1. Write a narrative poem or short story and keep the following in mind: Describe each of your main characters twice – once to fall in love with them, once to be repulsed by them.
2. Open the book closest to you and choose the first 5 words that jump out at you. Write a poem/flash fiction piece for each of those words, without ever using the word.
3. Your doorbell rings. When you answer the door, you find someone from an alternate universe who tells you that you are their favorite book character and they want to know how your story ends. How do you respond?
Emily Walters is an MA student in the English Department and social media editor for the minnesota review.
The Minnesota Review 