Top Stories
Stories in Viva that you'll love, handpicked by our team.
I didn't want to write this post. Top Story - March 2022.
I didn’t want to write this post, because I have a story I want to write about a middle-aged woman who … blah, blah, blah. I’m not going to give away plot points here. I also want to write some new jokes for my stand up. And I don’t want to write any jokes about violence against women, whether it is verbal, physical or institutional.
By Rachel Robbins5 years ago in Viva
The Summer Cottage: 4 Stars . Top Story - March 2022.
The Summer Cottage by Viola Shipman tells the story of a woman who finds herself later in life. Through her wish to break free of the chains that have held her back for so long she makes a life-changing decision in order to honor the past of her family and her current desires. Below I've included a brief summary along with my recommendation for Viola Shipman's novel, The Summer Cottage.
By Leah Lawrence 5 years ago in Viva
Dirt, Debutantes, and Feminine Expectations. Top Story - March 2022.
I still vividly remember the conversation I eavesdropped on a few years ago from the stands of a youth softball field. It had to be the most “This is so Southern” and also “Am I in the Twilight Zone?” conversation ever.
By Cheryl Wray5 years ago in Viva
Body Acceptance. Top Story - March 2022.
Like most (if not all) women and girls, I have insecurities about my body. I’ve had these insecurities since I was nine years old. I take after the women in my mother’s family, curves everywhere. Even when I’ve been at my skinniest, I’ve had curves. Wide hips, big chest, and always a bit of fat around my belly, thighs, calves and upper arms. I’m 5’5, and my skinniest was 135lbs, wearing a size 2. My weight has gone up, then down, then up, then down, then up again. I’m currently 255lbs, wearing a size 20. I feel the same way about my body now, as I did then. As far as I can tell, those curves and that thickness is always there. The only difference is how obvious it is in photos, how big those curves are. I’ll never have a flat stomach. My arms and legs will never look skinny in proportion to the rest of me. These are facts.
By Erin O'Neil5 years ago in Viva
Be Your Own Hero. Top Story - March 2022.
I’ve been pondering the subject of “Be Your Own Hero”. Here in the Western world, and maybe your part of the world also, we were told fairy tales in which a ‘hero’ came along and rescued the fair maiden who was in dire straits, be it a dragon, evil stepmother, witch, sorcerer, greedy king or whatever. This instilled in us as young female children, that we needed an outside influence to rescue us from whatever life brought us that was beyond our control to overcome.
By Jean Sumrall5 years ago in Viva
Why I will not give up on the Red Dress . Top Story - February 2022.
She's there. She's always there. Carefully hung in my wardrobe and laying at the back of my mind whenever she feels like to. I sometimes forget about her, and sometimes, I cannot help but worship her. She's me, and I am her. I love and despise her, for I know I should probably forget about her. But I will never, and here's why.
By Bérengère Balteau5 years ago in Viva
My Mind An Artist, My body The Canvas. Top Story - February 2022.
Growing up, I’d revel in all the mysterious ways to make myself beautiful. Straightening my hair, learning how to use eyeliner, plumping my lips, the best overnight cure for a pimple. What outfits were trendy? What made me look amazing? Anything! The world was my oyster when it came to beauty.
By Aathavi Thanges5 years ago in Viva
I am Human, and Nothing Human is Alien to me. Top Story - January 2022.
In the light of the release of ‘Framing Britney Spears’ documentary, portraying, what seems to be a perpetual tragedy, Spears’ life, I decided to make a little YouTube search and ran across a fan-made documentary series, and the story of Spears’ life shook me.
By Autumn Rose5 years ago in Viva
What You Shouldn't Say to Single 40-Year-Old Women. Top Story - January 2022.
We have this uncanny prejudice over older adults. We see them as an oracle for predicting the future. We are annoyingly curious about their lives, knowing what works and how to use the information against them.
By Jessey Anthony5 years ago in Viva
Picasso - An Artistic Genius or a Bullying, Misogynistic Womaniser?. Top Story - January 2022.
Pablo Picasso was inarguably the most prolific painter of the 20th century. A pioneer of the avant-garde movement and whose artistic genius is unparalleled. But do you know that his tumultuous relationships were expressed in his art pieces in the form of misogyny, prejudice, and male chauvinism?
By Kamna Kirti5 years ago in Viva
Who Defines Authenticity?. Top Story - January 2022.
We were tasked to define our "authentic selves". Each of us looked deep and came at the question from entirely different directions. We invite you to let your mind wander in ours a while. Then perhaps dig out your journal and see what words come to mind to define your own sense of authenticity. The challenge may be complete, but the opportunity to write for a prompt continues.
By The Vocal Creators Chronicle5 years ago in Viva
