At the dawn of conclusion, the long awaited cease fire allowed the deaf to rest, closing their eyes to the undistressed countenance of the blind.

It was in the aftermath that the winners and losers invested in entitlement, languishing, digging deep into the tainted ash, resisting a lesson to be learned.

Piqued, an awakened emerging voice bared significance retelling the story once again to all the lost souls explaining that a crow doesn't have to fly in a straight line and when it does the wind may hinder its direction towards unchartered territory, so let it be known...

It is only in the stillness, in the release of consciousness, that the truth can be understood.

The lion is no longer your enemy.

"If you want to write, read." I have read that quote by many different authors, so I'd say it is great advice. I think when you find a book you really connect with, written within those pages may be the style you were meant to write. (Perhaps this applies more to prose than poetry. To be honest, I know nothing about poetry!)

Stephen King takes that quote a step further. "If you want to be a writer you must do two things above all others: read a lot and write a lot."

And isn't that why we are here on prose? Because we want to work at becoming a writer; because we want another set of eyes to read our writing, and read what other aspiring writers have up their sleeve? Don't be afraid to post! If one person likes what you write, it's a win! Just like they say, practice, practice, practice! And then drop it here on prose!

Another Stephan King quote that is almost spiritual in nature really resonates with me:

"Writing isn't about making money, getting famous, getting dates, getting laid, or making friends. In the end, it's about enriching the lives of those who will read your work, and enriching your own life, as well. It's about getting up, getting well, and getting over. Getting happy, okay? Getting happy. Getting happy….this book….is a permission slip: you can, you should, and if you are brave enough to start, you will. Writing is magic, as much the water of life as any other creative art. The water is free, so drink. Drink and be filled…

The reason this resonates so much with me, is because writing has been so beneficial to my mental health, so in a way, prose is a life saver. In every challenge there is a creative test and during that process, stinkin' thinkin' flies out the window. Does it work that way for you?

I primarily enjoy the writing style of stream of consciousness and short fiction, first person, with a satirical slant. My personal tips are a work in progress all the time and are as follows:

Formulate your ideas, and find a WOW first sentence. Make the reader want to read more with every sentence.

Find an authentic voice for your protagonist. Become the protagonist. Act out the scene in your mind as you write by asking what-if's.

Think about the reader when you write. Make them feel emotionally connected.

Create a rhythm with your words.

Play with vocabulary and metaphors.

Keep it fun! Many of us have addictive tendencies. Don't obsess! If something really isn't working for you, drop it, at least for a period of time. But that doesnt mean to give up either. There is a fine line. Know the fine line.

Writing began for me by landing here on prose a couple of years ago. My first post was simple in structure and composition. It was @sandflea68 and @Mnezz that were the first prosers to come take a look and press the like button. I thought I had landed on the moon! A heartfelt thanks to them both and for all the other amazing writers here on prose that have taken the time to take a peek at my writing. You are my virtual family!

WRITE ON!