How lucky are we at Ayr Writers’ Club to have the knowledgeable Linda Brown in our midst. Despite suffering a dodgy throat Linda guided us through the finer points of article writing, herself a regular contributor to the Ayrshire Magazine.
Linda gave us a brief account of how she became interested in this genre. Inspired by a talk at AWC, she decided to write about a childhood memory where she and 4 friends headed off to explore and identify nature, armed with a Ladybird book.
To prepare for a writing task, we discussed the seasons, choosing a favourite and least favourite.
Spring, with its new life, returning birds and warmer weather proved most popular along with autumnal shades, conkers, summer holidays and one winter preference. These became focus for a writing exercise, considering landscape, setting, sensory descriptions, atmosphere and tone.
Pointers:
A good nature article blends vivid sensory detail with thoughtful insight and invites the reader to experience the natural world emotionally, intellectually and imaginatively. So…
Use all of your senses, emotional involvement and strong verbs. Th ink of original similes and metaphors and a void cliches. Weave in ideas to avoid your piece sounding too information heavy. Research to ensure accuracy of information. Consider voice and tone, perhaps add a little humour. Try to find an interesting angle to focus on, perhaps something from local history or folklore. Take lots of photos instead of notes while on your walk, and make use of your mobile phone to record ideas.
Linda shared a couple of apps worth installing – Google Lens for identifying flora and fauna while Merlin Bird Sound identifies birds.
Lastly, read relevant authors, for example, John Lister, Jim Crumley, Polly Pullar, and Stephen Rutt.
It was clear from Linda’s presentation the value of getting out into your local environment. Every season brings changes – even winter. There is much to observe and appreciate on a frosty morning with leaves sparkling in the winter sun. Like everything else in writing, learning to observe with all of your senses takes practice.
Linda ended the session with her customary humour and described her embarrassment when falling on a thistle and more incredibly coming across four bras on a country path. 
There’s a story starter if there ever was one! So, put on your rain jacket and boots and get outside! Remember, there is no such thing as bad weather, only bad clothing!
Thanks to Linda for sharing her expertise, I’m sure she has encouraged lots of members to give nature writing a go.
Greta York