Notes from Nature Writing Workshop

In yesterday's post I reviewed Seeds of Change by Jen Cullerton Johnson, who gave a Nature Writing Workshop to Saturday Writers in April. Jen's workshop was inspiring and a great opportunity to stimulate the writing muscles, so I want to share some of my notes from the workshop.


To write a story about nature:

1. Sit quietly (or walk) and observe
2. Engage the five senses (see, touch, smell, taste, hear)
3. Notice the details (texture, color, weight)
4. Describe an object using two senses (for example, a clover field)
5. Describe the object as it evokes a memory (running through a clover field in the summer, making clover bracelets)
6. Combine the two parts (description and memory) to create a story
7. Be as specific as possible
8. Include a goal
9. Add conflict
10. Introduce a second character
11 Dig for emotion
12. Include Climax and resolution
13. Prune and tighten


In Jen's workshop I began a story about my mom's backyard. One woman wrote a piece about running through a field and making clover bracelets. Another wrote about scuba diving for shells. What really helped stimulate my imagination was holding the seeds and plants that Jen gave to participants.


Another suggestion was to keep a notebook or a journal to record details when you are out in nature. I also have found taking photographs helps stimulate my memory and heightens my senses to create a story or an essay with more vivid details.


Short Story Month Reminder and Challenge: How about writing a short story where nature has a strong presence?

A Recent Read - Seeds of Change by Jen Cullerton Johnson

Last month, writer and environmentalist Jen Cullerton Johnson gave an inspiring workshop to members of Saturday Writers and dozens of children writers. During Jen's workshop she talked about her book Seeds of Change: Planting a Path to Peace, a story about Wangari Maathal, a Kenyan woman who won the Nobel Peace Prize in 2004 at the age of 64.

At the time of the workshop, Jen's book had not yet been published, but she promised to have her publisher send me a review copy as soon as the book came out. True to her word, the publisher Lee and Low Books in New York, sent a copy last week. Seeds of Change is a beautifuly written (by Jen Cullerton Johnson) and lushly illustrated (by Sonia Lynn Sadler) children's picture book with a powerful message.

The Seeds of Change opens with Wangari as a young girl in Kenya at the foot of a mugumo tree, where she learns from her mother to treasure and protect nature. Wangari is a curious girl and a quick learner. She learns much from her brother Nderitu, who attends school, and Wangari and dreams of going to school herself. At that time it is unusual for a girl to be educated, but Wangari's dreams come true after her parents save up to send her to the local school then later to fruther studies in Nairobi.

Education plants seeds of ideas and opportunities for Wangari, who loves science. She travels to America and and studies to become a biologist. In America, she does more than learn science, she also discovers a spirit of freedom and possibility that she wants to share with others in Kenya. No matter where she travels she carries a part of her family with her and remembers her promise to protect her land.

Cullerton Johnson's accurate depiction of facts, vivid descriptions, and authentic dialogue combine to create an inspiring story about Wangari Maathal, a determined woman whose actions took root in the Green Belt Movement and who became the first African woman and environmentalist to win the Nobel Peace Prize.

Seeds of Change: Planting a Path to Peace, by Jen Cullerton Johnson, Illustrated by Sonia Lynn Sadler, $18.95, ISNB; 978-1-60060-367-9, Hardcover, 40 pages, Lee & Low Books Ages 6 to 11

Note: While I received a free review copy of Seeds of Change from the publisher, I was not paid to give the book a favorable review.

Marketing Matters

At this weekend's Saturday Writers workshop with Jen Cullerton Johnson, one aspect of writing that Jen stressed was the importance of marketing. During her presentation she shared her publishing experience, including how her book was selected from the slush pile and how the illustrations came about. She also stressed that while writing and publishing a book is hard work, after your book is written and published, the really hard work of marketing begins.

On Saturday it was my good fortune to share table space with Jen and her sweet and polite son Nico, so I was able to take some pointers. Jen was extremely approachable and very inspiring. She was also flexible and seemingly unflappable. While Jen's book SEEDS OF CHANGE won't be available until next month, that didn't seem to bother her. She came prepared. Here are some tips I took from her:

* Approachability - After Jen's initial presentation and before the workshop, several writers came up to talk to her. She was sincere and inspiring at reaching out and answering questions from writers, including young writers and poets who had won in our annual writing contests.

* Visual aids - She posted a good-sized cardboard display of her SEEDS OF CHANGE cover and packets of "seeds of change" as handouts and for use during the workshop. She also had a display of plants of various shapes and sizes.

* A clipboard and sign-up sheet - These were available for people interested in purchasing her book, and she offered a discount to anyone attending her workshop.

* An assistant - Jen's son Nico was her able assistant.

* A camera - While Sheree Nielsen, the Saturday Writers' photographer, took shots of Jen and workshop attendees, Jen also brought a camera of her own. Nico knew how to use the camera and when to get a good shot of his mom. Jen used her display poster as the background for many of the photos.

* Plan B - Technical difficulties prevented Jen from presenting her slides, but she used the time to connect with the audience by asking questions about their writing.

* Giveaways - In addition to seed packets and other gaily wrapped giveaways, Jen also gave away certificates to children for her to come talk at their schools. The certificates for adults were for manuscript evaluations or a discount to attend a publishing workshop in Chicago.

* Business cards - She exchanged business cards with other writers.

* Good will - She offered to do reciprocal links to writers with blogs.

* Review copies - Although she didn't have copies of her book, she took business cards from writers willing to review it. She's going to send that information to her publisher so the publisher can send review copies to those reviewers.

That's a snapshot of what I observed about marketing from Jen. In a future post I will share what I learned about nature writing during Jen's Nature Writing Workshop.