Inspiration
The Road to 500 Stories on Vocal
Since the Spring of 2018, I've written over 400 stories and had six Top Stories on Vocal as of February 2026. Now, I'm focused on achieving another milestone: 500 stories written. Now you're wondering how I could I possibly come up with topics to write about. It's based on personal experiences and events that are happening in the world. The question is will this feat be achievable by year's end? It's a longshot, but not impossible either. I write everything from sports to video games. One of my goals as a writer on Vocal is to encourage everyone to take something away from any story I write. In early 2018, I was at my lowest point in my life. I was going through mental health issues, including a couple of suicide attempts. One day, I went to my local library and was on a computer. I wanted something that'll lift my spirits up a bit. All of a sudden, I discovered something online where I could freely express myself. That site was called Vocal. When I wrote my first story on there, I was automatically hooked. I kept writing more and the rest, as they say, was history.
By Mark Wesley Pritchard about an hour ago in Writers
Paul and John's 47-Words Short Story Unofficial Challenge. Top Story - March 2026.
UPDATE - Republished to update the list of entries, with the 40 we've had so far. Completely smashed last unofficial challenge which recieved 31 entries. And there is still time. If you have yet to enter and fancy winning a bit of money or just challenging yourself or both or just making two old geezers job harder - please enter!
By Paul Stewartabout 17 hours ago in Writers
LATE Late March 2026: 6 Goals Accomplished
Another writing goal accomplished! And I snuck this one in just before March was all done with! This one is labeled as Write 2nd Draft of Script (Gun) because I like writing in halted speech patterns… and I was working with limited space. But to lengthen it out here where I got some extra leg room, the goal was to write the 2nd draft of my script, “Son of a Gun.”
By Stephen Kramer Avitabileabout 21 hours ago in Writers
Grace Isn’t the Gift — It’s the Giving
I asked God to show me what grace looks like. He showed me what grace doesn’t look like. It doesn’t look like a cure for cancer, HIV, or COVID. It doesn’t look like a financial windfall, a promotion, opening a new business, or finding a sack of money a hundred yards off the side of the road. It doesn’t look like someone who has mastered the first two — who reasoned it out, found the cure, and got paid.
By Mark Elliott about 22 hours ago in Writers
When The Story Pivots and Changes
My writing journey has been a bit of a roller coaster. I don't have any accolades to claim, though if I actually attempted to get serious about writing contests and submitting my work, I could change that. After I finished my rewrite and recording of the audiobook of "Memoirs of the In-Between" I decided that I needed to decide what to do next.
By Hope Martina day ago in Writers
I Confess The Battle Brought A Test
They doubted me for a long time. Because the counsel's faith has transformed into luck, they have lost your ways. I see the hidden sin and their eyes running amok. I remember walking through the courtyard; the first piece of knowledge I picked from you, my Lord, kept me so sharp. But the evil one trailed near, ready to pick a fight to cover the counsels' gripe. So the light in me compelled the evil one back to darkness as it folded into the red star marked on the council's floor. Father, I need my prayer and knowledge to be enough to deplete the look on their faces. As the power of Christ always comes in with much, you defend me from such. I see the unseen as the world leans farther away; give me the strength to do my part and push it back to the position where life was vibrant and in order. I then remember your teachings, Father; to them I hearken. It gave me more life before the shift, then I fell to my knees after I felt the rift. In the background, the phrase 'Christ is Lord, Christ is Lord' resounded, and I was overtaken with an intense proclivity to bring glory to his name. However, I was at odds with myself, for my heart I could not reach and obtain from the shelf. As the sweat ran down my face, I began to proclaim Christ is Lord, and a sudden shift began to persist. The Lord began to breathe on me, and the burden was lifted; his light gave me the strength to reach, and my sweat turned to oil—that means he filled me. My eyes began to light up like his as I became one with his spirit. Now that his last lesson was complete, he pulled out a seat. My cup overflowed with life as we began to feast on immeasurable outreach for this life and the people. Then a knock on the door called my attention nigh.
By Arlo Wyseea day ago in Writers
Why Unwritten Thoughts Are Lost Forever
There is a specific kind of loss that most people recognize only in hindsight: the realization that something once understood clearly has vanished without leaving a trace. It is not the loss of a fact, but the loss of a connection, a realization, or a way of seeing that once felt complete and meaningful. The mind remembers that something mattered, but cannot recover what it was. No record exists to return to. No artifact remains. The understanding did not fail. It simply disappeared.
By Peter Thwing - Host of the FST Podcasta day ago in Writers
