The first prize is the little girl's

When Vocal initially launched its challenge for the new Writers community, I found myself more perturbed and perplexed than pleased. Like many of my fellow writers, this is a question that I have contemplated numerous times. However, the answer has always eluded me.

Which story, poem, paper, or journal entry first propelled me onto this disheartening path as an unsuccessful writer?

To this day, I still cannot recall. Therefore, how can I possibly create an entry for this challenge? Should I fabricate something? After all, I am a storyteller, am I not?

Alternatively, I could write about the dreadful poetry I composed during my angst-ridden teenage years. I still possess some of it... However, that would be excessively embarrassing!

The truth is, the challenge itself did not appeal to me due to its nonfiction nature. Nonfiction writing is simply not my forte. (A fact that I am certain you all concur with after reading this subpar piece!) In fact, I have always harbored a disdain for nonfiction as a genre altogether. Whether it be reading, writing, or watching it, it has always appeared futile to me.

Unless it was obligatory reading or viewing, I have consistently avoided nonfiction like the plague. The time I had for leisurely television watching or reading was far too precious and scarce to be dedicated to anything other than comedic, fantastical, and fictional realms. Those moments were exclusively reserved for one thing and one thing only: indulging in mindless entertainment!

For me, "reality TV," documentaries, biographies, and similar works hold as much appeal as a cockroach in my morning coffee (and you have no comprehension of how much I despise and fear cockroaches!)

Above all else, I have always considered myself a strictly fiction writer. It was only recently that I discovered the pleasure of poetry. While many of my acquaintances have suggested that I pen an autobiography after hearing some of the tales from my absurdly eccentric life, I have consistently dismissed the notion. Nonfiction writing of any kind simply does not align with my strengths.

Found myself intrigued by Vocal's challenge for the new Writers community. Initially, I must admit, I was more perturbed and perplexed than pleased. As a fellow writer, this question has plagued my thoughts countless times. Yet, the answer has always eluded me.

Which story, poem, paper, or journal entry first propelled me onto this disheartening path as an unsuccessful writer? The truth is, I still cannot recall. How then, could I possibly craft an entry for this challenge? Should I fabricate something? After all, I am a storyteller, am I not?

Alternatively, I could delve into the cringe-worthy poetry I composed during my angst-ridden teenage years. I still possess some of it, but the thought of sharing it is simply too embarrassing.

In all honesty, the challenge itself failed to captivate me due to its nonfiction nature. Nonfiction writing has never been my forte, a fact that I am certain you all agree with after reading this lamentable piece. In fact, I have always harbored a disdain for nonfiction as a genre altogether. Whether it be reading, writing, or watching it, it has always appeared utterly pointless to me.

Unless it was obligatory reading or viewing, I have consistently avoided nonfiction like the plague. The time I had for leisurely television or reading was far too precious and scarce to be dedicated to anything other than comedic, fantastical, and fictional realms. Those moments were exclusively reserved for one purpose and one purpose alone: to unwind and escape reality.

For me, the likes of "reality TV," documentaries, and biographies are as appealing as finding a cockroach in my morning coffee (and you have no idea how much I despise and fear cockroaches!)

Above all else, I have always identified myself as a strictly fiction writer. It was only recently that I discovered the joy of poetry. While many of my friends have suggested I pen an autobiography after hearing some of the tales from my absurdly eccentric life, I have consistently dismissed the idea. Nonfiction writing, in any form, simply does not align with my strengths.

However, in the grand scheme of things, what do I truly know?