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Stories in Writers that you’ll love, handpicked by our team.
What Are Neologisms?
One of the many things I like about writing on Vocal is that it urges me to write. Each week or month comes with a fresh set of challenges, which serve as a nice amuse bouche for this writer’s palate which can be prone to writer’s block. ‘Neolomicro’ is a particularly fun one, again offering small bites of inspiration for an easily distracted mind.
By E.K. Daniels2 years ago in Writers
What Is Senryu?
In the spirit of the ‘Snafu Senryu’ challenge, I did a little digging into the art of Japanese poetry to understand a bit of the history of Senryu, in hopes that it would inspire a few gems (spoiler alert—it did!) Senryu is a form of Japanese poetry that shares a common structure with traditional haiku but serves a different purpose. Like haiku, senryu consists of three lines with a syllable pattern of 5-7-5. Unlike haiku, however, the form is more focused on human nature, rather than the natural world. Senryu often delves into the humorous, satirical, or ironic aspects of daily life and the human experience.
By E.K. Daniels2 years ago in Writers
"The Alchemy of Fiction: Crafting Immersive Worlds"
The allure of fiction beckons us for a myriad of reasons: it offers entertainment, unravels mysteries, transports us to distant planets, and elicits fear, laughter, tears, contemplation, and deep emotional connections. But when it comes to crafting fiction, how do you ensnare your readers, drawing them so profoundly into your narrative that they momentarily forget their reality?
By Alisa İnnokate2 years ago in Writers
On unhurried creativity
Preface: Every time we remember, I recently discovered, we create new neurons, new pathways that store information. Which was in stark contrast to my presumption that I simply returned to the permanent and reliable folds in my brain. Folds that were made when I fell off the bike for the first time or when I brushed my teeth the night of my first kiss, eulogising its sweetness. So that tied in comfortably with the reliability of memory. Was it mud or concrete that I fell on, did I run my fingers through her hair or held them awkwardly behind my back?
By Mesh Toraskar2 years ago in Writers
Still looking for ideas for your 'under a spell' entry?
Bless you! What's that if not a magic spell? Well I guess it could be a prayer but then again... what's the difference? "Happy birthday to you" is a line from a song. But if you sing it and then ask the birthday girl or boy to blow out candles on a cake, then surely that's a spell too? I once heard a talk about magic that made just this point.
By Raymond G. Taylor2 years ago in Writers
My Silent Hero
The streets were busy with people running amuck, rushing from every corner, too busy to notice me sitting here in this broken suitcase. I had been there for about two hours now, waiting for any sign to not go through with it, but no sign had appeared yet.
By Rebekah BT2 years ago in Writers
Dear Heather Hubler:
October 13, 2023, Friday Dearest Heather Hubler: Hello, How are you today on this friday the 13th??? I could sure used a cheerful prize whatever it might be. I do know all the 26 letters of the Alphabet. Here is the Proof : A B C D E F G H I J K L M N O P Q R S T U V W X Y Z. I got the second rule out of the way.
By Mariann Carroll2 years ago in Writers
Speak
The room was dim and quiet. Dust lay scattered on the windowsill as rain trickled down the glass of the lone window in the room. A tall lamp stood in the corner, with its large white lampshade lit from within with a warm white ambient light. The wooden floorboards aged from years of wear held the secrets of many before them. Two chairs sat in the middle of the room equally opposite from each other with a large rug that spanned from the door to the wall. A small table sat between the chairs with two glasses of water and a book, and a small burning tealight.
By Joshua Maggs2 years ago in Writers
Before The Dawn
It’s a curse you know, to be a dreamer that can’t rely on optimism. To crave just that one time it goes right, despite all the others screaming for you to extinguish yourself once and for all. But alas, the embers still ignite with the right touch. And if I’m the spark, you’re the charcoal, painted in black. You’ve lit me up when I’ve never felt like much of a phoenix.
By Sarah Marler2 years ago in Writers
Winners of the "Lost in a Story" Challenge
The Vocal + Assist Lost in a Story Challenge made a big splash. Twenty One Vocal Creators enjoyed crafting their personalized narrative within the framework of a well-known story, film, or television show. Imagine the delight of inserting yourself into C.S. Lewis’' renowned "The Chronicles of Narnia" series or becoming a character in one of the "Pirates of the Caribbean" movies. It's a fun way to engage with familiar stories.
By Rick Henry Christopher 2 years ago in Writers
