3-WEEK WORKSHOP | Close to Home: Drawing Inspiration From Everyday Landscapes
August 23 @ 5:00 pm – September 6 @ 6:30 pm EDT
Turn the overlooked corners of your everyday world into vivid and compelling writing.
Open to 20 writers only, working in poetry, fiction, and nonfiction.
Live On Zoom | Sundays, August 23 – September 6, 2026 | 5-6:30 pm Eastern
You don’t have to travel far to find inspiration. This workshop explores how paying close attention to the natural world around us—whether in a backyard, neighborhood park, or along a familiar walking route—can lead to engaging, thoughtful writing. Through readings, lectures, and guided assignments, we’ll discover how ordinary places can reveal extraordinary stories.
The course includes three live sessions featuring discussions, short lectures, readings, and workshops. Between meetings, you’ll complete weekly writing assignments that encourage you to write where you are, spend time outdoors, and practice observing the living world with fresh eyes.
You’ll also receive written instructor feedback on one piece you write during the course.
Whether you’re new to nature writing or looking to deepen your practice, you’ll leave with new ways of seeing the places you know best and the confidence to turn those observations into compelling pieces of prose or poetry. All you need is curiosity and a willingness to step outside.
Students should set aside at least 4 hours a week for the course.
Over these three weeks, you will …
- SOW a nature writing practice through close observation, weekly writing prompts, and time spent outdoors in the landscapes you know best
- TEND your craft through readings, discussions, mini-lectures, and workshops during three live class sessions
- ROOT your writing in place through sensory detail, observation, and personal experience
- GATHER insights through personalized written instructor feedback and workshop notes
Schedule
- Week 1 – Intros, lecture, readings, homework overview
- Week 2 – Check-in, workshop, homework overview
- Week 3 – Check-in, workshop, homework overview
- Feedback Submission Due – September 6th by 9pm EDT
- Instructor Feedback Returned – September 13th
This course is for writers who …
- want to generate new material in a supportive environment
- would like to train their observational skills
- want to strengthen their use of setting and description
- desire to get outside and soak up the season
Closed captioning is available. ✔
Think you might miss a class? No worries, replays will be available. ✔
ABOUT YOUR INSTRUCTOR
A high-energy teacher noted for deep historical dives and technical side quests that always bring more understanding, Megan Baxter has won numerous national awards, including a Pushcart Prize. Her essay collection, Twenty Square Feet of Skin, was longlisted for the 2024 PEN/Diamonstein-Spielvogel Award for the Art of the Essay.
Megan has published three books of creative nonfiction and is currently writing short stories and novels. Her short story collection ‘The Off-Season’ debuts in Spring 2027 from Jada Ibis Press. She lives in New Hampshire, where she runs her own small farm and teaches creative writing through online courses and lessons.
Testimonials from past students
“Megan’s belief in my viability as a writer never waned! Our discussions on craft and the works of other writers fueled my faith and love for language and the publishing process.” – Yossi R.
“I enjoyed the class because of Megan’s energy and the well-organized, immense amount of information shared.” – Daniel L.
“I am a perpetual student, taking multiple classes and workshops, and Megan ranks among the top instructors I have met. She meets writers where they are and helps them discover, develop, and hone their writing voice as they move toward their goals.” – Lisa C.
“Megan is that rare blend of insightful critique and genuine encouragement. I always leave our meetings feeling energized, with a clear path forward and a stronger piece of work thanks to her guidance.” – Anne B.
THE FINE PRINT
We understand that life can get in the way of your plans. We want you to be able to get the most out of your course, and our refund policy is designed to balance your need for flexibility with our deadlines and obligations to our teachers.
Before the first class, you may request a refund (less a $25 processing fee).
After class begins, you may request a refund for the remaining value of the course (less a $25 processing fee). No credits or refunds will be available after the 1st class.
Questions? Please email Info@writingcraft.com
