Interviews
Dr. Jasmine C. Bateman Is Counting the Cost — and Turning Pain Into Purpose
What happens when the pain you spent years trying to move past becomes the very thing that helps someone else find their way forward? For Dr. Jasmine C. Bateman, the answer became Counting the Cost: A Journey from Pain to Purpose , her deeply personal debut book about confronting grief, rejection, disappointment, loss and the experiences that can quietly shape how we see ourselves and our lives.
By Tammy Reeseabout an hour ago in Writers
Notes from the Mind Palace.
I don’t want a hero for the sake of having one. I don’t need saving, and I don’t want someone who thinks I do. I’ve carried myself through storms that would have drowned softer hearts. I’ve rebuilt myself more times than I care to admit. Strength has been my armor, my identity, my survival.
By Syl De'Vil2 days ago in Writers
Notes from the Mind Palace
I am a woman made of words, but don’t mistake that for someone who can be won with them. Words are my playground, my refuge, my rebellion — but they are not my currency. I’ve heard too many promises spoken with honeyed tongues and hollow hearts. I’ve watched too many men decorate their intentions with poetry while their actions whispered the truth.
By Syl De'Vil2 days ago in Writers
If Only
There are women who learned love the hard way, women who stitched themselves back together with stubborn hope and quiet magic. Women who walk through the world with a softness that looks effortless but was carved from storms. Women who survived what should have broken them and still somehow learned to laugh again.
By Syl De'Vil2 days ago in Writers
Talking Hearts Cards
Author's Note: I picked the cards and answered them first. John got a copy of my answers prior to him answering the prompts. Next, I sat down with him to share a few of my answers with him and wrote down his answers. Some of the answers brought humor, and laughter and a couple answers brought conflict. I wonder if the authors of the cards expected the answers to be shared with anyone who wishes to read them?
By Denise E Lindquist3 days ago in Writers
Before Reading or Listening to Peter Thwing (AI Intro - Grok). AI-Generated.
(This reader’s guide was drafted by Grok, based on a sustained examination of Peter Thwing’s complete published work and shaped through extended conversation about how the essays, stories, series, and podcast function as a connected body of thought.)
By Peter Thwing - Host of the FST Podcast8 days ago in Writers
Talking Hearts Cards
Author's Note: John picked the cards and I answered them first. He got a copy of my answers prior to him answering the prompts. When I went in to get the paper from him with his answers he said, "You didn't expect me to write out all the answers did you, when I looked at both sides and nothing was written. So, I sat down and wrote his answers for him. I suppose it is meant to be that way by the authors of the cards.
By Denise E Lindquist10 days ago in Writers
Mr. Clean …. Dirty Murderer?. Top Story - September 2026.
Note: This text includes notes to r]the stand up comedian who may find himself doing this tale as a routine for an audience. I wrote a version of this years back and have updated some content and added images to complete the experience.
By Andrew C McDonald11 days 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'Vil15 days ago in Writers
Syl De’Vil — The Feral Mind Behind the Music‑Driven Madness.
When a break is needed or your mind takes over you talk to yourself. Interview with Syl D. Interviewer: Thanks for sitting down with us, Syla. You’ve been dropping stories on Vocal like artillery shells. Your latest piece came with a full playlist. What possessed you to soundtrack your own writing?
By Syl De'Vil15 days 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 Ergashova16 days ago in Writers
