Why We Feel Undervalued On Vocal

Introduction

This happens to me a lot and while we value feedback from our peers (and every read and comment they make on our stories rewards us with half a cent, we still appreciate a Top Story or even a Challenge win, placement or mention. I have written about this many times before:

Making Yourself Feel Valued When You Feel Ignored By Vocal

Maybe I am saying this from a privileged position because I get a good number of reads and comments every day, although that could be because I publish two or more pieces most days (this is my second so far today).

Because we are on Vocal we see Top Stories and Challenge placements as endorsements of the value of our work, but the real endorsement is the positive and supportive comments we get from our peers, the other Vocal Creators.

Very often once we have entered a challenge we look for other ones and Vocal's Resources and the unofficial challenges can provide us with the spur to create. I know that some Creators will not countenance unofficial challenges but some actually pay significant prize money. I just pay five one-dollar tips distributed to five random creators who join my challenges.

Winning one of these can make you feel as appreciated as if you have got a top Story or a challenge placement.

Here are the unofficial challenges for March 2025:

And here are the Vocal Resources to help give you ideas

Keep reading and commenting on others' stories and they will reciprocate by reading yours, so even if you are feeling ignored by Vocal you will know that your readers like your work.

Conclusion

Every story and poem you write is special, and know that you are special because you have put words together and shared them with others.

I hope this has made your feel a little special and you have my thanks for your time and for reading my work.