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Lately, I'm empty
Lately, I feel an emptiness inside of me that doesn’t make any sense. I was fine a week ago and now I’m numb to the pain that I’ve been carrying around. Numb to the idea of me existing. I wish I could go to a place where I can hear happy positive thoughts and surround myself with joy. The medication I’m on doesn’t seem to work anymore. I still feel pain from existing, why am I here anyways? Merely to exist. I don’t feel like I’m making any differences being here.
By Cerina Galvan2 days ago in Confessions
Choose Your Own Adventure: St Helena Station
*****Preface***** I have been obsessed with Choose Your Own Adventure stories since I was a kid. I credit them with my love of reading and writing. I've been struggling to get my own kids to embrace words the same way I have but they love video games and our occasional Dungeon's and Dragon's game... which gave me an idea. I'll write an interactive story. So far its working; my middle son loves it and can't wait for the next section to come out.
By Sandor Szaboabout 16 hours ago in Fiction
Should We Not Try to Get Too Political?
Here's something you often hear people say, "I try not to get too political." I understand the sentiment and I sympathize with it... while at the same exact time, I completely disagree with the notion. Whether it's referring to social media or wherever, it's kind of unavoidable. You can attempt to sidestep it, not engage, leave the less important things for actual politicians to discuss... you can want it to not take over your life, your conversations, your relationships, and that makes perfect sense.
By Stephen Kramer Avitabileabout 9 hours ago in Writers
Challenges
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Craft Over Catharsis
Write a story that prioritizes structure, technique, or form over emotional release.
$200 Grand Prize36 hours leftInstructions for a Feeling
Write a poem that gives instructions for how to experience, create, or avoid a feeling.
$200 Grand Prize6 days leftRituals of Affection
Write a story about a recurring ritual tied to love, romance, or connection. Something about it is unusual, unsettling, or unexplained.
$200 Grand Prize8 days left
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Resources
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Instructions Included Challenge Winners
For the Instructions Included challenge, we asked writers to tell a story through instructions and to trust the form to carry what could not be said outright. Across the top entries, that trust paid off in many different ways.
By Vocal Curation Team8 days ago in Resources
📢 Raise Your Voice Thread: 01/22/2026
Our “Raise Your Voice Threads” are hosted most alternating Thursdays at 12PM ET to offer creators more avenues to uncover exceptional stories on Vocal. As we are continuously searching for fresh creators and inspiring stories, this thread provides an opportunity to exchange and discuss the stories that have moved and motivated us on Vocal.
By Raise Your Voice by Vocal14 days ago in Resources
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