Newsletter: September, 2026

Dear fellow writers,

Welcome to my September newsletter, offering nourishment for your writing life -- something useful, something fun, news about my upcoming events and a community shout-out.

Something useful: What do you do with your Ten-minute writing burst

10 minutes of writing a day is life changing. But what do you do with those ten minutes -- especially when you are getting started?

Here are some exercises to guide you down the runway:

✏️ Write a letter from one of your characters to another character.

✏️Write a letter from a character in your dream project to you, the author: Why did this character pick you to tell his/her story?

✏️Choose a one-word prompt word, set a timer, and write for 10 minutes straight, with no judgement, no filter, and no pauses. Your only job is to keep your hand moving. Possible prompts: September, Swagger, or Smile.

PS: If you get to the 10-minute mark and you want to keep going, go for it. But it's useful to stop with ideas still buzzing, so that they can call you back to the page, next day.

PPS: Tell me about your experience with these exercises. I care, and the feedback helps me serve you better.

Something fun: A pageant of collective nouns

Whether it's a glitter of generals, a crash of rhinos, or a scurry of squirrels, collective nouns conjure fresh images, ideas and soundscapes that help us experience the world.

Start a collection of your favourites, and invent a lexicon of your own. They can enliven your writing or inspire you to write something new. Last month, "a swarm of aunts" popped into my mind, and led me to this:

Coming Up

Write Now kicks off - Tuesday, September 29

Whatever your dream project -- and whether you call yourself a writer or not -- Write Now is designed to help you get your ideas out of your head, onto the page and into the world. Click here for info and registration.

"As soon as I joined . . . my "writing life" took off."

Lydia Maier, Leadership coach, therapist and memoirist

More testimonials

Writing Retreat - November 9-13

Most of the 2026 retreats at the idyllic Starcroft Farm Cabins in East Sussex are fully booked, but there are two places left for November. Click here for details.

Community shout out to cast and audience for Pride and Prejudice at Jollys Farm, Aug 28

Giant hugs to everyone who joined me at Jollys Farm Quarry, East Sussex, on August 28, to perform or attend an outdoor staged reading of my script, Pride and Prejudice: A Play on Jane Austen's Words. Thanks to your talent, energy, and spirit of adventure, we co-created a performance and launched an idyllic new performance venue.

Cast: L-R Back: Rich Keeble, Jane Brooman, Sam Davies; Middle: Simon Roberts, Lisa Climie-Somers, Jemima Bowler, Daisy Ashford, Dominic King, Isla McLeod, Seth Somers, Joshua Polatin-Reuben, Dominque Gerrard, Dana Polatin; Front: Joanna Norland. Heartfelt thanks to Kate Fudakowski and Jollys Farm for hosting the event so generously and wholeheartedly.

My takeaway from the experience: When writers overcome our reserve and perfectionism to share our work-in-progress, we strengthen our work, build community and inspire others to stretch their own creative gifts.

I am now seeking a professional, amateur or student company to stage the premier of my one-act and full-length adaptations. If you are a theatre-maker who might be interested, or have any leads please get in touch.

*****

Do you have writing news you wish to share? Let me know so we can celebrate as a community! We evolve by acknowledging our progress and inspiring one another.

And if you're ready to chat about taking your writing further, reach out for a free discovery call.

Thanks for reading and make it a splendiferous September.

Hugs and scribbles,

Jo