Advice
Writing Reflections: Lips as Red as Blood
Well, it’s Saturday once again, folks. I cannot tell you how relieved I am by that, but I’m not here to talk about work, though I could probably spend an entire story ranting at this point. Anyway, I’m here to get my mind off of that and discuss another one of my old works with you. Since I’ve focused on poetry for the past three entries, I figured that I would switch gears and take a look at one of my fiction pieces. With readers wanting me to focus (in development) short story collection on retold fairy tales, I’ve decided that I will analyze my microfiction story “Lips as Red as Blood”, a retelling of “Snow White” told from the Evil Queen’s perspective.
By Stephanie Hoogstad3 months ago in Writers
A Thank You To Justin, Chris, And Vocal
Introduction I am probably Vocal's fiercest critic and biggest promoter. It is without doubt my favourite publishing platform, but the upgrade has caused a lot of issues, and this is because of the complexities of the upgrade.
By Mike Singleton đź’ś Mikeydred 3 months ago in Writers
In a Pickle?. Top Story - July 2026.
The post below has, of this writing, 23.9 thousand views. Amazingly; no one dinged me for typing 'Nit' instead of 'Not'. That is a small thing to be thankful for, but I'll take it, especially as most of the comments questioned my sanity, my cooking, and my birthplace.
By Judey Kalchik 3 months ago in Writers
Please read!
Vocal writers are often amazing. What an opportunity to learn how to refine our craft! We can learn what works - and sometimes what doesn’t. We have an opportunity to read enlightening, educational, funny, titillating, shocking, horrifying poems, stories, and articles for free. Unlimited reading. Where else can you get that, other than libraries? Vocal pieces are lower time commitments than reading books.
By Julie Lacksonen3 months ago in Writers
Can Any Vocal Creator Who Cannot Get Verified Leave A Comment On This Piece?
Introduction Every link on my Vocal profile fails. It has been like this for three weeks. I have been a verified Vocal and Stripe member for five years, but Vocal have now stopped my connection to Stripe, so I cannot request a withdrawal or get tips that other creators send me. When you think about it, this is theft.
By Mike Singleton đź’ś Mikeydred 3 months ago in Writers
Soft Is Not the Opposite of Strong
We got the metaphor backwards somewhere. Somewhere along the way, we decided that pain was supposed to make us hard. That the goal, after everything, was to become someone who couldn't be touched the same way twice. Armor as achievement. Numbness mistaken for mastery. We started treating the callus as the whole point of the wound.
By Aarsh Malik3 months ago in Writers
Writing Reflections: The Hunt of Grief
Happy Saturday, Vocalites! I’m back with another Writing Reflections. Last week, I focused on a piece that did not win a challenge, so I thought that this week I would focus on a piece that actually did place in a challenge. Yes, my darlings, I have actually placed in challenges before—fives times, in fact. Not many times, but they are still achievements that I am proud of, and I would like to take the time to see why one of those pieces might have been deemed worthy of praise by the Vocal gods.
By Stephanie Hoogstad3 months ago in Writers
From First Meeting to Long-Term Partnership
Every long-term partnership begins somewhere. Often it begins with a first meeting, a short introduction or a conversation that appears ordinary at the time. What happens next determines whether that introduction becomes a meaningful relationship or disappears completely.
By Shane Murphy3 months ago in Writers
The Woman of 1000 Journals. Top Story - July 2026.
Soon into tracking her journals, Ariana was known to make people guess what number journal she was working on. Five years from when she first started, she was on number 67 (so close…). When she first told me, my only response was “prolific.”
By Ariana GonBon3 months ago in Writers
