Achievements
The Poem That Made Me a Poet
It started as an assignment. I was in my second year at Western Washington University, and was lucky enough to snag the last seat in Jane Wong’s class on food writing. The course focused on our connection to food. How it inspires us, challenges us, fills us with nutrients and love.
By katherine j zumpano3 years ago in Writers
Casino Addictions, Memories
In the dimly lit corners of memory's labyrinth, there exists a relic of my literary infancy. A story, earnestly penned during my youth, beckons like a whisper from the past. It tells of a rainy day in a nameless town, of souls ensnared in the allure of a casino's neon-lit illusions, and of lives entangled in the threads of fate, or perhaps misfortune. As I revisit this embryonic creation, it awakens emotions I had long buried beneath the layers of time.
By ANTICHRIST SUPERSTAR3 years ago in Writers
Examining My First Story
The recent fairytale challenge on Vocal had me digging deep into my computer’s memory to find a story that I wrote almost twenty years ago. It was a short story about a young girl who finds a coin in her washing machine on a very hot summer day. She makes a wish on it and it comes true; the temperature drops by twenty degrees! With a second load of laundry, she finds another coin in the machine and makes a wish on that one as well. That second wish is for an awesome thirteenth birthday.
By Rae Fairchild (MRB)3 years ago in Writers
The Journey Of A Lifetime
Around 3 years ago, I was 19/20 and not sure what I wanted to do with my life. There was quite a lot of uncertainty that would circle around in my head a lot of the time. One day, my boyfriend gave me the suggestion of writing down the thoughts that were making me feel stuck. So, I opened a notebook and started to write. It gave me a sense of relief that I hadn’t felt before. It made me feel like I could finally communicate what I was thinking, something I have struggled with for a while, something I have been doing my best to work on. This experience is what made me decide to post my very first vocal piece called “Family Isn’t Always Forever.”
By YesItsMocha3 years ago in Writers
An Unforgettable Interview With An American Icon. Top Story - September 2023.
In 1984 I was an education manager, and English teacher, in a secondary school. Though I loved my work I yearned to write, too. I had scribbled down all kinds of ideas that I felt would give voice to my creativity, talent and aspirations, but they had all ended up in the bin, being roundly beaten by low confidence, a lack of self-belief and simple fear about how my efforts might be received. But the yearning to have my writing seen by others only intensified as time went by.
By Elaine Sihera 3 years ago in Writers
How did I Start Writing?
A few months ago, I flew back to my hometown and shared a 2.5-month time with my parents. Nearly every morning, I woke up early and wrote something on my MacBook. This daily routine of mine surprised my parents greatly, despite their awareness of my previous book publications. From their memory, Zhimin was a boy deeply afraid of writing.
By Zhimin Zhan3 years ago in Writers
A Software Craftsman's Journey to Becoming a Storyteller
When we speak of firsts, a sense of nostalgia brushes against our hearts. It's the delicate and fragile memory of an original creation, the kernel from which the tree of experience grows. For me, that nascent memory takes me back to a Medium article. This treatise tackled the rather cerebral topic of "Understanding Inheritance with C#." If this sounds like a no-nonsense technical document aimed squarely at programmers, you're not wrong. It was precise, unembellished, and intensely pragmatic—much like a well-written code.
By Abnoan Muniz3 years ago in Writers
The G.O.A.T. of Football
In the quiet village of Soccerdale, nestled between rolling hills and lush meadows, lived a most unusual hero – Leo, the Goat of Football. While the world celebrated human football players as the "Greatest of All Time," in Soccerdale, the term took on a whole new meaning. Leo was no ordinary goat. Born with an uncanny ability to control a football with his hooves, he captured the hearts of the village at a young age. Children and adults alike would gather on the village green to watch Leo weave his magic. His dribbling skills were mesmerizing, his passes pinpoint accurate, and his shots on goal were simply awe-inspiring. Word of Leo's extraordinary talents spread beyond Soccerdale, eventually reaching the ears of the famous football coach, Coach Rodriguez. Intrigued by the stories, Coach Rodriguez decided to pay a visit to the village. Upon witnessing Leo's incredible skills, the coach saw potential that extended far beyond mere amusement. He proposed an audacious idea to the villagers – to have Leo play alongside human players in the upcoming regional football championship. The villagers were skeptical at first, but Coach Rodriguez's determination and conviction won them over. Leo, equipped with a specially designed jersey and hoof-friendly football, embarked on a journey that would forever change his life and the village of Soccerdale. As the championship approached, Leo trained tirelessly alongside his human teammates. They learned to communicate through a series of whistles and gestures, and Leo's unique perspective on the game added a new dimension to their strategy. The sight of Leo weaving through cones during practice sessions, the football dancing at his hooves, was a sight to behold. The day of the championship arrived, and the Soccerdale team took the field. Spectators from across the region were curious to witness the village with the "football-playing goat." The opposing teams were amused, believing that Leo's inclusion was a mere gimmick. However, as the game began, Leo proved that he was no gimmick. His agility, control, and innate understanding of the game left the opposition befuddled. He passed, he dribbled, and he even scored a goal, sending the crowd into a frenzy. The once-skeptical villagers cheered louder than ever before, their belief in Leo's abilities solidified. Match after match, Leo's prowess continued to shine. The Soccerdale team, led by their goat captain, advanced to the finals. Yet, they faced their most challenging opponent yet – the seasoned professionals of the neighboring town, Riverside. The finals were a rollercoaster of emotions. Riverside skilled players put up a fierce fight, testing Leo and his teammates to their limits. The game was tied as the clock ticked down to its final minutes. Then, in a moment of pure brilliance, Leo executed an audacious move – a bicycle kick from the edge of the penalty area. The ball sailed through the air, defying all odds, and nestled into the top corner of the net. The stadium erupted in a symphony of cheers as Soccerdale emerged victorious. The village that had once been known for its picturesque landscape was now synonymous with Leo, the G.O.A.T. of Football. Leo's incredible journey had not only redefined what it meant to be a football player but also demonstrated the power of determination, teamwork, and the unexpected. Leo's legacy lived on, inspiring generations to come. Soccerdale became a haven for aspiring football players, and the story of the goat who defied conventions became a tale shared across the world. And as for Leo, he continued to play the sport he loved, not as a mere curiosity, but as a symbol of the limitless possibilities that lie within every individual, regardless of their shape or species.
By Samuel Zigwai Timothy 3 years ago in Writers
