Observations When Trimming My Vocal Subscriptions
From 850 To Under 300
Introduction
One of the thoughts I had about my inability to post new works was that maybe I had too many subscriptions. I just tried creating this as a new story, and it failed again.
I now have fewer than 300 subscriptions, but I think that if someone hasn't published or been in contact with me for more than six months, then they are gone. if they return, I will subscribe once more.
Observations
Everyone who starts on Vocal sees it as a way to improve their writing, and get bonuses from Top Stories and Challenges (though I am now barred from them by the mechanics of the system, reused stories like this don't count), but I was saddened seeing lots of lines on profiles like these:
I'm a work in progress. I love writing for fun, and a little bit of everything!
hobby poet always looking for new things to write about.
I write to invoke, to process, to honor, to resurrect, and—sometimes—to grieve but, above all, I write to be free.
Writing is one of my passions, and Vocal has been a great creative outlet for me
These are from creators whom I was subscribed to, who seem to have given up. I have seen Creators bullied off Vocal, but some may have just found it is not for them.
My subscriptions will increase, but I will keep an eye on my list. If someone has left Vocal, they aren't going to check out my new stuff.
Conclusion
The greatest thing I found on Vocal is the community, and that has helped me so much over the years.
At the moment, I feel that I should walk as well, but Vocal gave me a free twelve months of V+ (which sounds like a drug from "The Boys"), and I won't let that go to waste.
Because I am no longer considered for bonuses, most creators have stopped reading my work, even those who were close friends and collaborators, but somebody is reading my work
as you can see.
Thank you for reading. I really appreciate your support.
The music is "Bye Bye Love" by The Everly Brothers
About the Creator
Mike Singleton 💜 Mikeydred
A Weaver of Tales and Poetry
Join & Share In VSS
Creationati
Call Me Les ♥ Gina ♥ Heather ♥ Caroline ♥
Keep reading
More stories from Mike Singleton 💜 Mikeydred and writers in Writers and other communities.
Ice Ice Baby
I have no idea what this is going to be, other than a reaction to a student essay I graded this morning, a personal narrative about a day this summer when she, eight months pregnant, and her fiancé went to the laundromat on a Saturday morning. They were leaving when nine agents approached them, horse-collared her fiancé, cuffed him, and put him in a vehicle without allowing him to say goodbye to his pregnant fiancée.
By Harper Lewis3 days ago in Writers
Comments (13)
I think those of us who've stuck it out and stayed all cite the same reason: community. It's what makes Vocal worthwhile.
Community keeps me coming back again and again....hopefully I will be better at being a friend soon. My mental/emotional bank has been running low since the holidays are over. I had to rest. I always enjoy reading your work, Mike. I think cutting the subscriptions might be a good idea for us all.
It really sucks knowing people are being mistreated. DX This site stinks sometimes I swear.
The Vocal community is what keeps me coming back and writing here!
Its just people are busy and have a lot occupying their minds this days. Some are focusing on books and careers. I do see a lot entering challenges.
Deserted profiles are a melancholy spectacle, I concur. Forgive my naivete, but how is it possible for you to have a complimentary V+ subscription and no ability to create new content?! Is this a malfunction, or malicious marginalization?
Yes, so many people have left. It's just so sad. But I'm happy you're still here
Mix the bullying with the lack of support, and a fair number of users just can't handle it, so they don't come back. The ones that sadden me the most are the ones that show they are still V+ members
The sense of community really does matter. Thanks for highlighting that.
Most of the people I'm subscribed to are still active here.
After reading about unsubscribing from inactive subscriptions I went to check mine. I had just three that had been inactive for about a year and a few "test" (empty accounts that I guess were spammers and were removed by Vocal). I don't understand this: "Because I am no longer considered for bonuses, most creators have stopped reading my work, ... " What does it mater if you are considered for bonuses or not? I also don't understand the logic about not being considered for bonuses because of the V+ given as compensation for a problem that is obviously not your fault, and someone should be really looking into it.
This is a good idea. I have to agree, it’s sad to come across an abandoned profile. :( Hopefully they are still writing, even if it’s not with Vocal anymore. Also, Happy New Year, Mike! I hope that you are doing well!
Facts 😜❤️💯 certainly worded!!!