Writing Exercise
Gardenias
On the other side of the creek, dense foliage rose from the bank, thick woody branches cloaked in dark green leaves tangled and interlooped with each other in an indecipherable riot of ochre and emerald, white flowers crowning it here and there in a burst of fragrance. Gardenias.
By Harper Lewis5 months ago in Writers
A Glimmer in the Gaslight. Top Story - August 2025.
This is a writing exercise and was entirely inspired by a recent Top Story from the wonderful Vocal creator Lana Lynx. Lana's story stemmed from her wondering what it would be like if dead authors, particularly dead Russian authors, posted their story ideas and WIPs on Facebook. Please check out the truly amazing and amusing results.
By Raymond G. Taylor5 months ago in Writers
Dear London
I don't like to admit it but I'm past my festival going age, I think. Too many smells, too little comfort. However, I do still like to watch Glastonbury on the TV from the comfort of my sofa and I was intrigued by a feature that I saw called "Letters Live" where celebrities read out letters by famous people and others to an audience.
By Rachel Deeming5 months ago in Writers
AI overview of The Silence of Everything. AI-Generated.
The Silence of Everything is a collection that delves into the unspoken layers of human emotion. It captures moments of solitude, whispers of longing, and the quiet reflections we often hide from the world. Each poem is a mirror—sometimes gentle, sometimes sharp—reflecting the complexities of life, love, and loss.
By Malaika Nawaz5 months ago in Writers
For Future Fiction Fun. Top Story - August 2025.
Anne Bernays and Pamela Painter — What if? Writing Exercises for Fiction Writers prompts — The Exercise: Buy a notebook to use for just this one exercise. Then, on a regular basis, perhaps at the beginning of your writing time, or before you go to bed, write for ten to twenty minutes addressing each of the following subjects: * List in detail all the places you have lived - one place per page. (This is a good way to begin because it gives the entire notebook a concrete grounding in time and place.) You might even want to get very specific, say by recounting all the kitchens or bedrooms. * Next, recall if you were happy or unhappy in those places. * Consider your parents' relationship, from their point of view. *List important family members: brothers and sisters, grandparents, uncles and aunts, cousins. What were the dynamics of your nuclear family, your extended family? (Some of these subjects may take several twenty-minute sessions. Leave space for unfinished business.)
By Denise E Lindquist5 months ago in Writers
The First 100 Words: How to Write Openings That Stop Scrolls Cold
Why Your First 100 Words Can Make or Break You on Vocal Let’s be blunt: no one owes you their attention. In an online world overflowing with short attention spans, TikTok clips, and never-ending scrolls, getting someone to click on your Vocal story is already a victory—but keeping them there is the real battle.
By Muhammad Sabeel5 months ago in Writers
A Man's Guide to Thriving
The truth about aging hits different when you're staring at your reflection one morning and wondering when your eyebrows decided to go rogue. While Troy Breiland hilariously captures the "follicular betrayal" of middle age in his recent piece about men falling apart, there's another side to this story - one where you don't just survive the changes, but actually master them.
By Narghiza Ergashova5 months ago in Writers
