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| Nature Writing |
Here is a nest egg of memories and anecdotes teased from a life uplifted by an appreciation of the natural world.
Memories of childhood in rural England, raising a family in Orkney and Lincolnshire, and retirement in Northern Scotland are threaded together into a broad tapestry of the natural year. These experiences meet with a view of Earth's uncertain future to illustrate the necessity for respect of all lifeforms and shares a passion for the wellbeing of this planet with all generations.
Child of the Earth is a source of inspiration and delight - a literary garland of hope.
read an excerpt...
Growing against the friendly grey stone wall of our garden is a perfect Mothers’ Day gift of 2013. Dog roses. They are new but already showing great promise. The rose, in all its forms, has always pleased me – except, perhaps, for the poor blue rose which no one has been able to perfect. No matter how intricate a breeding programme is set up, it is a sad reflection on human intervention in the natural world. Not as sad as hunting animals to extinction but, even so, it makes one ponder.
about Susan Crow...
Susan grew up in the Isle of Axholme, which inspired the Crowvus best-seller, Child of the Isle. She has a deep love of nature which is apparent in all her writing from the poems she has had published in various anthologies, to her 2020 release, Child of the Earth.
Susan released Rosie Jane and the Swodgerump as part of the John O’Groats Book Festival. This story was written and inspired by raising her six children in Orkney. After moving to England for a while, Susan finally returned to North Scotland in 2009, and continues to write her monthly blogs, What’s It Like Up There?
Her latest book, Child of the Earth, is a nature companion, drawn from her own experiences throughout her life. It provides a colourful telling of Susan’s encounters with nature, told with a style which makes it accessible to all readers.
Author Links:
Website: https://www.susancrowauthor.com/
Publisher: https://www.crowvus.com/
Twitter: https://twitter.com/stempertoncrow
Child of the Earth Amazon Page: https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B086P6PM5W/More about Susan Crow...
Does this book have a special meaning to you? i.e. where you
found the idea, its symbolism, its meaning, who you dedicated it to, what made
you want to write it?
Child
of the Earth is a lifetime of observations in the natural world. It seemed
to me that appreciating what was happening in one’s environment was the only
way to be. After writing Child of the
Isle (my childhood memoir), my readers mentioned that they would like to
read my thoughts on, appreciation of, and hopes for our beautiful planet.
It is an honest account of my own
development through my passion for nature. It’s meant to connect with the
reader, whether another nature-lover, a reader who is interested in an account
of nature, or someone who wants to open up the natural world to their children.
The book isn’t dedicated to any one
person, but my close family have been hugely supportive and I think they know
how grateful I am for their encouragement. I wanted to write the book, not just
to share it with people who already connect with nature, but also to outline
the considerable hope there is in engaging everyone
with the natural world. It seems to
me that there has never been a better time to open up about one’s passion for
the future of the planet. And, as I’ll never be a great orator(!), I saw a way
of doing this in Child of the Earth.
Where do you get your storylines from?
Although Child of the Earth is a narrative nonfiction book, I have included
some short stories which are connected with nature, and also anecdotal
experiences. Where there are stories, they are usually from personal
experience, having lived in Lincolnshire, Orkney and Caithness.
The beauty of writing narrative
nonfiction, is also that I was able to create a personification of those things
I had observed in nature. Highlighting that, for example, a sparrow has the
same level of character as you or me.
Was this book easier or more difficult to write than
others? Why?
It is only my third book, and all
three are quite different, so I couldn’t honestly say! It was thoroughly enjoyable
and, rather than have to search for material, I had to edit some out!
Do you only write one genre?
No. As well as nature writing, I’ve
published a memoir and a children’s book. Rosie
Jane is making another appearance later this year, when I’m releasing the
second in the series.
Give us a picture of where you write, where you compose
these words…is it Starbucks, a den, a garden…we want to know your inner
sanctum?
Oddly enough, I cannot write
outside. As a child, in summertime the teacher would take us into the school
garden for lessons, but I would just listen to, watch and smell everything
around me. I couldn’t concentrate! It’s the same today. If I go out of doors,
I’m observing everything which is happening in the natural world and I can’t
focus on my writing. At the end of each day, I make notes in a nature diary and
use them at a later date. My favourite
place to write is my very cosy little sitting room, on my very cosy sofa, with
my very cosy lap-tray, surrounded by journals, diaries, books and - of course -
my laptop!
And finally, of course…was there any specific event or
circumstance that made you want to be a writer?
I’ve always written short pieces
and poems, from a very early age, but it’s only recently that I’ve actually
taken my writing seriously. Although I
was successful in some poetry and short story competitions, it never occurred
to me that people would want to read what I have to offer, until my wonderful
family explained that I should believe more in myself. Now, more than ever, I want
to offer support to those who feel unable to make a difference in the battle
for the survival of this planet.
Thanks for hosting!
ReplyDeleteThank you for hosting "Child Of The Earth".
ReplyDeleteSo very sorry I didn't get your interview up until 7:30am. It is a very interesting one to read. Most of all, have great luck with your book.
ReplyDeleteThanks for sharing your book. Wishing you a successful release.
ReplyDeleteSounds like a good read.
ReplyDeleteThank you all for your kindness.
ReplyDelete