Shoutout
How Logical
This is definitely a cheat. I am talking about my choice of song for Annie Kapur’s private Challenge, “Sing us the Song of the Century”. I could have chosen so many famous numbers from the twentieth century (assuming that this is the century that she is referring to; I am not too attracted to the noises of our new age). But I have to go back to a song that I have already written about on this page. As I said, this is definitely a cheat.
By Kendall Defoe 7 months ago in Writers
Our Independence Day
Our Independence Day, at its core concept, is the independent gasp of a nation—an intangible instant condensed into history, memory, and legend. It is not so much a date enumerated by flags and parades; it is a throb of liberty, a transcendent liberation from the silences of servitude. By definition, Independence Day is the yearly celebration of a nation's freedom from foreign rule, colonial occupation, or tyrannical authority. But under this technicality is a maze of feelings, philosophies, and obligations beyond the ink of historical proclamations.
By Muhammad Abdullah7 months ago in Writers
Our Mayfly Vocal Stories
Introduction I was spurred to write this because of what has happened to a couple of my stories, and I am not sure what the answer is to solve this. I have written in the past about getting what I call "The Creep", which is achieved by sharing with groups outside of Vocal and the Vocal Facebook Groups, and here are a couple of articles on the subject:
By Mike Singleton 💜 Mikeydred 7 months ago in Writers
Data Breach - End of Privacy?
When the Optus data breach hit headlines in September 2022, it was impossible to ignore. Over 10 million Australians, myself included, found ourselves caught in the crossfire of one of the country's largest privacy scandals. Sensitive data like driver's licenses and Medicare card details were exposed to cybercriminals, sparking a wave of class actions, media outrage, and questions about the future of cybersecurity.
By Narghiza Ergashova7 months ago in Writers
Is It Safe to Travel Pakistan- Skardu, Hunza, Naran–Kaghan? Full 2025 Guide
Roads can be tricky. Weather can flip. Flights might get canceled. But if you're ready, the experience is unforgettable. This post has everything you need to know about safety, season, places, travel styles, routes, gear, and real examples — so you don’t just travel, you enjoy it.
By Mavrick Tours Pvt Ltd7 months ago in Writers
On A July Morning - A Mikeydred July Dollar Prompt For All Vocal Creators
Introduction Every month, I set prompts in the Vocal Social Society and offer a dollar tip to five random creators who take part in it and ask them to share their stories in the comments and on the thread in the group.
By Mike Singleton 💜 Mikeydred 7 months ago in Writers
When the River Forgot Mercy
It was supposed to be a day of joy. The Kareem family—fifteen members, spanning three generations—had set out early that morning for a picnic near the riverbank. Children laughed as they chased each other through the tall grass, elders sipped tea under the shade of a tree, and parents smiled at the rare peace that life seldom offered. No one suspected that the sky above, gray and quiet, was holding back a storm that would soon rewrite their fate. By late afternoon, the winds began to howl. The river, once calm and silver, turned into a roaring beast. Water rushed in with a fury no one had predicted—certainly not the underfunded local weather office, which had failed to issue a proper warning. Within an hour, their picnic spot became an island of stone, surrounded by waves that clawed at their feet like hands desperate to pull them under. They called for help. Again and again. Phones rang unanswered. Emergency lines were jammed. The state’s disaster response team, crippled by poor coordination and a lack of resources, couldn’t even locate them on the map. Officials sat behind desks, watching weather reports with mild concern while lives were slipping beneath water. Night fell. The children cried themselves to sleep in the arms of their parents. Hope faded with every crashing wave. By morning, the river had swallowed the island whole. No bodies were found. No rescue ever came. Just silence. They did not die because nature was cruel. They died because the system was blind.
By Khalid Khan7 months ago in Writers
My Top 10 Writers of All Time
Books have always been portals to other worlds, windows into the human soul, and mirrors reflecting the complexities of life. Behind every great book is a writer whose imagination, intellect, and skill breathe life into stories that endure beyond time. Over the years, countless authors have influenced me, but there are ten whose work has left an indelible mark on my mind and spirit. These writers are my top 10 of all time — not just for their literary genius but for how they challenged me to think differently, feel deeply, and dream wildly.
By Anwar Jamil7 months ago in Writers
Fortnightly Reading Round-Up #1
With no disrespect to the curators behind Vocal’s top stories, I don’t always agree with their choices. While many of the picks are great reads, each week I come across stories that, in my opinion, deserve a place in the spotlight.
By R.S. Sillanpaa7 months ago in Writers
