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Most recently published stories in Writers.

New York's Exceptionally Clean Water: The Factors Behind It
New Yorkers believe there's something special in their water, enhancing the flavors of iconic foods like pizza and bagels. However, delivering this water to over eight and a half million people is an immense challenge. From pristine reservoirs to cutting-edge treatment facilities, this water supply is a monumental feat of engineering that goes largely unnoticed but greatly appreciated. It's how a billion gallons of clean water reach New York City daily.
By Story Room2 years ago in Writers
Bangladesh’s worst ever dengue outbreak has now killed more than 1,000 people
Bangladesh’s worst ever dengue outbreak has now killed more than 1,000 people More than 1,000 individuals have lost their lives to dengue in Bangladesh's most severe outbreak on record, as per official data. The ongoing spread of the disease is driven by rising temperatures resulting from the climate crisis, causing more cases to be reported outside densely populated urban centers for the first time.
By AMENA ISLAM2 years ago in Writers
Self Talk
As the morning arrives ,you tell yourself why did I set it so early sand then goes to brush your teeth, you think, “I need a haircut... unless?” Rushing out the front door, you reach for your keys and realize they’re not there. Frustrated you shout, “I can’t do anything right!” just in time to notice your neighbor. Being caught talking to yourself can feel embarrassing, and some people even stigmatize this behavior as a sign of mental instability. But decades of psychology research show that talking to yourself is completely normal. In fact, most, if not all, of us engage in some form of self-talk every single day. So why do we talk to ourselves? And does what we say matter? Self-talk refers to the narration inside your head, sometimes called inner speech. It differs from mental imagery or recalling facts and figures. Specifically, psychologists define self-talk as verbalized thoughts directed toward yourself or some facet of your life. This includes personal conversations like “I need to work on my free throw.” But it also includes reflections you have throughout the day, like “The gym is crowded tonight. I’ll come back tomorrow.” And while most self-talk in adults tends to be silent, speaking to yourself out loud also falls into this category. In fact, psychologists believe our first experiences with self-talk are mostly vocal, as children often speak to themselves out loud as they play. In the 1930s, Russian psychologist Lev Vygotsky hypothesized that this kind of speech was actually key to development. By repeating conversations they’ve had with adults, children practice managing their behaviors and emotions on their own. Then, as they grow older, this outward self-talk tends to become internalized, morphing into a private inner dialogue. We know this internal self-talk is important, and can help you plan, work through difficult situations, and even motivate you throughout the day. But studying self-talk can be difficult. It relies on study subjects clearly tracking a behavior that’s spontaneous and often done without conscious control. For this reason, scientists are still working to answer basic questions, like, why do some people self-talk more than others? What areas of the brain are activated during self-talk? And how does this activation differ from normal conversation? One thing we know for certain, however, is that what you say in these conversations can have real impacts on your attitude and performance. Engaging in self-talk that’s instructional or motivational has been shown to increase focus, boost self-esteem, and help tackle everyday tasks. For example, one study of collegiate tennis players found that incorporating instructional self-talk into practice increased their concentration and accuracy. And just as chatting to a friend can help decrease stress, speaking directly to yourself may also help you regulate your emotions. Distanced self-talk is when you talk to yourself, as if in conversation with another person. So, rather than “I’m going to crush this exam,” you might think, “Caleb, you are prepared for this test!” One study found that this kind of self-talk was especially beneficial for reducing stress when engaging in anxiety-inducing tasks, such as meeting new people or public speaking. But where positive self-talk can help you, negative self-talk can harm you. Most people are critical of themselves occasionally, but when this behavior gets too frequent or excessively negative, it can become toxic. High levels of negative self-talk are often predictive of anxiety in children and adults. And those who constantly blame themselves for their problems and ruminate on those situations typically experience more intense feelings of depression. Today, there’s a field of psychological treatment called cognitive behavioral therapy, or CBT, which is partially focused on regulating the tone of self-talk. Cognitive behavioral therapists often teach strategies to identify cycles of negative thoughts and replace them with neutral or more compassionate reflections. Over time, these tools can improve one's mental health. So the next time you find yourself chatting with yourself, remember to be kind. That inner voice is a partner you’ll be talking to for many years to come.
By Velumu2 years ago in Writers
Twisted Endings Winners
Recently, I challenged other Vocal creators to write me stories with Twisted Endings. I wanted them to surprise me with good twists. You can read about the challenge in the link below.
By Mother Combs2 years ago in Writers
Unspoken
Two individuals sit across from each other in a dimly lit café, their eyes meeting with a profound understanding. The woman reaches for a napkin, her hand trembling slightly as she writes, "I miss you," in elegant cursive. She slides the napkin across the table, and the man responds by placing his hand over his heart, his eyes glistening with unspoken emotions. Their silence speaks volumes, weaving a tapestry of feelings that transcends words.
By Mena2 years ago in Writers
Harmony in Silence
The room was dimly lit, casting long shadows across the worn wooden floor. A soft, melancholic melody played on an old gramophone, filling the air with a sense of longing. The scent of aged books and dried flowers lingered, intertwining with the faint aroma of brewing coffee. In this intimate space, two individuals sat facing each other, their eyes locked in a silent conversation.
By Crystal McDaniel2 years ago in Writers
Welcome! Start Here, Please!
Welcome to My Page! Vocal is my writing home. I love to create short stories with twists or unreliable narrators, soft sci-fi, psychological horror (can't do gore!), and I dabble in poetry and informative articles occasionally.
By Donna Renee2 years ago in Writers
SPORTS
Last season, the New York Giants secured a place in the playoffs, and notably achieved a postseason victory for the first time since Eli Manning's second Super Bowl triumph. This achievement brought great satisfaction to Giants supporters, and rightfully so.
By Md Najmul2 years ago in Writers
Writing For Yourself Vs. Writing For The Algorithm
In the age of digital media, content creation has become a powerful tool for communication, self-expression, and even income generation. As writers on this platform, we all write, experiment, and ponder what kind of topics to write about. However, we all grapple with a fundamental question:
By Jay Kobayashi2 years ago in Writers
A Poem for Writers of Fiction. Top Story - October 2023.
I want to be everyone else and I pray for some great undoing of self To look beyond my own reflection with its echo chambers of introspection
By Caroline Jane2 years ago in Writers
Forgiveness and Friendship
Once upon a time, in a bustling city, there lived a young girl named Lily. Lily was known for her mischievous nature and her love for adventure. She had a close-knit group of friends who were always up for exciting escapades. One sunny day, Lily came up with an idea for a thrilling treasure hunt. She thought it would be a fun way to spend time together and create lasting memories.Lily meticulously planned the treasure hunt, hiding clues all over the city. She couldn't wait to see the excitement on her friends' faces as they followed the trail and unraveled the mystery. The day of the treasure hunt arrived, and Lily's friends gathered at the starting point, eager to begin the adventure.
By Folashade Sandra2 years ago in Writers
My Search for an Alternative Writing Processor
I’ve been writing all of my stories on Microsoft Word. It has been the only writing processor I'ved used for my writings. Well, lo and behold my subscription finally ran out. I’ve been debating whether or not to resubscribe. It’s $6.99/month or $69.99/year for a personal account and has a lot of useful features. However, after much thought, I decided not to renew my subscription. There are other options out there that are free with an account. So, what alternative writing processor did I decide on?
By Jasmine Aguilar2 years ago in Writers