“Which friend you’re with right now is the best?” is a losing question, I learned on a playground, so I hope @Danceinsilence will forgive a variation that remains in the spirit of the challenge. Instead of trying to pick a favorite present Prose writer, I’ll name someone long gone who I always hope will return.

@cassfelliott, man. I want to read more stories by @cassfelliott. “The Whirlwind” remains the most gripping piece of horror I can recall reading on Prose. It’s here: https://theprose.com/post/319799/the-whirlwind The scenario, the imagery, the reveal are all unforgettable, and the story does that thing great horror does: it imprints upon some common experience and shades it in your memory. I had occasion to go on a waterslide last week. Definitely thought of “The Whirlwind.”

@cassfelliott is probably on to bigger, better things, but I always hope a burst of notifications will get us one more story.

Throughout my Prose career, it has shifted multiple times. SadieBug frequently posted in my monthly challenges, and I consider her to be a very skilled writer. For some time, she was my favorite. But, eventually, four new writers entered my radar. Those four were nightscribbler, CatLady1, Chacko_Stephen, and Never_More. Each of these writers wrote well. CatLady has her hilarious posts, and her serious ones. Both of which are amazing. Chacko keeps you on the edge of your seat, while incorporating the perfect amount of comedy into it. And Never_more and nightscribbler are both outstanding authors; Never_more writes beautiful poetry and captivating stories, while nightscribbler writes stories that you just can't help but fall in love with. And, with my last twenty-five words, I must say my current favorite author is GLD. The poetry, the stories--everything GLD writes is amazing, beautiful... I always look forward to reading GLD's work.

Picking a favorite proser is so hard, because I love everything you guys do. Danceinsilence's 3 Evils series is amazing. TaiSensei's Tainted Sky is amazing as well. Then there's Mnezz, who always is so kind and supportive to everyone as well as writing some incredible pieces. There are so many ways to excel in Prose, and everyone here finds their niche and owns it.

BUT... of course I wouldn't be entering this challenge if I didn't have an answer. So, after much deliberation, my favorite Proser must be...

Taki!

Taki is the author of River's End. The world building in this series is incredible! The characters are so full of depth, relatable, and the plot is an emotional rollercoaster! And the cliffhangers!!! By God, the cliffhangers! There were twists... there were turns... there were mysteries, and betrayals... and there were aliens!

What more can you ask for?

I have to choose "You All". I know he said to choose one of your favorites, but for me, all of you tend to write what I need for that day. Sometimes it's sad, funny, and serious.

For me to be able to invite your souls into my home to sit on my couch with my cup of coffee and place my soul into your story to see what made you write it, is phenomenal.

@Mnezz you are the kindest person on this site that I have enjoyed. @Danceinsilence is the post Newsman and Professor. @WhiteWolfe32, @Scratch77, @JulianRace to name a few are faithful to this art. That is why I say I choose "You ALL". I truly love it all.

Thank you for a great challenge because it gives me a chance to say "Thank you to all of you for sharing a piece of your genius with me">

Choosing a favorite writer seemed to be a tricky one for most people. Surely, there are so so many amazing options to choose from, but as far as favorites go, I have had the same one since I started writing on here, @Uschibear. With my quaint and short life here on Prose, they instantly caught my eye with their incredibly vivid imagery and absolutely stunning poetry. Ever since, I have felt quite enamored every time I see a post, each word they write brings such a connection, and I couldn't pass up the chance to give them a shout out for it.

Here are some of my favorite pieces of theirs that honestly rocked my world!

https://theprose.com/post/434486/what-about-me

https://theprose.com/post/431821/flutter-byes

I’m honestly a big fan of the stuff that @rlove327 produces. He’s got a lot of natural talent and an obvious knowledge of the technical skill that comes with writing academically or professionally. I am always flattered when he compliments something that I’ve written because I respect him a lot as a fellow writer.

He consistently creates well-crafted pieces that remind me of novels I studied in school, though he has a voice of his own. There have been a few times when I’ve seen him enter challenges that he didn’t win and felt floored because of the quality of his submission. Art is subjective, though. Even the best writers are faced with rejection, and that’s okay!

There are a lot of really great writers here on Prose who don’t get a ton of attention but it would be great for y’all to show some love to rlove!

It surprised me not to find this name when I skimmed through the challenge entries: @Clarity. If you had known me for a while, you might know that I am a mad fan of her work. She is not around these days. But she was, is, and forever will be one of my favourite writers on Prose. Her novels are a must-read. Her ideas are ingenious. And if you still haven’t read her works, my friend, you are missing out.

I am trapped. Will keep it short.

@GLD: She changed me as a writer, and furthermore, as a person. I think that says a lot.

@Mnezz: She is the lifeblood of Prose. Period.

@Danceinsilence: I have said this before, and I will say this again. Since the day I met this man, I have never felt the lack of a proper father figure in my life. And, less is more.

I mean, you couldn’t possibly expect me to choose one, could you? I generally abide by the rules, but sorry, today is the day I do something illegal.

@LexiCon, because she’s so lovely and encouraging and writes just beautifully

@EmileStylo, because her chapters and stories encompass the kind of old-time feeling I’ve always loved

@Chacko_Stephen, who, despite being too nice to give any criticism, leaves the kindest, most enthusiastic comments there are and writes such intriguing and humorous pieces

and last

(but not least)

@Sinha, because there’s something special about everything she writes that makes me read it over and over and keep on thinking about it long after I’ve finished

And because, like the aforementioned authors, her comments make my day.

In short, each of them is original and originality is highly undervalued in this modern world. Just my two cents, ladies and gentlemen.

Ok Imma be for real @Chacko_Stephen and @Mnezz because they are just amazing people and are so supportive and amazing writers @Mnezz is almost always the first person to comment something on my post and it always makes me smile. But so does @Chacko_Stephen I always look forward to hear from them!

HelenaTherese is the embodiment of sunshine and contagious joy. Her pieces will make you come away with a new appreciation for how beautiful the world is

Read this and I guarantee you will smile: https://theprose.com/post/400652/just-the-two-of-us

I will never fail to be surprised at PaperbackFish's ability to freeze feelings into words

I've read this piece at least 10 times and it destroys me every time: https://theprose.com/post/417878/drowning-because-maybe-you-ll-meet-me-down-there-at-the-bottom-of-the-ocean

HandsOfFire is an artist, that's all I have to say about it

I could never pick a favorite post, but here's one that will steal the air from your lungs: https://theprose.com/post/435507/the-blue

If you haven't read one of DoveRaptor's poems, I quite truly have no words. Just read all of them as soon as possible

This is painfully relatable and beautiful: https://theprose.com/post/415101/soda

JaneF writes absolutely everything, and writes it all absolutely wonderfully

Here is something amazing: https://theprose.com/post/358886/roses-and-thorns