This writing course, Online: Nature Writing with Inga Simpson, will be held online.

This online nature writing course is ideal for fiction and non-fiction writers at all levels with a passion for the natural world. You’ll focus on techniques for bringing landscapes, flora and fauna to life for your audience, including: evocative description, effective use of emotion, and the importance of story. You’ll also consider issues such as anthropomorphism, culture versus nature, and the challenges faced when writing with an environmental message.

Throughout the course, author Inga Simpson will use a combination of instruction, inspiring examples of nature writing and practical writing exercises, with plenty of opportunity for group discussion. You’ll come away with a stronger understanding of nature writing – past and contemporary, Australian and international – and a practical toolkit for sharing your love of nature on the page.

When we tug at a single thing in nature, we find it attached to the rest of the world. – John Muir

Expected learning outcomes

In this workshop, participants will:

1. Gain a stronger sense of nature writing, its directions, and its leading exponents
2. Gain a practical toolkit for evocative description
3. Develop a greater familiarity with the ethical issues of environmental writing, including: anthropomorphism, eco-centrism, and writing the whole history of a place
4. Learn techniques for linking story and character to place, and writing persuasively
5. Gain increased confidence and capacity to describe the natural world.

Participant requirements

Internet access and confidence using basic computer software are essential for this program.

Is this course right for you? Please read our FAQ> for important information before enrolling. 

If you have questions about this course, please contact us.

Reviews

‘Inga’s choice of example texts was educational and inspiring. The assignments were well designed to be able to jump in and have a go at the techniques we learned. Inga’s feedback was constructive and invaluable.’ – Shelley 2024

‘Inga Simpson is very knowledgeable in nature writing and gave us so many resources to read and think about. I loved the broadness of the course, understanding the history of the genre and reading contemporary works. The content exceeded my expectations.’ – Peta 2024

‘The content was thought-provoking and the exercises helped me to put that content into words.’ – Claire 2023

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