Achievements
CURSE: the 200,000 Words of an Angsty Teenager. Second Place in Writers Challenge.
"On 9/1/2013, I embarked on a journey I thought was going to be short-lived and...mostly for fun. But, this one silly idea became the light and passion of my life. A Fan-Fiction turned novel turned seven book series isn't something that just happens, it is worked on, slaved on, and bled on. Four years I have spent with this one story, this one idea, and it has become such a major part of my life, that I couldn't imagine being without it. It has gained me a following of readers who have connected to the story on a level I didn't think was possible. CURSE is my baby, an accumulation of my thoughts, feelings, and real life struggles turned into a fantasy world filled with complex characters. Now, as a part of the work in progress FATE OF FIRE series, I can't wait to spend many more years writing about this world and these characters with the people who have supported me since the start. Happy Four Year Anniversary to my novel, CURSE! ❤" - Facebook post by Amanda Starks, 2017
By Amanda Starks2 years ago in Writers
A Memory Never Forgotten.. Content Warning.
My siblings always wanted to play out, but it was rare that I could as much step outside without being bullied. I spent many long days in my room engrossed in reading as many books as I could in a day, usually around six to seven books. I would wake up in the mornings on weekends when I didn't have school, and sit in my room writing anything from one-liners to a whole writing pad full of scribbles, sentences, stories, and poems which didn't often make any sense to anyone but me. I had often imagined becoming one of the great children's literary writers whose books were always in the shop windows with the words 'best seller' written on the front cover.
By Carol Ann Townend2 years ago in Writers
The Agony Of Creativity As A Writer
Creativity is a fickle friend. One day she provides endless inspiration, the next, she's nowhere to be found. As writers, we rely on her gifts to fill the blank page. But, there are many obstacles that can block creativity's flow.
By Rick Martinez2 years ago in Writers
What is Your Voice?
Detecting Your Accent Despite opinions to the contrary, what constitutes a writer’s “voice” relies on their writing style, technique, vocabulary, and grammatical structure. Detecting a writer’s voice is something that most people do after reading a specific author for a long time. It’s like your relationship with someone that you've become intimately familiar with. Family members, friends, and coworkers are all people we become so familiar with their speech patterns that we instantly know if someone is trying to impersonate them. Or if there is something wrong with them, by the way, they are talking alone.
By Atomic Historian2 years ago in Writers
From Fuzzy Feelings to Finer Verses
Have you ever been told you can’t? That you aren’t good enough? Take a moment. Breathe. Now, imagine meeting me in person. Imagine we’re sitting across from each other (or side by side if direct eye contact isn’t your thing). You’d notice that I rarely flaunt my identity. But today, I lay my cards on the table and tell you I am a poet and an author with bona fide publications to my name. (Please, don’t rush off to find them; this isn’t a sales pitch.)
By Dan-O Vizzini2 years ago in Writers
Attending an Indigenous Writers Gathering Was Great!
When attending the Indigenous Writers Gathering at a Tribal and Community College an hour from my house, I noted that a lot of the writers’ work came from serious topic areas. Then there were the fun and funny works as well!
By Denise E Lindquist2 years ago in Writers
Rising from the Ashes
In the dimly lit room of a small apartment in Lyon, France, Sara sat alone, gazing at the fading sunlight streaming through the curtains. Her eyes, once filled with the fire of determination, were now brimming with tears as she clutched a faded photograph. It was a picture of her and her teammates, their faces etched with despair, taken moments after the final whistle had blown in the previous Women's World Cup. They had lost. Heartbreak had washed over them like a tidal wave, drowning their dreams of glory.
By Lubega Abubakari2 years ago in Writers
Musings and Advice
I broke 2,000 reads overnight. Yippee!! It’s taken me over 290 stories to reach this number, with about 95 subscribers. I have put a lot of work into each of these stories. Most of these reads came from the last thirty days. I have been a member of Vocal since July of 2021, but I have only written for less than six months total during this time.
By Mother Combs2 years ago in Writers
Unlocking My Love Part 3
Welcome back, readers. If you have been following this little three-parter I have created, you know about my first written story and how I strayed from the writer’s path during high school. However, if this is your first time reading this short jaunt down memory lane, I shall direct you to where you can visit previous installments. You can read, or revisit, those crucial points in my writing journey here: Part 1 and Part 2. Would I consider those my first writing piece is a matter of perspectives? Sure, both were written in the form of freelance, but the title of my first official story for eyes beyond my own goes to a piece I wrote for a writing contest.
By Iris Harris2 years ago in Writers
The Wizard of Oz 3
It was a long time ago, back in my earliest days of high school. We had a project due for my drama class, and the basic idea is we had to act out a bunch of scenes from a chosen play. Many students took this premise and simply worked with a collection of scenes from any well-known work of art, Shakespeare, and the like. I, however, had a deep and passion and yearning to not merely replicate works that had been previously done, but to put my own ideas out there in the ether. I wanted more than anything to create something that was mine and share it with everyone.
By Tyler C Douglas2 years ago in Writers
