Today I’d like to share my passion for nature through the pages of a book and the effective method I used to write it. Rooted in Nature: Observations from the Wild is an example of what I love to do in nature—explore—and some of the lessons nature has taught me. For the stories in this book, I used a method I call live writing.
Live writing is basically speaking into a recording device as you describe something. This is done while you are looking at and experiencing that thing. In doing this, you can capture images, colors, and movement as it happens. This method provides a great start for a story or article and your readers will have a greater sense of “being there” with you. It has been one of my favorite writing tools.
Here is a piece I wrote using the live writing method:
Hike to Devil’s Backbone
It was a black canopy dotted with stars, like holes poked in an ebony sheet, as the lights slowly dimmed in the predawn sky. It was the blue hour, and nightlights faded until the waning moon was the only light left, a hanging fragment above towering rock. Opposite, in the southeastern sky, colors crept in — ombre tints of blaze and pumpkin orange as pale tangerine bled higher. It was a promise, a sunshine promise of radiant light ushering in another day.
As the central star broke the horizon, a coyote choir barked and howled. Right on cue, they yipped as the sun crested a distant hill. Luminous daystar. Flaming, golden orb. Round. Burning. Bright. Suddenly the animals hushed and the Rocky Mountain foothills offered a moment of silence. It was morning.
That was the start of my Thanksgiving Day. A sunrise hike to Devil’s Backbone Open Space in the foothills of the Colorado Rockies. I went with my two kiddos on the invigorating jaunt; it was just under 20 degrees outside. Cool applied to both the weather and the experience. The sky was perfectly clear, so all the lights and colors were fully visible. It was fantastic!
As we set out that early morning in the dark. I looked up at the sky and was transported back in time. I was six and it was Christmas night. In my childhood home, I crouched under our piano with my new toy — Light Brite — as I poked colorful pegs into a black sheet, creating lights that dotted a canvass like all the stars outside. I made my own heavenly miracle.
That is what I think about the sky. It is a miracle. From balls of gas suspended high above, forming constellations, to the daily sunrises, cotton clouds, and amazing colors of sunsets, the world — all of nature — is so awesome and, at the same time mysterious. Like a dark sky at night, it can be both fantastic and unsettling. Cloaked in darkness, I felt that way as I hiked on Thanksgiving, in the black shadows of the foothills, excited and a little unnerved. The area we were hiking was marked as having mountain lions.
Gulp.
On our hike to Devil’s Backbone, my kids and I spoke of things hidden by the dark, like animals. I let my imagination go too far and began to feel uneasy, verbalizing scenarios — “what-ifs.” I said the worst case, in my mind, would be two of us watching as one was mauled by a huge, ferocious cat (yeah …). My son calmly commented, “I’m pretty sure I wouldn’t just be watching.” That made us all laugh and made me realize the irrational fear was just that. Irrational.
Imagination is much scarier than real life.
Back on track, simply enjoying the brightening landscape and company of my children, I admired the rolling hills and how light and dark contrasts of rocks and tall, frosty grass looked in the dim light.
As we reached the rock formation known as Devil’s Backbone, a keyhole came into view. A large misshapen hole in one of the rocks. It was big — my kids stood inside and were dwarfed by the opening. We had about ten minutes before sunrise when we reached the keyhole, our destination. We sat quietly and waited.
My favorite part of the hike was having the experience with my kiddos. Nature speaking, though, it was the coyote choir and colors in the sky as the sun made its daily debut. The light illuminated on rocks as the bright star prepared to show itself, tawny brown-red rocks. Growing light that flooded out darkness and shadows. Good morning, Thanksgiving Day. Good morning, Colorado Rockies. Good morning, world.
My heart was overwhelmed with gratitude.
Two reasons I share this book and my writing method with you:
One: Perhaps you are a nature lover who loves to read. Or you’re looking for a nature-themed gift to give someone. Either way, the book is available HERE.
Two: You are a writer and looking for a way to make your writing more believable. Give live writing a try. It is easy and effective. In fact, I’m heading out this week to do more “live” nature writing myself. I’ll post an example of it in the next few days. Until then, get outside if you are able and enjoy the lessons nature offers, the wonder nature provides, and the gift of all living things!
About Rooted in Nature: Observations from the Wild
Life is an adventure and the wild world is waiting to be explored! This book is a compilation of writings from over five years of nature exploration, observation, and research. Nature never runs out of things to observe and enjoy. It is a great teacher and the pages of this book display its matchless ability to provide enjoyment and lessons.
Each section of this book is dedicated to a season. Each season includes multiple writings. In Part One: Spring, you will find all nature bursting with life! New beginnings and promises fulfilled will transport you to the natural world where ice is melting, spring rains are cleansing the earth, and critters are preparing for a new brood or litter of baby animals.
In Part Two: Summer, hear the sounds of birds and frogs, kayak on the blue waters of mine pit lakes, and become a citizen scientist, monitoring Monarch Butterfly activity! During fall, Part Three: Autumn, you will enjoy the canopy of color nature paints across the woods or the distinctive honking of migrating geese. Get lost in the woods and find yourself in a new way during this mesmerizing season.
Finally, say goodbye to the earth as it hides beneath a blanket of snow in Part Four: Winter. Snowshoe in the quiet and still wilderness where time is frozen, the air is crisp, and a peaceful slumber falls onto the world. Watch the hardy birds of winter and keep company with white-tailed deer.
The writings in this book were born from an innate connection with nature and deep love of the natural world. Meant to be enjoyed and inspiring, the things described on the pages of this book are a gift from nature, to the writer, to you. May you find yourself enjoying nature and connecting with it on a deeper, more intimate level.
