Writing and Nature
Q&A With Shay Every Other Sunday
If you’re familiar with my writing, and especially my poetry, you’ll know that I draw a lot of inspiration from nature. As the seasons change now, there’s lots of nature to appreciate, well, there always is, but it’s from a different angle, so to speak. And honestly, spring is my least favorite, the allergies are already out of control, but that just means the flowers and trees are coming to life again. (If only they didn’t have to make us itch so much while doing so.) So, for this week’s Q&A it’s all about writing, nature, and the connection between the two.
Q: Do you write in nature?
A: Yes, but not often. I pretty much never write outside during the spring due to the above-mentioned allergies. Obviously I don’t in winter, I’m one of the coldest people there is. But, in summer, and even occasionally fall, I like to enjoy sitting outside to write. Even fall can get a little chilly for outdoor writing, but I love the crisp air when tolerable. I have gotten some of my most productive writing done in the summers while sitting outside. I almost don’t like to be inside at all during the summer because I like to seize as much of the warm weather as possible (and tan). I find sitting outside to write in summer very calming and fulfilling, especially on the deck at my house in NY. I’m surrounded by trees, flowers, grass, and light breeze and it brings a sense of clarity in a way.
I love the ocean and bay, but I haven’t written there much. I do basically all of my writing on my laptop, so that doesn't mix well with the salt and sand. But there have been a few occasions where I have written there in a notebook. It’s just not quite as conducive to my writing productivity as it is when I can sit at a table with my computer outside.
Q: Were any of your scenes, poems, or even stories inspired by a specific place in nature?
A: Yes. A few. My short flash fiction piece “The Blue World” was inspired by Ponquogue Beach—aka the ocean beach closest to my home. A few of my poems that have to do with the ocean or bay in Bleeding Flowers were also inspired by the stretch of ocean on Dune Road in Hampton Bays or the bay West Landing, which is walking distance from my house. I don’t think any of the scenes in my YA novel Fractured were inspired by a specific place in nature, but I did use nature in general as inspiration in a couple scenes. One of my next books that I’m working on (taking a break from) already includes scenes inspired by specific places in Montauk, particularly an inlet there. Nature will always be a big presence in my writing.
Q: What season do you prefer for writing, if any?
A: It’s not really a seasonal thing, and writing has to happen all year, of course. You’d think that winter might be most productive since there isn’t the amount of distraction by outdoor activities to partake in. But, I’d actually say I’ve gotten some of my most productive writing done in the summers in past years, especially when sitting outside as mentioned above. And I guess that just goes to show yet again how important nature is to me, even to my creative process.
Q: Has sitting or hiking in nature ever proven meditative and highly inspirational to start writing?
A: I can only really recall one time where this was the case and I wrote probably my most favorite poem: “Tree House in the Woods” (published in Bleeding Flowers). I sat down outside with the intention of finding inspiration to write a poem about nature and I shut my eyes first, then I looked around intently and tried to dissect everything there was to the atmosphere and setting, and I wrote as I continued to absorb. Usually, I don’t implement practices like this, but now as I remember that experience, I totally should!
I don’t think I have ever written or felt compelled to write something by hiking or walking through nature. It usually comes more often with stillness in nature.
Q: Finally, not writing related, just nature: What’s your favorite natural form/element?
A: It’s so hard to choose just one because I love basically all of them, but I’d probably have to go with the ocean. It is so full of sensory and visceral details when you allow them in and truly brings a sense of calm. I have written many metaphors and quotes about the ocean, and you can find plenty in Bleeding Flowers. There will be plenty more coming in my next poetry collection, and plenty beyond that. I mentioned my short flash fiction piece “The Blue World”, so I’ll end on a quote about the ocean from that: “The waves were free to break the world beneath the sky.”
Tell me all about your nature experiences, what you love about it, and what you find inspiring!
Photo by ME: East Landing Beach, Hampton Bays, NY