Practice one: Warm up

Write a poem or short story about nature using mostly or at least many ‘clichés’ or overused sayings, as you can.

Example:

I could not see the forest for trees, they all just became like a drop in the ocean. Suddenly a ray of sunshine pierced through the tree tops and this picture became more powerful than 1000 words…

Practice two: Expanding

I’d like you to think of a tree. Maybe you know it, maybe it is a creation of your imagination. Either way, as you have it in your mind’s eye gather all the details you can about color, scent, setting etc.

Then write a short story about all the life that lives in and around that tree.

What comes by, what feeds here, what depends on the tree daily - for shelter, safety, food, nesting. What is the tree’s role?

You can write it as a fairy tale, children’s tale or non- fiction. That is up to you. :)

Share your writing

Let us read your responses. Use the #gatheringsingingstones on instagram so we can find you.

Feel free to tag me as well - I’d love to follow your work.

Inspiration

Article: What We Lose When We Lose Old-Growth Forests

From Atmos Magazine.

Suzanne Simard - Finding the Mother Tree

“I’m standing on the shoulders of thousands of years of knowledge. I think it’s so important that we all recognize this: that there is so much knowledge there that we’ve ignored.”

Listen the full interview with Suzanne here - Emergence Magazine