Awe Beneath the Trees
Write a personal essay reflecting on a time when you experienced awe in nature. Describe the scene, your feelings, and how this encounter has influenced your perspective on life and the environment.
Suggested length: An essay or article: 800 to 2,500 words
Start the clock
Pick a sprint, press start and keep going until it stops. Momentum beats polish on a first draft.
Make it yours
Three ways to take this prompt somewhere nobody else will.
- Open with a specific story, then widen out to the big idea.
- Write for a curious friend, not an expert.
- End with something the reader can do or think about today.
Writing essays
A mind at work, one subject at a time.
An essay collection gathers short nonfiction pieces: personal, critical, funny or all three. What ties them together is the writer's voice and way of seeing.
What readers expect
- A distinctive voice
- Personal stakes
- Surprising connections
- Pieces that stand alone
A tip before you start
Follow a question, not a thesis. The pleasure of an essay is watching someone think.
More Nature prompts
- Seasons of ChangeWrite an essay on the emotional impact of seasons changing in your life and how it parallels changes in nature.
- The River's Pollution ProblemReflect on a local environmental issue in your community (such as river pollution, deforestation, or urban sprawl). Write an investigative piece…
- A Letter to Future EarthCompose a letter to future generations describing the current state of Earth's environment. Include personal observations, feelings, and hopes for the…
- A Conservationist's DayCraft a narrative centered around a day in the life of a wildlife conservationist working in a national park or reserve. Explore both the triumphs and…
Fifteen minutes in? Keep going.
Chapterly gives a draft somewhere to grow: chapters, daily word goals, and readers when you're ready.
Plans from $9.99 a month. Cancel any time. Your words are always yours.