Whether you’re a fiction writer, non-fiction, sci-fi, suspense or romance novelist, it’s unlikely that you’ll remain inspired if you only ever write within one specific genre. In fact, trying your hand at all sorts of writing, even if you’re not planning to have the work published, is the best way to boost creativity and find inspiration that you can then put to use in your professional writing career.
Spending time outdoors in natural surroundings is good for your health. Many people refer to spending time in nature as “green space therapy.” As a writer, sitting quietly in nature, observing plant and animal life or taking a hike, etc., not only provides fresh air and sunshine but can also spark creative writing ideas in your mind. Keeping a nature journal is a fun way to enjoy the outdoors and to write for pleasure.
Basic ideas for starting a nature journal
Consider investing in a quality, hard-bound writing book to start a nature journal. It’s also a good idea to keep various types of pens on hand, including a nice choice of ink colors and different sized tips so that you can experiment with different fonts and styles of lettering to decorate your nature journal.
Think of your journal as a place to record your thoughts, feelings, ideas and observations whenever you head out for a walk, to sit and watch birds or insects, or to enjoy time by a creek, etc.
Including small details makes your nature journal more interesting
If you’re dedicated to spending time in nature every day, you’re guaranteed at least one entry per day in your journal. However, even if you only have time for a nature walk once per week, it’s a good idea to document the date, time and location of each entry. Some people like to add details, such as what the weather was like or who was with them when they made a particular entry.
You might like to add sketches of the things you see or the scientific names for plants, flowers, and various bugs or animals. The more detail you add to a post the more interesting it will be to read after time has passed and you turn back through the pages of your journal.
Use your nature journal for further research and activity
Being an avid reader and lover of learning are key attributes to becoming a writer. When you add an entry to your nature journal, let it spark your natural desire for learning. For instance, if you notice an insect or plant that you’ve never seen before, jot a few notes down in your journal, then take time later to do more research.
You can even go back to your initial journal entry to add a special “Things I’ve Learned Since Then” section on certain pages to add information you learn when you further research a specific topic.
Personalize your nature journal
There’s no right or wrong way to keep a nature journal. Part of the fun is that you can customize your journal anyway you like. If you’re a doodler, you can create pretty borders around your entries. On the other hand, if you prefer a less cluttered look, you might organize your entries in more technical, list-style format.
The idea is to personalize your journal, not only to create a keepsake of your time spent enjoying nature but to spur creative ideas and inspiration that will be helpful in your writing career as well.
