The author Robert Macfarlane writes: “The best of the recent [nature] writing is ethically alert, theoretically literate and wary of the seductions and corruptions of the pastoral. It is sensitive to the dark histories of landscapes and to the structures of ownership and capital that organise— though do not wholly produce—our relations with the natural world.” To capture this complexity of place, writers must describe the immediate physical setting of the story (the trees) and the way those physical details operate on character and story tension (the forest). They must also portray, to some degree, the historical and political contexts surrounding both (the atmosphere).
In this craft seminar, writers can expect to explore these layers of landscape and place, and will leave with techniques for widening the scope of their work.
This class is a part of West Fest, a celebration of writing in and about the American West, the weekend of November 7–8. Registrations for our virtual craft seminars will open to the general public two weeks prior to the start of the fest. If you would like to secure your spot in this class beforehand, please register for a Virtual Pass. Other West Fest passholders may choose any of our other in-person classes.
To learn more and explore the Virtual Pass, which includes discounted registrations to this class, click here.
