Belle on Vocal: A Review (May 2024)

My last two months on Vocal have been amazing, and rewarding. Thank you all for your support – for every like, comment, and read! I truly appreciate it!

I wanted to document my achievements on Vocal and comment on the road so far, as a sort of love letter to all of my supporters! I have been a Vocal member since October 2019, but the majority of the work on my page has been from just the past two months. I'd like to speak more on that specifically, but first, let's go back to the beginning.

My Vocal Beginnings

I joined Vocal in October 2019. At that time, I posted maybe once or twice a month, I'd say semi-regularly. However, I deleted or removed much of that work (regrettably, to an extent), and the first post on my page now dates back about two years ago.

It's funny, because the post in my Stats with the most reads is actually one of the deleted posts. It was something I would have written in 2019, and it seems crazy that it had gotten so much attention. I'm still competing with a deleted work (aha).

Why did I delete things? I had a tendency to delete and remake things, or was navigating finding an "aesthetic" I wanted. It was 4-5 years ago, who's to say, but likely it would have been because I didn't feel happy with something, or wanted to remake/redefine my page, and the work just didn't fit in with that image.

Now – I don't care about a prescribed niche or aesthetic. It's fun to write, and I like writing in a lot of categories!

My First Top Story

So, again, I was posting fairly irregularly, and then I felt a sudden inspiration, and wrote a short story (/prose poetry?) last September about disordered eating called "102." I decided to post it to Vocal, and didn't think much of it, but it quickly gained attention, and it became my first top story!

I was so happy seeing a lot of the comments. People were telling me they felt they could relate, and even though it wasn't an overwhelming amount of attention, I was really happy knowing that I was touching people, or that my work was relatable. To everyone who commented and read that work, thank you so much and I hope you're doing well.

I went back to posting irregularly. October 2023 happened, and I felt more inspired to post content on Islam/Palestine. I wasn't using Vocal to get reads; it was more for just fun, in the case I felt inspired to share something.

Fast forward to April 2024.

The Last Two Months

April and May 2024 have been my best months on Vocal, now posting regularly.

It started with the In Eclipse Vocal Challenge. I had just taken a course on WWII and felt inspired to write on it, with my entry "The Inconceived Power of Man." I made some other entries as well, and started writing more poetry and the occasional microfiction.

Then, in May, I had the brilliant idea to start unofficial challenges!

I gained more of an audience, and appeared on the leaderboard (my first leaderboard appearance!) in Most Subscribed Creators after I made another Top Story!

I posted a total of 36 works since April 2024 (as of May 29th, not including this one!), and in May alone, I made four top stories, got my first tip, and appeared on the leaderboard three times!

May 2024 Top Stories

I was so surprised with the amount of attention I got in May, and was so happy to see four top stories. Thank you so much for all of your support this past month. I couldn't have done it without you!

I actually made over a 1000% increase in reads in May compared to April! I couldn't believe it. You guys rock!!!

My May Top Stories include:

My First Tip

Receiving my first tip was a really amazing accomplishment. Comments and subscriptions are one thing, but the idea that someone voluntarily gave me money straight from their pocket... I couldn't be more grateful! (You know who you are! Thank you, so much.)

May 2024 Leaderboards

I made three appearances in Vocal leaderboards in May 2024, and I couldn't be more appreciative.

My appearances included:

• 05/08/2024 Leaderboard - Most Subscribed to Creators - 3rd Place
• 05/15/2024 Leaderboard - Popular Stories with the Most Likes - 1st Place
• 05/22/2024 Leaderboard - Most Subscribed to Creators this Week - 3rd Place

I can't tell you how appreciative I am of all of you, and how amazing this experience has been. I can't wait to dive into the next month!

My Plans for June!

My first challenge, "In the Animal's Mind [an unofficial challenge]" ends on May 31st, and I will be posting those results on June 6th! Then, my second challenge (because I was so excited I had to post two), "Text Thoughts [an unofficial challenge]" ends on June 15th and I will be posting those results on the 22nd!

I will be posting one (or two) challenges in June, so make sure to look back at my pillar post to see what challenges are open!

As for my other posts, I'm hoping to create more fiction. Poetry is amazing, but I think I've become too comfortable with free verse. I'm looking to be more innovative, and will probably spend more time reading and searching for inspiration, but I do hope to post every couple of days!

I'm very excited about Vocal and what my plans for the next month!

Special Thanks

I would like to thank everyone who entered my first challenge (there were a lot of you), as well as my tipper (you know who you are), and also the frequent commenters on my page!

I'd like to give special thanks to the following creators, just for your support, and for allowing this month to be so great!

Dharrsheena Raja Segarran

Shirley Belk

Paul Stewart

Mark Gagno

Rachel Deeming

Dr. Jason Benskin

Christy Munson

angela hepworth

Anna

Kodah

Mike Singleton - Mikeydred

Just to name a few! There are so many of you, and I thank all of you for your support in making this Vocal community so amazing and welcoming!

I'm still figuring myself out on here, but I've really loved all of the interactions I've had on here. I'm hoping that this didn't come off like a bragging post (most of the work I made that was well received was not fiction or poetry), but as a thank you note to everyone who has interacted with me this past month!

Until next time!

♡♡♡ Belle ♡♡♡