Start
This is For The Vocal Writers Challenge About The First Piece I Ever Wrote
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The Prompt
Write about the first piece you ever wrote. How has your style or perspective changed since then?
Read more about it here
Start
When did I start writing? I wanted to write a book since the early eighties and many ideas ended up as scrap paper in waste paper bins. I had a manual typewriter and went through a lot of Tipp-Ex
Then a friend started a blog which he never continued after four excellent posts nearly twenty years back but you can check out The Ape of Wrath here.
So I thought I would do a blog that might help me write a book. I had a web page before which has disappeared into the digital desert wasteland but it had a very brief first entry and then has gone through many subjects before becoming a sort of reading diary.
The first
Seven Days In poss February 18th, 2007:
The latest Seven Days In Post August 10th, 2023:
On 17th April 2021, I published my first Vocal Story which was a steal from Seven Days In but has had around seventy reads and some good responses, but is an article rather than something totally creative.
I followed that with my first observations on what I thought I should be doing on Vocal, but I was still very much finding my way.
I had been tempted to Vocal by the challenges but I was still very raw. The six-hundred-word minimum and moderation I found beneficial to my writing development, along with the support of friends and mentors from, initially, The Vocal Social Society.
Since then I have gained confidence to write fiction and poetry, so of which, though I say it myself, is very good.
This is a first poem on Vocal which was meant to be for a challenge, but I forgot to enter it. It is free form and quite crude.
Since then I have learned many poetic forms and have developed a preference for sonnet and villanelle but below are three which I believe illustrate how far I have progressed.
Similoarly I believe the breadth of my fiction has improved, I started with creepy horror but the tried more mainstream and some fantasy.
This was an early mini series
then I went a little more mainstream with this
Conclusion
My style is laconic, or as some people have said, lazy, but I believe my work is becoming better with each piece I write. People are still reading me and like my style, so I would love to keep you all with me.
So you have me from my first recorded online post to here and now. I hope you have enjoyed the glimpses I have given to you.
Thank you for reading, it is most appreciated.
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Comments (29)
Congratulations Mike! Great post and laconic is quite the vogue nowadays π
Congrats on your win, Mike.
Mikeeeeeeeeee! Omggggg I was so happy to see that you finally placed in a challenge! Wooohooooo! Congratulations! ππππππ
So happy to see this today! Congratulations Mike! Well done β€οΈ
Hey Mike, congrats on your prize and placement. This is terrific news. Bet you are happy!! π Well done! βΊοΈ
Congrats on your first win very well done
Congrats on your first win very well done
Congratulations, Mike! Am I correct in remembering this is your first placement in any challenge & that you've finally broken through?
Way to go Mike! πππ
Congratulations on the runner up win!!! π₯You won a challenge!!! Happy for you!!!πβ€οΈβ€οΈ
I am here to type CONGRATULATIONS!!!!! IT'S ABOUT TIME! Especially since You're a VOCAL CREATOR O.G.!
congrats! your cosistency, dedication and perserverence as well as talent have paid off!
Congrats Mike!!! πππ
Congratulations Mike π₯π
Way-to-go Mike. Happy to see you on the board. Great example of sticking to your guns and being dedicated. Fair play and congrats.
So happy for you, Mike! βΊοΈβΊοΈ
Congrats Mike. Nicely done.
Mike! I was excited to see your name on the list! Mighty Congratulations to you! Great piece!
Mike! Congrats on your placement in the challenge! So excited for you, and I know youβll place even higher next time. π©·
Hey, you did it, Mike! The challenge curse is broken!
What a great retrospective, Mike.
<3
Hey, laconic isn't lazy. :) It's always a great journey with you, enticing the reader's mind with thought and sound. It's nearly impossible to stop writing once the impetus really kicks in, and that means a constant building and constant path.
I totally agree with Cendrine! People mock what they can't achieve! Keep writing Mike! I love your stories and poem!
Very interesting to have a window into your writing journey! Thanks for sharing :)