Shoutout
My Top 10 Writers of All Time
Books have always been portals to other worlds, windows into the human soul, and mirrors reflecting the complexities of life. Behind every great book is a writer whose imagination, intellect, and skill breathe life into stories that endure beyond time. Over the years, countless authors have influenced me, but there are ten whose work has left an indelible mark on my mind and spirit. These writers are my top 10 of all time — not just for their literary genius but for how they challenged me to think differently, feel deeply, and dream wildly.
By Anwar Jamilabout a year ago in Writers
Fortnightly Reading Round-Up #1
With no disrespect to the curators behind Vocal’s top stories, I don’t always agree with their choices. While many of the picks are great reads, each week I come across stories that, in my opinion, deserve a place in the spotlight.
By R.S. Sillanpaaabout a year ago in Writers
Next Right (Video Proof Missing)
Peering into the rearview mirror, Ryan Kelly continued monitoring, an uncomfortable developing situation, taunting the travelling free bird, concerned with what was behind him, past events challenging his independent lifestyle.
By Marc OBrienabout a year ago in Writers
The power of an empty wallet
Ali had always lived by one principle: earn more, live more. His wallet was always full, his clothes always branded, and his phone always the latest model. From the outside, he looked successful. But the truth was—he lived paycheck to paycheck, with a credit card drowning in red. One rainy Friday, everything collapsed. His company announced massive layoffs, and Ali’s name was on the list. “You’ll get your final paycheck next week,” HR told him with a weak smile. Suddenly, his world turned gray. He had no savings. Rent was due. He had debts piling up and no one to lean on. For the first time, Ali’s wallet was empty. He avoided friends, too ashamed to admit he was broke. With no money, no job, and no motivation, he wandered the streets for hours each day, hoping something would change. On the third day, while sitting on a park bench, he noticed an old man handing out sandwiches to the homeless. Out of curiosity, Ali approached him. “You hungry?” the man asked kindly. Ali hesitated. “I’m not homeless,” he said quickly. The man smiled. “Neither was I. Until I lost everything in 2008.” Ali sat beside him. They spoke for hours. The man, once a CEO, had learned humility after the crash. “Losing money was painful. But losing pride was freeing,” he said. “That’s when I started living.” Inspired, Ali decided to change. He reached out to a charity and began volunteering. At first, just for food. But slowly, he found something else: purpose. He taught English to underprivileged children. Helped the elderly. And somewhere in the process, he discovered skills he never knew he had—teaching, organizing, public speaking. Three months later, a non-profit organization offered him a full-time job. He was still earning less than he did in the corporate world, but for the first time, he slept peacefully at night. Years later, Ali became the director of that same organization. His story inspired hundreds of others. Moral: True wealth is found in character, not coins.
By Shehzad khanabout a year ago in Writers
Why fire nozzle covers are important to use?
Imagine it’s raining hard and you’re a firefighter. You rush to your fire truck, grab the hose, and try to spray water on a burning building. But the nozzle is stuck. It’s covered in mud and rust. The handle won’t move. You waste precious seconds trying to fix it. Those seconds matter. That’s why fire nozzle covers are so important. They protect your equipment, save lives, and keep everyone safe.
By allweathernozzlecoverabout a year ago in Writers
Most Honorable
It has been an interesting week. With the most recent set of Challenges provided by Vocal, I have been very diligent in setting myself up with my thoughts as I tap away in front of this screen. I could write poetry and stories, discuss those figures and stories from history or my own life and get some interesting feedback on them. I have looked over the list of upcoming work I can do, and I am both excited and terrified by what I have planned.
By Kendall Defoe about a year ago in Writers
Polly is Coming to Broadway However I am not Writing the Musical
This could have been my dream; however, that dream was dissolved. Although I am sad, I am pretty excited about it. Polly is coming to Broadway; however, I will not be writing the book for the Polly musical. According to TheatreMaina, Producer Brian Anthony Moreland has announced the development of Polly: The Musical, a new Broadway-bound production based on the 1989 Disney television movie with teleplay by William Blinn and the novel by Eleanor H. Porter. Debbie Allen, who originally directed and choreographed the television film, will direct this musical with Emmy winner Lena Waithe and Michael Benjamin Washington writing the book and Grammy Award winner Siedah Garrett and Joriah Kwamé writing music and lyrics.
By Gladys W. Muturiabout a year ago in Writers
