Advice
Do What Makes You Happy
Since my dad retired from his job as a garbageman—shortly after my mom died—he has watched two shows consistently: Law and Order: Criminal Intent and The Joy of Painting with Bob Ross (there’s an entire channel committed to just this show on our TVs). Sometimes, I watch them with him. Law and Order has helped to inspire a couple of my more recent stories (“I Do…I Did…” and “Neverland Lost”). The Joy of Painting with Bob Ross , on the other hand, has given me a different sort of inspiration—more of an epiphany, really.
By Stephanie Hoogstad3 months ago in Writers
Though I crossed one hundred thousand miles
If you are wondering about the cryptic reference to Bowie, a Space Oddity, I have been on something of a space odyssey myself recently. I have been giving myself lots of space to contemplate the meaning of my written work. Sometimes I wonder why I bother. Some of my best writing has received few, some times no, readers. What's the point?
By Raymond G Taylor3 months ago in Writers
Writing Reflections: Security
Well, folks, another week has passed, which means that it is time for another Writing Reflection. This time, I want to focus on a piece that became a Top Story and dissect why it may have received that honor…and where it might have fallen short of expectations. For this purpose, I have chosen a story from two years ago from the Futurism Community titled “Security: A Tale from 2050”.
By Stephanie Hoogstad3 months ago in Writers
Yuck Fu AI Creators
Introduction I think the statement: "Why should I be bothered reading what YOU couldn't be bothered to write" and I know Vocal are having issues with DOS and trying to verify people but I saw something this morning that really got me down.
By Mike Singleton đź’ś Mikeydred 3 months ago in Writers
The Charm of a Troubled Protagonist
So, you're a writer. You sit down at the computer/typewriter/notebook/easel and prepare to spill your innards onto the page in all their visceral glory. You have a character in mind who you want to follow through the remnants of your gooey entrails. They're a strong, powerful, sure-handed character that will guide you and your readers through the blood, the puke, and the phlegm that is your story. They surmount every challenge, they defeat the enemy, they conquer the world. You finger paint 'the end' amongst your remains and the story is done. Complete. Ready to take on the world. But... is it? How easily did they overcome those odds, did the villain put up a good fight, were the readers ever in doubt of the final outcome of your character's ultimate victory? No? And so what, right? A story is a story. A character is a character. It's alright. Right?
By Jon Dobbin3 months ago in Writers
One Story Closer To My Final Vocal Story. Content Warning.
Introduction You may see that as clickbait but it is actually a true statement for all of us. I am starting this because it is close to midnight so I am going to stay up and do midnight things before I crawl into my bed.
By Mike Singleton đź’ś Mikeydred 3 months ago in Writers
