Module 1
What is nature writing and how to get started
| Module 1 |
Excerpt
‘The cockatoos are screeching. At first, it’s a few flying overhead, but the deeper we go into the gully the louder they are and the more there are, until the sky is no longer grey and cloudy but a swirl of white and yellow. They scream and scream, calling to each other. They’re not like magpies, whose voices are melodious and rich, and yet today the screeching is like a balm. My senses tingle, and each call sends a shot of pleasure down my spine.’
Melanie Saward, ‘When the Birds Scream’, On This Ground
Topic and tips
Nature writing is a contemplative and powerful artform that encourages observation, introspection and advocacy on environmental issues.
Nature writers are able to create immersive descriptions with vivid imagery. They paint the landscape and the life it holds skilfully with words. Authors often include themselves in the story, making themselves an animate storyteller. This personal insight and experience often makes this style of writing particularly interesting as we follow the thoughts and journey of the author. It also makes a story relatable, as we share the human emotions of joy and grief, surprise and wonder, that nature writers often experience.
Nature writers also usually practice this artform because they have a passion for nature and feel compelled to share what they see and experience with others. Often this takes the shape of soft environmental education or awareness raising, describing issues inflicting an ecosystem or species. Many nature writers may see themselves as environmental advocates or activists, and hope that their words may lead to a positive outcome for their subject matter.
You don’t need anything special, complex or costly to become a nature writer. On the contrary, this practice is about slowing down, being present, building connection, and having fun writing.
Nature is sometimes thought of a wilderness far away, but actually nature is all around us, we are completely inseparable and immersed within it at all times. That means you can begin your nature writing practice at any time and in any location.
Activities
Writing prompt
Use this sentence as a prompt to write a short paragraph:
The gentle tapping on my kitchen window echoed down the hallway, alerting me that the young bird had returned…
‘The cockatoos are screeching. At first, it’s a few flying overhead, but the deeper we go into the gully the louder they are and the more there are, until the sky is no longer grey and cloudy but a swirl of white and yellow. They scream and scream, calling to each other. They’re not like magpies, whose voices are melodious and rich, and yet today the screeching is like a balm. My senses tingle, and each call sends a shot of pleasure down my spine.’
Melanie Saward, ‘When the Birds Scream’, On This Ground
Topic and tips
Nature writing is a contemplative and powerful artform that encourages observation, introspection and advocacy on environmental issues.
Nature writers are able to create immersive descriptions with vivid imagery. They paint the landscape and the life it holds skilfully with words. Authors often include themselves in the story, making themselves an animate storyteller. This personal insight and experience often makes this style of writing particularly interesting as we follow the thoughts and journey of the author. It also makes a story relatable, as we share the human emotions of joy and grief, surprise and wonder, that nature writers often experience.
Nature writers also usually practice this artform because they have a passion for nature and feel compelled to share what they see and experience with others. Often this takes the shape of soft environmental education or awareness raising, describing issues inflicting an ecosystem or species. Many nature writers may see themselves as environmental advocates or activists, and hope that their words may lead to a positive outcome for their subject matter.
You don’t need anything special, complex or costly to become a nature writer. On the contrary, this practice is about slowing down, being present, building connection, and having fun writing.
Nature is sometimes thought of a wilderness far away, but actually nature is all around us, we are completely inseparable and immersed within it at all times. That means you can begin your nature writing practice at any time and in any location.
Activities
- Take a walk outside. Walk with no intention other than to observe. Take a mental note of your environment and the life that you share it with.
- Find a quiet place to sit. What do you see? What do you hear? Don’t feel like you need to write anything yet (although if you wish to, then go ahead). The most important thing is to ground yourself and start taking notice.
- Notice how you feel when sitting quietly in nature – at ease or uncomfortable, peaceful or agitated? Hold no judgement, let these feelings come and subside, just observe.
Writing prompt
Use this sentence as a prompt to write a short paragraph:
The gentle tapping on my kitchen window echoed down the hallway, alerting me that the young bird had returned…
Photo prompt
Use this image as a prompt to write a short paragraph:
Read, Watch, Listen
Read
The Shimmer of Flying Fox Landscape, Matthew Chrulew
Read here
Watch
Nature is Everywhere – We Just Need to Learn How to See It, Emma Marris, TEDSummit
Watch here
Listen
Dark Skies, a quest and nature writing in Inga Simpson’s The Thinning, The Bookshelf
Listen here
Thoughts on writing
‘There is no greater agony than bearing an untold story inside you.’
Maya Angelou
‘You can make anything by writing.’
C.S. Lewis
Read
The Shimmer of Flying Fox Landscape, Matthew Chrulew
Read here
Watch
Nature is Everywhere – We Just Need to Learn How to See It, Emma Marris, TEDSummit
Watch here
Listen
Dark Skies, a quest and nature writing in Inga Simpson’s The Thinning, The Bookshelf
Listen here
Thoughts on writing
‘There is no greater agony than bearing an untold story inside you.’
Maya Angelou
‘You can make anything by writing.’
C.S. Lewis