avatarCarolyn F. Chryst, Ph.D.

Summary

The website content discusses the author's experience with the Vocal Fictional Challenge, expressing disappointment at not winning despite high hopes and years of work on their "charming" story.

Abstract

The author of the content has been participating in writing challenges on Vocal.media, with the latest being the fiction challenge that had a grand prize of $25k. Although they had high hopes and had already mentally spent the prize money, they did not win or even make it to the runners-up list, which would have granted them a year of free access to Vocal.media and a chance at the grand prize. The author reflects on their submission, "Forest McGee and The Magnificent Thing," which was well-received by their writing friends as a "charming" story but did not impress the Vocal judges. Despite the setback, the author remains hopeful that their story will bring joy to readers on Medium. The experience has prompted the author to reconsider their involvement with Vocal.media, as they ponder the value of their continued participation in the face of rejection.

Opinions

  • The author has unrealistic expectations when entering writing challenges, prematurely spending the prize money in their mind.
  • They value the feedback from their writing friends, who described their story as "charming."
  • The author is disappointed and introspective about not winning the challenge or being recognized as a runner-up.
  • There is a sense of frustration and contemplation regarding the effort put into their work versus the lack of recognition from Vocal.media.
  • The author is considering whether to continue their journey with Vocal.media, questioning the benefits of their engagement with the platform.

fiction

Vocal Fictional Challenge Winners Announced

Well Can’t Win if You Don’t Try!

Image by Igor Ovsyannykov from Pixabay

I enter writing challenges on Vocal.media with high hopes, and unrealistic expectations. I’ve spent the prize money a thousand different ways before I’ve even hit the submit for review button.

The fiction challenge has a 25k jackpot for the winner. The winner will be chosen from 1000 runners-up. I thought I could at least make the runners up list. I searched the list in multiple ways and sad to say I won’t be getting a year of Vocal.media free, and I won’t be in the pool of candidates for the grand prize.

Rejection sucks

I like my “charming” story. That is what my writing friends called it- charming. I spent years writing it. It may not have charmed Vocal judges into awarding me a prize, but I hope it brings someone on Medium joy.

Maybe sour grapes talking (or the giant glass of wine next to me) but I am rethinking my Vocal journey —

You can’t win them all — -but one or two. Once in a while would be nice.

Writing Life
Writing
Vocal Media
Challenge
Prizes
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