Latest Stories
Most recently published stories in Viva.
When in Disgrace with Fortune and Men's Eyes
The title of this piece is the first line of Shakespeare’s Sonnet 29, which is analysed in detail here. The poem itself doesn’t have much to do with this topic, but taking the first eight lines in isolation, it sounds a lot like how it feels to be a woman in a male-dominated workplace:
By Katy Preen8 years ago in Viva
What's Wrong with My Vagina... And Can Baking Soda Really Help?
I have always been fascinated with the human body and its organs. When I got my first period, unlike most, I was truly elated! This meant I was a woman and I could start kissing and having sex! It wasn't until very recently in my mid-20s that I started experiencing a huge shift in my own body's way of operating. It was no longer a self-oiled machine. I was not eating properly for many years and was partying extensively. If only I knew what crazy effects this would have on my sex life! I began to develop a strange odor from my vagina. I became extremely self-conscious about "her" and the odor she was giving off (especially since this was a new sensation for me). This prohibited me from having any sex at all as I was too worried about what others might be thinking. It doesn't sound like an issue for the press, however, to a girl going through a similar situation, I can promise it is. I even damaged a couple relationships due to my "between me down there" issues. I was DEFINITELY too embarrassed to talk to any of my girlfriends and found myself surprised that I couldn't even approach my own mother about the topic. Instead, I left it alone. I did nothing to rectify my issue. In fact, I made it worse by ignoring it. I would come home after work to see my panties soaked with discharge, so badly it was ruining all my Victoria's Secret underwear! Besides the odor, I was experiencing a nasty itch that I (literally) could not scratch. My girl friends and I always do a "movie girls night sleepover" once a week. We decided that even though we are closer to 30 than 20, that we would make a pact to keep our young spirits alive by having these nights together. My kitty problem got so internally and externally terrible, I stopped attending my precious girls nights for I was NOT going to let anyone get a whiff of what I was putting out there! I just wanted to be alone.
By Molly Mabees8 years ago in Viva
Brave Face
There are so many things I could say about him. So many bad things. Yet back then, there was only ever good things. His charm could sweep anyone off their feet. His instant replies made me feel wanted after being left feeling alone and unworthy. He'd always check up on me, making me feel secure. He'd tell me I was beautiful without makeup, looked good in every outfit. He was perfect.
By Kayleigh Dufour8 years ago in Viva
Child Victim of a Sexual Predator
Cue immediate shame with self-identification: I was a victim of a child molester. I was also a witness to my sister's molestation. Our experience is a shining example of how child predators often manifest as "wolves in sheep's clothing." Though we warn our kids to avoid the creepy guy in the park, or the man driving a van who's trying to show them his puppy or offering free candy, perpetrators are more likely to be trusted friends than oddball strangers.
By Amanda Karenina8 years ago in Viva
Free the Boobies
In December 2016, I went to a party. I got drunk. Very drunk. But somehow, I remember one thing in my night: I met a girl who wasn’t wearing a bra. I remember hearing her say it while I was walking and I just stopped, turned around and asked her, “How can you not wear a bra? You have big breasts!”
By Camille Péloquin8 years ago in Viva
Why I'm Sick and Tired of Feminism
When you see someone like me on any given day, your first thought would probably not be feminist. You might see me in a jacked up truck, or rolling around in my 4 door car bumping any G-Eazy song singing "Man, she's got the deepest throat, yeah shes blessed..." (Say Less by G- Easy) and smoking a cigarette. In fact, feminist is probably the last thing you might think. But, if you saw my Facebook page, you would think I'm a certified SJW (Social Justice Warrior). You would see a wide array of posts talking about sex worker rights, videos from Hasan Piker (Total SJW BAE) and Philip Defranco, and posts discussing the injustices of POC (People of Color) and LGBTQIA+. However, since discovering my feminist mindset at 14, (6 years ago) I have learned of a lot of shit that I am sick and tired of seeing within the feminist movement.
By Hope J. Nas8 years ago in Viva
From Hell to Happiness
I have two children with the man who raped and sexually abused me for the span of our relationship. Three long years. It started off great. Better than great. He was my best friend. But things moved too fast. He moved in and a month later I found out I was pregnant with our first child. He was thrilled. I was scared. I wondered why a man who was already expecting a child was so excited to have another one. I brushed those fears aside.
By Amanda Hale8 years ago in Viva
Top Five Friday
It's tough being a woman. No matter how hard you try, someone will always criticize what you do. Not feminine: you're mannish, unattractive, and too aggressive. Feminine: you're silly, frivolous, and kowtowing to the patriarchy. Sexual: you're slutty and dangerous. Not sexual: you're an uptight prude. Outspoken: you're a bitch who needs to shut up. Demure and retiring: you're a doormat who needs to stick up for herself. Being too much of one thing is liable to make you disliked. The same applies to women in fiction.
By Rachel Lesch8 years ago in Viva
