Writing Together, Respecting Boundaries.

Hi everyone😊.

I wanted to take a moment to share some thoughts about something that happened recently. A fellow member reached out to me about another member and shared some unkind things about them. While I really value that we can form connections and even friendships outside of Vocal, I want to gently remind everyone that each writer’s journey is unique. We don’t owe anyone access to our personal lives.

Vocal is meant to be a safe space where we can share our writing, practice our craft, and express ourselves freely. When negative things are shared about someone in a way that spreads slander or judgment, it creates an unsafe environment for all of us.

I’ve met some amazing people here—some have even become friends outside of the platform—but Vocal is, at its heart, just a space for writing. It’s not a measure of our worth or a serious career path. Even when we win competitions or receive tips, it’s just icing on the cake.

It’s okay to love people, and it’s okay if someone isn’t your cup of tea. But we don’t need to make it our duty to criticize or spread negativity about them. Doing so says more about the person doing it than the person being criticized. Let’s focus on building a community that celebrates creativity and encourages one another rather than tearing each other down.

Thank you for reading and for being part of this creative space with me.