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My Difficulties In Creating Positive Stories. Content Warning.
Introduction I have remarked on this situation many times since I started on Social Media and also since joining Vocal. When I post something positive, it is largely ignored, when I post something negative it is picked up on.
By Mike Singleton 💜 Mikeydred 2 years ago in Writers
Why doesn't Vocal flag stories written by AI?
UPDATE: Vocal policy requires that AI content be labeled as such, but many authors are not doing this. https://shopping-feedback.today/resources/an-update-from-vocal-on-ai-generated-content In my opinion, Vocal should enforce this policy, either by adding an 'AI-generated' flag as part of the moderation process, or by unpublishing works and authors who do not comply.
By Addison Alder2 years ago in Writers
Turning 26 Feels Like a Setback
Confetti cannons were not on the menu for my 26th birthday. Instead, the hard reality of another year with an inexplicably empty bank account loomed huge. Today, the weight of anticipation is greater than any dessert I've ever imagined.
By Courtanae Heslop2 years ago in Writers
Happy (Not Really) Birthday to Me! Turning 26 and the Existential Dread of a Stalled Life
It's March 20th, and the customary Facebook + Linkedin notifications are arriving. Happy Birthday to Me! Except I'm not truly happy. This year, the chime of another year feels more like a piercing fire alarm, jarring me awake to the harsh truth of my stagnant existence.
By Courtanae Heslop2 years ago in Writers
Turning 26: A Birthday of Hope on Hold
The strong afternoon sun shines through my window, putting an accusatory glow on the disorganized desk and the towering stack of unpaid invoices. It's my 26th birthday, a day that should be filled with cake and celebration, but instead it feels like a cruel echo of every other day this year. The weight of financial insecurity is heavy on my chest, a daily reminder that my dreams are sliding away with each tick of the clock.
By Courtanae Heslop2 years ago in Writers
The IRS: Your Friendly Neighborhood Tax Collector (Or Are They?)
Ah, the IRS – the folks who make sure April isn't just for showers, but also for paying your taxes. But are they a private entity, a government agency, or something in between? Strap in, folks, because we're about to unravel the mystery of everyone's favorite acronym.
By “Tell me About it”2 years ago in Writers
The Secret To Becoming A Writer IS Easier Than You Think
I've always wanted to learn how to run a marathon. Sure I know the steps, one foot in front of the other until I reach the finish line, but just like with writing where in its simplicity we are putting one word in front of the other until we reach the end of the story, there's a bit more to it than this.
By Elise L. Blake2 years ago in Writers
0 Job Offers, 10 Lessons Learned
The flickering illumination of the laptop screen created an unsettling blue light on my face, matching the frost that had crept deep within me. It was the final hurrah of my 25th year, and the stillness from the "applications" tab was louder than any New Year's Eve countdown. Two years. 78 applications, to be exact. Each a perfectly created symphony of abilities and experiences, each met with the deafening quiet of rejection.
By Courtanae Heslop2 years ago in Writers
Rejection, Reflection, Relaunch: A Year of Growth at 25
Hey Future Me, It's me, you from a year ago, staring down the barrel of 26 with a heart that resembles a crumpled pile of receipts from a wild shopping binge. This past year has been a rollercoaster - a rusty, rickety one that keeps getting stuck at the worst inversion points.
By Courtanae Heslop2 years ago in Writers
To My Future Self, Standing on the Precipice of 26
Hey there, you. It’s me, you from a year ago, perched precariously at the edge of 26. Can you believe it? A quarter of a century down, another one about to unfurl. This past year, though, hasn’t exactly been a smooth runway for takeoff. It’s been a rollercoaster, a tangled mess of emotions, and honestly, sometimes it felt like freefalling with no parachute.
By Courtanae Heslop2 years ago in Writers
