Why I am adding Author's Notes to my Vocal Back Catalogue
"Clearly you have nothing better to do." Is the wrong answer. (Funny though).
Why have I started to add backstories to my old Vocal-published work?
Let me cut to the chase:-
1. I enjoy it when others do similar. I feel closer to the author when I read the perspective that motivated or framed their words. I have bought books based on the quality of the ramblings in the marginalia. Some people hate it when people write on books - I say, what were they meant to do before quick edit?!
2. Doing this is a way to share elements of myself with people. I have always been a fairly closed book. It has been said that I enjoy my own company far too much for an extrovert. However, this is because I shy away from being judged. I think it is time to put my heart on my sleeve more and be brave.
3. I am still learning, and adding the author's notes to my work helps me to look back and think about what I was trying to achieve when I wrote a poem or piece of fiction. Mostly I write for challenges, but not always. Sometimes it is interesting to reflect on your headspace when you produced a poem or a story and then to note what you have learned from that little writing adventure.
4. Sharing our failures is as important (if not more) as sharing our successes. I have spent much of my career helping others realise their potential, and what I know is that stories of easy glory do not shape confidence, but tales of trials, tribulations, and adversity do. So, I thought I would start openly critiquing my work; annotate some challenge attempts that did not win and why I believe they didn't. Describe where I went wrong and what I have learned. I am hoping this helps people reconcile their own challenge losses and encourages them to keep going.
Some Examples from my Poetry Collection:
Melancholy Skies was one of the first times I had put some author's notes at the end of a poem. I thought it would help readers not from my locality to empathise with the imagery in the poem. I got a top story for this, but I think it was likely more because of the comments than the poem's quality.
Vivi dissectio is one of the shortest poems I have written - and for a good reason - its length is in keeping with the content. I have, post-publication, added some notes to share a little of myself and how the words came about so I, and perhaps others, can reflect on the content and the conscious brevity of it.
The Wake of Weekend Warriors is a favourite poem of mine, but it did not touch the sides of the poetry challenge it was entered into. I understand why completely. Although, as I note at the end of it - if, as Poet Carol Ann Duffy describes, "Poetry is the music of being human," surely, there is room for some heavy metal souls.
Queen of the Web was pulled back to drafts pretty much as soon as I published it because I had an emotional meltdown in the subtitle. Yep, not exactly a proud moment. I added the notes to remind me what had happened and not to be such a hypocrite!
My Will: In Glorious Technicolour was the first poem, actually, the first of anything, that I wrote for Vocal. I entered it into the Colours Challenge. I can see why it did not win; in fact, I cringe at how arrogant it reads. It was meant to be a poetic celebration of starting out on a new journey. I was pioneering again after cancer and navigating a pandemic in food retail - it just goes to show intention is not as important as impact. We all get judged by the latter and not by the former.
***
Author's note:
I had to write this little ending - it is amusing to me if nobody else!!!
Self-criticism, working through our edges, understanding the landscape we write in, appreciating the pitfalls, listening to peers, and focusing on progress rather than missed successes has helped me evolve as a writer. I recently had my first win in fiction; one day, I will hopefully get one in poetry too.
Until that day comes, I shall continue reflecting on my performance and keep sharing my thoughts. None of us succeeds in silo, and if I can throw a few little crumbs onto the bird table, as meagre as they may be, then I should. Who knows, they may be of help to somebody other than me!
About the Creator
Caroline Jane
CJ lost the plot a long time ago. Now, she writes to explore where all paths lead, collecting crumbs of perspective as her pen travels. One day, she may have enough for a cake, which will, no doubt, be fruity.
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Vocal Fiction Challenges: A Sanity Saving Self Help Guide.
Cogito, ergo sum - Descartes I think, therefore I am. As writers, particularly those amongst us who are fiction writers, there is something fundamentally wrong about this philosophical stalwart. It "FEELS" wrong doesn't it?
By Caroline Jane4 years ago in Motivation
I Never Chose the Easy Path; I Always Chose Hardship
From the earliest memories I can recall, life presented me with two roads. One was smooth, inviting, and well-trodden—a path that promised comfort, approval, and ease. The other was rough, rocky, and uncertain—a path of struggle, obstacles, and lessons that demanded effort, patience, and resilience. I never chose the smooth road. I never took shortcuts. Not because I was fearless, but because something deep inside refused to let me live a life that wasn’t earned. The easy path whispered promises of fleeting satisfaction, fleeting success, and fleeting recognition. It was tempting. Many around me chose it, and I often wondered if I was foolish for ignoring it. But I learned early that true growth is rarely convenient. The easiest choice often leads to emptiness, to regret, to a quiet knowing that you could have been more than you allowed yourself to be. Hardship became my teacher long before success ever noticed me. The lessons it offered were harsh, uncompromising, and often lonely. There were days when choosing the hard path felt like choosing isolation. While others were celebrated for small accomplishments, supported by friends and family, I walked in silence, with doubt as my companion. Progress was invisible to the world. Failures were frequent and relentless. Many nights, I returned home tired, my heart heavy, my mind questioning why I even bothered. Yet even in that silence, I was being shaped. I was learning the value of persistence, of dedication, and of refusing to give up on myself. The hard path forced honesty. It refused to allow excuses. It stripped away illusions and pretenses. I was left face-to-face with my limits, my fears, and my own humanity. On this path, I discovered strengths I never knew I had: patience I had never cultivated, resilience I had doubted, and self-respect that grew every time I stood up instead of walking away. These were not lessons that could be taught in comfort. They were only learned in struggle, in challenge, and in the quiet persistence of refusing to quit when no one was watching. I remember one time vividly. I had a goal that seemed impossible—one that required me to sacrifice comfort, leisure, and social approval. The easy path was right there: a way to avoid the challenge, to be “okay,” to follow what others had done before me. Many advised me to take it. “It’s safer,” they said. “It’s simpler,” they said. But I could feel, deep inside, that taking the easy way would leave me empty. I chose the hard path. The journey was grueling. Every step felt like pushing against gravity. But with each challenge, I gained more than I ever would have on the easy road. I gained endurance, confidence, and an understanding that real achievement is never handed—it is earned. Strength, I realized, isn’t loud. It doesn’t announce itself. It grows quietly, in the moments no one sees—the early mornings, the long nights, the repeated failures, the times you push forward when giving up would be understandable. Resilience is not simply surviving; it is deliberately choosing to continue, to stand again, to pursue the path that tests you the most. It is knowing that walking away is easier but will never lead to the person you are capable of becoming. I have walked many hard roads in life. Each one was different, yet the lessons were the same: comfort cannot teach endurance, shortcuts cannot teach discipline, and fleeting success cannot teach respect. Every struggle, no matter how small, adds to your character. Every failure is a mirror that shows you who you really are. And every choice to face hardship instead of fleeing builds a foundation that lasts long after temporary victories fade. There were times when I felt truly alone. People around me often misunderstood my choices. Friends, family, colleagues—they all questioned why I refused the easy way, why I worked harder, why I pushed myself beyond what seemed necessary. They didn’t see the growth happening quietly inside me. They didn’t see the small victories, the lessons learned, the resilience being forged. But eventually, the results spoke for themselves—not in a loud announcement, but in the quiet confidence and self-respect that I had built from the inside out. Life, I have learned, rewards those who endure hardship. Not always immediately. Not always visibly. But it rewards those who persist, who face struggle head-on, and who refuse to settle for anything less than becoming their fullest selves. Success that comes without effort is temporary; strength and self-respect are eternal. Hardship tests us, but it also teaches us. It shows us the depth of our own courage, the strength of our will, and the power of refusing to surrender. The lessons of the hard path are subtle, often invisible, and always lasting. I learned that failing is not shameful; failing is a necessary step toward mastery. I learned that enduring pain, even when no one notices, builds a type of strength that comfort never can. I learned that the more difficult the path, the deeper the reward—not measured in wealth or fame, but in character, wisdom, and self-respect. Every choice to embrace struggle instead of avoiding it shaped me. Every sacrifice, every extra hour, every moment of doubt faced instead of ignored, added to the foundation of the person I am today. My life was not easy. It was messy, unpredictable, and often overwhelming. But it was authentic. It was mine. And through hardship, I became resilient. I became someone who can face challenges without fear because I have faced them before. I became someone who respects themselves because I have honored my own effort. I became someone capable of growth because I refused to choose comfort over character. I often reflect on the people around me who chose the easy path. Many of them achieved quick victories, immediate recognition, and temporary peace. But over time, I noticed something important: the victories were shallow, the peace fleeting, and the growth minimal. They lacked the depth of resilience, the quiet power of self-respect, and the profound satisfaction that comes from knowing you endured, you learned, and you became someone stronger. Choosing hardship is not glamorous. It is not celebrated in real-time. It is often lonely, exhausting, and demanding. But it is transformative. It shapes your mind, your heart, and your spirit in ways comfort never can. It teaches discipline, patience, humility, and courage. It makes failure meaningful, effort valuable, and success earned. The hard path is where true people are made—people who understand that life’s challenges are not punishments, but opportunities. Opportunities to become better, stronger, wiser, and more capable. I never chose the easy path. I always chose the harder road, the one that tested me, the one that demanded effort, and the one that required me to face myself honestly. I walked through fear, doubt, exhaustion, and setbacks. I fell, and I got up. I failed, and I tried again. I cried, I questioned, I endured. And through it all, I became someone I could respect, someone who knew the value of persistence, someone who understood that hardship is not the enemy—it is the greatest teacher. Today, I measure success differently. I do not measure it by comfort, convenience, or ease. I measure it by growth, resilience, and the depth of self-respect I have cultivated. I measure it by how I faced challenges I could not ignore, how I embraced struggles that seemed unbearable, and how I refused to take shortcuts at the cost of my own becoming. I never chose the easy path. I chose the one that made me resilient. I chose the one that taught me self-respect. I chose the one that allowed me to become the person I am today. And if I had the choice again, I would choose the hard path every single time. Because the road of struggle is not only a journey—it is the making of a human being.writing...
By Ihtisham Ulhaq3 days ago in Motivation
Comments (12)
I really like this ideas you have of going back to honestly critique and self-reflect. I may have to take a serious look at some of my old stuff.
I ABSOLUTELY LOVE this idea! It really does help us to get to know our fellow creators on a deeper level. I also love the self-reflection and critique of previous pieces aspect of writing Author notes! Great work Caroline! Very inspiring! :)
This a great reflection piece of your creations ,love this concept of adding an author’s note. Thank you 🙂
I think reflection is a great idea and honestly I’m going to go back and add some notes too! I was nervous to do that but this made me feel empowered now! Thank you!
I’ve started dipping my toe into the author’s notes waters. I hadn’t thought about going back to old works, but I think I might if anything it would be a nice trip down memory lane
Great Article and I Related to these words 💬 ❤️💯📝Great Job❗
Lol, I love your Author’s Note on this piece about Author’s Note 🤣 Jokes aside, I actually enjoy Author’s Note because I love to know what inspired them to write this or the backstory or some deeper meaning. I'm so happy you're adding them to your older pieces!
Great thoughts here, Caroline. It's got me wondering when I actually started adding Author's Notes and now I need to fo back and look at all of my older ones.
I loved your insights on doing this. I like to go back and read old pieces of mine just to see where I came from and what I've changed and how I've hopefully grown. I stopped putting notes for awhile, but I do love when others put them in. One of my favorite things really about reading on the platform. Great article to share!!
Great idea, I’ll re-read your pieces. Author’s Note gives that personal insight on the work and makes it personable.
Self reflection is therapeutic. I’m so glad you decided to write this. And you’re right, Authors notes give a better understanding of who we are and where the inspiration comes from. I enjoyed this.
These are excellent insights and it is nice to see what inspired the author to create. I congratulate you on your Top Story when you get it later today Caroline :)