Thank you, Thank you, Thank you.
In case you didn’t know.
I must apologize for the late response. In truth I am still in shock.
The day was like any other, Wake up go for a walk, grab a coffee then plan to write throughout the morning.
On this particular day, August 16th, 2025. I was trying to complete a story for a Vocal Challenge. Having had a rather disturbing night of crazy dreams my mind was all over the place and concentration was at a minimum.
Yet write I tried.
A pop up appeared across my screen letting me know I had a message about a reader insight. I clicked them minimized almost immediately. I did not wish to be distracted. YET then another for receiving a comment on your story 'After the rain' and then another and yet another. I finally clicked on my notifications and saw one from Vocal 'You received $ ... bonus.'
My heart paused if it had stopped I would not be writing this. My mouth went dry. I refused to read further in fear the surreal situation would become a fantasy. Why? Because disappointment has been a constant companion when it came to winning a first place.
There were many pieces I felt had a real chance (As we all hope).
Silence of time
Down the rabbit hole
Hey Buddy
Two of a kind equal a pear.
Fast like the wind.
The legend of Foggy Waters.
I'm Broken.
Although I am grateful for being chosen as runner up three times and one honorable mention.
Achievements:
Runner-up in Poemosaurus Rex Challenge
Runner-Up in History Would’ve Burned This Page Challenge
Runner-Up in Future Fragments Challenge
Honorable Mention in Love in 50 Words Challenge
Pushing myself away from the computer I grabbed my iPad and went to find my wife. If anyone knows me, Linda is the one and only person I let read my works before publishing. Therefore, I wanted her to be present just in case the news was what I hoped it may be.
Together we signed in to Vocal, scrolled to the winners announcement of 'Winner in The Summer That Wasn’t Challenge.'
There it was my name in the winners circle....'After the rains' by Jbaz.
HOLY...S…
To see your name on that list with so many talented creators, is truly a dream, especially after having read many of the entries and realizing the amazing talent pool Vocal has accumulated.
I started back in February 2021, like many of us, trying to win that twenty thousand grand prize for the 'Black book' Challenge.' The story I released was my very first Publicly published piece anywhere. I some-how managed to receive a Top Story award for 'Cost of Freedom'.
Then no top story for almost two years....I learned that this business is tough and rough and oh boy does a writer need to learn patience, humility, and perseverance.
In truth, I wasn't close to becoming a proper published author. It is due to Vocal that I am given that chance, to create, share and discuss with other creators. If it wasn't for the continuous support of fellow writers I may have quit a while ago. For that alone I am grateful.
I still have a long way to go before I will ever be pleased with my works. There are pieces of mine I enjoy re-reading while others leave me shaking my head, thinking ...' You could have done better.'
Regardless, I will keep trying. However, I need to focus on the novels I am trying to complete. That is why I am writing and submiting less. However, I still read stories on Vocal as often as I can.
Yet, Vocal has a way of grabbing our attention with challenges.
In case you don’t know. What I am trying to express is a true heartfelt thank you to Vocal and every creator on this site. Thank you to Vocal judges for picking my story. I can imagine this is not an easy task. A special thank you to everyone who has ever read and supported me and my works. It truly is an honour to be part of this fantastic writing platform. This is why I am signed up for a five year commitment/subscription.
I started listing people to thank, then realized it would be a Novella if I did that. I hope you know who you are, and I hope I have expressed my thanks properly to you in the comments of my stories.
I seriously could not have won, without reading your works, which inspires and forces me to become a better writer. I fully understand that winning and being recognized is never a given, it is a privilege.
Thank you,
Jason Basaraba
About the Creator
JBaz
I have enjoyed writing for most of my life, never professionally.
I wish to now share my stories with others, lets see where it goes.
Born and raised on the Canadian Prairies, I currently reside on the West Coast. I call both places home.
Reader insights
Outstanding
Excellent work. Looking forward to reading more!
Top insights
Excellent storytelling
Original narrative & well developed characters
Heartfelt and relatable
The story invoked strong personal emotions
Center Stage with Gina C.
*** I'm keen to republish the interviews I did for my series with Vocal creators. It's been a few years and I thought it might be nice to revisit these wonderful conversations. I'll be releasing them one at a time for a few weeks/months.
By Heather Hubler4 days ago in Interview
Comments (35)
Jason, it's a privilege to share this platform with you. I've enjoyed your writing immensely from the first time I read it and I'm profoundly grateful for the support you've given me. Interesting that I'm just reading this after a sobering experience. I was told I'm doing ok here on Vocal, and I had to agree, after checking my achievements listed on my profile. Not long after, I happened to take a look at the list on a friend's profile. I had to scroll. I'm not sure where my head is now. What I do know is, I'll be reading your novels and anything you find time to write here.
It's nice to let distractions die in the dark. For you, it was a good idea to minimize that notification even though it was a reader insight. I enjoyed reading the events or the memory of the comments, leading up to your discovery. 'My heart paused... If it had stopped.' a very good line, this was. I feel you on the disappointments being a constant companion, in the past. Looking for that first place win to come by. Awe. I love how you included the wife, and that you turn to her to read your work before publishing. No top story for almost two year? I would've never thought that to be true. Patience, humility and perseverance. Most certainly need to have these in our back pockets. I among others appreciate you dropping by to read our work, even though you are working on your novels. That is true. It's never a given, it's a privilege. Winning and being recognised. Congratulations for your big win J, both you and your wife deserved it 👏🏾🤗❤️
Well done Jason!! I am thrilled for you!!
I was so glad to see your name on the top of the leaderboard! I know I'm pretty late to see it, but here to congratulate you! 🎉💖
I loved reading about your journey and how Vocal has been part of it. Congratulations on your leaderboard placement too!
Wooohooooo congratulations on your Leaderboard placement! 🎉💖🎊🎉💖🎊
Oooo oooo ooo!!! Look at you Jason, just cleaning up this week! First TS and then a taking second in this week's leaderboard!!! 🎉
Congratulations, we deserve. You are a talented writer ! I am glad your wife Linda is there to insure that your work is worth publishing. Thanks for your support with your reads and comments!
awww, man....you make us love you
You have inspired me with your humility, congratulations on Top Story xx
Back to say congratulations on your Top Story! 🎉💖🎊🎉💖🎊
thanks
I love your gratitude so much! So deserving...Congratulations
Congrats...wishes for many more for you.
Love this Jason, another round of congrats on your achievements and cheers to the many more that will come your way!! Oh, and congrats on Top Story!! 🎉
Many congrats on all your achievements, J. They serve as an affirmation to keep writing, keep striving, keep creating! Celebrate your ability to entertain, enthrall and excite your readers! We all appreciate you being here. 🤩 I also joined at the same time, hunting for that $20,000. I liked the story I wrote for it, but it was full of errors. So, I share your sentiments when you thanked others for helping you become better at writing. I feel the same. By reading other's work on Vocal, (including winning entries) I figured out a lot of things I was doing wrong or could do better. And for that, I'm grateful.
How nice is this, Jason! I love how open and humble you are. You truly are a gifted writer! Reading this made me smile. Things are rough for me right now, and my presence on Vocal has been lax lately, but without this platform, I doubt I ever would have continued with my writing journey. Maybe this was the gentle reminder I needed today to keep moving forward even when I'd much rather curl up in bed. Keep on being you!!!
No no no thank you for your presence! It’s a well deserved win, but isn’t it nice to be recognized?
Congratulations! And you are indeed a worthy winner and never think that you aren't.
Your humble gratitude is so heartwarming. You're a very talented writer and I'm so glad to see you get the recognition you deserve. I hope to read many more stories from you.
Hehehehehe I'm so happy for you Jason. You totally deserve this and more. I wish you all the best for upcoming challenges! 🤞🏼🤞🏼✨️❤️
I'm so glad I got to read the winning piece. It was very much deserving of the win. I'm glad you got to share in the excitement with your wife who supports you unconditionally but it sounds like you have some amazing supports here as well. I'm just starting out here and I'm already seeing an amazing community of writers (brilliant ones at that). Thank you for sharing your talent with Vocal and congrats again on the win!
Congratulations Jason. The win is well deserved.
Congratulations! It sounds like that news must have made your day. Never stop writing!
It was a well-deserved place, and I hope you are proud. 😁 I am so happy you got to experience that! I was not in the comfort of my home when I got a notification like that one... I was surrounded by clients, and I clapped a hand to my face and went OH FUCK OH FUCK FUCKING FUCK ME OH FUCK 😂