How To Use the Dictionary to Discover New Writing Prompts

Here's How:

1. Open the dictionary up to a random page.
2. With your eyes closed or averted, point to a random place on the page.
3. Open your eyes and write that word down at the top of a piece of paper.
4. Repeat the above steps two more times, so that you have three words at the top of your piece of paper.
5. Set your timer for 15 minutes.
6. Freewrite for 15 minutes, being sure to incorporate each of your three words into the piece.
7. When the timer rings, stop writing. Evaluate what you have written. Note if the words have generated a theme or idea that you might not have written about otherwise.
8. Revise this piece or a portion of it into a story, a prose poem, or a poem. If nothing strikes you, feel free to discard it and try again.
9. Still confused? Reader James B. sent in his response to the work. His sample will show you one way to approach the writing exercise.

Tips:

1. Write for the entire time, even if you feel stuck or frustrated.
2. If the words you've found don't lead to anything that inspires you, don't beat yourself up. The idea is to get you writing. You've already succeeded simply by writing for the full 15 minutes.
3. If 15 minutes does not seem adequate, expand your limit to 30 minutes. Try to avoid writing for under 15 minutes, however, as it takes some time just to warm up.
4. You can also try this exercise with different books. Any book will do, but books that typically contain words, phrases, or themes very different from your own writing may have the best effect.
5. Feel free to adapt or disregard any of the steps or rules. The most important thing is to spend time focusing on language and to write something new. Follow the rules only if they help you do the exercise. (Again, see the writing sample for how this might work.)

What You Need:

• Dictionary or other book
• Paper
• Pen or pencil.
• Timer