E. M. Rowan’s Field Notes

Writing in Nature Tip #10: I have to admit, November has my least favorite weather of the year (in Illinois, that is). Nothing feels worse to me than cold rain. The brilliant colors of October are mostly gone . . . and if it must be cold, then I prefer snow! Despite all that, I [...]

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Writing in Nature Tip #9: Last week I talked about each of the five senses. It’s easier to focus on one sense at a time. The trick is tapping into all your senses, all the time. And maybe you already do this. When you’re writing a story, it’s good to set up each scene with [...]

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Writing in Nature Tip #8: According to research done by Dr. Tomatis, high frequency sounds stimulate the brain and help it reach its maximum potential. ”High frequency sounds include natural sounds such as bird song, running water, wind, frogs, and insects, as well as classical music. Low frequency sounds, such as the hum from electrical appliances and vehicles, [...]

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Sorry I’ve been MIA for a few days! Real life issues keep popping up! Hoping to get back on schedule soon. So continuing our exploration of the five senses . . . Writing in Nature Tip #7: Touch can vary so much in nature. Ever notice how the wind can feel cold or warm, soft [...]

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Writing in Nature Tip #6: Strong smells can lead to vivid memories. If you associate a smell with your scene, it makes that scene come alive like a fully-realized memory. Get into nature for the earth’s deepest perfumes! Autumn is brimming with the rich, musky smells of harvest, falling leaves, and smoke. Rain enhances fragrances, [...]

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Writing in Nature Tip #5: Taste is probably the hardest of the five senses to experience in nature, though for our ancestors it was easy. They knew which wild plants and herbs were safe to eat, and they didn’t have to worry about toxic runoffs. They drank ice cold water from streams and never imagined [...]

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Last week’s posts focused on the basics of getting started in nature (the notebook, gear, and support). This week I want to focus on all five senses. This will be the foundation of all your future observations of nature. Writing in Nature Tip #4: Today concentrate on what you can see. Tune out all other [...]

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