July's writing experiment is here!

Welcome to the first half of 2026, Reader. Has it snuck up on you, as it did with me?

And an extra welcome to those of you who are new to this email.

Because this is the first Wednesday of the month, I offer you a writing experiment. In addition, you'll find three other writing-related posts or events that may inspire you as we embark on the second half of the year.

July's experiment: An unexpected Muse

Looking for a quickly supply of fodder for your writing creativity? Try the obituary column in your local paper.

This month's experiment will give you a few ideas that might work well for you. If you try it, let me know how it works!

If you're rather watch the video, find it on YouTube.

3 inspiring nudges from others

If you're not currently writing, you might enjoy this post by Marjie Alonso on The Brevity Blog: How to Not Write. (It's okay to take a break.)

If you want to play with crafting sentences, check out the exercises on Nina Schuyler's wonderful Stunning Sentences on Substack. Here's a recent example of her exercises: https://ninaschuyler.substack.com/p/isnt-that-very-water​

Do you simply want great writing prompts to nudge you out of a rut? Dinty Moore is leading a CRAFT TALK session next week: Shake It Loose! Unexpected Prompts and Nudges— (July 8 @ 3:00-4:30 pm EDT). Here's his desciption: "packed with ways to discover fertile new directions for your work, whether you are looking to start something new or hoping to regain momentum in your current work-in-progress. For memoirists, essayist, and fiction writers alike." This is a paid even from Craft Talks ($30).

I hope this gives you plenty to inspire your writing for a couple weeks.

Until next time, happy writing.

Anne

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PO Box 66285 Scotts Valley, CA 95067

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