The Sierra Club Nature Writing Handbook: A Creative Guide

Offers advice for transforming experiences of nature and the outdoors into writing, from journals and essays to poetry and fiction, and provides examples by noted nature writers

A more pervasive awareness of environmental and ecological issues has kindled the genre of nature writing. Aimed primarily at aspiring writers, Murray's guide melds the inspirational recounting of an established author's personal experiences together with concrete advice and excerpts from literary classics, from Thoreau to Annie Dillard. In what amounts to an intensive writing course (complete with exercises at each chapter's end), Murray presents a step-by-step approach to the writing process, exploring style and character development, openings and closings, revision, research, and publishing tips. It's a substantial guide that should stimulate novices and help lead the way toward expressing those discreet emotions that encounters with nature often engender. Alice Joyce