How Justin @Vocal RUINED my Entire Story

I debated whether I should write this.

I was bored, so I wrote it.

Then I argued with myself about posting it.

Yes, I did answer myself.

Annnnd, here I am.

I know the title sounds like I’m upset or about to unleash a Burger King whopper-style rage.

But, no, that isn’t why I’m here.

I do, however, need to have a little talkie talk with the one and only Justin.

Yep, that Justin, the Vocal MAN.

He (unintentionally) ruined my story.

I'm not saying I'm mad. I'm just...disappointed.

He’s not in trouble. Too much trouble, I should say.

But I do need to pick this teeny, tiny little bone with him before I can let it go.

I’ve stayed in my lane as far as communities on Vocal are concerned. Most of my content is true crime or dark, morbid events. I noticed that the Criminal community rarely got a Top Story selection.

But writing in this genre has become harder than it used to be. Constant heartbreak and dread. Death. Hurt. Pain.

If you read my content regularly, you may have noticed I’ve typed my way into a couple of other communities. (Now, when I write true crime, I choose lighter stories.)

Don’t get me wrong: I am still a true crime junkie. But my writing about murder and terrible, horrible, no good people constantly (for years) isn’t exactly great for the nervous system.

I noticed some Communities were worse off for a Top Story than the Criminal community. It had been months or years in some of the genres.

I joined Vocal in ‘21 and earned a few Top Story honors along the way. Then, I realized it’s been years since any of my stories have been selected for “Top story” honors, even though my writing has greatly improved.

All of this got me thinking.

I'm no Stephen King, but dang it, why are my stories getting no recognition (from Vocal)? Why are some communities lacking a Top Story honor?

Are the Vocal team haters who stick to the communities they like? Is there a system glitch? What the fudge popsicle?

Before I knew it, my brain concocted a funny story about it. I was proud.

“The Case of the Missing Top Story” was its title.

I wrote it, rewrote it, edited it.

Then rewrote it again. It had mystery, suspense, and most importantly, solved my own conspiracy theory. Yeah, call me Sherlock Holmes.

Well, until Justin came along.

I started to doubt myself again. Should I publish the story? I did not want the story to be misconstrued by anyone, especially the Vocal staff. And, honestly, I wasn't 100% sure anyone else would read it.

(Not that it would be the first time).

Two weeks pass. The story sat in my docs, waiting.

Enough is enough. The Delete button is at my service if I change my mind later.

I look at the story and ask myself, "What would Nike do?"

Just do it.

I head to Vocal, confident enough to publish my story. But first, I'll read the new update from Justin @Vocal.

Reading the exciting updates, I felt a huge slap in my face when Justin revealed why some communities haven’t had a Top Story in a while. (But did not explain why Vocal ghosted me).

He answered the question that my entire story centered around.

Vocal is sorting through spammers, scammers, and AI in many categories, including Criminal, where most of my work is found. And so, Vocal has nulled Top Story selections in some categories.

Just like that, my story was gone.

Thanks a lot, Justin.

I could always publish the story and pretend that I didn't read the announcement.

Nah. I’m not that type of girl.

But I am suspicious.

Very suspicious.

I’m just not sure what I am suspicious of.

I’m not saying I have another conspiracy in my mind stemming from the first one…But I’m not saying I don’t.

as a true crime writer, where else do you expect my brain to go when suddenly, Justin pops up with answers to questions in my head like he's part of Scooby Doo & the gang?

He could have been nice enough to wait one more day to publish his story. Has he never heard of getting cold feet and letting an article marinate in Drafts for a while? Geesh.

Rude.

Big sigh.

I’m glad Justin answered the question regarding Top Stories that many of us had. And ecstatic for the other changes we’ll soon see. But damn it, did he have to solve the case before I had time to play detective?