Here’s the way to be ignored
Doesn’t matter the topic or if you’re adored
Look like you’re writing about the Lord.
#
Here’s how to ensure that not a word
Of what you’ve written will be observed
‘Religion’ makes sure you’re neither seen or heard.
#
Here’s how your work will fade away
Without a look, nor see the light of day
Writing about your faith struggle is exactly the way.
——-
Not everything I write is a winner, interesting, or everyone’s cup of tea. I’m good with that, no one owes me anything, I have no expectations.
I have a handful of stories among my almost 500 on this platform that have 10 and under views. It’s ok: learn from it and move on.
Is my own engagement with reading here down? Oh yes, yes it is- I am struggling to keep up in every part of my life not just on Vocal.
I am slogging through this year, I know it, and if you know me personally you know it, too.
Still. My entry into the map challenge has one view. Mine.
That is different. I mean, not even the Romance Guy has stopped by.
Not even Miss You’ve Got a Friend Can I DM you has been there.
Maybe the car threw people off? (It makes sense, I think, in the context of the story.)
Maybe mentioning my very real childhood AHa! moment made folks think it would be a sermon?
Maybe I should just take some time off writing for a while?
I suspect it was the Jesus insertion in the blurb visible on the thumbnail, but maybe not.
I’m willing to learn from this, and truth is it taught me about myself as I wrote it so; cheaper than therapy, I guess.
Here’s the entry into case you consider a ‘pity read’, but that’s not necessary. I’m just used to linking and attaching things that are the subject of my writing as a consideration for those that made it to
The End.
Edited to add: this whiny poem-ish thing IS my 500th piece on Vocal.
About the Creator
Judey Kalchik
It's my time to find and use my voice.
Poetry, short stories, memories, and a lot of things I think and wish I'd known a long time ago.
You can also find me on Medium
And please follow me on Threads, too!
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Comments (17)
It's a learning process for us all still. Juggling the rest of life to be a "fully present writer"...a book I too could write but don't wanna 😑 Enjoyed reading your story!
Oh the irony of getting so much recognition for a piece about lack of recognition. Don't be discouraged. I have tried to build a thick skin when it comes to my writing. I came to Vocal and didn't expect anything because if I invest too much in the applause, when it's silent, the pain is real. Thankfully, the communities on Vocal ARE supportive. Although I try not to spend too much time figuring out "what works," it's only human nature to wonder how a story that you created and felt great about receives less views than a "not-crazy-about-it" story that you "publish anyway." As for your point about religion, the way I always feel about faith being censored or ignored is that if you are putting your faith out there and suffering because you put it out there, it gives you grace. Keep at it and congratulations on your ironic win!
Judey, this is so relatable!! I also feel the struggle to keep up with Vocal and everyday life!! Congrats on placing honourable mention this week!!
Wooohooooo congratulations on your Leaderboard placement! 🎉💖🎊🎉💖🎊
I read both of these articles. But I haven't felt un-noticed or unrecognized by Vocal for my faith articles. But like, the Virginia Slims vintage commercial says, Vocal, you've come a long way, baby!
I remember when Vocal didn't even allow talk of God. I appreciated the change. Whether you are religious or not, people should be allowed to speak of God. Hitting subscribe now. Furthermore, my reads are down as well. I have been putting everything into my writing this past year and struggling through one of the biggest transformations of my life- if not THE biggest. I don't have a giant following. Just a few people who leave me amazing comments on my stuff. I appreciate that because I feel seen in my Vocal space when my group of real life people have never ever made me feel worth anything. There are times I thought of giving up because while I'm pouring my heart out, I also kind of feel like people think I'm giving off victim mentality in my work. That's not the case. I don't want pity. I just need to get my feelings out of my before they consume me anymore than they already have. At the end of the day, I can't really change what anyone thinks about me or what I write. I can only write my truth and accept whatever comes from it. Congrats on your leader board placement! You deserve it! And please, don't stop writing!! I just subscribed and am looking forward to whatever you decide to create!
Reads are down for 90% of people on here since the Leaderboard change. I wrote this: https://shopping-feedback.today/poets/a-for-new-suggestions-for-the-vocal-leaderboard-categories-a-harvest%3C/span%3E%3C/span%3E%3C/span%3E%3C/a%3E You are not alone. We just write and enjoy. i am so behind in replying to comments...life is a mess and we just do what we can. Take heart
Congratulations on publishing your 500th story. I am beginning to feel like you though for the past few weeks. Agree spirituality and religious only once in a while get good reads.
Sorry, I didn't see notification of Take the Back Roads, as it was likely buried among the dozens of notifications I get per day. On that - being prolific is great but damn, some authors publish so much that the efforts of any others in my feed are swamped by them. That aside, you're right. Religion is a difficult subject to tread on Vocal, and in media in general. Unless you're part of the religious community, people don't want to hear about it or publish it unless you're saying something negative about it. It's the sad truth. It's all pretty much summed up in the lyric from "Tiny Dancer": "Jesus freaks out in the streets, handing tickets out for God." For many, religious people are all lumped together, all Jesus freaks. I think your piece was wonderfully written, and very relatable. I was raised Catholic. My wife is Protestant, raised in the American Bible belt. She often talks about what you wrote about. While her family was different than yours, both of us knew families like yours, and we heard similar things ourselves. Things like being gay is a sin, AIDS is God's vengeance, husbands must be the breadwinners in order to be respected, and obedience to the church is absolute. Neither of us liked those views, and we each stood against them. I've always respected people who could think for themselves, rebels. And that doesn't mean we can't have faith. I do, and I expect you do. As I've long said, when it comes down to it, the problem people have with religion isn't usually God, it's people. People are almost always the problem.
Congratulations on your 500th story. I just published 91 so I have a lot to go. I read this, then read your other piece. I didn't see your previous story until this one. Like Lana, I'm subscribed to you but yesterday there was like 8 hours where not one creator I am subscribed to appeared to have posted anything, including Mikeydred and I'm pretty sure he posts every hour. So I think there were some glitches. Personally, I love reading stories that focus on faith. I appreciate learning about others beliefs and understanding their struggles. But I completely understand the worry that mentioning God will drive others away. I have often chosen to keep my beliefs quiet due to that same fear.
I am sorry Ms Kalchik. I find juggling quite hard and like Lana sometimes think things just seem go fly under the radar. It was not a slight at you. And I will read it. Not cos I pity you but because you are a friend and deserve better and I'm glad you wrote this piece with humour and grace. That picture is brilliant. Lol. It's kinda playing on my mind..mildly threatening. But mesmerising too. I've had similar things happen. All my stories and poems are my babies too but the nonfiction ones often get less for some reason. And those are the ones that are often the hardest to write. But overall too my reads and engagement has been lower this year than others so wonder if it's a sitewide thing too. Not making excuses.
I suspect something is wrong with the algo, Judey. I’m subscribed to you but I hardly ever receive notifications of your stories. I thought you were just stepping back and taking time a way, which seems to be happening a lot here on Vocal lately. I’ve also published my 500th story recently, did you see mine? Because my engagement is down as well.
Don't give up. That's all I can say. Religion is nothing to do with it. Art is always worth it. We all struggle. xxx
Judey… I love the way you inserted humor into this. But, it is true. I’m not sure though that it has to do with the insertion of religious topics. Maybe it might be. But in this particular week there very low participation here on Vocal. My latest Gloria episode is hardly getting any attention. The sad thing is I put a lot of work into this one and I think it’s one of my best. But who’s to say what’s going on.
I had surgery on Friday and then I had to put one of my fuzzy babies to sleep today. This year has been a very tough year. And I honestly took a like 9 month hiatus myself. I’m still trying to catch up!!!
I've often felt the same way, but most of my Top Stories have been about God. Go figure. Vocal is a global site and so there are people from other religions who just remain quiet about those stories😬 I think we've all noticed a decrease in traffic since all of the Vocal glitches. Chin up. Don't stop. Keep going . ❤️🌸😊🌙⭐️💚💫
Oh, Judey. I'm still here. Just busy with things, but I will try to read more often...and comment. That statue, however, is scaring me...