An Old Camera and the Wisdom of Mary Oliver: A Recipe for Contentment
Long-billed Curlew, Yolo Bypass, November 2013
Contentment.
I'm thinking about contentment today, as, finally, rain falls gently in Sacramento, washing the leaves of the Sycamores up and down my street, cleaning the air of the dust motes and grime that have dulled the sky for two months.
Read moreAmerican Bison Gives Writing Tips of the Day
Tip 1: Take the time to ruminate on your idea. A good writer, he says, is a deep thinker.
Tip 2: Keep an eye on your goal. Remember that you want to be a writer and take the steps to get there.
Tip 3: Get your facts straight. Did you know that American Bison are not buffalo? Just because they are called buffalo, does not make them one.
Tip 4: Look at things from a different perspective. Sit down behind a bush, look round, take notes. How do things look differently when you sit on the ground rather than stand on your feet or stare at a computer screen.
Tip 5: Get outside and trust your senses. What do you see, feel, smell, hear, taste? Bring that detail into your writing. Look at the bison's coat. How would you describe it?
This American Bison bull is part of a herd that lives on the Rio Mora National Wildlife Refuge north of Las Vegas, New Mexico. The herd lives and roams freely on these 4,600 acres of protected land.
Did you know that there most bison carry genes of cattle from interbreeding? The Yellowstone herd of over 3000 are the only genetically pure American Bison managed by the Department of the Interior.
How to create a "buffalo wallow." Photo by Steve Winston
Did you know that American Bison roll around on the open prairie, creating large dust bowls called “buffalo wallows?” When they roll in the wallows, they crush any small junipers trees growing in the area. This is actually a behavior which protects the environment for the bison. Junipers are invasive trees that suck up precious water and take away space from the grasses that the bison live on. By tromping out the junipers, the bison keep the prairies open for grasses and grazing.
Look around you. What fact of nature can you use for a creative writing prompt?