I like challenges because I have found that when I post stories in challenges they get more reads than stories that stand alone. I find this to be so true that I often write a story and then go read through the challenges to find one that even vaguely fits, so I can attach the story to it. I wouldn’t post on the site if no one was reading what I posted, and the more that do read them the merrier, so I put it where it will get read.

I prefer challenges that involve philosophical dilemmas, or inner struggles. Sometimes a challenge grates a nerve, and sparks a story like a flint struck by stone. Those stories usually write themselves, and they pull out the most interesting ideas and emotions. I love when that happens, but I find it happening less often lately, probably because of the multitude of challenge retreads. Some challenge ideas get recycled so many times that I have already written three or four similar stories on them, and am out of angles.

Personally, I don’t like challenges that are direct questions. I prefer to explain my viewpoints through the thoughts and actions of fictional characters. Fictional characters are able to get away with things that I could never pull off in the real world, and they can do it with a aplomb. That is fun for me, but I know that others prefer to write essays, or

non-fiction, so I am good with whatever.

I really don’t care much about winning and losing challenges. I prefer a high “read” count, as I know my story touched people when it gets either read by many, or over and over by a few... and like us all, I truly appreciate a heartfelt comment.

I think that, to some extent, the “likes” are political, but I have no problem with that. There is nothing wrong with supporting those who support you. With that said, really good stories and/or poetry will get more reads and likes than not.

Prosers seem to have short attention spans, so word count also matters. For the most part, shorter posts get more reads, and likes. I know there are exceptions, but that is the general rule.

I am a year on site now, and still enjoy it, although I seem to find the writing quality to be poorer now than when I was new to the site, although that positive perspective could have come from my initial enthusiasm for having found a fun place to write and receive feedback. I still find great pieces, but they seem to be fewer, and further between.

Good questions here, though. I look forward to reading other responses.

I like the Challenges because they inspire me to write. Sadly my own muse has the attention span of goldfish, hence nothing I ever try to start ends well (or at all). Yet here I can spit out a short poem or ramble on for a paragraph or two and feel accomplished. Strange.

I'm not sure which Challenges grab my attention; I tend to scroll through until one incites an idea. I agree with other Prosers here that people tend to read Challenge entries more, since it seems like a way to gather up similar-themed pieces in an easy area for perusal. Yet I've never been interested in who wins -- just seeing if anyone enjoyed my writing or if I can find any pieces I enjoy myself. I think that's the real success there.

I have realized that despite my best efforts to maintain my grumpy curmudgeon status I tend to write about my partner a lot. I suppose that's romantic after ten years together, but it does seem silly sometimes when I look back at the ridiculous amount of poetry it's inspired. I've decided to finally print some and share them for V-day (I have not shared a single piece of my writing with my lover - it's never occurred to me). They will be titled, "I Never Believed in Soulmates: A Collection of Reluctantly Romantic Poetry" and dedicated to my love, "whose fault it all is". Most likely, they will be glanced at and forgotten; my love is more into numbers than letters.

The only other trends I can see are my random rants about life as a lowly wage slave, which tend to be my most passionate pieces besides those above. Perhaps the two things that drive me most are love and hate -- mayhaps the Challenges that draw those emotions out then draw me the most.

I like when they're vague. I like to think. I like to explore and go on a journey on my keyboard. So many challenges on here are so specific that there's no way to twist it and make it mine. I can't go anywhere without my share of gore and sex. I don't want politics, I want to kill the world and rebuild it with aliens and shit, but how will I fit that in 80 words? I want to do every challenge, but there are just some that I can't make my own and that drives me nuts. I find that the hardest to make my own are LGBTQ+ challenges.

I have nothing against the community. I have to specify that. It's just weird to make a whole sub-category for who your main character (or hell, a character) likes or how the identify themselves. I know I hate in sitcoms when the whole point of a show is a person exploring their sexuality and trying to find themselves. It's what's always pushed. But, at some point, they find themselves and the show instantly dies like the creators didn't know that people eventually figure shit out. I understand that there is a lack of representation and a "straight washing" (I guess) of characters over the years but geez. When will LGBTQ+ just be integrated with everyone else and not separated out?

That aside, I really enjoy Prose. I'm always getting new ideas based on the challenges, though I did fear that when I don't do challenges, no one will read what I post because there's no point. No is attached to it so it's just there in space. Though I do think favoritism could play in with certain people. This isn't a personal attack. Over the years, writers often used nepotism to decide who was good or not. I take one Modernism class and suddenly I know all about this. But I truly love the community this site fosters, and I really enjoy making a challenge and seeing everything posted. That's my favorite part of this experience.

P.S. Don't stop making LGBTQ+ challenges! I'm just a little ball of cynicism!