One Hundred

Once upon a time a young girl fell deeply in love with the written word. She read until her brain burst open and stories began pouring out into notebooks, on napkins, and the back of homework.

But time passed, life overwhelmed the girl and writing took a backseat as she focused on her growing brood of children.

She never forgot her dream and often still scribbled stories in stolen moments of quiet. She often wondered if she could ever be a successful writer.

Then, one beautiful day, she found Vocal.

The girl, her stories, and Vocal lived happily ever after.

Author's Note: I've been feverishly focused on writing stories and poems for the myriad of challenges now live on Vocal. Then I noticed my current story count is 99. It feels like an opportunity to stop and reflect. So I pause from my regularly scheduled challenge entries to write this drabble as my momentous 100th story.

Four years ago I stumbled upon Vocal after a family friend published a couple stories on the site. The challenges intrigued me and I contemplated submitting entries. It took me a few months to work up the nerve to finally publish my first story in February 2023. Today that first story has only two reads, no likes, and zero comments. Over the following year I published 25 stories, with very similar results. I worried I would never get any recognition and I'd leave with the realization that I didn't really have the talent to match my dreams.

Finally, one year after publishing my first story, my 26th story was picked as a Runner-Up in a challenge. Since then, more and more of my stories have been noticed leading up to two months ago, the moment I cried at work and called my husband to shriek in excitement. I had my first official challenge win. After 5 Runner-up placements and 2 Honorable Mentions, my Poem was chosen a winner. Me, a winner!

And then I won a second challenge the following month.

Wow.

Three years in and 99 stories later, I have garnered 9 achievements, 15 Top Stories, and a lot more confidence in my ability. In the wake of two wins, this year I have started to examine my writing career. I have started perusing other writing ventures with more confidence. I have recommitted to finishing my first novel and submitting it to an agent.

Because of my success on Vocal, I believe I have a chance to get noticed.

So, 100 stories in I find myself thinking seriously about my future as a writer and My future as a Vocal creator. I can't say what will happen with my writing career but I can say for sure that I plan to keep investing in my talent and using the myriad of challenges on Vocal to push myself. At some point I'll seek success in other writing ventures, but after all I've gained from Vocal I can't imagine ever parting ways.

Vocal is more than a place to earn a few extra dollars. It is a classroom to gain experience I could not get anywhere else. Vocal is more than a platform for sharing my work and getting feedback. It is a safe place to hone my craft and push my boundaries. Vocal is more than a community of writers boosting each other's morale. This is my home for hope. Vocal has brought me back to the neglected love from my early years and promised me a place to live happily ever after.