Writing about Nature: A Creative Guide

By John A. Murray

Book Overview

Originally published by the Sierra Club in 1995, this handbook has already helped thousands of aspiring writers, scholars, and students share their experiences with nature and the outdoors. Using exercises and examples, John Murray covers genres, techniques, and publication issues. He uses examples from such masters as Barry Lopez, Annie Dillard, Larry McMurtry, Edward Abbey, Ernest Hemingway, and Henry David Thoreau. Also included are recommended readings, a directory of creative writing programs, professional organizations for writers, and a directory of environmental organizations. This revised edition includes a new chapter on nature writing and environmental activism.

"Nature is our grandest and oldest home, older than language, grander than consciousness. John Murray knows that in his bones, and he shares his knowledge generously with anyone who opens this book. Whether you write about the earth for publication or only for deepening your perceptions, you will find keen-eyed guidance here."--Scott Russell Sanders, author of Staying Put

• Format: Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0826330851
• ISBN13: 9780826330857
• Release Date: December 2003
• Publisher: Unm Press
• Length: 202 Pages
• Weight: 0.67 lbs.
• Dimensions: 0.7" x 6.1" x 7.9"

Customer Reviews

Exceptionally useful

Books on writing are usually ho-hum for me, as I am a writer with many publications and many years experience and have taught writing in various venues. But this one is far from ho-hum. Anecdotes about well-known nature writers, past and present, make the learning experience colorful and entertaining and are always directly relevant to what Murray is saying. The trouble with having years of experience is that I tend to forget about some sound principles--I have the illusion I've incorporated them so thoroughly they have become automatic. Ha! Not so; this book reminds me of them, stirs me up, and has already helped me liven up a couple of works in progress. Altho this book is focused on nature writing, most of the principles discussed apply to writing of any kind. Highly recommended for experienced as well as beginning writers.

Not just for writing about nature.

I have the original version of this book and I have carried it all over the country and used like a bible for the last ten years. I have gone back to each chapter at random and repeated his exercises time and time again without feeling like I was returning to the same book. Even if you are just journal writing like me this book is a must have and I will be ordering the new version when I am done writing this. I have only found one other book that works just as well in it's powerful simplicity and that is John E. Schwiebert's "Reading and Writing from Literature". Thanks Mr. Murray for the guidance.

An excellent skill improvement guide

Now in a newly revised and expanded edition, Writing About Nature: A Creative Guide by John A. Murray deftly teaches aspiring nature writers diverse exercises and examples with which to hone the communication skills of anyone who has experienced nature and the outdoors and yearns to share what they have seen. Covering a broad range of genres, and conveying a wealth of tips, tricks, techniques, as well as surveying publication issues, and enhanced with a new chapter about nature writing and environmental activism, Writing About Nature is an original, superbly organized and presented resource. Writing About Nature is an excellent skill improvement guide which is a highly recommended addition to any nature writer's instructional reference shelf or reading list.