Subscriber First Name What are Must-Have writing tools? Writing for Real Newsletter is here!

Welcome to the first issue of Writing for Real, a monthly newsletter helping you live your best new writer life. I'm glad you're here.

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In this issue…

My Latest Chapter (a personal update)
Writing Must-Haves
Read This
Try This
QOTM - Question of the Month

My latest chapter

As I write this, summer is still going strong in my neck of the woods. Cloudless skies, hot temperatures, and warm, gentle waves didn't get the memo that September is here. Last week was one spicy meatball, with temperatures hitting 30°C, and I LOVED it! I went swimming in the lake, kayaked the river, and took in a gorgeous sunset on the beach with my son and our dog. Pure joy.

As a serious writer, you might wonder why I'm spending so much time outside having fun instead of writing. The answer is simple: I'm recharging my writing batteries. This is a must-have in any creative life (more on that below).

I write almost every day, even if it's just in my journal. I can tell by my scribblings when I need to take a break and do something fun. So, I do. And it's totally worth it. It never fails to help me center my creative life.

On another note, I tried growing San Marzano tomatoes this summer and WOW are they ever tasty! Nothing beats a fresh, ripe tomato, especially when I get to pick it straight off the vine in my own backyard. I’ve already made a few pasta dinners and holy moly, were they molto gustoso!

Lastly, a pic of my fur-babies, just because. I am a sucker for these faces!

Writing Must-Haves

Over the next few newsletters, I will share what I consider to be writing must-haves for new or hesitant writers. Of course, they work for any writer, but they are essential for new writers who are looking for a safe place to start. My goal with this newsletter is to make things super easy (and hopefully fun and interesting) so that you can feel good building your writer skills.

Must-Have #1

Fuel your creativity with Solo Adventures

Julia Cameron, the renowned writing guru and author of The Artist's Way, swears by a simple yet powerful practice: taking yourself on a weekly solo adventure to ignite your creative spark. It doesn’t need to be fancy or even cost a dime, it just needs to tickle your senses in a new way.

How it works:

Dedicate an hour weekly (start with 15 minutes if needed, then build up)
Go alone
Engage your senses: immerse yourself in the sights, sounds, and smells
Record your feelings, observations, and connections

The ultimate goal is to delight yourself and nurture your curiosity. These experiences plant seeds of inspiration in your fertile writer's mind. Personally, I'm drawn to eclectic stores filled with handmade treasures, fusion restaurants and stationary shops (yes, I’m a geek). These spaces offer a feast for the senses and often spark ideas for settings, characters, or dialogue. (Pro tip: Eavesdropping is golden for authentic dialogue!)

Local Gem Alert: If you're near Owen Sound, Ontario, don't miss The Artists' Coop. It's a delightful blend of bistro, art history, classes and local artisan wares.

Want to dive deeper into Julia Cameron's writer-nurturing wisdom? Click here for more info.

Check back next month for another Writing Must-Have!

Writing is an exploration. You start with nothing and learn as you go.

E. L. Doctorow

Read this…

This month, I'm revisiting Natalie Goldberg's Writing Down the Bones as I prepare to teach a new writer's course. Though it's an older book (no digital info), its timeless wisdom offers invaluable prompts, strategies, and a Zen perspective that beautifully aligns mindfulness with the writing process.

I previously used this book while teaching high school creative writing and loved its no-nonsense approach. Goldberg's advice to keep writing—regardless of quality—resonated deeply. Keep writing. Resist crossing anything out. Worry about revisions later. Solid advice. I used to tell my students that writing worked best if they “puked it all up first, then cleaned it up later.” Graphic? Perhaps. Effective? Absolutely.

You can read more about her book here.

Try this…

This month's writing prompt combines nature and setting:

Take a walk outside in nature (near water is ideal, but any green space works)
Focus on one element—really observe it. It could be a vibrant wildflower, a fallen leaf, or an intertwining vine. Note its texture, color, and scent
Envision this element as an integral part of a story's setting. What emotions does it evoke? Could it be part of a place where people fall in love, or bury a body?
Write for 5 minutes, describing your imagined setting and the feelings it stirred. Reflect on why it evoked those emotions and how you might incorporate the element in your writing

Share your piece with me—I'd love to feature a couple of them in future newsletters!

QOTM

What fear holds you back from writing? Let's discuss and conquer it together! Reach out on Instagram or email to let me know.

Thanks for reading!

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If you have any suggestions for making this newsletter more meaningful, please email info@sandraziemniak.com.

Until next month, write on, Prose Partner, write on!