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Hello lovely Vocalites!
I told myself I wasn't going to do this initially, but after more thought, it felt right to share this little personal note from me as both an explanation and an invitation :)
Let me start by thanking you if you've followed any of my work over the last four years! Finding this platform opened up a whole new world to me at a time that I needed it and has given me so many lasting friendships. For that, I will be forever grateful.
But being on Vocal has also been a bit of a rollercoaster on the writing front. I've had a lot of highs and lows to work through amidst experiencing a difficult stage in life, and I find publishing here has become too much of a crutch. I love having eyes on my work (as I know we all do) and sharing in the comments. I crave the interaction. Yet as I've been slowly branching out to other sites and projects, I've come to finally accept that I need to spread my wings and really push myself.
So that's the main reason I don't plan to publish poetry or fiction on the platform for the foreseeable future. There are some other reasons, but I'll move along (lol). I also pulled all my stories except for the three runners up that I have, so I'm not tempted to post (I know this story breaks that rule but you'll see why I really want it in a minute). My profile looks so bare but also like a fresh start!
I had initially planned to leave the interviews, but that still felt crowded. Although, I may add them back a few at a time as that project was one of the best things I got to experience on Vocal :)
(If I interviewed you and you're now pissed at me that I pulled it, lol, just let me know and I'll republish it again ASAP!)
If anyone is worried, I don't plan to close my account at this point. I've been enjoying just reading on here without feeling the pressing need to publish, and it's been like a breath of fresh air. Which leads me to the point I teased about above!
I won't be checking in here as often and will probably read in spurts, so if you have something you don't want me to miss, please drop the link on this thread so I get the notification :) I still want to cheer you all on and support YOUR journeys!
Feel free to reach out on social media as well!
Much love,
~H
About the Creator
Heather Hubler
Thank you to everyone who filled this journey with wonderful memories :)
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Comments (26)
Nice
Heeeeeeeeeeatherhublernothtetelescopebecausethat'sthehubble. Hi, hope you are well? Wanted to remind you of the book and ask you to look at the most recent piece and update on progress and the next step involving your input - a bio. Thanks. https://shopping-feedback.today/writers/vocal-poetry-anthology-progress-update-and-requests-part-two%3C/span%3E%3C/span%3E%3C/span%3E%3C/a%3E I will also get Ruth to message you on the Faceybook. findamn
Ahhh, sweet Heather! I was quite shocked when I landed on your page to just a short scroll of work. So proud of you for honoring your intuition and following your heart. So grateful to have connected with you here! Iβm better for having read your work. Letβs keep in touch! Sending loads of love and goodness your wayπ β¨
Ah Iβm very late to the semi-go-away-party. I think I knew you were on a break of sorts, but I was on a long break, so didnβt notice this piece. Apologies. Itβs important to spread your wings, but I hope you will still include us somehow with what you are up to with your writing. You always gave me a good pick me up, laugh and I enjoyed your poetry immensely, so thank you for this. βΊοΈ Best to you Heather!
hi-hh - 1st I want to say how much I enjoyed seeing the proud pic of your look alike son..! Thanks for sharing it; you know that I've been with you all of these years. I can so relate to your need to reach out. You know that I'm not a writer, just a silly storyteller and goofy cartoonist that has morphed from an often redundant legal career. But, we've followed one another all of these years. Your 'Peeps' at VSS have been so kind to me, they are the real-deal and it's so meaningful to me. I'm proud that U'z offered to have me join. but I'm not a poet and I certainly know it. I wish you the very best on this journey. And, any advice will be Pro Bono...Nah! - With Care and Respect - Jay Kantor, Chatsworth, California 'Senior' Vocal Author - Vocal Village Community -
Please, don't leave us! I understand branching out, and I think I get what you mean about publishing here. I surely have had my share of ups and downs here, but I can appreciate your breath of fresh air mindset. Congratulations on making the leaderboard, and don't be a stranger! Wishing you all the best!!!
I miss you. I have so much going on personally myself, from health issues to financial problems to the one that affects me most: the collapse of the relationship that means the most to me. I tend to try to find solace in writing and don't read as much as I should. I was sad when i came here today and found I couldn't read your older stuff. If you take the notion, check out any of my stuff. I was pleased and very surprised to win the Instructions for Disappearing challenge yesterday. Many Blessings to You and Yours. π
I am new to Vocal and found this piece on the Leaderboard (congrats btw!). I'm glad you've found a place here at Vocal as I hope to do the same. I wish you nothing but the best as you branch out into new things!
Wooohooooo congratulations on your Leaderboard placement! ππππππ
Yay Heather!! Congrats on placing fourth this week on the Leaderboard!!
Heather I am sorry I missed this the first time, as I too have been taking breaks form Vocal. However sometimes a challenge draws me in. I do read as much as I can but my writing and submissions have dwindled. I hope all is well and look forward to reading a few of your works soon Congratulations on the leaderboard palcement
I will definitely miss your brilliance on here but I get it. May you & your endeavors continue to be blessed! βΊοΈ
Ah, my friend. I wish you nothing less than complete fulfillment of all you wildest dreams - literary and otherwise. You deserve the very best of everything. You are the very best of everything, and I want you to know that I consider you one of my dearest friends. So what if we've never met in person. One day, Empress. One day.
This makes me so sad ππππ But at least you're not deleting your account. I'll miss Mari, Heath, Mallory, Oliver, and the others. I'm so sorry if these aren't their names. My memory sucks π π I'm just so grateful that we are still connected through Facebook and Instagram. Sending you lots of love and hugs, my sweet looney partner β€οΈ
Your writing will be missed, Heather. I hope you plan on publishing elsewhere. Iβd buy a book of poetry from you in a heartbeat
Aww I want to say it's such a bummer, but I honestly hope you can spread your wings as much as you're able and really fly! You've done so much for the platform and the writers on it (including me) and I hope all of those good vibes come back to in your future endeavours :) You're a fantastic writer (and reader), so don't forget that!
Personally, selfishly, I want to say how sad I am that I won't be able to read your wonderful poetry (your work inspired mine in the beginning, I think you might remember) and fantastic fiction. So, it's sad and totally selfish. But fuck it. The other side of this is the side that's absolutely excited and thrilled for you and glad you are saying "I'm Heather Hubler, not the telescope, world, and I am a fucking brilliant writer" and I can't but get giddy for you and what may come of your journey outside of the Vocalsphere. My interview was one of the funnest things I've done on this - so you know. And I always felt proud that aside from the Gina, I was an early guinea pig. I am not pissed you removed it, just so you know - totally understand. As noone else has said - here look at my stuff please. I am going to buck the trend, like Paul Stewart should. This is a selection of pieces for challenges and whatnot that I'm extremely proud of and if you have the chance, I'd love you to read. The list is long, lol. Sorry, but only a little. Well done for putting you first and feeling you deserve more from your writing cos you do. Supporting and cheering you on. And as you're going to stick on Vocal, you'll be able to see the ode I will be writing soon for you. :) #findamnwhatafucktonoflinksbutmanthesearesomegoodwritings https://shopping-feedback.today/fiction/parlay-and-desecration%3C/span%3E%3C/span%3E%3C/span%3E%3C/a%3E https://shopping-feedback.today/poets/the-music-always-stops%3C/span%3E%3C/span%3E%3C/span%3E%3C/a%3E https://shopping-feedback.today/poets/pack-your-shadow%3C/span%3E%3C/span%3E%3C/span%3E%3C/a%3E https://shopping-feedback.today/fiction/a-whisper-you-can-still-hear%3C/span%3E%3C/span%3E%3C/span%3E%3C/a%3E https://shopping-feedback.today/poets/a-shepard-we-trust%3C/span%3E%3C/span%3E%3C/span%3E%3C/a%3E https://shopping-feedback.today/fiction/when-the-music-stopped-kn1z0zfk%3C/span%3E%3C/span%3E%3C/span%3E%3C/a%3E https://shopping-feedback.today/poets/ego-of-deeming%3C/span%3E%3C/span%3E%3C/span%3E%3C/a%3E https://shopping-feedback.today/fiction/transdifferentiation%3C/span%3E%3C/span%3E%3C/span%3E%3C/a%3E https://shopping-feedback.today/poets/still-the-sun%3C/span%3E%3C/span%3E%3C/span%3E%3C/a%3E https://shopping-feedback.today/fiction/the-last-waltz-at-leviathan%3C/span%3E%3C/span%3E%3C/span%3E%3C/a%3E https://shopping-feedback.today/fiction/o-soave-fanciulla%3C/span%3E%3C/span%3E%3C/span%3E%3C/a%3E%3C/p%3E%3C/div%3E%3C/div%3E%3C/div%3E%3Cdiv class="css-w4qknv-Replies">
Good luck! Exciting times! I wish you long stimulating flights on those stretched wings of yours, soaring and diving and feeling the freedom of creativity. And if you're keeping in touch with Cathy, Empress, please give her my best. I've not seen her on here for a while and I wish her well.
I understand completely! After two online books and my work here, I feel like I should take a break, too. Good luck and remember we are always going to be around for you!
Best of Luck, you have been such a powerhouse of encouragement to SO many people on this platform.
Outstanding reason to stop publishing: personal growth, development, and serenity!
You are a wonderful friend and creator, but we have to do what is best for ourselves β€οΈ
Sad you're taking the step back but proud of you for doing what you need/ make you happy!! Been missing you, will continue to miss you!! Best of luck in your other endeavours!! π
I understand Heather and respect your decisions and opinions. We'll miss you on VSS and hope you pop in to let us know how life is going from time to time. Best of everything. Your very old pal, ROCK
Heather, I am confident you will continue to do amazing things. I understand the need to pursue other endeavors. Keep us posted on your journeys, writing or otherwise! ~ Rob