It's appropriate that the end of this semester, the
end of these blog posts, demarcates the beginning of winter. The snow and cold
hide the hillside's life, making observation difficult.
Now is a good time for reflection. Thanksgiving passed a few days ago; it didn't pass without recognition of this course. I'm thankful for the following things which this class gifted me:
1. First and foremost, I'm thankful for the opportunity to pay close attention to the other lives around me. Though I have a lot to learn about nature's complexities manifested in the flora and fauna of this neighborhood, the first few fumbling steps have been taken, and I feel like I can walk on my own.
2. I'm thankful there's much, much more to learn. Writing has always been attractive to me because it embodies a challenge that benefits me holistically. I've come to learn that for nature writing, this is especially true. I've never been inspired more to travel, to explore. While poetry has changed my life, it has mostly changed my thought life, which in turn has affected the way I occupy my body; nature writing has affected my body first, then my mind. This past week I was deeply moved by my peers pieces in a way I haven't been moved by writing in a long time. They made me want to get up off my ass and see something new. This is the power of the genre.
3. I'm grateful that I was able to craft some new tools for my writer's utility belt. I feel more comfortable using scientific data in my writing, largely thanks to Haskell and the artful way he combined data and prose. From Price's piece "Thirteen Ways," I learned a few new avenues to explore nature writing: by the resources I use and by the sociopolitical place I occupy.
4. Finally, I'm thankful for everyone else in this course. Our discussions were downright enlightening. Thank you for reading my work, for worskhopping, for sharing your own work. I hope to see you all become well-known writers.
During winter break I intend to keep my senses sharp to what life expresses itself around me. I also intend to keep writing. I can't say I'll return to this blog, but I will keep writing in this genre. It's been fun trying out new styles and forms, and I feel like a better writer for it. Again, thank you all for reading, and keep writing!
Now is a good time for reflection. Thanksgiving passed a few days ago; it didn't pass without recognition of this course. I'm thankful for the following things which this class gifted me:
1. First and foremost, I'm thankful for the opportunity to pay close attention to the other lives around me. Though I have a lot to learn about nature's complexities manifested in the flora and fauna of this neighborhood, the first few fumbling steps have been taken, and I feel like I can walk on my own.
2. I'm thankful there's much, much more to learn. Writing has always been attractive to me because it embodies a challenge that benefits me holistically. I've come to learn that for nature writing, this is especially true. I've never been inspired more to travel, to explore. While poetry has changed my life, it has mostly changed my thought life, which in turn has affected the way I occupy my body; nature writing has affected my body first, then my mind. This past week I was deeply moved by my peers pieces in a way I haven't been moved by writing in a long time. They made me want to get up off my ass and see something new. This is the power of the genre.
3. I'm grateful that I was able to craft some new tools for my writer's utility belt. I feel more comfortable using scientific data in my writing, largely thanks to Haskell and the artful way he combined data and prose. From Price's piece "Thirteen Ways," I learned a few new avenues to explore nature writing: by the resources I use and by the sociopolitical place I occupy.
4. Finally, I'm thankful for everyone else in this course. Our discussions were downright enlightening. Thank you for reading my work, for worskhopping, for sharing your own work. I hope to see you all become well-known writers.
During winter break I intend to keep my senses sharp to what life expresses itself around me. I also intend to keep writing. I can't say I'll return to this blog, but I will keep writing in this genre. It's been fun trying out new styles and forms, and I feel like a better writer for it. Again, thank you all for reading, and keep writing!
A few, small - but continuous - fumbling steps are all we can hope for. I am especially struck by this idea, which I think encapsulates the experience of learning this genre well: nature writing has affected my body first, then my mind.. Learning to see the natural world has to be a visceral and present experience first, and then an intellectual one second.
ReplyDeleteThis post was really appropriate. I, too, have been thinking quite a bit about what I've learned form this course.
ReplyDeleteI really appreciate your line, " Writing has always been attractive to me because it embodies a challenge that benefits me holistically. I've come to learn that for nature writing, this is especially true." The more time I spend in nature, the more I have been able to have a greater understanding of scene and craft.
Thanks for your thoughts!
I don't really have any specific comments about this post besides the fact that I enjoyed it. I enjoyed the post's immersion into a bigger element, the holiday, and the connection between the class, nature, and writing. I enjoyed the thanksgiving elements. I also enjoyed the line, "I intend to keep my sense sharp," and in reading it, I question myself, What would that look like in my life? Can sharpening senses be like sharpening a pencil, a definite, concrete action? And if so, what would it look like? Thanks for sharing!
ReplyDeleteI was also really struck by this line: "While poetry has changed my life, it has mostly changed my thought life, which in turn has affected the way I occupy my body; nature writing has affected my body first, then my mind."
ReplyDeleteYou've articulated something very meaningful despite it being a sort of intangible feeling. I think all too often, we forget to pay attention to our bodies because the our minds are always stealing the show, especially for us academics. But I think in my case as well, simply being out in nature brings me back to a bodily experience and quiets my mind. Best in future writing endeavors, Ian.