Written by September 4th, 2014

Writing Prompt: Words from Another

For this prompt I want you to grab a book off your shelf, it should be a book that is written by someone who has a writing style that is very different than your natural style. It can be a book you have read or one you have not. It could be a book of fiction, non-fiction, or poetry.

Browse through the book till you find a page that appeals to you. Then pick up to ten words or phrases from that page. Phrases should contain no more than 3 words.

Write down all these words and phrases at the top of the page that you are working on. Now start to write. You can write a short story, flash fiction, or poem. Incorporate the words you wrote down into the piece in the order you wrote them down. This is one of my favorite prompts. You end up writing about different things then you normally do, when you are incorporating another person’s language into your own writing.

 

We Send You Publishers Seeking Submissions.

Sign up for our free e-magazine and we will send you reviews of publishers seeking short stories, poetry, essays, and books.

Subscribe now and we'll send you a free copy of our book Submit, Publish, Repeat

The Final Girl Review: Now Seeking Submissions

The Final Girl Review: Now Seeking Submissions

An online journal seeking fiction, nonfiction, poetry, and visual art,

81 Opportunities for Historically Underrepresented Writers (July 2025)

81 Opportunities for Historically Underrepresented Writers (July 2025)

This list of publishers meet our guiding principles, but are only open to free submissions from historically underrepresented writers or focus on publishing content produced by historically underrepresented writers. Some of these publications are open to a wide range of writers including writers of color, gender non-conforming and LGBTQ+ writers, and those living with disabilities….

How and Why to Bring Novelty into Your Writing

How and Why to Bring Novelty into Your Writing

Prompts and techniques to reinvent your writing style.

How to Get Started With Writing Essays

How to Get Started With Writing Essays

By Ratika Deshpande The essay is a form that can take diverse appearances: travelogues, memoirs, lists, drabbles. As exciting as its variety feels, I’ve also found it frustrating that there are hardly any guides detailing how to work with the form. The following is a sort of beginner’s guide I wish I’d had when I…