night's sleep was suddenly interrupted by various sounds coming from inside the house. Celine rose out of her bed to inspect, and her brief investigation resulted in the young woman being assaulted by a sinister hooded culprit. The scuffle, fortunately for Celine, didn't last long, as the culprit got away once the sound of the home's owner, Sebastian French, rushing downstairs, armed with a baseball bat.
Clyde E. DawkinsPublished about a year ago in FictionTouching Hope
Before I chose you, I didn’t know how painfully sharp words could pierce How deep their wounds would gouge How altering the scars they left
The Swashbuckler's Secret
The old house creaked as the wind was blowing swiftly across the valley. The cold of fall was blowing in, and preparation for their new home. All the wooden boxes lay piled in the attic. A searing pain landed William on the ground. Low-lying rafters and the small space were a recipe for disaster for the tall man. Laying on the ground, he could feel the searing pain from the headache. William groaned and sat up in the narrow pathway. He could hear his wife with her brogue, even through the pain screaming at their children. She always had a hot temper and could never stay calm. Her red hair was as hot as her temper, but as mild manner as William was, he loved her.
Sarah DanaherPublished about a year ago in Fiction- Created with: Ollie
Healthy And Hassle-Free Dog Food For Picky Eaters
Hi doggos and doggo owners alike! I’m Stripe, a Chinese crested mix who resembles the Gremlins character so much I was named after him. I am a pandemic puppy, and I turned three years old on Valentine’s Day! (Boy, time flies when you’re having fun…and eating well!)
Stripe HairlessPublished about a year ago in Petlife Can You Tell Which Paragraphs Were Written by an AI Chat Bot?
Can you tell the difference between AI-generated text and authentic writing? The following eight passages were either generated by ChatGPT or written by real people. After taking your guess, click the links below to see if you’re correct.
Olivia L. DobbsPublished about a year ago in FuturismCreative Constipation
Screen glares, accusing Cursor blinks at me, smirking A mocking Cheshire cat smile Blank page taunts me Pen hard and unforgiving in my hand
L.C. SchäferPublished about a year ago in PoetsWrite Here, Write Now: Apartment Complex by Vivian R. McInerny
There’s nothing quite like a mother’s love - but there’s nothing quite like her disapproval, either. Vivian R. McInerny’s “Apartment Complex” is a story that’s as comedic as it is relatable: life sure takes a different turn when Mom moves in.
Write Here, Write Now: A Vocal PodcastPublished about a year ago in ResourcesWhiners, Climbers, and Shiners
I joined Vocal + almost three years ago, intending to blow away the world with my skills. Instead, I realized I had to learn to write. You see, I've had story ideas ginned in my head for decades that I thought might get me committed to an insane asylum. I wonder if Edgar Poe or Stephen King were worried about that. I'd watch movies, streaming shows, or read stories and think, Wow! I can do better than that. What were they thinking? The same old plots keep getting recycled. I was openly critical. Then a friend said, "Put your money where your mouth is; prove it."
J. S. WadePublished about a year ago in JournalPolish Your Prose: Vocal's Writing Tips Crib Sheet
At Vocal, we’re keen to help you succeed in your work—not just in Challenges, but throughout all of your writing across the site. To that end, we’ve put together a few notes on the fundamentals of punctuation, dialogue, and grammar. Really, it’s about getting a handle on those fiddly bits of language and mysterious laws of prose (and, let’s face it, we could all use the occasional reminder). Of course, the rules of grammar are only a beginning, and most of all we want you to develop your own unique and exciting voice; but if you’re ever in doubt about errant commas or pesky apostrophes, we hope it can be of help. Happy writing!
Vocal Curation TeamPublished about a year ago in ResourcesPlaying with Myself
“Come on, man! Let me out.” “Not sure that's a good idea. Last time you totally went off on me.” “But it turned out okay. Besides, we needed it.”
Dana CrandellPublished about a year ago in FictionPassing Ships Challenge Winners
We've all had those small moments in life that make us who we are. Tiny instances that reverberate into massive effects. The best of them are unexpected, often humbling, and only seen clearly after some time.
Vocal Curation TeamPublished about a year ago in ResourcesVocal Creator Chat: 5/16/23
Have questions about creating stories, growing your audience, and getting rewarded on Vocal? The Vocal community and team are here to help answer your questions and feedback together.
Vocal Creator ChatPublished about a year ago in ResourcesMy Dear Friend
I. Spring It was spring when we met. I knew who you were, of course. You were the teaching fellow for my political philosophy class, and the most brilliant woman I'd ever seen. Like a great sorceress, you had a way of transforming complex ideas into simple words. Like a great teacher, you asked provocative questions which gave space for many answers. It was a challenging class for a lecture hall of undergrads looking to fulfill a credit, but I saw how deeply you cared, and realized I cared deeply too. More than that, I was good at this class. While a collective sigh of despair went up when exams were handed out, I was having fun. My papers were filled with your exclamation marks and encouragement. Walking down the street that spring afternoon after our final exam, I saw you, and I wanted to tell you all of this.
Loving, Sensual, and Free: Viva and Feminist Magazines Through the Years
Viva's launch in 1973 added a new perspective to the conversation between women's magazines, which at the time consisted of the Ms. Magazine camp, offering feminist news and writing, fashion magazines such as Harper's Bazaar, or traditional but still popular publications such as Good Housekeeping. Viva joined elements of these magazines with erotic content, refusing to shy away from sex and controversy. Associate Publisher and Editor Kathy Keeton explained "Viva's Woman" in her First Word section for the August 1974 issue, explaining who the modern reader of Viva was. The inclusion of antiquated delineations between the "feminist" and the "traditional housewife," as well as a decidedly heteronormative stance, shows how Viva very much represented social currents of its time. This offers the perfect jumping off point to learn about other feminist movements through magazines thanks to ChatGPT, and to begin to theorize about what the future of the feminist magazine would look like.
Turn text into custom-made clothing with AI
Isn't it true? We've all been caught in the whirlwind of searching for that "perfect" piece of attire. You have an idea, a spark, a vision of what you want, but it's nowhere to be found. You trawl through countless online stores, their glossy images and well-scripted descriptions promising the world but often delivering disappointment. Or maybe you've experienced the drudgery of physical shopping, pacing the maze of aisles and racks, your eyes scanning hundreds of hangers holding promises of a perfect fit, an ideal style. And yet, nothing.
A Glimpse Inside The Life Of Stephanie Bradberry 2023
Ms. Stephanie J. Bradberry, a proud mother of two children. A business woman in her own right. She has 12 Top Stories to date. All of her Top Stories occurred since November 2022 (so all of them are super recent). She was a Runner-up in the Christopher Paolini’s Fantasy Fiction Challenge.
Mariann CarrollPublished about a year ago in InterviewDishonest Backstabber
She wandered through the forest Scavenged for her pieces Lub-dub... lub-dub... lub-dub... Their symphony summoned her ~~~~~
Dharrsheena Raja SegarranPublished about a year ago in PoetsNo Bacon for the Bobcat
"Always fry bacon in Crisco," she reminded us as we sat on the floor with the half-bobcat kitten, listening to the snap, crackle, pop of fat meeting fat.