Inspiration
There is a Price to Be Paid For “Dumbing Down” Your Writing to Appeal to the “Average” Reader
There seems to be some consensus, at least on across the blogosphere, that in order to appeal to the so called “average reader” and maximize readership it is necessary to “dumb down” one’s writings. In the past I have come down very hard against this idea. In particular I take issue with the idea of grade level writing, or trying to keep one’s style and grammar and vocabulary choices at or below a certain arbitrary grade level, sixth and eighth grade seem to be the most common options. The idea being that people are generally not all that smart, not that patient, and will quickly click away from anything that challenges their intellect or in which they encounter unusual words they are not familiar with. Basically anything that makes them to think too much or forces them to come to terms with their own ignorance. Recently a writing colleague on a different site responded to my insistence that I would never dumb down my writing by asking a very simple question, would it hurt to do so? She went on to explain that as a non native speaker of English it is even more difficult for her than for most to keep up with “higher level” writing and she lamented that it was very frustrating having to constantly “go up and get a dictionary” to look up words that she did not know. I will admit the non native speaker was not the stereotype of the person I had in my head when imagining these so called ordinary joe’s and jane’s, and her points had some validity. They certainly forced me to stop and think about my position, and ultimately caused me to write this piece. For that I am eminently thankful to her and her question.
By Everyday Junglist3 years ago in Writers
Broken Beauty
Being a poet at an age as young as 11, some might say is impossible. When one thinks of poetry, it is thought-provoking, gut-wrenching, heart-breaking, and how can an 11 year old possibly have enough worldly experience to write anything so meaningful and deep?
By Lizzy Rose3 years ago in Writers
The Prince's Eyes
It is strange what you can recall when the past recedes, warps and forces you to reconsider certain moments. This particular challenge is a challenge. Do we really remember the first time we wrote something just for ourselves? There is school, where the pen and paper are put in your hands and you are forced to write about things you may not care about, or to complete assignments that mean nothing to you. There are the letters and cards you might send to your friends, classmates and family. And then, if you do consider it, you want to write or create something of your own. All art is based on imitation of some kind. But I still have to wonder why I wrote that piece.
By Kendall Defoe 3 years ago in Writers
Quirks and Quacks in the Countryside
Mortimer, Neil and Phil Mortimer and Pals Neil and Phil In a quaint corner of the UK countryside, nestled between rolling hills and fields of lush green grass and wildflower meadows, lived a lovely old chap known as farmer Arthur. He was known throughout the villages for his hearty laugh, love for a good pint, and, of course, his peculiar flock of ducks. He lived alone on his small farm tending to a modest collection of feathered friends, each with its own unique charm, but one of his ducks, in particular, stood out from the rest. This unique duck was named Mortimer. Mortimer had an odd characteristic that raised more than a few eyebrows among the locals. While all the other ducks quacked merrily in their distinct voices, Mortimer, for reasons known only to him, honked like a ship's foghorn. Yep, you read that right—a deep, resonating honk that echoed across the local fields. It was as if he was a lighthouse or watchman for his buddies he certainly was a rather unconventional character.
By ColdHardCash3 years ago in Writers
My First Piece I ever wrote
My first time doing Vocal was like one of the new steps for me during pandemic, self-worth,and isolation. Same thing as my first challenge in summer 2021. I thought it’s very important to do as many new things as I could during the pandemic. I have to take my risks including one of my fears: I have to conquer it after the ableism I faced through. For starters, I was curious, but I’m extremely nervous and disheartened. Why? Because I have a serious issue dealing with mixed receptive-expressive language disorder, one of mixed delayed development disorders I have had since I was two or three.
By Meghan LeVaughn 3 years ago in Writers
Writing Articles That People Want to Read is Not My Objective
I call your attention to two articles out of many millions that are available online purporting to give you the secret for success in writing on internet based web publishing sites or social platforms (linked below).
By Everyday Junglist3 years ago in Writers
When Writing about Disabilities
As a DeafBlind writer, when I'm not immersed in crafting or researching my stories, I enjoy reading others' perspectives on disabled individuals. However, much of the content I encounter is both frustrating and ableist, continuing to cast disabled people in a negative light through the choice of words.
By Punit kumar3 years ago in Writers
So You Think You Want to Write Humor and Satire?
Author's prepreface: I published this on Vocal two years ago, and on Medium before that, but thought I would resurrect it yet again with just a few changes for Vocal's new Writing community. Hopefully it will get at least a few more views there then it has anywhere else. I happen to think it is quite funny.
By Everyday Junglist3 years ago in Writers
Lessons from Venus - what can be learned?
Venus, the planet of beauty, worth and adoration, is currently in the transformational part of her Rx journey. At the start of last week, she was situated between the earth and the sun, making her invisible to the naked eye – she was the “evening star”, hidden in the night sky.
By Jessica Rasile3 years ago in Writers
