The Art of Conversation

The tag in Prose is a bookmark, a place saver. It signifies a starting point, a moment to return to, a point of departure. Like in any dialog, somebody must be first and dare to open the door.  That pitfall of the mouth/ thought-- the damned if you do, damned if you don't, dual trap. Tagging is a risk. So, what to do? To tag or not--?

I myself seldom send a tag nowadays. Used to be common practice, we were tagging individually, maybe two or three in a grouping, following up on some theme or interest we'd been thought spinning, or continuing something of inspiration that fell to us from somebody else's postings. Crediting. Or someone would be looking for feedback and after tapping you on the shoulder in PM (private messaging) would hazard a tag and a creative exchange would begin. A shared interest. Candid, supportive. Beyond, "Great write!" encouragement (which of course also has its place and significance, if used sparingly).

I don't know where or how the reservation set in-- maybe it's cyclical. Maybe it's cynical. If memory serves me, in early 2018 mass tagging was widespread, and suddenly became a thing frowned upon. Something seemingly to do with attention seeking, being a literary nuisance, bothering other people with... other people? or other people's work? I am not sure. People made a retreat, from each other. I am guilty as well.

I realize writers, and artists in general, are seldom pack animals. Yet I remember with fondness my face-to-face writers' group that same year at the Washington Library where a timid handful would gather. We'd chat about what we were working on, projects on the front or back burner, and take courage. I'd give some starter for inspiration, and we'd crank out a poem or two depending on the flow/time remaining, and then share it aloud, or politely refuse. We had only an hour, total, once a week. Thursday nights, or was it Tuesday? What I do remember is that up until the time I left my position at the library, we came back to follow up. Week after week. Even if only to say a write had been temporarily shelved or had morphed into something else that may or may not grow legs. Some of the poetry got posted on Prose, and I always featured pieces on our Library webpage.

There was a necessary exchange. Tagging ideas in or out.

Similarly, in recent years, my husband's open mic sessions at his workplace have drawn out typically lone writers to mingle live with performance artists, to overcome fears and inspire. They come together by invite. By word of mouth. By a kind of Tag. As a sign of Welcome. Being present is an important part, but being willing to interact and voice one's response is a whole other level of engagement.

This is a reminder that Conversation is an Art in its own right.

No not everyone will understand, and it is expected that some people will accept, and some will decline, to engage in dialog. In my opinion the comment section is one of the most valuable features of a writing App. Especially if writers are willing to hazard a discussion on ideas and substance, with a tag. I would suggest too that just leaving an author's note in comments is already an invitation for Someone to reply-- even without a specific tag. I love reading the comments section. That is the space in which we, as individuals and as a writing community, can grow in confidence and compassion-- in aspects which will impact craftsmanship more so than any well-meaning critique of style and technical details (punctuation and grammar).

Without a tag, or private message, the Conversation dies. 

Of course, is important to try to understand who your readers are, and to choose your tags wisely so that you are more likely to generate interest in following up. But then again, why not tag someone whose posts inspire you, but who maybe hasn't left a like or comment or follow on your profile? An intelligent exchange, to begin, must start somewhere, with someone. Maybe it's you or me? Why take it as a personal honor or affront?

--You're welcome to tag me. I don't see a difference between a tag of one person or 100.

Please know that things have been hectic by me, and I may be slow, but I will reply as thoughtfully as possible, and to the extent my time allows. And if I can't, be assured I will let you know that as well. We are all busy, undoubtedly, and it's bonus if we can be busy with things we enjoy. Isn't that a main motivator behind joining and staying with an App? This is certainly why I continue to read and write on Prose. It's a blessed thing when we feel like we are connected and can keep a conversation going that will help move us forward in our thinking. Thank you for writing, and for tagging.