Vocal Deep Cuts

There are a lot of great things happening on Vocal right now. The Vocal Creator Chat and Raise Your Voice Thread have both been making the community feel closer. Mariann Carroll and Heather Hubler both have great interview series that help us get to know our fellow creators better. Then there are individuals like Real Poetic, who has started running her own challenges. The latest one you can check out here:

This is all great. I wanted to do something a little different, that could help contribute and something that Naomi Gold noted in a comment thread on my recent piece The Numbers Don't Lie got me thinking and gave me an idea. She said, "My poems and playlists are generally ignored unless they make Top Story."

This is something I know I've felt before. I am sure we all have. In fact, I would extend it to anyone that hasn't had a Top Story yet to feel like this. I know it's just the way things go, but I feel a little disappointed at times if I write something I think is great and it just doesn't get the exposure I believe it maybe should. I have said it once, and I will say it a thousand times - I am absolutely delighted at the support I've been given since writing on Vocal, so it's not really a moan.

However, I wanted to do something to help. As a big music lover and fan of albums, I love the deep cuts you find on them, those that are not the singles or songs that get heavy airplay.

It's the same on Vocal. All the great creators here have pieces that, for one reason or another, didn't get as many views. Sometimes it's because it was early in their time on here, and other times it's more likely they just slipped through the cracks. So much content is generated on this site that it is hard to stay on top of it all.

My solution?

In this post, I will highlight some of my favourite deep cuts by some of the great creators here on Vocal. I will see how this post is received, but I am thinking of making a weekly thing of it.

One of My Own

Okay, to get the ball rolling, I am going to share one of my own poems that I really wish had got more views. This is the only bit of self-promotion in this piece, though!

It was written for the Epistolary Challenge a couple of months ago and is self-explanatory.

Hey Addicted Me

Hooks in my Skin by Ruth Stewart

Yes, I know, I know...you can call it nepotism, but I wanted to highlight this stunning acrostic by Ruth. She wrote it very quickly after I posted my own acrostic using the word Torture. Hers is far better than mine, in my humble opinion. It's deep, sad, and very heartfelt, with a positive end.

Which Witch by Naomi Gold

I picked this limerick by Naomi out because it makes a very sad, but truthful point. I like the spin on the woman from Hansel and Gretel that this offers.

Surrender by Kristen Balyeat

This is the first poem Kristen published on Vocal. It is stunning. I don't really think I need to say much more than that. I always feel in safe hands when reading Kristen's work - this is no exception. Give it a read, you will not be disappointed!

Dopamine by Gina C.

I can't remember the first thing I read by Gina, but I know, like many people, I was captivated by her stunning formatting and sprawling epics that included impeccable, and often less obvious, rhymes and so much beautiful imagery.

I'm dreading it by Thavien Yliaster

Thavien is incredibly prolific, and in all seriousness, I could have picked out any of his. I picked out this one, though, because as a procrastinator, I felt and related to this deeply. I love the sprinkling of humour throughout and just how heartfelt it is.

Revisiting the Old Poems by Kelli Sheckler-Amsden

Another incredibly prolific writer, Kelli is one that I guarantee if you pick any piece from her large catalogue of poetry and stories you will find something stunning. This one stood out to me when she first published it, and I reread it when writing this article. I don't think there are many, if any, writers and poets, that couldn't relate to the sentiments.

My Words Will Never Age by Mike Singleton - Mikeydred

Everyone knows Mike, don't they? Perhaps the most prolific creator on Vocal, Mike has a real knack for always having something interesting to say. Whether it's his playlists, poetry, or thought pieces - you're always in safe hands and in for an interesting read with Mike! I found this poem that gives some fine and inspirational words on ageing, check it out.

Volume by Em Starr

Okay, not a poem, but I will share this anyway, as it could do with more love. Em is a great horror writer, and this is one of her earlier pieces. I love how much she manages to pour into short pieces. I hope you enjoy it too!

Stop The Silence! by Lamar Wiggins

I love Lamar's work and I am trying to slowly work through his 100-strong catalogue of interesting pieces of fiction, poetry, and other pieces. This one particularly spoke to me. I found it very inspirational.

Thanks for reading! I encourage you to please take a look at the pieces posted above!

As I said, if you enjoyed this, I will do a different one next week with a selection of different creators to be fair to everyone.