Be Your Own Advocate Challenge
A New Paul Stewart Unofficial Challenge/Prompt Thingo - I Will Read Your Work!
So, folks...I wanted to do something a bit different for my next challenge thingo. I wanted to turn things back on you - as many of you have been firm and constant supporters of me and I always feel I've been a let down in terms of reciprocating.
I could say it's because of limited time with other things in my life, or that the limited time I have is often taken up by my own writing. Either way it's going to sound, honest for sure, but also like crappy excuses.
So, here's the deal. There is so much stuff to read on Vocal and while it's just scratching the surface, I have come up with this as a cheeky and at least kinda ingenius way of trying to be a better member of the platform.
Get to the point, Paul!
So what the hell is all this rambling about?
Well, the challenge, prompt thingo whatever you want to call it is simple:
In the comments section, provide me with the titles and links to 3 of your own pieces that I have not yet read or commented on and I will rectify that. They could be things you are most proud of, underappreciated pieces, whatever. It's up to you - advocate for yourself and your writing! Also, if you want to include anything about why you chose the pieces you did, that would also be great, though is not necessary.
Simple as that!
There will be no prizes as such for these, but you will obviously get extra reads, comments and likes on your pieces, so that's something?
I will try to update this piece to highlight the people who have taken me up on their offer and highlight the links.
But, Wait, There's More!
As is the way of these things, there's another layer to all this.
Yes, it's a sneaky way for me to catch-up on reading so many of you writers that I respect and have fallen behind in your creative output, but I want this to be a lesson in the importance of advocating for yourself and your own writing. After all, the community is great, this community and other writing communities are great, but if you don't believe in your own writing and put yourself out there, it'll be harder to garner any interest.
This is something I've been thinking about a lot and has fueled a lot of my most recent poems and stories...sure there's satire in there...sure they are exaggerated pisstakes to a point...and that point when the lines between the truth and the fiction get a little fuzzy.
There seems to be a lot of stigma, from what I can see, from being proud of your own writing and thinking you're quite good. And really, it's not the case. To think you are better than everyone and deserve all the attention - that's different. But to think "Yep, I deserve to sit at the table" is what I'm getting at.
As it is not a proper challenge in the traditional sense and there are lots of unofficial challenges coming to a close soon, I will be giving this quite a long deadline - 30th June.
Oh, for the record, I am not worried about word count or story read time. If you share 3 long pieces, it may take me a little longer to get to them all, but I will read them.
Once the submission date passes and the challenge is over, I will do a recap/summary piece, showcasing all the entries or may just highlight favourites and include thoughts/feelings on them. It really depends on the response.
I look forward to see what you share with me.
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Thanks for reading
About the Creator
Paul Stewart
Scottish-Italian poet/writer from Glasgow.
Overflowing in English language torture and word abuse.
"Every man has a sane spot somewhere" R.L Stevenson
The Accidental Poet - Poetry Collection is now available!
https://paulspoeticprints.etsy.com
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By Ashpreet Bhasin3 days ago in Writers
Comments (51)
Great read Paul thanks for sharing
This is a really smart way to catch up on stories...I might have to join you in this venture! Always so fun to see the community get together. In the spirit of sharing, here is some low engagement pieces of mine that I personally love: https://vocal.media/fiction/descent-mo6p0uwh https://vocal.media/fiction/grief-ragn0i3s https://vocal.media/chapters/moth-and-the-wings-of-kalmera-part-i
Back to inflict some crazy writing onto you! What an hilarious statement this is: ‘I always feel I've been a let down in terms of reciprocating.’🤣 I know you’re especially busy, but one day if life slows down😳… Here’s my silly three: https://vocal.media/poets/sun-dance-oz4g0948 https://vocal.media/petlife/her-majesty-mia-and-her-minions https://vocal.media/poets/the-best-pet Thanks so much for being so open hearted and inspiring.✅
Congrats on your TS.
Paul, I swear I commented when you wrote this, but I must have bookmarked it! Very ambitious of you. Congrats on TS🎉🎉❣️. I am adding links to 3 of mine: A Living Barn - https://vocal.media/fiction/a-living-barn Flat Tire Amongst the Hyenas: https://vocal.media/wander/flat-tire-amongst-hyenas Micro - 0115-PNW https://vocal.media/fiction/0115-pnw Hope you like them, and I tried NOT to do all long ones. 🫶🏻
I have just gotten started on vocal but I have been writing blogs and even some articles on my own time already.I have a few stories out and published on vocal now and one of my best ones has to be this one https://vocal.media/potent/think-regional-not-local.
Lovely, generous and quite ambitious challenge!! Wonderful offer from you, Your Kingship. Looks like you have your dance card full for awhile, lol!! I have none to add, just appreciating the joy you're bringing to creator's lives :) findoubledamn
Congrats on your top story.
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As a new subscriber Paul, I am really glad you are doing this. As an occasional writer, I find it difficult to advocate my work, and I'm sure others feel the same, so it's a breath of fresh air to have someone say, "Here is a space where you can advocate, go for it!" As for myself, here are the following 3 works of mine I'm advocating. The Children of Sithis https://vocal.media/fiction/the-children-of-sithis This was a prologue I had written some time ago for a story I wanted to write in the Skyrim universe with some original characters, mainly expanding on the Night Mother and her children, specifically the resurrection/rebirth of her children. If a T-Rex Could Drive a Truck https://vocal.media/poets/if-a-t-rex-could-drive-a-truck Besides writing this initially for a Vocal challenge, I ended up with writing this in the hopes to learn how to do watercolor illustrations and publish this as a children's book. I shared this to my boyfriend as well, who loves dinosaurs, and he absolutely loved this! Trepidation's Stage https://vocal.media/poets/trepidation-s-stage This was, again, for a Vocal challenge, but this was also my first attempt at a new poetry style. I had never written a poem that could be read forward and backwards, while having different meanings, so this was also a lovely challenge for myself. A challenge I succeeded pretty well on, I'd say.
Congrats on Top Story, Paul. I'm guessing the tales of your generosity have spread far and wide across the Vocalscape by now. Soon everyone will crowd your doorstep with three tales in tow.
Woohoo congrats on your top story ! 🥳👍
Okay this is a long and depressing read but one of my pieces that I am most proud of: https://vocal.media/fiction/scarlett-bv5x0ii0 This is my next choice. I feel like I saw you say somewhere that you don't usually read Christmas stories, but the Christmassy part of this is very low key: https://vocal.media/fiction/aftermath-az36a0v2t And then there's this one: https://vocal.media/poets/napalm Thank you very much Paul! Also, can I request you share three of your pieces you'd like me to read? :))
Brilliant idea, as always. Time to go check which of my favourites you haven't already read😂
Back to say congratulations on your Top Story! 🎉💖🎊🎉💖🎊
Thanks so much for the opportunity Paul. I thought it easier to put my selection of three stories, with explanation, into a new story. Hope this is okay. Thanks again, Ray: https://vocal.media/writers/unloved-stories
Thank you so much for hosting this wonderful "challenge," Paul! As someone who struggles with advocating for herself, I definitely appreciate this amazing idea. Here are three of my stories! Thank you for reading! Dream Clouds https://vocal.media/fiction/dream-clouds Darkwood Manor https://vocal.media/horror/darkwood-manor Intoxicating Intentions https://vocal.media/fiction/intoxicating-intentions
Holy Guacamole! That's such a great idea! And a great top story to be featured!
You are a star Paul putting this up and committing to read everything. Thanks for the opportunity and congrats on the TS
Congrats on Top Story! :)
Starting a reading challenge is such a good idea Paul!! I’m sure so many creators really appreciate you, including myself. I hope you’re prepared for the onslaught 😂 I’d really appreciate it if you checked out my latest ongoing series Starlight Manor! I’m very proud of it and have had a ton of fun writing it! Part 1: https://vocal.media/fiction/starlight-manor Part 2: https://vocal.media/fiction/starlight-manor-vg1340sfu Part 3: https://vocal.media/fiction/starlight-manor-4b2o0y3v
Back to say congrats on Top Story and happy reading!!! You're about to buried in it!!! 😅
I have found one with zero reads for you - a virgin piece. Its a bit sad though, so I dont know if its for now. It was for that challenge where a box arrived on the doorstep or something. https://vocal.media/fiction/freezing-1i78d0gip
I will not add anything because you are already intending to support my book, and that is so very appreciated…. So I will decline this generous invitation because of that 🥹
Challenge accepted Paul!!! This lines up with some personal goals I have for myself so I will take you up on this offer and thank you for the opportunity to work on some self advocacy!!! #1 - The Legend of the Tree of Life (I): This is part one of my favourite "short" series I've done most recently. It's dark, twisted, skirts around some smut and has a little heartbreak too! (Don't feel like you need to read it all, I just wanted to entice you here!) https://vocal.media/fiction/the-legend-of-the-tree-of-life-i #2 - Rainy Day: A poem with some of my favourite things about rain. https://vocal.media/poets/rainy-day-6z6ya02sp #3 - Feeling Winded: an emotional acrostic with the word wind. https://vocal.media/poets/feeling-winded Enjoy, Paul!!! Thank you again for letting me link bomb you!!