Structure

Raw to Remix- 53 & Me. Runner-Up in Self-Editing Epiphany Challenge.
The crows have landed, I see imperfection. Fifty times around the sun plus three more to rub my nose in it. Love yourself, they say, age with grace. But celebrities don't, so why should I? Botox and fillers- a facelift will do. Don't take age lying down, invoke skin resurrection. "You look good for your age." What the hell does that mean? Under eye bags, a deep forehead wrinkle leaves no secrets on my face. Social media spites me and forwardly invites me: To challenge Father Time with "Yeah, I'm about to get mine." Creams, potions, and diet, already tried it. So, I'm about to go in for hand assisted fixes and take a page from the famous. If you ask me later, know I denied it. This is all natural, don't you see; me at 53!
By Marilyn Glover12 months ago in Critique
Are Ukrainians prepared for concessions and a ceasefire? What the polls say is as follows:
The idea of a negotiated end to the three-year war has been put on the agenda and in the hands of Russian President Vladimir Putin thanks to an agreement between the United States and Ukraine on a ceasefire proposal. However, the parties' positions are pretty clear even before Moscow responds.
By Md Mirajul Islam12 months ago in Critique
The Real Legal Sauce
Being in the legal marketing world for years, I have discovered a lot of things. We live in an environment that is complex and saturated with promotional content wherever you go. Whether you're on legal websites, courthouses, law journals, or simply everything around you is composed of legal marketing.
By Kier Anthony12 months ago in Critique
Canada’s most consequential election is on the horizon
The contest that resulted in Mark Carney becoming the leader of the Liberal Party and the next prime minister of Canada has turned out to be a dull fait accompli. Chrystia Freeland, the once-reliable confidante and trusted deputy prime minister of Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, played the role of Judas in the drama that appeared to inevitably result in Carney's persuasive coronation on Sunday evening.
By Md Mirajul Islam12 months ago in Critique
Editing Like a Daredevil: How to Take Creative Risks Without Crashing
Are You Editing, or Just Playing It Safe? Ever feel like your writing is missing something? You tweak a sentence, polish a paragraph, and yet, the spark isn’t there. Maybe the problem isn’t your writing—it’s your editing. Too often, we treat editing like a cleanup job instead of what it truly is: an opportunity for risk-taking. What if you stopped seeing revision as a process of smoothing things out and instead, as a chance to push your creative boundaries? Welcome to the world of fearless editing, where breaking the rules, defying conventions, and making bold choices transform good writing into unforgettable storytelling.
By Alain SUPPINI12 months ago in Critique
How Did These Words Come Together?. Runner-Up in Self-Editing Epiphany Challenge.
The challenge Vocal sponsored a few months ago was to write a microfiction piece of 300 words that started with “There was only one rule: don’t open the door.” This seemed like something right up my alley because I love writing all things spooky and scary. I also couldn’t pass up this opportunity for an exact word count. I had to chop out some phrases and replace them with single words and carefully consider how I structured each sentence in each paragraph. However, I decided to include a real person, my son, and aged him. I had to imagine his life in the future as a blind man navigating the world. Here’s the first part of the story:
By Barb Dukeman12 months ago in Critique
The Meta of Writing
Writing about the process of writing is difficult these days because of two main technological advances: word processing software and AI. Editing on Word is much easier than the “old-fashioned” way of writing by hand and making editing suggestions in the margins as Shakespeare and Coleridge did. Most spellings are autocorrected, making that bit of proofreading almost obsolete. I edit as I write, revisiting my piece days later with fresh eyes. Using AI in original work is completely unethical. To approach this prompt, I had to write on paper. I chose the first part of the next challenge. I examine one sentence at a time.
By Barb Dukeman12 months ago in Critique
How HBO’s adaptation of The Last of Us set a new gold standard for video game storytelling
Few video games have left as profound an impact as The Last of Us. When HBO announced a live-action adaptation, expectations were sky-high. Could the series capture the emotional weight, intense storytelling, and immersive worldbuilding of the game? The result was a critically acclaimed success that managed to both honor and expand upon its source material. This article explores how The Last of Us translated from game to screen, analyzing its faithfulness, emotional depth, worldbuilding, supporting characters, and cultural impact.
By Bounty Hunter 12 months ago in Critique
Fallout: A Masterful Adaptation or Just Another Post-Apocalyptic Show?
The long-anticipated Fallout TV series, released on April 10, 2024, on Amazon Prime Video, has arrived with high expectations from both die-hard fans of the video game franchise and newcomers intrigued by its apocalyptic setting. Developed by Jonathan Nolan and Lisa Joy, the creative minds behind Westworld, the series promised to bring the rich lore, dark humor, and moral complexities of Bethesda’s beloved RPG to life. But does it truly capture the spirit of Fallout, or is it just another entry in the ever-growing catalog of post-apocalyptic dramas?
By Bounty Hunter 12 months ago in Critique
Backroom Cat Nap
THE 1ST DRAFT Warehouse Backroom Cat Nap “This is the stockroom warehouse where we keep our surplus. The most common items are stored up front. The whole place is basically a twisting tunnel of eclectic furniture. Most of the floor displays are directly for sale, but we keep extra stock in here. It’s primarily mattresses.”
By Amos Glade12 months ago in Critique
A Deeper Gaze at "Her Gaze". Honorable Mention in Self-Editing Epiphany Challenge.
I have written a lot of pieces I believe are challenging. It's always my goal as a writer to push myself outside of my comfort zone, and in turn, hopefully to push my readers there too. For this challenge, Vocal has asked us to pick an excerpt from a piece that we consider both imperfect and brimming with potential.
By Paul Stewart12 months ago in Critique
Arcane: How Riot’s Animated Masterpiece Redefined Video Game Adaptations
Video game adaptations have long struggled to capture the depth and complexity of their source material. Arcane, the critically acclaimed animated series from Riot Games and Fortiche Productions, not only overcame this challenge but redefined what a video game adaptation can achieve.
By Bounty Hunter 12 months ago in Critique