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Christopher
Moderator
Member Rara Avis
since 1999-08-02
Posts 8296
Purgatorial Incarceration

0 posted 1999-09-25 10:41 PM


I was speaking with my friend Dream Evil the other night, and we both noticed a distressing lack of attention to the prose forum.
As we noted, this IS a poetry forum.
Understood.
However, aren't we all just wordsmiths here? (Or at least attempting such?) Words are words are words. Those of you who seldom or never visit the prose section of Passions, are missing out on a different brand of talent. There are quite a few wonderful stories there, as well as some feelings written out.
I think one concern may be that most of the writing is too "long" to be read by some. Granted some people, (myself ,) have a tendency to run off at the mouth, but for the most part, the stories are relatively short.
We're not posting any novels in there! And we would really like to see some increased traffic; both in readers and writers.
I fear that some of the talent that we've enjoyed in there is hesitant to post, because of the lack of responses.
Anyway, I was going to write a poem about it and request some more readers, but thought it a bit oxymoronic to write a poem asking others to read prose...
Thanks for the ear...


Christopher

© Copyright 1999 C.G. Ward - All Rights Reserved
Michael
Moderator
Member Rara Avis
since 1999-08-13
Posts 7666
California
1 posted 1999-09-25 11:04 PM


Chris,
I frequently read the Prose forum and find it quite compelling although I am still uneasy about my own prose. I appreciate much of what I find there, I humbly apologize for not giving more response while there.
I have endeavored to write more prose and you will be seeing more posts from me soon.

Michael

Poet deVine
Administrator
Member Seraphic
since 1999-05-26
Posts 22612
Hurricane Alley
2 posted 1999-09-25 11:25 PM


As the forum family grows, it becomes harder and harder to read everything..I just started reading and responding in Critical Forum tonight...I posted a few things in Prose but it seems only the ones posting are the ones responding..so I agree that there needs to be more traffic in there. Also! What about the Fantasy/Fancy forum? Very little activity there! Perhaps we need some challenges here....I find myself torn sometimes..wanting to write...needing to monitor and wanting to read!

I think the Open Forum has attracted the poets, so perhaps we need to find a place to 'catch' prose writers! About.com has a forum for prose..could someone go there and reply to some stories and invite the reader to Passions?

Am I making sense...? I love this place so much, I would sit here all day and night if I could, reading, reading, reading!

Christopher
Moderator
Member Rara Avis
since 1999-08-02
Posts 8296
Purgatorial Incarceration
3 posted 1999-09-26 04:22 PM


Mr. Michael, you are MORE than welcome in prose! I look forward to more contributions from you!
Ms devine... I am checking out about.com and will see if I can draw some unsuspecting victims...uhh.. I mean writers, here. One problem though, as Dream Evil stated when we were speaking, is that many people do in fact come to passions...who are poets. Certainly nothing against poetry...just begging for more prose!

Sunshine
Administrator
Member Empyrean
since 1999-06-25
Posts 63354
Listening to every heart
4 posted 1999-09-26 09:22 PM


I've posted two, maybe three pieces in Prose. Here's my problem in reading in that particular forum. Some folks [apparently the ones I choose to read] never insert paragraphs, and when all of the sentences run together, I find this very irritating. Suffice to say, I have not been back much to read, let alone post, because I think if I don't do one, I should not do the other.

Perhaps Ron can explain to me, is there a reason that other contributors don't separate thoughts [paragraphs], or use proper punctuation, etc.? Do they feel that this takes up too much space [which it probably does] OR is it just sloppiness on their part? I guess that's the "editing" in me coming through. Thanks.

[This message has been edited by Sunshine (edited 09-26-1999).]

Severn
Member Rara Avis
since 1999-07-17
Posts 7704

5 posted 1999-09-26 10:49 PM


Perhaps, dear Chris, I should post some of your e-mails to me on Prose - just to show people what it's all about...(wicked grin)
I agree, though. Of course!

Christopher
Moderator
Member Rara Avis
since 1999-08-02
Posts 8296
Purgatorial Incarceration
6 posted 1999-09-26 11:25 PM


ANYTHING BUT THAT!
I have an image to uphold you know... (whispering) can't let them know I've gone soft....shhh!

DreamEvil
Member Elite
since 1999-06-22
Posts 2396

7 posted 1999-09-28 07:35 AM


Interesting bit here. 'Twould indeed be nice if each poet here contributed one piece to Prose. I have searched out people online and brought them back to Passions only to have them hit Open forum and stop. As Christopher restated, 'tis a poetry site we are at and the magnitude of responses on Open does feed the ego somewhat. I'm sure I wouldn't know as Michael, Christopher, and I have no egos to feed. Right guys? Guys? Ah well, to continue, I think that Lady deVine has the right of it somewhat in that we need to draw more people into Prose and again, I have done so only to have them stopped by Open. I am looking into About.com as we speak, rather just before I wrote this and will after, as well as a few of our more direct competitors in an attempt to glean away any talent that might be there.

I will address the concerns listed here, by the numbers.

1.) Length-indeed we post no novels or novellas in Prose. A maximum length of 5000 words has been set and though significantly larger than a poem, we have few pieces that approach that size as yet.

2.) Lack of response-tough call this one is. Instant gratification is one reason posting is so heavy in Open and such works in Prose as well. New posts do not come in so often because of the few replies that Prose engenders. Replies though are contingent on our readers. We must therefore draw in more readers as we have amazing talent in Prose already and replies will keep that talent posting.

3.) Paragraphing and punctuation-The reason for the lack of paragraphing I think is two fold. I think that as with line breaks in poetry, it is sometimes hard to determine where a thought is completed and a new paragraph should be started. Next, as with free form and free verse, many prose writers write as the words flow. I think that another thread in Suggestions applies here. If there was a link on each forum page that led to a list of guidelines for the forum, we could provide immediate instruction in all proper formatting and punctuation.

Michael your prose posts are magnificent additions to Prose and I do hope you grace us with your presence more.

------------------
Now and forever my heart hears ~one voice~.
DreamEvil©


Justbleu
Member Elite
since 1999-08-31
Posts 3329
Oregon, Originally From Alaska :)
8 posted 1999-09-30 12:59 PM


I am going to at least stop by to read writing in other forums from now on!! I am not sure if my own writings fit the criteria for the others but, I look forward to reading more in the others!!

Bridgette

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