Written compositions from eastern and southern states (6)
I believe the answer is:
essays
'written compositions' is the definition.
'essays' can be an answer for 'compositions' (I've seen this before). I'm not certain of the 'written' bit.
'eastern and southern states' is the wordplay.
'eastern' becomes 'e'.
'and' means one lot of letters go next to another.
'southern' becomes 's' (abbreviation).
'states' becomes 'says' ('say' can be a synonym of 'state').
'e'+'s'+'says'='ESSAYS'
'from' is the link.
Can you help me to learn more?
(Other definitions for essays that I've seen before include "Short pieces of writing as for homework" , "Makes experimental attempts" , "Tries the writings" , "Literary efforts" , "Disquisitions" .)