Nature Triggers Inspiration to Write

 

 

We have two photos today, each one showing

a different shading of autumn leaves. One the gold, the other a burnished red. Both are delightful to the eye after the many pleasant months of green on our trees and bushes. Fall colors lift our spirits and soothe our souls. 

This morning, I noticed that one leaf had fallen from a tree I see from my kitchen window. One leaf, already yellow and curled at the edges. The rest of the leaves on the tree remain green. Something struck me about that one leaf, so much so that I had to write the first draft of a poem. 

Nature often inspires poetry, whether it be majestic mountains or rolling hills or bubbling brooks. Perhaps fields of flowers inspire you to write, or a summer storm. Even winter offers us inspiration to write with cold winds, ice and snow, bare trees and more. Nature gives a natural inspiration to write, whether it be poetry or prose. 

Writers are always searching for ideas for new writing. Story ideas abound amongst crowds of people, but also in the quietness of nature. Quiet save for the occasional thunder and lightning storm with heavy rain like we experienced here in the Flint Hills of Kansas very early this morning. Otherwise, the sounds of nature are not so loud--the buzzing of bees, the chirping of crickets, the lowing of cattle. 

Take some time to look around you the next time you are outdoors. It could be as you take a walk in the neighborhood, traverse a hiking trail, or in your own backyard. Stop, look, and listen. You heard that rule when you were a child learning to cross a street. Do it again quietly, by yourself. Hone your senses. What do you see? What do you hear? What do you smell? What can you touch? Is there anything to taste?

Take a small notebook and pen with you. Find a place to sit and observe, then jot down your thoughts. Let your notes trigger a full poem, essay, or story later when you are at home again. Soak up nature with the hope that you will have the urge to write. 

We all live busy lives, sometimes to our own detriment. We rush here and there, take care of self and family, work and play. With the hustle and bustle, we are apt to overlook the natural beauty that surrounds us in every season. Set some time aside to enjoy autumn--the colors,  the crunch of leaves as you walk across them, the pitter-patter of a shower, the heavy rain drumming on the roof, and, oh, so much more. 

When we look for inspiration to write, all we need do is stop, look, and listen. The ideas are there. It's up to you to capture them. 

Use our two photos of autumn scenes to do a freewrite exercise.