Advice

Is It Still Art If You Don't Suffer For It?
The tortured artist is a beautiful lie we tell ourselves about creativity. You know the story: genius emerges from pain, masterpieces come from madness, and authentic art requires authentic suffering.
By Jack McNamaraabout a year ago in Writers
5 Magazines That Will Pay For Your Writing
I was once sat in a university lecture when my lecturer announced, “How many of you have submitted any writing for publication?”
By Adz Robinson about a year ago in Writers
Hooked: How My Phone Became My Drug
I never thought I’d be the kind of person who couldn’t put down a phone. Growing up, I watched adults at dinner tables, their faces lit blue from tiny screens, and silently promised myself I’d be different. I would read more books. I’d be present in every moment. I’d never let a machine control my mind. But somewhere along the way, the glowing rectangle in my pocket turned into something I couldn’t live without. At first, it was innocent. I downloaded a few social apps to stay in touch with friends. I told myself it was just for convenience—to answer messages, share photos, keep up with the news. I had no idea how easily it would all spiral out of control. In college, my phone became an extension of my hand. I’d wake up in the middle of the night and instinctively reach for it, scrolling through notifications I’d already seen hours before. My mornings started with feeds full of other people’s highlights: selfies on beaches, engagement announcements, luxury vacations. I couldn’t look away. Each perfectly curated post seemed to whisper that everyone else was living a more exciting life, and I was falling behind. The worst part was, I knew it was happening. I could feel my attention span fraying like a cheap sweater. I struggled to read even a single page of a novel without checking my phone three times. I started to notice phantom vibrations in my pocket, my brain conjuring notifications that weren’t even real. I wasn’t alone. Every time I looked around—a waiting room, a bus stop, a classroom—everyone else was staring at their screens too. It was as if we’d all silently agreed this was normal. But deep down, I felt sick. I knew my phone was stealing my time. I knew it was rewiring my brain. But I didn’t know how to stop. One afternoon, I decided to check my screen time stats. I was curious, maybe even a little smug—I imagined I’d be under the average. But when the number appeared, my stomach flipped: 8 hours and 37 minutes. Almost an entire workday, wasted on mindless scrolling. It was a slap in the face. I started to think about what I could have done with those hours. Learned a language. Exercised. Written a book. Called my grandmother. Instead, I’d watched strangers argue about politics, liked hundreds of photos I didn’t care about, and read the same headlines over and over. That night, I lay awake wondering what my life would look like if I didn’t feel tethered to a screen. I realized I hadn’t been fully present in years. Every conversation was punctuated by glances at my phone. Every moment of silence felt uncomfortable without a distraction. I wish I could say I woke up the next morning and simply quit. But addiction doesn’t work that way. It took months of trial and error. I deleted apps and reinstalled them when loneliness crept in. I tried turning my phone off for a day, only to find myself restless and irritable, like I was missing some vital part of myself. I’d go hours without checking, then binge-scroll for an entire evening to catch up. Slowly, though, I started to claw back control. I began by charging my phone outside my bedroom. The first night felt unbearable. I lay in the dark, my mind craving the glow, the constant updates. But as the minutes passed, something surprising happened. I started to breathe more deeply. My thoughts slowed. When I woke up the next morning, I felt rested in a way I hadn’t in years. Next, I set time limits for social apps—30 minutes per day. I turned off all notifications. I stopped bringing my phone to the dinner table. The world didn’t end. In fact, it started to feel bigger again. Without the constant drip of dopamine from my screen, I began noticing things I’d ignored: the warmth of sunlight on my face, the way my coffee smelled, the quiet joy of simply existing without an audience. I read books. I journaled. I sat in silence without reaching for distraction. It wasn’t easy. Some days, I still slipped. But over time, the grip loosened. Now, I think of my phone the way I think of junk food. A little won’t kill you, but too much leaves you bloated and hollow. It’s designed to be addictive, to keep you craving more. You can’t rely on willpower alone—you have to set boundaries. If you’re reading this and feel like your phone has become your drug, you’re not alone. It’s not your fault. These devices are engineered to hijack your brain. But you’re not powerless, either. You deserve a life that feels real—not just another highlight reel on a screen. Put the phone down. Look around. You’re still here. And there is so much more to life than likes, followers, and endless scrolling.
By Kim Jonabout a year ago in Writers
Ed Strachar and Healing Genius®: Awakening the Body’s Natural Healing Power
In today’s fast-paced world, many people are searching for effective, natural methods to enhance their health and well-being beyond traditional medicine. Ed Strachar’s Healing Genius® offers an innovative approach to self-healing by combining scientific principles with spiritual wisdom. His work empowers individuals worldwide to tap into their inner healing genius and live healthier, more vibrant lives.
By Ed Stracharabout a year ago in Writers
SolanaPortal.io – The Smartest Way to Explore the Solana Blockchain. AI-Generated.
There are hundreds of dApps, NFT platforms, DeFi protocols, tools, and new projects launching regularly. How do you find what’s legit? What’s trending? What’s worth your time?
By Solana Portalabout a year ago in Writers
SolanaPortal.io – Your Shortcut to the Solana Ecosystem. AI-Generated.
That’s why SolanaPortal.io is a game-changer. This platform brings everything Solana-related into one place. No more bouncing between Twitter threads, Telegram groups, or outdated lists. Whether you’re a developer, investor, creator, or just exploring — SolanaPortal.io makes it easy to discover what matters.
By Solana Portalabout a year ago in Writers
How to Use Worldbuilding to Deepen Enemies to Lovers Tension
Enemies to lovers doesn’t just live in the character arc, it lives in the world around them. When creating a believable enemies-to-lovers trope, we always take into consideration the character’s arc that leads them to the pivotal part of turning from enemies into something else… something more. So, how does our worldbuilding factor into this trope? The answer is a simple one, in theory.
By Georgiaabout a year ago in Writers
Plotting an Enemies to Lovers Arc Without Rushing It
When writing an enemies to lovers story, plotting is key. There are so many factors that we have to take into account, but one rule always stands: Don’t rush it. Getting the right pace for your story and characters is key to a believable romance. If the pace is too slow, your readers might get bored (slow-burn is fine, but do I really have to wait for book five before they finally kiss?!) However, if it’s too fast, it can come across as shallow, rushed and just overall unbelievable.
By Georgiaabout a year ago in Writers
Why Local SEO Is a Critical Marketing Investment for 2025
In today's fast-paced digital world, businesses must do more than just have a website—they need to be found by the right audience. That’s where Local SEO comes in. Local SEO (Search Engine Optimization) focuses on improving a business’s visibility in local search results, making it easier for nearby customers to discover their services.
By Warne Bironnabout a year ago in Writers
Our Mayfly Vocal Stories
Introduction I was spurred to write this because of what has happened to a couple of my stories, and I am not sure what the answer is to solve this. I have written in the past about getting what I call "The Creep", which is achieved by sharing with groups outside of Vocal and the Vocal Facebook Groups, and here are a couple of articles on the subject:
By Mike Singleton 💜 Mikeydred about a year ago in Writers
But Ralf I need more on Character Creation, well then let’s get our role on! Part 1 . Top Story - July 2025.
Your probably all like … Get our role on!?!? Yes get our role on. For you see adventurers in my journey to be a better writer I happened upon … dun dun dun … D&D and Vampire The Masquerade
By WrittenWritRalfabout a year ago in Writers
How to Develop a Candy AI Clone: Features, Trends & Cost Breakdown
Candy AI has left many developers and entrepreneurs, including myself, pondering the possibilities of creating a candy AI clone. The growing appetite for virtual companions with sophisticated features, especially in the NSFW space, has driven a surge of interest in replicating platforms like Candy AI.
By John Millerabout a year ago in Writers