How Nature Makes You a Better Writer

Go outside or gaze out that window.

A mockingbird staged a David and Goliath battle in my back yard recently, chasing and dive-bombing a much-larger crow. Eventually, the crow flew off with unhurried flaps, as if unfazed.

This chasing, harassing behavior is called mobbing, even when there’s only one bird doing it. This mockingbird was diligently protecting its nest in the neighbor’s yard.

Later that morning, I spotted a crow mobbing a turkey vulture-a bird that shouldn’t be a threat to the nest, as it only forages on carcasses. That crow was taking no chances and attacked with vigor until the vulture abandoned the area.

The crow spent a lot of energy for little obvious benefit.

This got me thinking about human behavior. How much time do we spend chasing the birds larger than us? When does the chase make sense, and when are we wasting everyone’s effort?

Although the meditation may not lead to anything profound, nature provided creative fodder.

If in doubt, go outside

The natural world is rich with metaphors and wisdom.

While the obvious analogies (sly as a fox) may be commonplace, we find a fresh or intriguing patterns if we zoom in or get enough distance. (Ungainly as a turkey vulture?)

If you want to rejuvenate your writing processes, go outside. Get out in nature. If that’s not possible, bring nature inside.

Your butt cannot always be in the chair

If you’ve read The Writer’s Process, you’ll be familiar with the idea of the Muse and the Scribe. The Muse embodies our creative, generative thought processes, while the Scribe embodies discipline and focused attention.

Every compendium of writing advice includes the gem: Get your butt in the chair. It’s great advice. If you want to be a writer, then write!

But it only addresses half of our writing equation. A diligent Scribe isn’t enough if the Muse is absent.

We are not writing machines, but imperfect human beings. We need inspiration. Our attention flags. Our brains wander off to other tempting…