Writing About Nature: A Creative Guide [Paperback]

John A. Murray (Author)

Book Description

ISBN-10: 0826330851 | ISBN-13: 978-0826330857 | Publication Date: December 15, 2003 | Edition: Revised

Originally published by the Sierra Club in 1995, this handbook has already helped thousands of aspiring writers, scholars, and students share their experiences with nature and the outdoors. Using exercises and examples, John Murray covers genres, techniques, and publication issues. He uses examples from such masters as Barry Lopez, Annie Dillard, Larry McMurtry, Edward Abbey, Ernest Hemingway, and Henry David Thoreau. Also included are recommended readings, a directory of creative writing programs, professional organizations for writers, and a directory of environmental organizations. This revised edition includes a new chapter on nature writing and environmental activism.

Editorial Reviews

From the Publisher

Originally published by the Sierra Club in 1995, this handbook covers genres, techniques, and publication issues for aspiring writers, scholars, and students who want to share their experiences in nature and the outdoors.

From the Inside Flap

Originally published by the Sierra Club in 1995, this handbook covers genres, techniques, and publication issues for aspiring writers, scholars, and students who want to share their experiences in nature and the outdoors.

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Product Details

• Paperback: 214 pages
• Publisher: University of New Mexico Press; Revised edition (December 15, 2003)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0826330851
• ISBN-13: 978-0826330857
• Product Dimensions: 8.2 x 6.1 x 0.6 inches
• Shipping Weight: 10.4 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (3 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #398,237 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

10 of 10 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars An excellent skill improvement guide, February 7, 2004

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Midwest Book Review (Oregon, WI USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Writing About Nature: A Creative Guide (Paperback)

Now in a newly revised and expanded edition, Writing About Nature: A Creative Guide by John A. Murray deftly teaches aspiring nature writers diverse exercises and examples with which to hone the communication skills of anyone who has experienced nature and the outdoors and yearns to share what they have seen. Covering a broad range of genres, and conveying a wealth of tips, tricks, techniques, as well as surveying publication issues, and enhanced with a new chapter about nature writing and environmental activism, Writing About Nature is an original, superbly organized and presented resource. Writing About Nature is an excellent skill improvement guide which is a highly recommended addition to any nature writer's instructional reference shelf or reading list.

9 of 9 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Not just for writing about nature., February 27, 2006

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iambmp (North Idaho) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Writing About Nature: A Creative Guide (Paperback)

I have the original version of this book and I have carried it all over the country and used like a bible for the last ten years. I have gone back to each chapter at random and repeated his exercises time and time again without feeling like I was returning to the same book. Even if you are just journal writing like me this book is a must have and I will be ordering the new version when I am done writing this. I have only found one other book that works just as well in it's powerful simplicity and that is John E. Schwiebert's "Reading and Writing from Literature". Thanks Mr. Murray for the guidance.

6 of 6 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Exceptionally useful, April 10, 2009

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CyberCrone (Dead Cat, AZ USA) - See all my reviews

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Writing About Nature: A Creative Guide (Paperback)

Books on writing are usually ho-hum for me, as I am a writer with many publications and many years experience and have taught writing in various venues. But this one is far from ho-hum. Anecdotes about well-known nature writers, past and present, make the learning experience colorful and entertaining and are always directly relevant to what Murray is saying.

The trouble with having years of experience is that I tend to forget about some sound principles--I have the illusion I've incorporated them so thoroughly they have become automatic. Ha! Not so; this book reminds me of them, stirs me up, and has already helped me liven up a couple of works in progress.

Altho this book is focused on nature writing, most of the principles discussed apply to writing of any kind. Highly recommended for experienced as well as beginning writers.