Why Prose?

I feel I have done this before, but it somehow seems necessary. I will try to do it a bit differently.

I am Chuck, a long-time Proser (I am here because my wife liked my writing and encouraged me to find a way to share). I have included links to some seemingly ancient posts that tell about my introduction to theProse site. The first link was written soon after my initiation to Prose. The next was on why I decided to stay at Prose rather than continuing to write on some other sites I was also experimenting with at the time. The last one is years later, and is a fun description of how I felt mentally after trying to answer at least one ”Prose Challenge” a day over a prolonged period of time (my writing brain was in a wrung-out place). You may find the links interesting, you may skip them altogether, or you may even go watch television instead of reading any of this - no matter - lucky it is for you that I exist here entirely for your whim.

https://theprose.com/post/252367/prose

After three years I still feel very similarly to how I felt when I wrote that. Three years? The time stamp on the post states, “January 19, 2019.” I feel like it was longer ago than that? Surely I have been around longer than that? Could it be that I edited it on 1/19/’19 (back when you could still do that? Jeez, how I wish you still could… edit, that is.)? It must be that, but regardless…

My friend, mentor, and Prose conscience, dctezcan was kind enough to hit “like” on that long ago post. I don’t believe that anyone else who did so is still around? Or at least active. Good writer’s gone, they. Or if they are still around I don’t see their posts as often as I would like, and I miss them for it. That is what Prose seems to be to me now; comings and goings, which is unfortunate for me, as mine is an old soul that craves stability. This particular “Challenge” (or “Vehicle”) that was scatter-shotted out as an e-mail has proven effective at drawing back some familiar names and voices. I like that. Do it some more, Prose! Perhaps some of them will read a few lines for nostalgia’s sake and decide to stick around, maybe even post a poem or two? Once a writer, always a writer! But as with any business it is the relationships that keep people coming back, so go ahead and reach out. No need to break shy on us now.

https://theprose.com/post/254778/an-old-prose

I have been around far too long to list all the writer’s I enjoy on the site. It would only water them down to try. Besides, I have not kept record and would surely leave off some wonderful people and writers, but I will do this, as recognition can be motivational and inspirational when applied sparingly, and when given for a specific behavior, so I will offer a short list in hopes of retaining some talent to my third home (family, work, Prose):

I was drawn into Prose by Mazzmyrrheyes, Undermeyou and tornesornerob. They transported me to different places and feelings with their words. Theses writers baited the hooks that pulled me into the boat. I thank them for that, even as it may cause some to revile them ;).

I love the relationship dctezcan and I have built over the years. “The lovely-talented-kind-and intelligent” dctezcan. A friend who is single-handedly showing the Prose world that admirable adjectives in front of a name beat-tar out of pronouns.

I have remained here in large part for Posey’s poetry, and EstherFlower’s rhymes. The two of them generally invoke differing emotions, one dark, one light, but they always invoke something.

I look forward to stories by rlove327, Mfrobs, and SamWebster... they who understand that if you care about what you write, you must care about how you write it.

Prose would not be the same without Mnezz, Thereisnospoon, Finder and fudo. What a presence they add to the site.

I am glad that excellent writers like TW, KMCassidy, and that long gone girl whose username I can’t remember, but who changed her profile picture weekly to feature a new bikini… yikes! Those of you who have been around awhile will likely remember the one I mean. Anyways, we do not always align ideologically, but I truly appreciate their talented writings (Prose can always use more of that) that force me to reconsider my mule-headed positions.

https://theprose.com/post/366881/hidden-gems

I miss the Prose Challenges of the week and month, but I can do without all the serial killer themes (I greatly enjoyed the Fantasy challenge, as it left tons of room to wander around in creatively, so more like that please). For me, prize money is unnecessary. The opportunity to get the attention of other talented writer’s is plenty payment enough.

If you made it through to the end, thank you. If not… yea, I can see why, but regardless… I hope to see you around!