A Journey Called Prose

A year back, I came across Prose which some one had mentioned as the facebook for writers. It was through a micropoetry challenge and I didn't even bother to go into the details about the portals, language etc. I just randomly posted a poem in Hindi (my mother tongue) and I got a revert from @DaveK and @RGold asking for a translation. 

It was then that I took the portal seriously. Somebody did try to find out what I had written. It was unlike Facebook. People did not just like and passed by without even a glance. I started posting and reading posts. It was a small sea of beautiful words. 

I was encouraged to write more. The challenges were unique and I learnt new forms. 

Flash Fiction, Haiku, Haibun, Tanka were all words new to my writing dictionary. People like @RubyPond, @Firdaus, @Soulhearts, @PhynneBelle, @Sandflea68 @PaulDChambers @JimLamb @DeRickiJohnson @RichWithey and many others became unsaid mentors and inspiration. And before I realised I even was dragged into writing Erotica which I never even dreamt I would ever pick my pen for. 

The good part about Prose, I realised is that there was so much more to learn. And you learn while you have fun. It is not about being perfect. It is about expressing. It is about practice. It is about opening your eyes to so much more in the beautiful world of words.

But there was a flip-side!

Of course I can't be too sweet. It would give me diabetes. 

The flip-side for me was feedback. Maybe the team is working on it. But a place like Prose should also be about feedback - relevant feedback from Prosers across.

This I believe can be constructive.  Though it may not be possible on every post but should be encouraged at both ends - readers as well as writers.

Secondly, since the time I joined the number of people and posts have increased. This causes in many good writings being missed out by readers. Sometimes you are luckily tagged by a friend or two. Re-post is an option but some over-enthusiastic Prosers re-post almost everything and the problem remains the same. 

I know being a part of the family, I should not only point an issue but also suggest a solution. Unfortunately for this I can't think of any. I am sure if I come up with an idea @sammielee46 will always be there to listen. 

The Coins and Juice is an interesting addition. It definitely gives writers a boost in confidence and a chance to earn from their precious words.

Overall it has been an interesting journey and I am glad to be a part of it.