Creative nature writing

What is the course about?

Our relationship to nature as humans is a special one and many writers, from W.S. Merwin to Jamaica Kincaid, have experimented with how to capture that in their creative work. This course will help you write honestly, critically, and sensitively about the natural world around you. In guided in-class exercises you'll explore the unique connection between nature and our senses.

What will we cover?

- connecting with nature: approaches to meditation
- using the senses to create concrete imagery in poetry and prose
- connecting emotion to representations of the natural world in your writing.

What will I achieve?
By the end of this course you should be able to...

- understand some basic principles of creative nature writing
- give and receive constructive feedback on written work
- get started on your own creative nature writing project.

What level is the course and do I need any particular skills?

This course is suitable for beginners and those with limited creative writing experience.

How will I be taught, and will there be any work outside the class?

Students will be taught through a mixture of pair work, group work, writing exercises, games and tutor instruction.


All writing courses at City Lit will involve an element of workshop. This means that students will produce work which will be discussed in an open and constructive environment with the tutor and other students. The college operates a policy of constructive criticism, and all feedback on another student’s work by the tutor and other students should be delivered in that spirit.

For classes longer than one day regular reading and writing exercises will be set for completion at home to set deadlines.

All writing courses at City Lit will involve an element of workshop. This means that students will produce work which will be discussed in an open and constructive environment with the tutor and other students. The college operates a policy of constructive criticism, and all feedback on another student’s work by the tutor and other students should be delivered in that spirit.

For classes longer than one day, regular reading and writing exercises will be set for completion at home to set deadlines.

City Lit Writing endeavours to create a safe and welcoming space for all and we strongly support the use of content notes in our classes. This means that learners are encouraged to make their tutor and classmates aware in advance if any writing they wish to share contains material that may be deemed sensitive. If you are unsure about what might constitute sensitive content, please ask your tutor for further clarification and read our expectations for participating in writing courses at City Lit.

Are there any other costs? Is there anything I need to bring?

There are no additional costs associated with this course.

When I've finished, what course can I do next?

You can enrol on any of our introductory creative writing courses, or why not try writing about nature from a different perspective in our Nature Writing course, which focuses on non-fiction? There's lots to choose from, so feel free to browse our prospectus and give us a call if you need any advice.

All students are invited to join us at Late Lines, our regular performance night for City Lit writers. Students are also encouraged to submit their work to Between the Lines, our annual anthology of creative writing. For the latest news, courses and events, stay in touch with the Department on Facebook and Twitter.