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Find new, handpicked stories you’ll love, updated daily.
Faedaze
Daisy leaned back against the wall of the window bench, the dress she was embroidering on falling to her lap, all but forgotten. Her gaze rested on the trees just beyond the edge of her garden, watching with dreamlike expression on her face, waiting for something others doubted would ever come.
Kelsey ClareyPublished 4 days ago in FictionWhispering Woods Challenge Winners
Congratulations to Morgan Christy Rickards for their winning Whispering Woods story, Guardian at the Gate. Morgan has been a Vocal creator since February 2021, and this is their first time placing in Challenge — well done, starting with a win! Guardian at the Gate draws evocatively from Welsh tales of the Cantre'r Gwaelod, a lost sunken kingdom between the forest and the sea. Heledd’s dangerous adventure pulls her towards the water but her spirit is anchored in the woods: Morgan’s writing is atmospheric and exciting.
Vocal Curation TeamPublished about 8 hours ago in Resources
Chestnut Ridge Farm/Scottish Highlanders/Lab's & Littlepop's Popcorn!!
Willow & Buhler The Chestnut Story The view from my back deck Chestnut flowering Chestnut Harvest Well to begin my story, we’ll have to go back to 1999 when I planted a chestnut orchard in the northeast section of my town in Ellington, Connecticut. I had come up with the idea from earlier memories of my father working with some trees in our backyard in the late 60’s. I found out land was available and I was planning on building a house as well. I cleared around 8 acres and planted approximately 800 trees! The planting went well and the trees were looking beautiful. Unfortunately, when the following spring came, because of the combination of too much water in the soil and the variety of chestnut trees I had planted, almost all but a few didn’t make it. I didn’t give up and I cleared some more land that was on higher ground and today almost 25 years later, at the time of this writing, I have approximately 150 trees. Not all are producing because some are still too young. In 2022 I had a record crop and I sold about 1,400 lbs. into the market. Last year, 2023, I didn’t do as well they only produced about half as much as in 2022. That’s farming!
Bruce LuginbuhlPublished 3 months ago in EarthA Hiatus Turned Reflection
No, I wasn't dead, nor fighting off some great mystical beast tyrannizing a group of villagers. To those who look forward to what I have to say, or to put it better, write, I am genuinely sorry for my disappearance from the Vocal platform and community.
Dailyn TownesPublished 2 days ago in HumansFor Fanny Obadia
Fruits abound in her garden and on her body Opposite an ocean and memories aroused Rested for four decades, they again embody
Patrick M. OhanaPublished about 24 hours ago in PoetsSomething
There's always something. Even when there's nothing. Especially when there's nothing. But it gets drowned out by all the noise
Dominic Casey-LeePublished 5 days ago in PoetsWas I a Model in Japan?
During my time in Nagoya I worked and lived at the strangely famous hostel and café Nagonoya. With its chequered floors and florescent lighting it felt quite dated, but I think that was supposed to be part of the charm. The dorms were always fully booked on weekends with domestic tourists and there was always a buzz in the downstairs café. Camera crews were constantly in and out of the place interviewing the Japanese staff members who worked the café. I think it had something to do with the egg sandwiches. At least that was what was on most of the merchandise, except for that one dishcloth with the owner’s face on it. Was I being employed by a local celebrity?
Susanna KiernanPublished 5 days ago in WanderStealing the Spotlight
Every chance I get to shine bright, I can Count on you to ruin my best moment Lurking like a shadowy villain, you Invade my space and darken my limelight
Heather HagyPublished a day ago in PoetsDisarmament
They say there's no atheism in the foxhole. While I wasn't currently neck-deep in a river of soft sediment, I was still praying to whoever would listen. Why am I doing this again? I would ponder while staring at the device that in no less than a minute could be my undoing. I scanned each and every variable panel and commonplace button as I watched the bright red L.E.D ticker countdown. No wires to cut, no code to put in, there was only one way to stop this infernal machine, and that incurred perfect timing.
James U. RizziPublished 2 days ago in FictionSenseless
Every surface of your room, Covered in darkness Like a black satin sheet. Intimacy and anonymity Paradoxically take over my
Kiersten WeldonPublished 2 days ago in Poets
Challenges
Enter themed storytelling contests to put your creativity to the test.
In Eclipse
Write an acrostic poem using this word: eclipse.
$500 Grand Prize7 days leftJust a Minute
Write a short fiction story that takes place within the course of 60 seconds.
$500 Grand Prize14 days leftWhispering Woods
Write a fantasy fiction story that takes places in a sentient forest.
$500 Grand PrizeFinished
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Resources
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Whispering Woods Challenge Winners
Congratulations to Morgan Christy Rickards for their winning Whispering Woods story, Guardian at the Gate. Morgan has been a Vocal creator since February 2021, and this is their first time placing in Challenge — well done, starting with a win! Guardian at the Gate draws evocatively from Welsh tales of the Cantre'r Gwaelod, a lost sunken kingdom between the forest and the sea. Heledd’s dangerous adventure pulls her towards the water but her spirit is anchored in the woods: Morgan’s writing is atmospheric and exciting.
Vocal Curation TeamPublished about 8 hours ago in ResourcesVocal Weekly Leaderboard: 04/17/2024
Welcome to the weekly update of the Leaderboard! We're thrilled to showcase Vocal's most discussed stories, popular picks, and rising stars. Let's dive into this past week's standout contributors and their remarkable achievements.
Vocal TeamPublished a day ago in ResourcesVocal Creator Chat: 04/16/2024
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 2 days ago in ResourcesSnacktime Sonata Challenge Winners
Well, your Snacktime Sonatas made us hungry, and that’s about the highest compliment we have. Food — taste, smell, sensation — is a powerful conduit to the past, to memories pleasurable and painful and sometimes bittersweet, a mixture of comfort and challenge. Congratulations to Penny Fuller for Sativa — it’s a first win for Penny — a hymn to the “secret, unbounded/freedoms” of fresh peas in the pod. The narrative voice of the poem doesn’t really want to be outside, but finds joy in the green things of the earth; this is a lovely work of resilience.
Vocal TeamPublished 7 days ago in Resources📢 Raise Your Voice Thread: 04/11/2024
Our “Raise Your Voice Threads” are hosted every other Thursday at 12PM ET to offer creators more avenues to uncover exceptional stories on Vocal. As we are continuously searching for fresh creators and inspiring stories, this thread provides an opportunity to exchange and discuss the stories that have moved and motivated us on Vocal.
Raise Your Voice by VocalPublished 7 days ago in ResourcesVocal Weekly Leaderboard: 04/10/2024
Welcome to the weekly update of the Leaderboard! We're thrilled to showcase Vocal's most discussed stories, popular picks, and rising stars. Let's dive into this past week's standout contributors and their remarkable achievements.
Vocal TeamPublished 8 days ago in Resources
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