Inspiration
The Writer/Reader Guilt Complex
Does this scenario sound familiar to you? You publish a story here on Vocal or some other web publishing platform. It might be a story you feel is really great, or one that is mediocre, or maybe even one you regret. Another writer you are familiar with from the site leaves a like and a comment on said story. The quality of the story and the content of the comment are not really factors in what happens next. You ask yourself when was the last time you read anything published by this other writer? You also consider, when was the last time you left a like or a comment on anything they had written that you read? If you are anything like me, (I can assure you, you are not, but we may share at least this in common) our answers to both questions will probably be a very low number or zero in some cases. A nagging guilt begins to build at not having read or commented on any of this writer's many works in a very long time, or maybe even ever. This very nice person, this aspiring writer just like yourself, took the time out of his or her busy schedule to read and comment on something you wrote, and you can't even be bothered to do the same for them? What kind of monster are you? And, so, appropriately ashamed you immediately seek out something/anything this person has published and leave a like and a comment to even the score. It doesn't matter if the piece you found was Hemingway reborn (highest possible literary quality) or Michael Chrichton reborn (lowest possible literary quality), you like it and you leave a comment detailing how great it was for whatever reasons you think will soothe your guilt ridden soul.
By Everyday Junglist2 years ago in Writers
The Imposter Writer–Stop Doubting Yourself. Top Story - October 2023.
On September 21, 2023, Cendrine announced our new essay series: Writing & Self-Empowerment. And here we are! Our aim is simple: To explore what gets writers inspired and keeps us going, even when we tell ourselves that we aren’t worth it. We want to open up discussions about the craft we share, particularly around self-confidence, and bring some optimism into the picture. Any questions you have, we want to try to answer.
By Mackenzie Davis2 years ago in Writers
The Beginnings of Writing
So with the start of this Vocal website a question comes of how does this story begin? Writing? I have always been good with writing. and I have always loved writing. When i was a kid, i used to write poems all the time. By the time I was in Elementary school and there was the occasional assignment to write a poem, I would sit down at the kitchen table and write out a poem in ten minutes usually. My mother would usually ask me if I finished my homework and I would answer in the affirmative and she would ask to read it. Nine times out of ten she would be crying and immediately call her cousin on the phone to tell her about the poem I had written. Because of that affirmation, I continued to write poems happily and give them to my mom to rad. I thought it was just a hobby just for fun as well as an attempt to show off. When I was a kid, I knew nothing about writing or even theater writing beyond writing poems for fun. Then I was 7 years old when I saw my first musical. It was a Saturday night, my mom and I took the train from Beverly into Boston, a twenty-minute train ride. I remember walking through the street, in a button down shirt and nice pants and it being a really big deal to be going into the city from Suburbia We walked through Fanuel Hall right up to the Wang Theater, now called something else and we saw Phantom of the Opera. I remember looking at this immense stage and this HUGE chandelier and seeing these figures, we were in the balcony, running around the stage and I don’t think I understand what was going on but that night, I fell in love with theater, but it wasn’t until I was 9 and I saw Les Misérables when I realized something even bigger: Someone writes these things. Two years later, my mom and I took the same exact trip on the train from Beverly to Boston for a night at the theater. I may have been wearing the same exact thing I wore the Phantom night. But for some reason, the impact from Les Misérables was amazing. The minute the music started and the minute I saw the show, maybe I was closer than the balcony when we saw it, I immediately was in tears of the beauty of the show. Maybe it was because I was older and I understood the story more but I just saw the beauty of the show and I couldn’t get it out of my head and I immediately realized that someone had written this music, someone wrote these lyrics and someone had sat down and put the book together and created this show. I'm a little embarrassed but I was so naïve and moronic to never realize before Les Miz that someone or some people write these shows and spend years trying to put on a show. I never even thought that someone sat down at a piano and someone else sat at a table and wrote a show and that through workshops and other methods, the show goes upon a stage. But then I saw a documentary about Les Miz and I saw the writers talking about how they created the show and put their fingers to the pen and then to the paper to write this show and I was amazed. I just couldn’t believe that people did this for a living. That day, I said something that I would find out later many other writers said the same thing like Jonathan Larson, Jason Robert Brown, and Lin Manuel Miranda, I want to do that! TO BE CONTINUED!!!!
By Matthew Garlin2 years ago in Writers
Welcome to Tales From Elsewhere!
Do you ever wonder why are people interested in stuff? I personally believe it's a combination of three aspects. Firstly, as humans, we're a naturally curious species. We are hungry for knowledge and certainty of what we see.
By Tales From Elsewhere2 years ago in Writers
The Power of Denial: Why We Refuse to Face Unpleasant Truths
Title: The Power of Denial: Why We Refuse to Face Unpleasant Truths Introduction Denial is a defense mechanism that most of us have employed at some point in our lives. It's a psychological coping mechanism that allows us to shield ourselves from uncomfortable or distressing truths. While denial can serve as a temporary escape from harsh realities, it can also be a double-edged sword. In this article, we'll explore the concept of denial, its various forms, the reasons behind it, and its potential consequences.
By Divine Obruche2 years ago in Writers
The Mirror's Secret
Once upon a time, in a quaint little village, there lived a man named Samuel. Samuel was known throughout the village as a kind and gentle soul. He was always the first to lend a helping hand to his neighbors, and his smile brightened even the gloomiest of days.
By Benjie Maybuena2 years ago in Writers
AI System Fairness and Bias
Artificial intelligence (I) has advanced technologically significantly in recent years. AI systems are already widely used across a variety of industries, from healthcare and banking to customer service and transportation. But as AI is used more frequently, questions regarding fairness and prejudice have emerged. For instance, AI systems used in hiring processes might unintentionally favor certain demographic groups if historical human decisions were biased.
By Palesa JD Sehlako2 years ago in Writers
The Enigmatic World of Anime: An In-Depth Journey into the Allure and Excitement of Japanese Animation
Anime, derived from the English word "animation," refers to animated works that originate in Japan. Its history can be traced back to the early 20th century when Japanese artists started experimenting with animation techniques. However, it wasn't until the post-World War II era that anime truly began to take shape. The iconic "Astro Boy," created by Osamu Tezuka, marked a significant turning point in the evolution of anime.
By Explore the Universe2 years ago in Writers
The Importance of Living in the Present
We live in a world that would have been incomprehensible to our ancestors as early as just a few years back. And the further back we go, the stronger the shock would've been. In this world that imitates fiction, we are at the mercy of our instincts. Our instincts make us constantly vigilant, checking for thieves or scammers who are lurking at every turn.
By Rene Volpi 2 years ago in Writers
