So, the big question(s). What is Spilled Ink? What are we supposed to do? Is it super important that we tag our work with #spilled ink?
Well, let’s start off slow. Spilled Ink is a project that a couple of lovely people came up with because they were a little upset about what the #poetry tag was turning into (example: not actually showing too many original Tumblr poets and featuring more poems from authors long dead, overseen quotes, images, etcetera). Sure, these things were probably in some way related to poetry, but it was expected to be a place we could discover new poets in this community.
Boom. The seed of an idea was dropped.
Then it grew like wild fire, and people started using the #spilled ink tag before they even realized what the heck it was. And really, that’s all you’re supposed to do: tag your poetry or prose with #spilled ink, cross your little fingers, and hope we find you in the craze of what the tag has become.
However, this blog was created and is run by the same people that came up with the idea, plus a couple of extra hands [see Moderators]. That means there’re only a few people acting as moderators and we are not gods, no matter what we try to claim. The point is: we can’t see everything, as much as we would very much like to.
Knowing that, you can also participate and help by 1) spreading the word [reblog this post], 2) sending us links to your own poetry or prose [because trust us: it is hard work trying to read every single thing, let alone queue even a percentage of the words we read], 3) sending us links to other people’s work [whether from people you’re following or by exploring the #spilled ink, #poetry, #prose tags on your own].
Why? Why do any of these three things? Because we want this to be a community effort. The general goal of this idea and blog was to shine a spotlight on all writers, regardless of popularity, style, or writing experience. Even more specifically, the goal is to shine a spotlight on the writers that are participating in this community today, in the present [even though we do all love the classics].
So, basically, we need your help and that’s why it’s important for you to tag your work with #spilled ink. First of all, at least in my (Bethany) case, I go to the #spilled ink tag first to look for new things to queue and then to #poetry and #prose. Second of all, doing that simple and quick measure helps us spread the word to all of the writing community.
Now, please understand, even if you send us a link it is not a sure thing that it will be reblogged. We take every link into consideration but reserve the right to choose what will ultimately be posted.
