Inspiration

Anthropomorphism anyone?
Just how do you create memorable animal characters that readers can relate to, can root for, are believable, and which will take the reader with them through all the highs and lows?
By Raymond G. Taylor2 years ago in Writers
Healing Hearts Through Words
The act of writing that first piece, a tender story of a broken-winged robin called Rusty, was a discovery that permanently changed the course of my life. In the innocence of my youth, I found a profound fact: that through the magic of words, I might bridge the gap between the restrictions of my reality and the limitless horizons of my creativity.
By Success2 years ago in Writers
No One Told Me Adulthood Would Be This Lonely
Adulthood is frequently romanticised as a period of discovery of oneself, thrills, and deep connections. For other people, the reality may be very different.
By Sumaya2 years ago in Writers
Clone Agent: The Story that convinced me to write.
The first story I remember writing was from back when I was 9 or 10. It was a very well thought out and invested piece, with carefully crafted characters and settings... that I'd "borrowed" from other pieces of ficiton.
By Malcolm Roach2 years ago in Writers
The Importance of Using Writing Prompts
What is a Writing Prompt? A writing prompt is a short statement or question that gives a writer a starting point for their work. It can be used to spark creativity, generate ideas, or help writers overcome writer's block.
By Timothy A Rowland2 years ago in Writers
Writing Is a Gift-Part 2
I’m convinced. Writing is actually, truly, really a gift. This article is more of an expression of gratitude, and there will be lots of cheese, so if you haven’t read part 1, please do that because leaning into the cheese and sappy is so good for our souls.
By eawilcox2 years ago in Writers
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I'm sure that in my childhood years I wrote many stories, crafted many tales. But the first one that really meant something to me was the Luke Hemmings short story fanfiction. If you're unfamiliar, Luke Hemmings is the lead singer of the pop-rock band 5 Seconds of Summer. And if you're unfamiliar with the term or the inner-workings of fanfiction, well, then, maybe this article isn't for you. Fanfiction has always been (and will likely always be) a staple in fandom culture, but I feel like it had a true resurgence in the early 2010s, specifically 2013-2016, years that some affectionately don The Tumblr Era. One Direction were at the peak of their fame, YouTube was forming into an entirely new beast, and K-pop was on the rise. The opportunity for fandom and fanfiction was greater than ever. So, as a young teen obsessed with both One Direction and 5 Seconds of Summer, I thought I would try my hand as a writer on the infamous app/website Wattpad.
By Raine Neal2 years ago in Writers
Threads of Destiny: When Everyday Objects Weave Extraordinary Stories.
In a world bustling with constant motion and endless consumption, it's easy to overlook the extraordinary stories hidden within the seemingly mundane objects that fill our lives. As I gazed at the worn-out typewriter resting on my grandmother's desk, little did I know that unraveling its history would lead me to a journey of unexpected revelations and profound connections.
By David Kolawole2 years ago in Writers
What Stories Should We Tell?
Reposted for Vocal's new Writers community. What stories are we allowed to tell? I would argue this question is as old as what constitutes literature and is especially provocative in our current socio-political climate. Everyone has a story inside them, but what stories are you allowed to tell? How far are you allowed to share them? With fiction, this is a complicated question. It can lead to angry fans who claim you did not portray a culture or gender correctly. It can lead to backlash from individuals who find an experience too narrow, even if it relates to your own experiences. However, creative nonfiction comes with its own problems as well. In some ways, the questions are more intense because nonfiction writers are bearers of truth. They discuss real people and real stories, which creates ramifications about everything they write. So, the ramifications don’t just land on them, but on other people as well. The truth is enough, but when is the truth too much? When do we hold back? When do we plow forward? What are willing to give up to have our stories told? The truth is not simple. It is complicated. But, sometimes a story just needs to be told. We decide what stories we are allowed to tell by deciding what is most important to us in our pursuits of the truth.
By C.M. Vazquez2 years ago in Writers
"Kindness is a language that everyone understands."
In a bustling city named Harmonyville, nestled between the towering skyscrapers and busy streets, lived a diverse community of people. Each day, they navigated through their routines, rushing from one task to another, lost in the whirlwind of their lives. Amidst this fast-paced world, there was a small park known as Serenity Park. It was a haven of tranquility and a testament to the idea that kindness was a language that everyone understands.
By Aimin Share2 years ago in Writers
The Unlikely Duo
In the heart of the bustling city of Harmonyville, where humans and animals coexisted in harmony, lived an unlikely duo: Max, a street-smart alley cat with fur as dark as midnight, and Buddy, a golden Labrador with a heart as big as the city itself. Their story was a testament to the unbreakable bond between different species and the power of friendship in the face of adversity.
By slimizzy2 years ago in Writers
Brush Strokes of Love
In a quaint village nestled between towering mountains and a shimmering river, there lived a young girl named Maya. Maya was a dreamer, her heart overflowing with imagination and wonder. She saw the world through a kaleidoscope of colors and shapes, always finding beauty in the simplest of things. But there was one thing that made Maya's heart sing more than anything else: painting.
By slimizzy2 years ago in Writers