A simple guide to nature writing
Six lessons from my year of nature writing
Hello, I’m Molly, a full time creator based in the Scottish Highlands. Subscribers can enjoy weekly posts around the themes of slow living, thriving in a creative career, books & nature. Members get access to ALL my content, including video tea times, slow scrolls of all my favourites and seasonal book reviews.
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In recent years there has been a steep increase in the popularity of nature writing.
During times of crisis (i.e., lock-down), people crave this connection with the natural world. And its a genre that, to my delight, continues to grow every year.
It has now become my favourite style of non-fiction and has inspired me to start my own journey with nature writing.
A bit about my writing
Having had a career in wildlife conservation, with both a BSc and MSc in this subject under my belt, its unsurprising that I was drawn to this subject matter. But I wanted to approach this through a new creative lens.
I have completed two distance learning courses in nature writing. The first was with the University of Cambridge - An introduction to non-fiction nature writing, which I completed in spring 2022. The second was with the Field Studies Council (so much more affordable!) - Writing nature memoirs, which I finished in autumn 2023.
Both were invaluable in improving my skills and it was wonderful to connect with other nature writers.
This year, I decided to keep a regular nature diary and its been a delight to watch my writing progress. But more than anything, this practise has deepened my connection with nature even further, which in turn has added a huge amount of value to my life.
Today, I thought I would share what I have learnt so far to perhaps get you started with your own nature writing practise….
A guide to nature writing
You can write about nature anywhere
Although I am blessed to live in the Scottish Highlands, if I’ve learnt anything from my experience in writing and reading about nature, it’s that you really can do it from anywhere.
Some writers like to treat their work more like travel-logs, where they capture a journey in nature e.g., The Salt Path (Raynor Winn), where the author describes her experience of walking the South West Coast Path.
Other’s prefer to focus their writing in one place e.g., The Living Mountain (Nan Shepard) which is focused on Nan’s exploration of the Cairngorms.
There has been a particular surge in urban nature writing in recent years, with a favourite example of mine being Melissa Harrison’s The Stubborn Light of Things, much or which is made up of her observations of nature whilst based in London.
The value of curiosity
Although I have worked with wildlife as part of my career as a conservationist, I am constantly delighted by how little I really know about nature.
I firmly believe that curiosity is the most important tool for all nature writers.
Allow yourself to ask questions, no matter how ‘stupid’ you might think they are. The better you understand nature, the better you can write about it.
Do some research to try and answer your questions. There are some wonderful websites packed with accessible information about our wildlife, with favourites of mine including the RSPB, The Wildlife Trust, Woodland Trust, Buglife and Plantlife.
Some even have apps that help you identify wildlife when you are out and about.
A sample of things I’ve learnt this year
There is no scientific difference between toadstools and mushrooms
The 4 most common spider’s web designs (and the spider’s that weave them)
That it is only female flowers that develop pinecones
In folklore, harebells are also known as ‘fairy bells’ or ‘witches thimble’
An average garden is estimated to be home to 20,000 slugs!
Tune into your senses
The simplest way to get started with nature writing is by utilising our senses to describe what you are experiencing. This makes the reader feel like they are right there, experiencing nature with you.
Take mementos
It can be difficult to describe wildlife from memory alone.
That’s why it can be useful to take mementos from your time in nature, whether this be actual specimens (often best as you can use all your senses to describe them) or photos/videos that you can study later.
Obviously care should be taken here as we don’t want to be irresponsible in taking nature out of the wild. My approach is that I tend to leave living things intact (e.g., wildflowers) but allow myself to take small numbers of ‘non-living’ things e.g., stones fallen leaves, feathers etc.
Read nature writing
As with all writing, the more you read, the better you write.
There are so many different styles of nature writing, with common examples being non-fiction factual books, or, my favourite, nature memoirs, but nature can also weave its way into the likes of novels, short stories or poetry.
You can reference my deep dive into nature memoirs HERE, where I provided some recommendations from my own bookshelf.
Start a nature diary/journal
Obviously, if you want to write about nature, you need to experience it.
Little and often is my approach to nature writing. I’ve gotten into the habit of taking my nature diary with me on our daily dog walks.
This doesn’t mean I write long essays every day. Sometimes I don’t write anything at all, and other’s I only capture a few words or questions I would like to answer at a later point. But its a great habit to get into.
Watch my video HERE where I give a detailed insight into my 2024 nature diary.
You can also harness your creativity and incorporate artwork into your diary/journal. I’ve found that I notice so many more details of nature this way.
Resource recommendations
As many of you know, Skillshare is my favourite online learning platform and these are some wonderful classes that I highly recommend.
An introduction to nature journaling
Nature journaling: Drawing from observation using watercolours
You can get a 30-day free trial with Skillshare using this LINK
So, what do you reckon? Do you already have a nature writing practise or has this inspired you to start one?
Please do share in the comments!
Until next time,
Molly xx
Writing from my Scottish Nature Diary…
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Thank you so much for this great advice. I am helping my 19 year old daughter, who wants to start writing about nature and the work in the community garden where she volunteers. And thank you for the Skillshare 30 day offer.
Thanks for the tip of accessing nature writing courses through the Field Studies Council - I have signed up for one of their online courses and am really looking forward to it