I've written this post once before but due to the word limit in Prose's challenge I couldn't say all that I wanted to say. So I'm expanding on that.

I've been on Prose for five years. I've made new friends, but I've also seen friends leave. The best part of Prose is the community. However Prose has a management problem.

For starters, they need to continually inform us when updates are being made and what problems are being fixed, and trust me there are plenty of problems. Ever since Prose introduced it's new version it also introduced a boat load of problems that we now have to contend with. Let's list them out, shall we?

Problem 1: I've noticed is that whenever someone tries to tag twenty people those people are not notified. I've been asking about this for a couple months now. Why wasn't this fixed or addressed?

Problem 2: I can't change my profile picture or my background picture.

Problem 3: For every challenge we create for a specific portal not a single post is added to said portal. Here are some examples below:

-www.theprose.com/challenge/12823 - this challenge was made for the Comedy portal but none of the entries are being added to the Comedy portal.

-www.theprose.com/challenge/12812 - this challenge was made for the Stream of Consciousness portal but none of these entries are being added to the Stream of Consciousness portal

-www.theprose.com/challenge/12815 - this challenge was made for the Fiction portal but none of these entries are being added to said portal.

-theprose.com/challenge/12818 - this challenge was made for the Religion portal. Second verse, same as the first.

Every entry to whatever challenge someone creates does not go into the correct portal. This makes it extremely hard for me when I make my theme challenges, which are designed to help add posts to portals. The reason this is important is because having posts in portals keeps those portals active. Otherwise when Prose notices that people aren't posting in those portals they get shut down, which is unfair to those who tend to post in them.

Problem 4: We cannot make any sort of edits to the challenges or entries.

Problem 5: This isn't a bug but it is worth mentioning. Most of the challenges created by Prose don't make a lot of sense. I mean writing about travelling back in time and assassinating Ted Bundy? What? This challenge was released around Christmas week. Shouldn't they have made a challenge that had something to do with the holiday? I'm just saying.

I'm sure there are more problems on this site that needs to get sorted. If you've run into any more problems, write them in the comments below.

With a few more weeks to go— this month that Father’s Day falls in will be coming to an end.

Thanks to the folks who took part in the challenge for Father’s Day.

Here is the link to the challenge:

https://theprose.com/challenge/12316.

And now I’d like to announce the winner of this challenge is-

*Cue guitar solo music*

Scratch77~

Congratulations on the challenge win, Scratch77

Here is the link to Scratch77’s winning entry:

https://theprose.com/post/430402/don-t-know-any-dad-jokes-but

I would like to thank every writer who took the time to share something for the Father’s Day challenge and please feel free to check out their entries, too.

Finder

https://theprose.com/post/430506

Roses311Sublime

https://theprose.com/post/432835/dad-joke-for-a-family-of-gamers

G0dd0ll

https://theprose.com/post/431164

__abby_

https://theprose.com/post/432559/mexican-dad-joke

Notebook

https://theprose.com/post/431171/fathers-day-riddle

Forgetmenot16

https://theprose.com/post/432696/parrots

Write on fellow poets, keep on sharing your stories with the world!

#Father’sDay

Happy Tuesday, folks!

Thank you to all who took part in the into the rabbit hole challenge.

The winner for the challenge is:

*drum roll*

dctezcan!

— dctezcan

https://theprose.com/post/416681/down-the-rabbit-hole

Congratulations on winning the challenge @dctezcan!

Here are the links to the wonderful stories& entries for this challenge.

Happy reading!

- kjbaum

https://theprose.com/post/416301/into-adventure

~ batmaninwuhan

https://theprose.com/post/416175/haha-i-was-the-first

—Roses311Sublime

https://theprose.com/post/418875/fowl-dreams

LiannaC

https://theprose.com/post/419016/how-a-slide-can-change

#WriteOn! 13.04.2021

I realize a portion of you detest mass tagging, but this time around, I do so, because in a broad scope of things, we are all a part of Prose, hence, like a family. We may not see eye to eye on everything, and that’s fine. We aren’t supposed too. Debating is good. To agree to disagree is good as well.

I would venture to say by now most, if not all Proser’s received an email about the Beta version for a newer and fresher look to Prose. If you haven't seen it, then check your spam mail. The header is: The Prose: The Next Chapter ... or I can save you the hassle of looking and just go here (after you read all this).

beta.theprose.com

I took the proverbial tour and for right now, I am not impressed. And I expressed my opinions to “A”, one of the amins here and want to share those same concerns with you.

And I will be curious to your thoughts on this potential change as well. As of now, I still consider “this Prose” to be our home. I have rode along in Prose just over five years and have seen several changes already, but this “Prose Beta Test” will be the biggest of all.

The following were concerns I addressed.

**********

Okay, I took a ride in the Beta format and the setup reminds me too much of Twitter.

Plus, I went to private messages, none where I can see a way to delete and

everyone who is anyone is there from 2 and 3 years ago. This includes both people I have blocked and those who have blocked me, as well as some who aren’t even with Prose any longer.

I may be the only person to say this on Prose but I really dislike looking like another website. Twitter is Twitter. Facebook is Facebook. Instagram is Instagram. They, like thousands of other web sites and social media have their own unique style and look.

...and personally, I don’t want to have to “relearn” how to move around in the new Prose.

Hence, I am not a fan of the so-called new Prose.

Not only that, In the Beta Version, I cannot locate any of my books I’ve written here.

If it ain’t broke, don’t fix it.

There are cracks here and there along the way but they can be corrected.

Like I said, I can’t find a place to get to my books I’ve created to add chapters, yet alone create new books.

... and that is pretty much how I feel/felt about the Beta version.

I close with this: It would have been nice if before they embarked on this change, if they had consulted with members of Prose to get their feedback first, and then go ahead with the Beta Test.

Right now, I feel like a fish out of water about this whole idea and quite frankly, if this does end up being the "New Prose" ... I may very well take my leave.

Happy friyay!

Hope the week’s been all right, folks.

All right~ here’s the link to the February challenge—

https://theprose.com/challenge/11876

Thank you for the wonderful entries.

Now to announce the winner of the ‘With Lots of Love’ challenge...

*drum roll*

SharondaBriggs- Ajoined

Congratulations!!

*fireworks*

here is the link to the winning entry:

https://theprose.com/post/410316/ajoined

And now- please check and read the other awesome entries, too.

Thank you.

Huckleberry_Hoo- Study Hard

https://theprose.com/post/410039/study-hard

TW- Work Horse

https://theprose.com/post/410607/work-horse

jmcbee- My Sweetness

https://theprose.com/post/409922/my-sweetness

englishgirl- Lover of the beautiful

https://theprose.com/post/410655/lover-of-the-beautiful

MattZeikens- First you have to borrow and then you cross this out

https://theprose.com/post/411611/first-you-have-to-borrow-and-then-you-cross-this-out

Have a splendid weekend!

Write on!

#AvecBeaucoupd’amour #WithLotsofLove

12.03.2021

Happy long weekend dear poets, storytellers, writers & readers!

Okey, got to (finally) select the winner the ‘I did not see that coming’ challenge.

*drum roll*

And the winner for this challenge is-

Raedis— *applause*

https://theprose.com/post/399757/why-the-ikdid-works

Also going to share a link of BabyCakes24’s beautiful poem~

BabyCakes24

https://theprose.com/post/400066/we-shall-be

Stay safe & write on! <3

Thank ye so much fpr taking part in the November to Remember challenge

https://theprose.com/challenge/11332

The challenge winner is....

— *drumroll*...

..- KC95

https://theprose.com/post/391821/a-decade-of-november-s

*clapping*

*fireworks*

The list of the other lovely entries~

i.)

https://theprose.com/post/392660/patience-is-a-virtue-i-wish-i-had

shaynabryer

ii.)

https://theprose.com/post/393731/horn-of-plenty-meant-for-many

REllyn

iii.) https://theprose.com/post/392470

poetrybyren

iv.) https://theprose.com/post/394389/13-saved-on-13

dominospice

#NovembertoRemember. 01/12\2020.

Happy New month!

Happy NaNoWriMo, too!

Thank you batmaninwuhan & Danceinsilence for taking part in The Who dunnit challenge/mystery.

The winner of the challenge is—

*Trumpets*

*fireworks*

*tests microphone*

- batmaninwuhan:

https://theprose.com/post/385588/the-tell-tale-tattletale

Congratulations batmaninwuhan.

Here is the link below for Danceinsilence’s entry as well.

https://theprose.com/post/385542/tap-tap-tap

Thank you so much for the splendid tales!

P.S. To all writers taking on NaNoWriMo~ I wish you all thee bes! :)

#HappyNaNoWriMo

https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=k7TqxfedXvY

1st Nov., 2020. ©

This was recently posted but couldn’t put it in the Support Portal, but that has been remedied. Anytime you wish to check back on it, it can be found here. There is no need to like or repost this unless you want to but I won’t respond unless it’s a matter I haven’t brought up, nor will TeaRise, again, unless it’s a matter we have not heard from you before.

The same thing will be put here (Support Portal) for the How to Flow Through Prose tutorial.

***************

First and formost, I want to thank one of our Proser’s, ”TeaRise”, for assembling this.

She went to great effort to put this together for you, and she deserves a great deal of Kudo’s from you folks.

Now, let us begin.

Making a Post:

1) click on the big blue write button at the top of your page (can be accessed on all pages)

2) tap your finger on the screen and type away

3) to put italics/bold/underline/place your writing in the centre...double tap on the word

you wish to edit (now this causes trouble as sometimes it doesn’t work so just keep

double tapping aggressively on your screen till it works). Furthermore if you wish to do

this to more than one word simply slide the highlighted part over the words you wish

to include. However, it has often been pointed out that doing things in bold doesn’t

always work, especially for challenges.

4) If you wish to add pictures/portals go to Attaching an Image/Portal

5) If you wish to add the post into a challenge you MUST click on “Enter Challenge” on

the challenge you wish to participate in—and then write it (*note: you can not enter a

challenge after you have published your post)

6) When ready to post your post: click the “Publish” button at the top right hand corner.

Then adjust your publication options (just leave them be, it gets complicated if you

mess with them) and hit publish once more!

Saving as a Draft:

1) After you are done writing your post—if you want to save it but not publish it you

have 2 options—however the other way is more complicated, so you only have one

option

2) Click “File” and then “Save Draft”

3) To recover click the write button and then “Drafts” there will be all of the drafts you

have saved. (*note: you may edit the draft again and again, just make sure you hit the

“save button”, and you must follow the steps of publication to publish a draft)

Editing a Post:

1) Click the three dots at the bottom right hand corner of your post

2) Three options will pop up: Report post/Edit post/ Go to post URL (*skip to

Reporting a Post if you wish to report someone’s work)

3) Click “Edit post”

4) Do whatever snazzzy stuff you need to do (*read Making a Post for more)

5) Click the big blue save button at the top right hand corner and you’re done!

Deleting a Post:

1) Click the three dots at the bottom right hand corner of your post

2) Three options will pop up: Report post/Edit post/ Go to post URL (*skip to

Reporting a Post if you wish to report someone’s work)

3) Click “Edit post”

4) Click “File” at the top left hand corner

5) Four clickable options will pop up:

ignore the first three because they are useless and click “Delete Post”

Attaching an Image/Portal:

1) You may only attach a portal before posting—so before posting click “Attach” at the

top of your pre-made post and click “portal” or “image”

2) To put an image in after posting simply follow the steps in Editing a post to do step 1.

Reporting a Post:

1) Sometimes people’s posts can be inappropriate, and cause unwanted drama. So click

the three dots at the bottom of a persons post and hit report. Follow prose’s steps from

there on out.

Writing a Book:

1) 1st way is to click “write” and then “File” and then “New Book”

2) 2nd way is to click the three bars at the top right hand of the page you are on—to go

to the “Bookstore” page. Then click “Your Library” and then “write a book”

3) After following all of the outlined steps on prose, and creating your book, you need to

know how to continue to write this book.

4) To add a chapter to your book you may do it directly by going into your book and

clicking “edit book” then clicking “chapters”. Then you can either add a previous post

to your book, or scroll all the way down to writing a new post which will automatically

become part of your book.

5) You can enter a post into a challenge and your book. But you must enter the challenge

first (*look to Challenges Explained*). After entering the challenge, you may add the

post to your book as stated in the above step.

Reading a Book:

1) Access the bookstore—explore books

2) Click on “Your library” to continue reading a book you have saved

3) To save a book to your library click on a persons book and “add to library”

4) You can read a book by chapter (using the arrows at the top of your screen) or by

clicking on specific chapters at the beginning.

Different pages Explained:

1) To access different pages click the 3bars at the top right hand corner of your screen

2) ”Home” shows you the people you follow posts’ and re-posts. (you can turn off sharing

the posts you re-post in settings). This page can also be accessed by clicking on the

Prose logo at the top left corner.

3) The “Posts” page shows you everyone’s post. By clicking the “Trending” button you

can choose to look at newer posts or popularity—you can look for yourself. Not my

favourite way of finding newbies (my favourite is by re-posts) however it is a way. On

this page you can also access the different portals, authors, and the bookstore.

4) To change anything go into “Settings”. The only thing I change is my profile images located in “account”.

Challenges Explained:

1) ENTERING CHALLENGES! Not only are they fun, but they spark creativity, allow

for motivation, make you feel more connected to the community, you will find great

writing in them, your work will get great exposer.

2) To enter a challenge go to the “challenges page” and click “enter challenge” on the one

you want to enter.

(**You may not enter into a challenge more than once at the current moment. And you can only enter new work into a challenge)

3) PLEASE READ THE QUALIFICATIONS. There will be the challenge

name/prompt in black letters. This is where your idea is sparked. However, many

challenge creators include certain restrictions below this bolded name. I encourage you

to read it as if it is a monarchy, you will have an easier time creating what the

challenger wants. (**This does not mean do not think outside of the box). Only

poems, no stories.

4) Monarchy vs. Democracy. Monarchy means that the person who created the challenge

is judging. Democracy means that the post with the most likes wins.

5) Prose does weekly challenges and monthly challenges, which is decided by “them”.

They both give you great exposure and writing experience. (Trick to winning: make

your post completely original, keeps the readers attention, and has a great starting

line). Only monthly challenges have money attached to it.

6) Challenges have a time-limit, so if you see one you like—think fast and enter.

(Sometimes the best work is the messiest and truest)

7) To find challenges scroll. To find newer challenges press the “Trending” button.

Creating a Challenge:

1) Go to challenge page (*read Different Pages Explained if unsure of how to do so*)

2) Click “create challenge”

3) Your prompt is the short phrase that appears in black (look at other challenges if

unsure).

4) Your rules/criteria/description is what appears in a smaller font with no bold. Here you

may put guiding information to assist someone wishing to enter your challenge.

5) To add an end date or a portal it is tricky so tap the far left side of the box.

(*Challenges without a prize can only have a time of one month. The shorter the contest the longer it stays in trending.)

6) Choose word limit if you want one and then choose if you want monarchy or

democracy (**read above if you want to know the difference)

7) To get your challenge in trending, you must have people enter fast. Therefore, create

an original but relevant prompt. (Ex. Write about someone you love in 15 words)

Monarchy Challenges:

1) To judge a challenge ask the people entering to tag you in the comments by saying

such in the description. Or you may just check up on your challenge frequently to see

the entries.

2) Be a good host and tell them what you think in the comments

3) If you are going to do monarchy: READ EVERY POST (unless it disqualifies).

4) To choose a winner: click on the three dots at the bottom of the winning post and

“select challenge winner”. It will ask you to confirm so don’t worry it is not a scam that

will take away all your money.

5) To locate your challenge, read further

Sending Messages/Blocking:

1) Go to their main page

2) On the left-hand side will be two icons: a speech bubble, and a prohibition sign.

3) Click the speech bubble

4) That will take you to your message area and then you type what you will

5) The only way to send a message is to hit “send”

6) MESSAGING GOES FUNNY AFTER A WHILE when on a phone. So if you truly

want to get into contact with this person with them being able to see your messages

and vice versa - give them a safe and secure way to contact you. (Do not be giving out

private information!)

7) By the same occurrence to Block someone, click the prohibition sign on this person’s

page. They will no longer be able to see your posts, leave comments, etc; nor will

you be able to see theirs as well.

8) To know if you have messages, there will be (or is supposed to be, a red dot

appearing between the News Feeds and the word Write.

Locating Your Challenge/Posts/Books:

1) There are three simple ways of doing this.

2) First way is to go into “write” and click on “file” and “new book”. Then click on Desk

where you will have 3 options: My Posts, My Challenges, My Books

3) Second way is to click on your book and then “edit book” and then “desk” once more

4) Third way is to go into bookstore, click “your library”, and then “write a book, once

more you will find your desk!

If there is anything else you believe needs to be added to this, please make us aware and it will get added in, and the same holds true for the other post that was created expressly to help you.

This isn’t an “I” thing or a “Me” thing ... it’s an “Us” thing, because we are all in this together!

This was recently posted but couldn’t put it in the Support Portal, but that has been remedied. Anytime you wish to check back on it, it can be found here. There is no need to like or repost this unless you want to but I won’t respond unless it’s a matter I haven’t brought up.

The same thing will be put here (Support Portal) for the Cell phone tutorial.

Veteran Proser’s should already know this stuff, but the newer Proser’s sometimes needs a handy guide to get them around the block a time or two.

Here is a short list of things to do, if you feel the need to.

When editing a post:

1) Click on the post you want to edit

2) In the left-hand corner is a circle with three dots, click on that

3) There are four options, to edit, click edit

4) From that point you can add, change, or rearrange your post as you like.

5) When finished, simply click save and you are done.

6) If you wish to delete a post, redo number one and number two, then click on file in

the upper left-hand corner and poof! It’s gone.

7) Also, if there is a comment on your post you want to delete, directly underneath you

will see the word: delete. Just click on it. If it doesn’t go away soon, it doesn’t matter

as only you can see it until you refresh your page. Sometimes you might forget to tag

someone? Simply copy what was written, delete the post then paste into a comment

box with the person tagged. Simple, quick and easy.

8) Want to tag a post (as in repost)? Simply go to that post near the heading and you will

see a circle with three dots. Click on that and you will see the option there to repost.

If you wish to send a private message to someone:

1) Go to their main page

2) On the left-hand side will be a list including: Posts/Social/Other

3) You want to go to Social and click Send Message.

4) That will take you to your message area and then you type what you will

5) By the same occurrence to Block someone, click Block on this person’s page.

They will no longer be able to see your posts, leave comments, etc; nor will

you be able to see theirs as well. By the same token, if you decide to unblock the

person, go to your Settings and on the left-hand side you will see the word: Blocked

Users. Click on that and from there you can unblock those you choose.

6) To know if you have messages, there will be (or is supposed to be, a red dot

appearing between the News Feeds and the word Write.

On another aspect, if you wish to view what a person has written, go to their page and

on the left-hand side you will see: Under Posts. Then you can click on either Newest- Most Popular-Likes. Each will take you to various pieces of work they have done.

Trying to find a certain post you created?

There are three ways of doing this, but one of them is a bit of a hassle which I will not

get into.

The first way, simply scroll down through your posts on your page. You will see the words: Load More. Click, continue scrolling until you find what you are after.

Another way is on your main page, and to the far left you will see: the word—Home. Click on that and then you will see three choices.

Myself, I generally click on Writing Desk. It takes you to the next series which for looking for posts, you would click the obvious: My Posts. Then you can scroll through the list that way.

But while we are at that point, any challenges you create, can be seen here faster than you normally would and allows you to go through them quicker, especially when someone enters one of your challenges and forgets to tag you (happens to me often enough). Simply click: My Challenges.

The other one where it says: Books. This is where you can create your stories in chapter form for people to read as I, and countless others have. Or, if you choose, you can do poetry. It’s your choice since you are the master of your own ship. There are simple to read prompts that will guide you through the process, but you do have to make sure that when you reach the bottom, under where it says Status, you click on the little circle that says Complete to make sure it is available for everyone to read, and that part is no different from a normal post. Then click save, to save your work. You can create your own book covers to add, starting with Settings. Then just following the prompts down to the end. Once you have clicked complete, follow the last step and then it will tell you your book is saved.

Finding a Portal to Post In

Click home at the top left hand corner.then scroll your page down. To the far left you will see the word Portal. Click on that. If you are not already subscribed, click on the subscribe tab (there is no cost to do so). Once you are subscribed, to your left, you will see New Post. Click on that and you are all set. After you write up your post and save it, when it is on your main page, at the top you will see the name of the Portal it is in.

Challenges:

If you wish to create a challenge with an idea you have (most of you know what to do by now), simply click on challenge and write what it is you are after but always, and I mean always, stress the fact you want to be tagged in the comment box and not on the post. (If they don’t, then refer back to Home and click the Writing Desk to find your challenges and it is always good to check it once a day).

After you have put in your challenge prompt, then you can choose a date for the challenge to end and decide if it should be Democracy (most likes wins the challenge) or Monarchy (you decide who should win). To the right-hand side you can pick and choose which category (Portal) your challenge should be under and that’s that.

I may be missing a few things and if I am I am sure “A” … one of the moderators here would be happy to say something or add a detail or two. Right “A”?

One thing they do ask, meaning Prose; if you have any issues/problems, simply email them at: info@theprose.com.

I won’t get into all what the Gold membership offers. That’s an entirely different story, although you still have the same advantages as explained above.

This guide will be here any time you need to refer back to it. And if you need help with something I haven’t covered, you can message me or email Prose.

And to all you veteran Proser’s, help the new people. After all, we were new here once ourselves.