Achievements

An Immaculate Mess
The original piece, the very first writing I published to Vocal.Media allowed me to enter this particular fray of digital creativity. The piece called "Like Luthiers" ( https://vocal.media/futurism/like-luthiers-1 ) sparked this piece because now the metaphor becomes literal here. Enjoy!
By Sky Saundersabout a month ago in Writers
The Suffering Theory of Art Is a Lie Writers Need to Stop Telling
“Suffering is the fertile soil of literature.” The line sounds like law. It is not. Fertile soil does not grow crops by itself. It needs seed, rain, season, and hands. Suffering is the same. It can feed a writer. It can crush one.
By Jinabout a month ago in Writers
The Only 3 Writing Skills You Actually Need (And Why the Rest Is Noise)
What Are the Basic Skills You Actually Need to Write a Novel? People love making lists about writing. You need strong characterization.
By Jinabout a month ago in Writers
I’m Over 70 and I Started Posting Online. Here’s What Surprised Me Most.
After 70, You Can Still Create Content: A Guide for Older Adults Many people think content creation belongs to the young. Spend time in the comments on Toutiao, Douyin, or WeChat Channels, and you will see something else. A large group of creators over 70 publish steadily. They do it well. They do not chase trends. They do not rely on twists. They do not manufacture anxiety. They write about what they bought at the market. They photograph flowers in the park. They talk about bickering with a spouse and making up. Young people cannot produce this material in the same way. They have not lived it.
By Jinabout a month ago in Writers
The Worry.. Content Warning.
I didn’t mean to write thirty‑seven stories. It just… happened. One minute I was sitting there on September eighth thinking, “Hey, I’ll enter this challenge,” and the next thing I knew, I was knee‑deep in plot ideas, caffeine, and whatever leftover brain cells my kids hadn’t stolen from me. I blinked, and suddenly I had a whole damn library of stories published.
By Syl De'Vilabout a month ago in Writers
Why Your Paralysis Is Lying to You
Let me paint you a picture. You're standing at the edge of something - a new career, a difficult conversation, a gym membership you've had since January that's been collecting more dust than results. And instead of moving, you freeze. You overthink. You scroll. You convince yourself that the "right moment" is just around the corner.
By Narghiza Ergashovaabout a month ago in Writers
“I’m Looking for that Heat” in San Antonio Review
When it comes to publishing short stories, you go long, long periods of time without getting something published, and then… WHAM! You find out you’ll be getting a few things published. But it’s not only that, you find out THAT you will be getting stories published, but not always WHEN they’ll be getting published.
By Stephen Kramer Avitabileabout a month ago in Writers
Why I Write
Introduction This is a follow up from a line in a recent post, and a personlisations of many other pieces that I have written.
By Mike Singleton 💜 Mikeydred about a month ago in Writers
My 'Lil' Publishing Journey
A few nights ago, I received an official publishing offer from Waxen Magazine. I was so elated that I shook my partner awake to show him the acceptance email.
By Kera Hollowabout a month ago in Writers
The Reality of The Writing Chose Me
When you say your writing chose you, it doesn't have to mean some mystical, magical calling. What it usually means in plain terms is that your brain is wired a certain way, and you can't just turn it off.
By Annam M Gordonabout a month ago in Writers
The Great Philosophers
Just a note. In college one of the course requirements was a series of Humanities courses where we studied art, music, literature, politics/philosophy all lumped together. One of the philosophers we had to read was St. Augustine and his Confessions. We only read excerpts of his work in class. I have decided to give his writing a full read, and I have reached the middle of the book. This is definitely a read that has to be read in small chunks while St. Augustine describes his search for Jesus and who he is in life. It is an interesting read.
By Mark Grahamabout a month ago in Writers
"A New Adult" in Slash Magazine's Latest Issue
I don't want to bury the lead, so let me start off with the news right away. My short story "A New Adult" is in Slash Magazine's latest issue. You can read it right now... for free! And of course, you can read all the other pieces in this issue... after mine. But if you want to read a thriller/horror story that's less than a 10-minute read... here you go!
By Stephen Kramer Avitabileabout a month ago in Writers