Earth Day For Writers
Beach reads to climate fiction. It's a big world. Write and read about it! Plus my list of places to recycle almost anything.
NASA 2023 Earth Day Poster
I’m a tad off my usual writing release schedule, but today is Earth Day. For me, every day is Earth Day. My writing interests (eco-fiction) involve elements of the natural world as setting, plot, or character. We all live on the same spinning planet. This shared experience is a point of connection - use it.
This issue discusses nature as setting, the beach in beach reads, climate and eco-fiction, and a round-up of research resources to discover nature facts to make your next story, article, or discussion more than a walk in the park.
Nature as Story Setting
Cliff Walk Warning Sign, Howth, Dublin, Ireland (Sharon Wishnow)
All stories, fiction and nonfiction alike, need a setting. Whether the narrative takes place in the humid, flickering lights of a subway station tunnel, or along the edge of a cliff, readers need to know where the story takes place. Without setting, the readers experience floating heads in space.
When writing settings, remember to consider all the senses. The subway tunnel mentioned above has layers of smells. The first is a lingering mothball odor that makes you feel like you’re stuffed into a closet. This particular fragrance comes from creosote railroad ties also called sleepers, used to support the tracks. Next, you may encounter urine, sweat, garbage, -nice, right?
Let’s layer the temperature with jungle sweltering heat or arctic chills. What do you hear? Muffled announcements, people laughing, the echo of a baby crying? Settings should also take in the sixth sense. How you respond? Does the busker with the guitar add a party mood to your travel? Does the sleeping man on the bench and the predatory gang circling stiffen your back?
Why am I writing about subway tunnels on an Earth Day post? Confined places are easier to describe with specific details than say the Grand Canyon or the Atlantic Ocean. But when writing about outdoor places, if you remember the subway tunnel, you can apply the same layers.
Adding layers in big outdoor places.
All stories occupy a specific place. Even a boat floating in the ocean is only in one place. Consider the place and anchor it (pun intended). From the boat, can you see clouds, sea birds, sea creatures, land? Is a storm approaching, or is the sun scorching on a windless day? What are the smells of the ocean? You can describe boat fuel and other passengers if any?
I love writing about storms. Angry skies are the perfect backdrop to propel a change. Here are two best-sellers.
Stormy Seas
I first read Isaac’s Storm by Erik Larson back in grad school. This is a nonfiction account of the September 8, 1900, hurricane that destroyed Galveston, Texas killing six-thousand people. Larson tells this story with all the suspense of a thriller mixed with history, weather science of the day, and people.
Moving into a more contemporary tale would be Sebastian Junger and The Perfect Storm, also made into a movie. This story pieces together the last voyage of the Andrea Gale, a swordfish boat that in 1991 leaves Gloucester, Mass. for the rich fishing grounds of New Foundling. The crew is caught in a massive nor’easter storm and is never heard from again.
If you were captivated by The Perfect Storm check out The Hungry Ocean by Linda Greenlaw. Greenlaw is a celebrated swordfish boat captain and her fishing boat the Hannah Boden was the sister ship to the Andrea Gale. I was fascinated to learn about commercial fishing, life on the boat, work at sea, and her perspective of the ocean and environment.
Sit Your Butt on the Beach
Image Pixaby
Do you pack a book as you head out on vacation? Maybe you dash into the Hudson News at the airport and scan the racks of the latest hot titles.
Lounging on the sand or sitting poolside is one of the few places people have uninterrupted time to read. Or in some cases, attempt to read. It is here we observe the animals and plants around us. We stop to smell the hibiscus, snap pictures of the iguanas, and turn our face to the sun. Make sure to wear reef safe sunscreen!
Introducing the beach read. While a beach book doesn’t have to be about the beach, anything you read on the beach is a beach read, these books are often released for the vacation season. One of my favorites from last year is The Beach Trap by my writing peeps, Alison Hammer and Bradeigh Godfrey -writing as Ali Brady.
Notice the word beach in the title. These books take advantage of that shared experience of the beach to evoke a mood through setting. The beach is where we encounter briny ocean air, sand between our toes, star-filled evening skies, and soft winds. Along with jelly fish, sunburn, sharp rocks, and cursed rain. And for many beach reads, romance and cocktails.
Heavier Reads
Climate fiction and environmental fiction (Eco-fiction) are two growing genres that look at climate change and are usually based on science. Climate fiction can be dark and dystopian. Eco-fiction is more varied with elements of mystery, suspense, even children’s literature. These stories can highlight a potentially greener world. Check out one of my favorite sites, EcoLit Books an online journal from Ashland Creek Press. More on Ashland Creek Press in an upcoming newsletter about animals.
As our natural world is changing, we will seek stories to understand and connect to others. It is through story we can imagine possibilities, problems, and solutions.
Resources to Learn about the Natural World
Woods Hole Oceanographic Institute is one of the world’s premier marine science research organizations. Pronounced “hooey”, the institute offers free online lectures on marine-based topics geared toward mainstream audiences. Additionally, the WHOI site has articles and information on hundreds of ocean topics.
The National Park Service provides great resources and pictures about outdoor spaces in the United States. In my last issue, I wrote about free image use of government photos.
National Geographic has in-depth articles and beautiful photos on places, people, and issues. Their images are not free to use.
BBC Earth is a fun site to learn which chonky animal or dog you are.
NASA Climate Change presents easy to understand facts and statistics on our changing planet.
Earth Day Reading Lists
7 of Sharon’s Resources to Recycle Almost Anything
Books
Books have a habit of stacking up. When it’s time to weed your collection, think first of your local library and ask if they have a book donation program. Look also for used bookstores that may offer an in-kind credit or payment. To make a true donation and a difference, join the Operational Paperback program that sends gently used paperback books to US troops overseas and to retired military. As a sad note, the founder of Operation Paperback recently died. Keep his spirt alive.
Building Materials and Household Goods
Are you remodeling your home or moving? The Habitat for Humanity ReStore accepts a variety of building materials, appliances, furniture, and more. With locations across the country, and a pick-up service, this charitable organization with a mission to build affordable housing will resell or recycle your usable items.
Denim
Here’s an unfashionable fact, 84% of textiles end up in landfills where they can take 200 years to decompose. Fast fashion trends don’t help. While clothing donation is always a great first step, sometimes clothes are too worn to donate. If you have worn denim, check out Blue Jeans Go Green. Retailers across the country will accept your worn jeans and give you a discount coupon. You can also recycle them by mail for free through Zappos for Good.
Electronics
Smart phones, TVs, PCs, and all electronics are dangerous to have in landfills where the heavy metals used to power them can leach into groundwater. Investigate if your community has electronics recycling facilities. If not, head to any Best Buy where you can recycle up to three items per household per day for free. Check their website for locations and a complete list of items including toner and ink cartridges.
Eyeglasses
Eyeglasses are expensive. When your prescription or fashion style changes, you may be holding on to old pairs. You can make a difference for someone in need of glasses through ReSpectacle, a non-profit organization that redistributes eyeglasses to underserved communities. You can even claim a tax write-off.
Mattresses
If you’ve ever tried to dispose of a mattress, you already know how difficult it is. Due to health and safety concerns (think bed bugs) places that accept furniture often won’t take mattresses, no matter the condition. If you have mattresses, frames, and bedding, check out A Bedder World Mattress Recycling. There is a per piece fee for this service.
Shoes
What is it about kids outgrowing shoes? Not to mention adults with changing tastes. They all seem to pile up by the front door. Like clothing, shoes can be donated to local charities. If you’re looking to make a bigger impact, consider sending your shoes to Soles 4 Soles an organization empowering women in developing nations to run their own businesses.
Do you have an interesting recycling source? Let me know!
That’s it for Earth Day for writers. I could go on for pages but hey, you’ve got recycling and writing to do. I hope your next investigative piece or story considers the natural world. Writers and other curious creatives have the power to write for a greener, peaceful world.
You can find the books I’ve mentioned and any great book you want at my affiliate link below.
