Thunderstorms and rain swept through, trying their best to cool down the nearly 90-degree heat. Hopefully, you’re all staying cool and comfortable. Our weekly newsletter is here to help with that—packed with great reads to keep you inspired and plenty of submission opportunities to keep your writing goals on track. This week’s writing prompt explores the power of names in storytelling—how they shape identity, perception, and even destiny.
Speaking of which, let’s dive into that prompt and explore how the power of names can shape our stories—and ourselves.
Inspiration Prompt: What’s in a Name? More Than You Think.
A rose by any other name would smell just as sweet, but Anne wasn’t so sure Shakespeare got that right (remember, she thought Ann was just dreadful).
In an era of high infant mortality, Japanese children were often given temporary names to ward off misfortune—only receiving their “true” names once they reached a safer age. The belief was simple but profound: names carry power.
Even in nature, names shape perception. Every plant has at least two: the scientific name—precise but often forgotten—and the common name, which varies by region and culture. Take the autumn olive, for example. Despite its poetic name, it’s not an olive tree at all. Scientifically known as Elaeagnus umbellata, it also goes by Japanese silverberry, spreading oleaster, and autumn berry. It sounds lovely, doesn’t it? Yet in the U.S., it’s considered an invasive species—beautiful, but disruptive to native ecosystems.
It’s strange how something so beautiful can be misunderstood—or misjudged—because of a name.
In some communities, a family name alone can open doors—or close them. In schools, neighborhoods, and small towns, your last name might precede you like a rumor. Some names are spoken with admiration, others with disdain, long before anyone meets the person behind them. Maybe your uncle made headlines. Maybe your cousin got expelled. Maybe your last name means you’re always the troublemaker because of older siblings—or never taken seriously.
Somewhere out there, there’s a person whose entire job is to receive new products—lotions, gadgets, teas, sneakers—and test them, not for quality, but for identity. Their task? To find the name that tells a story, sparks curiosity, and makes someone fall in love at first glance. A name that whispers a story before the product is even touched. Imagine the power in that.
So, do you believe in the power of names? Have you ever liked something until you learned what it was called? Or disliked something, only to be won over by its name?
This week, let names guide your writing. Explore how they shape identity, perception, or even destiny. What stories lie hidden behind the names we give—or the ones we’re given?
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Want more inspiration prompts before committing? Dive in here and explore past prompts to spark your creativity.
