The Benefits of Writing Outside
Now that the warmer weather has come, I’ve taken to sometimes sitting outside and writing instead of working at my desk. This has so many benefits, and I think it’s something that’s not mentioned that much online. I’d like to share my findings with you about this, along with the impact that it has had on Dream Sparks.
Writing outside is something that feels quieter to me and more peaceful. There’s a stillness that nature has on sunny days that I just can’t seem to replicate sitting at my desk. For me it makes me feel more disconnected from the things going on in life, and gives me more focus for the project that I’m working on. When I first started doing this I kept it very simple by just bringing a tiny notepad with a pencil. I would go on hikes and take note of the nature that I was observing. There are some things that I don’t always think about after a hike, like how the wind was blowing through the trees, or exactly how a stream sounded that day. Writing those things down when you’re in the moment helps log the details that might have otherwise been forgotten!
Doing this also helped my practice writing nature scenes for my novel. Even when I am writing scenes that are very different from the climate that I live in I am able to imagine them better, and make them more realistic. Nature scenes in books can have added depth when scents and sounds are added to them. Sometimes feelings of things can add depth too, like how the sun can beat down on us on hot days. In my opinion there is much to learn about writing from nature. I think that getting outside is something that is important for all writers, and for everyone really. Each season has something different to write about.
Another benefit of writing outdoors is a change of scenery. Sometimes when I’m having writer’s block or am feeling stuck this can help me a lot. I’ve had some ideas come to me for my novels when I’m outside that I’m not sure I would’ve thought of otherwise. And if you’re on a hike you’ll also get some exercise which is very important for any kind of job that requires you to work at a desk. I’ve found that sometimes I work better sitting outside, and I really do think it’s because I’m disconnecting from my everyday life for a bit.
As I kept doing this I eventually moved from a notepad to a small tablet and keyboard. Since Scrivener is available for both computers and mobile devices it’s made it very convenient to write on the go, and I’m able to sync what I do on my tablet to my computer once I get home. For my writing on paper is slower, and less efficient, but it is something I do enjoy, so I will sometimes switch back to my notepad when I’m feeling like writing more casually.
The next time you’re feeling stuck on something (either with life or work) I’d like to encourage you to incorporate a little bit of nature into your day, even if it’s just opening a window and looking outside. You might be surprised by the benefits!
