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60 Ocean Writing Prompts for Students and Freelancers: Diving into Creativity

ocean writing

The ocean, with its vast expanse and mysterious depths, has long captivated the human imagination. Its rhythmic waves, diverse marine life, and untamed beauty serve as a wellspring of inspiration for writers of all kinds. Whether you’re a student looking to sharpen your writing skills or a freelancer seeking to ignite your creativity, ocean-themed writing prompts can be your ticket to a world of imagination and expression.

Thus, this blog post will deliver 60 ocean writing prompts that will take you on a journey beneath the waves, exploring marine wonders, reflecting on environmental issues, delving into maritime history and mythology, and much more. So, grab your metaphorical scuba gear, and let’s plunge into the depths of creativity! You can also check here for different forms of prompts.

Exploring Ocean Wonders

The Mystery of the Deep: Imagine embarking on a deep-sea expedition, discovering an ancient underwater civilization that has remained hidden for millennia. Describe the architecture, culture, and interactions with these enigmatic inhabitants.
A Day in the Life of a Coral Reef : Transport your readers to a vibrant coral reef ecosystem. Detail the interactions between various marine species, from the graceful dance of fish to the patient scavenging of crabs.
The Whispering Waves: Craft a dialogue between ocean waves and a seasoned sailor. Explore the wisdom the waves offer, their tales of distant lands, and the sailor’s reflections on life at sea.
Island Adventure: Write a thrilling narrative about being marooned on a deserted island. Explore the challenges faced, the resourcefulness needed for survival, and the emotional journey of the stranded individual.

Environmental Reflections

The Plight of the Sea Turtles: Compose a persuasive essay advocating for the conservation of sea turtle habitats. Discuss the vital role these creatures play in marine ecosystems and the consequences of their decline.
Plastic Ocean: Examine the dire consequences of plastic pollution on ocean health. Present innovative solutions to combat this environmental crisis, emphasizing the responsibility of society to protect marine life.
A Call from the Depths: Capture the eerie beauty of a decaying shipwreck and use it as a symbol to reflect on the impermanence of human endeavors. Explore the emotional impact of encountering such relics beneath the waves.

Maritime History and Mythology

Pirates’ Tales: Weave an adventurous story involving pirates, buried treasure, and daring escapades on the high seas. Infuse the narrative with historical accuracy and vivid descriptions of maritime life.
Poseidon’s Wrath: Reimagine a classic myth involving a sea god or goddess, such as Poseidon or Amphitrite, and explore their motivations, emotions, and interactions with mortals.
Titanic Revisited: Provide a fresh perspective on the tragic sinking of the Titanic. Write a reflective account from the viewpoint of a survivor, delving into their emotions, experiences, and aftermath.

Coastal Escapes

Sunrise Serenity: Paint a picturesque scene of a tranquil beach at dawn. Engage the reader’s senses with vivid descriptions of the rising sun, the gentle lapping of waves, and the serenity of the moment.
Beachcomber’s Collection: Chronicle the discoveries of a beachcomber as they wander along the shoreline. Describe the treasures they find, from seashells and driftwood to unexpected items with sentimental value.
Sandcastle Dreams: Revisit a cherished childhood memory of building sandcastles on the beach. Reflect on the emotions, imagination, and sense of accomplishment that the activity inspired.

Maritime Careers and Adventures

The Life of a Lighthouse Keeper: Step into the shoes of a lighthouse keeper and narrate their daily routine, challenges, and unique connection to the ocean. Highlight the keeper’s role in guiding sailors to safety.
Sailing Solo: Compose a journal entry from the perspective of a lone sailor on a long ocean voyage. Explore their thoughts, observations, and the solitude that accompanies their maritime journey.
Marine Biologist’s Diary: Offer insights into the life of marine biologists as they study ocean ecosystems. Detail their fieldwork, discoveries, and the profound connection they feel to the marine world.

Underwater Fantasy for Ocean Writing

Mermaid’s Lament: Write a poignant poem or story from the perspective of a mermaid, contemplating the beauty, mysteries, and challenges of life beneath the waves.
Lost City Atlantis: Embark on an imaginative adventure to the legendary city of Atlantis. Describe its grandeur, inhabitants, and the intrigue surrounding its submerged existence.
Deep-Sea Encounter: Craft a magical encounter between a human and a mythical sea creature, such as a Kraken or a selkie. Explore the emotions, revelations, and lessons derived from this fantastical meeting.

Reflecting on Nature’s Majesty

Ocean Symphony: Compose a sensory-rich piece that captures the symphony of sounds within the ocean environment. The soothing rhythm of waves to the chorus of marine life evokes the auditory essence of the sea.
Moonlit Reflections: Describe the breathtaking spectacle of the moon’s reflection on a calm sea. Explore the emotions and contemplations inspired by this ethereal phenomenon.
Coastal Storm: Depict the raw power and beauty of a coastal storm from a safe vantage point. Describe the tumultuous waves, lightning flashes, and the juxtaposition of danger and awe.

Future of the Oceans

A Vision for Sustainable Fishing: Propose innovative strategies for sustainable fishing practices that ensure the well-being of marine ecosystems while meeting the needs of communities that rely on fishing.
Blue Economy Exploration: Examine the concept of the “blue economy” and its potential to drive sustainable economic growth while safeguarding ocean resources. Discuss examples of successful blue economy initiatives.
Ocean Conservation Heroes: Profile individuals, organizations, or initiatives dedicated to ocean conservation. Highlight their contributions, successes, and the lessons that can be learned from their efforts.

Personal Connections

Seaside Memories: Share a heartfelt personal story or memory of a significant experience by the ocean. Reflect on the emotions, lessons, or insights derived from that moment.
Seafood Delights: Craft a mouthwatering food blog that explores unique seafood dishes inspired by coastal cuisines. Pair each recipe with anecdotes or cultural tidbits related to the region.
Ocean-Inspired Art: Delve into the intersection of visual arts and the ocean as a muse. Showcase and discuss artworks that capture the essence of the sea, whether through paintings, sculptures, or other mediums.

Symbolism and Metapho r for Ocean Writing

Endless Horizons: Use the vastness of the ocean as a metaphor for life’s boundless opportunities. Reflect on the parallels between navigating the ocean and navigating one’s personal journey.
Stormy Seas of Emotion: Draw parallels between emotional states and the tumultuous nature of the sea during a storm. Explore how human emotions can mirror the ocean’s fluctuations and intensity.

30 more oceanic writing prompts

Describe the feeling of standing on a secluded beach at sunrise.
Write a short story about a deep-sea explorer who discovers an ancient underwater civilization.
Imagine you are a dolphin – narrate a day in your life exploring the ocean.
Write a poem that captures the mesmerizing dance of ocean waves.
Create a dialogue between a lighthouse and a passing ship during a stormy night.
Describe a shipwreck survivor’s emotional journey as they drift at sea.
Write a letter from a sailor to their loved ones back home, sharing tales of the open sea.
Craft a mythological tale involving a powerful sea deity and their interactions with humans.
Explore the mysteries of the Bermuda Triangle in a suspenseful short story.
Write an informative piece about the delicate balance of marine ecosystems and human impact.
Describe a futuristic underwater city where humans live harmoniously with marine life.
Create a dialogue between a curious child and a wise old seashell they find on the shore.
Write a narrative from the perspective of a sea turtle embarking on its first migration.
Describe the sensory experience of snorkeling among a vibrant coral reef.
Pen a monologue from the viewpoint of a lighthouse keeper reflecting on their solitary life.
Write a haiku capturing the serenity of a calm ocean at dusk.
Imagine a world where mermaids exist, and write a day in the life of one of them.
Describe a thrilling encounter between a marine biologist and a colossal sea creature.
Write a letter to future generations highlighting the importance of ocean conservation.
Craft a dialogue between two sailors arguing about the existence of mythical sea monsters.
Describe the emotional reunion of a sailor and their pet dog after months at sea.
Write a short story about a lost treasure hidden on a remote island in the Pacific.
Explore the concept of “selkies” – beings that can transform from seals to humans – in a modern setting.
Describe the eerie tranquility of a moonlit beach during a nocturnal beach cleanup.
Write a diary entry from the perspective of a drop of water, chronicling its journey through the ocean and atmosphere.
Craft a poem inspired by the rhythmic sounds of waves crashing on the shore.
Imagine a world where humans can communicate with marine animals – tell a tale of cooperation and friendship.
Write a dialogue between a sailor and a sentient, ancient shipwreck that holds forgotten stories.
Describe a storm at sea from the perspective of a seagull caught in turmoil.
Craft a science fiction story set on an ocean planet where underwater colonies face unique challenges.

The ocean’s depths hold a wealth of inspiration for writers and creatives alike. With these 50 ocean writing prompts, you have the tools to embark on a creative voyage that explores marine wonders, addresses environmental concerns, delves into maritime history and mythology, and much more. Whether you’re a student seeking to hone your writing skills or a freelancer in search of fresh ideas, these prompts invite you to dive into the ocean of imagination and uncover the treasures it holds. As you explore the depths of your creativity, remember that just like the ocean, your creative potential knows no bounds. So, grab your pen and let the waves of inspiration guide you to uncharted territories of thought and expression. Happy writing!

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How can you balance multiple content distribution goals the winning strategies, na'im yusuf olatunde.

Na'im Olatunde Yusuf is a WebCopy SEO Writer and freelance writing coach. He has ample years of experience writing blog posts, SEO content, and product review. If he's not freelancing, he's scribbling beautiful poetries.

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How to Describe a Beach in Writing (21 Best Tips & Examples)

The gentle ebb and flow of waves, the warmth of golden sands, and the melodies of seagulls overhead – beaches captivate the senses.

I’ve described beaches many times in my own short stories and novels.

Here’s how to describe a beach in writing :

Describe a beach in writing by focusing on its unique size, climate, sand color, and location. Explore sensory details such as the sound of waves, the scent of saltwater, and the feel of the sand. Highlight cultural elements, marine life, vegetation, seasonal shifts, and local activities.

In this guide, you’ll learn everything you need to know to describe a beach in writing.

1. Unearth the Sands of Time

Table of Contents

Every beach tells a story.

Some are age-old resting spots for local fishermen, while others have seen shipwrecks, invasions, or have been silent witnesses to lovers’ tales.

Before diving into descriptions, research the history of the beach you’re writing about.

This will not only add depth to your narrative but also connect readers to a bygone era.

Plus, if you love beaches as much as I do, then this will be pure heaven for you.

While some beaches have preserved their old-world charm with untouched landscapes, others boast modern-day beach shacks, surfing schools, or yoga retreats.

Distinguishing between the ancient sands and modernized coasts can set the mood for your description.

2. Palette of the Sands

Not all beaches are golden.

Some have white, powdery sands, while others flaunt a rare black, pink, or even green hue.

The color of the sand can significantly influence the ambiance of the beach.

Dive into the specifics – is the sand fine or coarse? Is it cool to the touch or sun-baked and warm?

Often, the sand isn’t just sand. It’s interspersed with shells, pebbles, seaweed, and sometimes even fragments of corals. Highlight these unique elements as they add character to the beach and provide sensory details for readers.

3. Dance of the Tides

Some beaches are known for their calm, lapping waves, making them ideal for relaxation.

In contrast, others are marked by powerful, crashing waves perfect for adventurous activities like surfing.

Describe the rhythm, sound, and sight of the waves to convey the beach’s spirit.

Understanding the tidal patterns can greatly enhance your description.

Low tides might expose hidden tidal pools, while high tides might bring with them a sense of mystery and anticipation.

This also affects the beach’s width and appearance at different times.

4. Symphony of the Shore

The beach isn’t silent.

From the cries of the seagulls to the whispers of the winds and the rhythmic sound of waves, nature creates a symphony.

Use auditory descriptions to transport readers to the shore.

On popular beaches, the sound of children’s laughter, chatter from nearby cafes, or tunes from a distant radio can add layers to the auditory experience.

Decide whether your beach is serene and untouched or bustling with activity.

5. Coastal Climate Chronicles

Is the beach sun-drenched, making it ideal for sunbathing? Or is it frequently cloaked in mist, giving it a mysterious aura?

The weather plays a crucial role in setting the scene and can influence activities, moods, and narratives.

Beaches transform with seasons.

While summer brings in crowds and vibrant energy, winter might render the beach desolate, with only the bravest souls venturing out.

Describe these shifts to add depth to your narrative.

6. Sunlit Spectacles

The magic of a beach often unfolds during the golden hours.

Narrate the transformation of the horizon as the sun rises, casting a delicate pink and gold hue, or as it sets, engulfing the world in fiery reds and deep purples.

The changing colors reflect not only in the sky but also in the water and sand.

While sunrise and sunset are dramatic, the midday sun brings out the vibrancy of beach activities, and nighttime might unveil a sky full of stars or even bioluminescent waves on certain beaches.

7. Flora’s Flourish

Many beaches are lined with specific vegetation, from towering palm trees to delicate dune flowers.

Describe the flora’s color, shape, and how it dances in the breeze, adding life to the coastal landscape.

Floral aromas mixed with the salty sea air can create a heady combination.

Bring out the varied fragrances one might encounter while taking a leisurely stroll.

8. Fauna Features

Tidal pools might house starfish, crabs, or tiny fishes.

Coral beaches might be teeming with colorful marine life. Delve into the beauty of the creatures that call the beach their home.

From seagulls to pelicans and sandpipers, the avian world adds movement and sound to the beach.

Their behaviors, from hunting for fish to playful chases, can be delightful to describe.

9. Activity Avenues

Be it children building sandcastles, surfers riding waves, or yoga enthusiasts greeting the sun, beaches often become hubs of activities.

Depicting these can give readers a sense of the beach’s energy.

Not all beachgoers seek company.

Some look for solitude – a quiet corner to read, meditate, or just gaze at the horizon.

Highlighting these moments adds depth and contrast.

10. Textures and Touch

Beyond visuals, the feel of the beach is vital.

Is the sand powdery soft, or is it grainy and rough? Does the water feel icy cold or pleasantly warm?

Engaging the sense of touch can make descriptions palpable.

How does the beach make one feel? Tranquil, exhilarated, nostalgic?

Tapping into emotions can resonate deeply with readers.

11. Tastes of the Tides

A trip to the beach is incomplete without the taste of salt on your lips from the sea spray.

For many beaches, nearby stalls serve fresh seafood.

Describing the tantalizing flavors of the ocean’s bounty can make readers’ mouths water.

Beach destinations often have signature beverages – from coconut water to adult drinks.

Highlighting these drinks can set the tone and mood of the beach scene.

12. Auditory Adventures

Every beach has its unique sound of waves – from gentle lapping to roaring surfs.

These sounds are soothing and rhythmic, making them integral to a beach description.

Include the distant laughter of beachgoers, the chirping of coastal birds, or the playful shout of children.

Such sounds breathe life into the scene.

13. Historical Hints

Many beaches have rich histories, from pirate tales to ancient civilizations.

Weaving in some historical elements can give depth to the beach’s narrative.

Statues, forts, or old lighthouses can stand as silent witnesses to the past. Mentioning these can make a beach scene more vivid and layered.

14. Moods of the Sea

The mood of the sea changes with weather and tides.

While a calm sea can be serene and inviting, a stormy sea can be wild and dramatic. Depicting these moods can influence the story’s atmosphere.

Low tide might reveal hidden treasures like shells or ancient shipwrecks, while high tide brings in waves and fresh mysteries.

The ebb and flow of tides can be metaphorical and descriptive.

15. Colorful Canvases

Describing the varying shades of blues, greens, and golds of the sea, sky, and sand can paint a vivid picture.

Sunlight plays a role in these changing hues, so consider the time of day.

Beaches at night transform into a world of silvery moonlight, shadows, and possibly bioluminescent creatures.

Using a palette of darker shades can set a contrasting and mystical scene.

16. Human Imprints

From lone footprints in the sand to majestic sandcastles, human touch is evident on many beaches.

Describing these imprints can suggest recent activity or age-old legacies.

Sadly, not all human imprints are poetic (or positive).

Describing signs of pollution, like plastic waste, can serve as a stark reminder and add an environmental angle to your narrative.

17. Unique Underwater Worlds

Many beaches are gateways to underwater paradises.

Vividly describing the diverse, colorful corals can transport readers into a magical realm.

Each coral formation has its own charm, from brain corals’ intricate patterns to the elegant sway of sea fans.

Beaches often harbor rich marine ecosystems.

Describing encounters with playful dolphins, curious turtles, or schools of shimmering fish can add depth and wonder to your narrative.

18. Local Life and Culture

Many coastal communities have age-old traditions linked to the sea.

Highlighting local festivals, rituals, or even daily activities like fish markets can provide readers with a cultural immersion.

Local handicrafts or special beachside dishes can offer a sensory feast.

Be it a description of intricate seashell jewelry or the tantalizing aroma of grilled seafood, integrating local flavors can enrich your beach description.

19. Dynamic Dunes and Vegetation

Sand dunes, shaped by the wind, can change forms and create mesmerizing patterns.

Describing these dynamic landscapes can add an element of nature’s artistry to your narrative.

Coastal vegetation, from tall palm trees to dense mangroves, not only adds to the beach’s visual appeal but also plays a crucial role in maintaining coastal ecology.

Diving into descriptions of these can add both beauty and educational value.

20. Seasonal Shifts

While summer might bring in sunbathers, winter could wrap the beach in misty allure. Capturing these seasonal nuances can create varied and engaging settings.

Monsoon or hurricane seasons can drastically change beach atmospheres.

Describing the sheer power of nature during such times can infuse drama and tension into your story.

21. Adventure and Activities

From surfing monstrous waves to peaceful kayaking sessions, beaches offer numerous adventure opportunities.

Describing the thrill and challenges of these activities can inject action into your beach scenes.

Leisurely activities like beachcombing can be therapeutic and rewarding.

Detailed descriptions of discovering seashells, driftwood, or even messages in bottles can add mystery and intrigue.

Here is my video that I made about how to describe a beach in writing:

30 Best Words to Describe a Beach in Writing

I’ve collected some of the best words to describe beaches.

Feel free to use these words to bring beaches to life in your own stories:

Sun-drenched
Crystal-clear
Picturesque

30 Best Phrases to Describe a Beach in Writing

Consider using these phrases to describe the beaches in your stories:

Waves lapping at the shore
Blanket of golden sands
Palm trees swaying gently
Horizon stretching endlessly
Colors of the setting sun
Children building sandcastles
Echo of distant seagulls
Soft whisper of the ocean breeze
Shells scattered like treasures
Footprints washed away
Secrets of the deep blue
Calm before the storm
A dance of playful dolphins
Reflection of a crimson sky
Nature’s perfect canvas
Dunes shaped by the wind
Taste of salt on the lips
Shadows growing longer
Aromas of beachside grills
Moonlit silver waters
Mystery of tidal patterns
Laughter and beach games
Sway of coastal grasses
Rhythms of the coastal life
Stories the tide brings in
Gentle embrace of the sea
Paradise found and lost
Hideaway for dreamers
Dance of light on waves
Sands of time standing still

3 Examples of How to Describe a Beach

Let’s look at three imaginative depictions of beaches, each resonating with the unique essence of its respective genre.

Romance : The serene beach under the moon’s embrace seemed to whisper tales of ageless romances. The moonlight cast a silvery glow on the quiet beach, where waves serenaded the shores. The sands, cool beneath their feet, became their dance floor. Their hearts resonated with the rhythm of the waves, as they lost themselves in each other’s embrace, amidst the vastness of the ocean.
Mystery/Thriller : A heavy atmosphere weighed down on the beach, with secrets buried as deep as its oceanic abyss. The beach was eerily silent, save for the relentless pounding of the waves. A thick fog hung low, concealing much of the shore. As Detective Adams approached, the beam from his flashlight revealed a set of footprints, leading into the mysterious abyss of the night.
Fantasy : To the common eye, it’s a beach. But for those with the sight, The Golden Sands of Elaria were gateways to otherworldly adventures. As dawn broke, the sands sparkled with magic. Mermaids emerged from the turquoise depths, dragons soared above the azure skies, and ancient runes appeared, guiding brave adventurers to hidden realms beneath.

Final Thoughts: How to Describe a Beach in Writing

Describing beaches is truly an ocean of opportunities.

Dive into more treasures by exploring other articles on our site – you never know what pearls of wisdom you’ll unearth!

Creative Writing Inspiration and Ideas: 10 Beach Writing Prompts

Posted on January 19, 2020 by aaronmullins

Beach Writing Inspiration Creative Writing Prompts Generating Short Story Ideas Sea Seaside

Beach writing prompts and creative writing inspiration often comes to us in waves of inspirational writing ideas . Sometimes quite literally, when we head to the sands for some beach story ideas .

Short story inspiration can be found within the relaxing sound of the waves. Poetry inspiration formed along with footprints with the soft crush of sand beneath your feet.

Beach writing prompts are scattered across the sand. Creative writing inspiration discovered among the lost items washed ashore. Beach short story ideas forming from a mysterious object bobbing on the waves. Good story ideas are sometimes hard to come by, but a stroll along the beach may be all the writing inspiration you need.

Beach Creative Writing Ideas

A walk along the beach is just what a writer needs to clear their heads of daily tasks, relax them, and release their imagination and ideas. Many studies have shown that a walk on the beach lowers stress and blood pressure, boosts mood and has many positive effects on mental health. All things that can also boost creativity for writers .

The beach is also inspiring for us authors. Anything could be buried in the sand, or wash up on the shore. Everything we see is a beach writing prompt , if we only wonder where it came from, who the previous owner was.

Any kind of horror beach short story idea could be lurking in the darker depths of the sea, or a poetry idea related to the treasure waiting to be discovered on the seabed. Romance authors could even find inspiration for characters who don’t mind a bit of sand in hard to reach places…

“Meredith did drop her dress and her inhibitions, afterwards gently plucking a dainty shell from her bottom.”

I have just remembered why I don’t write beach romance stories.

Writing Stories at the Beach

I have some big news to share with you… after 21 years living in England, I have finally moved back to Scotland ! Ayrshire on the west coast is now my home. I can let the full Scots back into my accent, and my daughter can develop her own twang, so she may finally be able to understand what I’m saying in the home videos of my childhood!

I grew up in Wick, which is in Caithness (near John O’ Groats) in the far north of Scotland. A small town filled with decent, good-hearted, funny and hard-working people, my family included. Wick and the Highlands have become the setting in quite a few of my recent beach short story ideas .

In fact, enough to fill a book with a couple of beach story ideas …

The majority of my family are Scottish. My dad had also spent part of his childhood growing up in Wick and we had attended the same secondary school, Wick High School. My grandparents ran a tearoom in Strathpeffer and over the years the rest of us became spread out across the Highlands. The A9 north from Inverness is basically the trunk of my family tree, with each of us settled on the branches along the way (minus the few who smuggled themselves south of the border).

Beach Short Story Ideas

Wick has grown over the years that I have been away. What I remember as fields is now a retail park. The Caithness Glass factory that fascinated me as a child is closed down long ago. The ‘forest’ next to it that my friends and I used to play in as children is now mostly fenced off. However, all these memories and experiences are perfect for beach short story ideas and creative writing prompts .

I have been back up nearly every single year since I left as a fresh-faced 16 year old in 1999, sometimes two or three times, on 1,500 mile road trips. Sadly, in the name of progress, my primary school has been knocked down (North Primary School) and my high school is currently empty, a modern one built behind it.

Edit : You can read about the ghosts that haunted my school and terrified me as a child (and also provided writing inspiration ) in the bestseller Scottish Urban Legends: 50 Myths and True Stories .

Beach Themed Writing Ideas

The following is an excerpt from my beach short story Call of the Nuckelavee which was published in my bestselling book Mysteries and Misadventures: Tales from the Highlands .

The story is about a broken-hearted woman who trudges along the sandy dunes, following the voice of her drowned father. Her mind full of questions, she spies a dog ahead that appears to be beckoning her to follow. She suddenly realises it’s her father’s dog, missing since the day of his death. To rescue the dog, she launches herself into the sea, where she comes face to face with a creature from Scottish legends that has haunted her recent nightmares. With suspicions about her father’s drowning swirling around in her head, she must decide quickly how far she is willing to go to get answers.

She gasped as her foot slipped at the top of the dune. Arms flailing, she tumbled over the high ridge and down the steep sandy embankment. Coarse grass and broken shells scratched at her palms and face as she slid to a halt at the bottom. Need to be more careful. Drawing deep gulps of air, she spat a glob of salty grit onto the sand and pushed herself to her knees. The soft pale sand, so beautiful from a distance, betrayed those who wandered too close to its edge. She knew this, but she didn’t have a choice. The sea called to her, the promise of dark revelations on its lips. Confessing its misdeeds. Scowling from the effort, she stood and brushed the sand from her thick coat and fleece-lined leggings. Let’s do this.

The above book, Scottish Legends: 55 Mythical Monsters , is packed full of sea creatures and beach-dwelling mythical monsters. Based on Scottish folktales, myths and legends, any of these creatures could inspire fantastic beach writing ideas for your own stories.

Beach Creative Writing Prompts

The memories and friendships I have from my childhood are still strong, and now I’m living a bit closer my road trips will not take as long! Importantly, I can still visit the beaches I played on as a child. Reiss Beach in particular is one of the most beautiful beaches I have ever been to and is a great source of beach writing inspiration for me. And you can still find me having a dip in the North Sea (even the Trinkie) as late as October and November!

Wick and the surrounding area has a strong heritage, from the iron ages, to the Norse pagan period. It’s believed Wick was originally named from the Norse word vik , meaning bay. A Viking town then with an enormous sense of history, adventure, mystery and wonder in its beaches, forests and ruins. Endless beach writing inspiration for short stories and book characters.

To help you form your own creative writing ideas , here is a list of 10 beach story writing prompts :

Walking along the beach, your dog returns with a mysterious object in his mouth
Your dog stops at a particular patch of sand and starts whining and digging
You spot a mysterious object shining among the ashes of a beach campfire
You glimpse a hand rising from the sea, beckoning you to enter
As you walk along the beach, a familiar voice on the wind whispers your name
Drag marks in the sand lead inside a beach cave, but no footprints leave
You lift a small crab from a rock pool, and it speaks to you
You lose track of time exploring, and the tide has come in quicker than expected
After a flash of light on the beach, you return home to find the world has changed
As you watch the sun set behind the horizon, something rises from the sea

I hope these beach writing prompts help you generate your own beach story ideas .

Best of luck with your writing!

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Aaron Mullins ( @DrAaronMullins ) is an award winning, internationally published psychologist and bestselling author. Aaron has over 15 years experience in the publishing industry, with expertise in business strategy for authors and publishers. He started Birdtree Books Publishing where he worked as Editor-in-Chief, partnered with World Reader Charity and taught Academic Writing at Coventry University. Aaron’s book How to Write Fiction: A Creative Writing Guide for Authors has become a staple reference book for writers and those interested in a publishing career. Find out more .

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This post was truly worthwhile to read. I wanted to say thank you for the key points you have pointed out as they are enlightening.

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Ocean Description for Writers: Exploring the Wonders and Mysteries of the World’s Oceans

By: Author Paul Jenkins

Posted on Published: August 30, 2023 - Last updated: September 1, 2023

Categories Writing , Creative Writing

You are standing at the edge of the vast ocean, gazing out at the seemingly endless expanse of water.

As writers, the ocean inspires us, and often features in our works. The purpose of this article is to look at ways to describe its nature, and dig into its essential characteristics as useful background for our research and writing.

The ocean is a truly remarkable feature of our planet, covering over 70% of the Earth’s surface and containing 97% of the planet’s water.

It is a vital component of our planet’s ecosystem, supporting a diverse range of life and playing a crucial role in regulating the Earth’s climate and weather patterns.

The formation of the oceans is a fascinating subject, with scientists still working to unravel the complex processes that led to the creation of the world’s oceans. The oceans are thought to have formed around 4 billion years ago, as the Earth’s surface cooled and water vapor in the atmosphere condensed to form liquid water.

Over time, the oceans have evolved and changed, shaped by a range of factors including the movement of tectonic plates, changes in sea level, and the impact of human activity.

Key Takeaways

The ocean covers over 70% of the Earth’s surface and contains 97% of the planet’s water.
The formation of the oceans is a complex and ongoing area of research, with scientists working to understand the processes that led to their creation.
The ocean plays a vital role in supporting life on Earth and regulating the planet’s climate and weather patterns.

33 Ways to Describe the Nature of the Ocean

To inspire you, here are 33 ways the ocean can be described:

Treacherous
Unpredictable
Tempestuous

Formation of Oceans

The oceans are vast bodies of saltwater that cover about 71% of the Earth’s surface. The most widely accepted theory for the formation of the oceans is that they were created by volcanic activity that released water vapor into the atmosphere, which then condensed and formed the oceans.

Over time, the Earth’s atmosphere changed, leading to the formation of an ozone layer that protected the planet from harmful solar radiation.

When the Earth was first formed, its temperature was well above the boiling point for water. Because of this, there was no liquid water on Earth. Instead, all water was in the form of a gas. However, over vast periods of time, our primitive ocean formed.

Water remained a gas until the Earth cooled below 212 degrees Fahrenheit. At this time, about 3.8 billion years ago, the water condensed into rain which filled the basins that we now know as our world ocean.

It is important to note that the formation of the oceans is a gradual process that occurred over millions of years. The movement of tectonic plates and the shifting of the Earth’s crust also played a significant role in shaping the oceans.

As the Earth’s crust moved and shifted, it created new basins and caused existing ones to deepen, which in turn allowed more water to fill them.

In summary, the oceans were formed through a combination of volcanic activity, atmospheric changes, and the movement of tectonic plates. The gradual process of ocean formation occurred over millions of years, and it continues to shape the Earth’s surface to this day.

Major Oceans and Seas

The Earth is mostly covered by water, with five major oceans and several seas. Each of these water bodies has unique characteristics and plays a vital role in our planet’s ecosystem.

Pacific Ocean

The Pacific Ocean is the largest and deepest ocean on Earth, covering more than 60 million square miles. It is located between Asia and Australia to the east, and the Americas to the west. The Pacific Ocean is home to numerous islands, including Hawaii, Tahiti, and Fiji. It is also known for the famous Ring of Fire, a region where many earthquakes and volcanic eruptions occur.

Atlantic Ocean

The Atlantic Ocean is the second-largest ocean on Earth, covering an area of about 41 million square miles. It is located between the Americas to the west and Europe and Africa to the east. The Atlantic Ocean is home to many important ports, including New York, London, and Rio de Janeiro.

Indian Ocean

The Indian Ocean is the third-largest ocean on Earth, covering an area of about 28 million square miles. It is located between Africa, Asia, Australia, and the Indian subcontinent. The Indian Ocean is known for its warm waters and abundant marine life, including whales, dolphins, and sharks.

Southern Ocean

The Southern Ocean, also known as the Antarctic Ocean, surrounds Antarctica and extends to 60 degrees south latitude. It is the smallest and youngest ocean, having been recognized as a distinct body of water only in 2000. The Southern Ocean is known for its strong winds and icy waters, which are home to many unique species of marine life, including penguins and seals.

Arctic Ocean

The Arctic Ocean is the smallest and shallowest ocean on Earth, covering an area of about 5 million square miles. It is located around the North Pole and is surrounded by landmasses such as Russia, Canada, and Greenland. The Arctic Ocean is known for its harsh climate and is covered by ice for most of the year.

Mediterranean Sea

The Mediterranean Sea is a sea connected to the Atlantic Ocean, located between Europe, Africa, and Asia. It is known for its warm waters and beautiful beaches, making it a popular tourist destination. The Mediterranean Sea is also home to many important ports, including Barcelona, Marseille, and Istanbul.

Gulf of Mexico

The Gulf of Mexico is a large body of water located between Mexico and the United States. It is known for its warm waters and abundant marine life, including fish, shrimp, and oysters. The Gulf of Mexico is also an important location for oil and gas drilling, with many offshore platforms located in its waters.

Each of these oceans and seas plays a vital role in our planet’s ecosystem, and it is important that we take care of them. By protecting these bodies of water, we can ensure that they continue to provide valuable resources and habitats for generations to come.

Oceanography and Research

Oceanography is the study of the physical, chemical, and biological features of the ocean, including the ocean’s ancient history, its current condition, and its future. Oceanographers are scientists who study the ocean and its processes.

They use a variety of tools and techniques to collect data, including satellites, ships, buoys, and underwater robots.

Research in oceanography covers a wide range of topics, from marine life and ecosystems to currents and waves, to the movement of sediments, to seafloor geology. The study of oceanography is interdisciplinary, and the ocean’s properties and processes function together.

One of the most important areas of research in oceanography is the study of climate change. The ocean plays a crucial role in regulating the Earth’s climate, and changes in the ocean can have significant impacts on the rest of the planet.

Scientists are studying the ocean to better understand how it is changing and how those changes will affect the climate.

National Geographic Explorers are among the many researchers working to better understand the ocean. They use cutting-edge technology and techniques to explore the ocean and its mysteries. Their work has led to many important discoveries and has helped to advance our understanding of the ocean and its processes.

Ocean Ecosystem

The ocean ecosystem is a vast and complex system that is home to a wide variety of marine animals, plants, and organisms. It is a delicate balance of physical and biological factors that work together to support life. In this section, we will explore the different components of the ocean ecosystem.

Marine Animals

The ocean is home to a diverse range of animal species, including whales, dolphins, crabs, and squid. These animals have adapted to life in the ocean in various ways, such as developing streamlined bodies for swimming, specialized feeding mechanisms, and unique methods of communication.

The blue whale, for example, is the largest animal on Earth and feeds on krill, while dolphins are known for their intelligence and social behavior.

Marine Plants

Marine plants, such as algae and seaweed, play a crucial role in the ocean ecosystem. They provide food and shelter for a variety of marine organisms, including fish and crustaceans.

Algae, in particular, are an important source of food for many marine animals and are also used in the production of various products, such as cosmetics and food additives.

Marine Organisms

The ocean is home to a vast array of organisms, ranging from microscopic plankton to large predatory fish. These organisms play a crucial role in the ocean ecosystem, forming the base of the food chain and cycling nutrients through the system.

Some organisms, such as coral reefs, are also important for providing habitats for other marine species.

In conclusion, the ocean ecosystem is a complex and diverse system that is home to a wide variety of animal, plant, and organism species. Understanding the different components of the ocean ecosystem is crucial for maintaining the delicate balance that supports life in the ocean.

Ocean Climate and Weather

The ocean plays a critical role in shaping the climate and weather patterns around the world. The ocean stores solar radiation, distributes heat and moisture, and drives weather systems. As a result, changes in the ocean can have a significant impact on climate and weather.

The ocean’s temperature and salinity play a crucial role in regulating the global climate. The sun’s energy heats the ocean’s surface, causing water to evaporate and form clouds.

These clouds reflect some of the sun’s energy back into space, which helps to cool the Earth. The remaining energy is absorbed by the ocean, which warms the water and drives ocean currents.

Ocean currents play a crucial role in distributing heat and moisture around the globe. Warm ocean currents carry heat from the tropics towards the poles, while cold ocean currents carry cool water towards the equator.

These currents help to regulate the Earth’s temperature, and they also influence weather patterns.

The atmosphere and the ocean are closely linked, and changes in one can have a significant impact on the other. For example, changes in atmospheric temperature can cause changes in ocean temperature, which can influence ocean currents and weather patterns.

Similarly, changes in ocean temperature can influence atmospheric temperature, which can impact weather patterns.

Climate change is also having a significant impact on the ocean’s climate and weather patterns. As the Earth’s temperature continues to rise, the ocean is absorbing more heat, which is causing ocean temperatures to increase.

This, in turn, is causing changes in ocean currents and weather patterns, which can have significant impacts on ecosystems and human societies around the world.

In conclusion, the ocean plays a critical role in shaping the Earth’s climate and weather patterns. Changes in the ocean can have a significant impact on the Earth’s temperature, ocean currents, and weather patterns. It is essential to understand these relationships to better predict and mitigate the impacts of climate change.

Ocean Currents and Motion

Ocean currents are continuous movements of water in the ocean that follow set paths, kind of like rivers in the ocean. They can be at the water’s surface or go to the deep sea; some are very large, while others are small and unnamed.

These currents are driven by wind, water density differences, and tides. Coastal and sea floor features influence their location, direction, and speed. Earth’s rotation results in the Coriolis effect which also influences ocean currents.

Similar to a person trying to walk in a straight line across a spinning merry-go-round, winds and ocean waters get deflected from a straight line path as they travel.

Ocean water moves in two directions: horizontally and vertically. Horizontal movements are referred to as currents, while vertical changes are called upwellings or downwellings. This abiotic system is responsible for the transfer of heat, variations in climate, and the distribution of nutrients and marine life.

Some of the most well-known ocean currents include the Gulf Stream, which carries warm water from the Gulf of Mexico to the North Atlantic, and the California Current, which flows southward along the western coast of North America.

The Kuroshio Current, off the coast of Japan, is equal in volume to 6,000 large rivers.

Ocean currents have a significant impact on global climate. The Gulf Stream, for example, helps to keep the climate of Western Europe mild and temperate. It is also an important factor in the distribution of marine life.

Ocean currents bring nutrients and oxygen to different parts of the ocean, which supports the growth of plankton and other organisms. These organisms, in turn, provide food for larger animals like fish and whales.

Understanding ocean currents and their motion is important for many reasons. Scientists study ocean currents to better understand climate change, predict weather patterns, and track the movement of pollutants and debris.

Shipping and fishing industries also rely on knowledge of ocean currents to plan routes and locate fish populations.

Ocean Floor and Depth

The ocean floor is the bottom of the ocean, and it is a complex and diverse environment. The depth of the ocean varies greatly, with an average depth of 2.3 miles (3.7 kilometers). The shape and depth of the seafloor are influenced by a variety of factors, including tectonic activity, erosion, and sedimentation.

The ocean floor features many distinct formations, including canyons, seamounts, and abyssal plains. Canyons are deep, narrow valleys that cut through the continental shelf and slope. Seamounts are underwater mountains that rise from the seafloor and can be active or dormant volcanoes.

Abyssal plains are flat, featureless areas of the seafloor that cover about 30% of the ocean floor.

The deepest part of the ocean is the Mariana Trench, which is located in the western Pacific Ocean and reaches a depth of 36,070 feet (10,994 meters). The trench is the result of tectonic activity, where the Pacific Plate is subducting beneath the Mariana Plate.

Continental shelves are shallow areas of the ocean floor that surround continents and extend to the continental slope. These areas are important for marine life, as they provide a habitat for many species.

The width and depth of continental shelves vary greatly around the world, with some being very narrow and others being very wide.

Overall, the ocean floor is a fascinating and complex environment that is still being explored and studied. Understanding the depth and features of the ocean floor is critical for understanding the ocean and its many ecosystems.

Ocean Pollution and Overfishing

The ocean is facing two major threats: pollution and overfishing. These two issues are causing significant harm to the ocean and its inhabitants, and it’s important to understand the impact they are having.

Pollution is a major problem in the ocean. It comes from a variety of sources, including agricultural runoff, oil spills, and plastic waste. These pollutants can harm marine life in a number of ways, such as causing physical harm, disrupting hormones, and altering behavior.

Plastic waste is particularly harmful, as it can take hundreds of years to break down and can be mistaken for food by marine animals, leading to injury or death.

Overfishing

Overfishing is another major problem facing the ocean. It occurs when fish are caught at a rate faster than they can reproduce, leading to a decline in their population. This can have a ripple effect on the entire ecosystem, as other species that rely on the overfished species for food or habitat are also impacted.

Overfishing is often caused by a combination of factors, including technological advances in fishing equipment, increased demand for seafood, and poor fisheries management.

Both pollution and overfishing are having a significant impact on the ocean and its inhabitants. It’s important to take action to address these issues, such as reducing plastic waste and implementing sustainable fishing practices.

By working together, we can help protect the ocean and ensure its health for generations to come.

Ocean and Earth Interaction

The ocean is a crucial component of the Earth’s system, and its interaction with the planet is complex and multifaceted. The ocean’s interaction with the Earth’s continents, gulfs, basins, lakes, and glaciers affects the planet in numerous ways.

The ocean’s interaction with the continents is particularly significant. The ocean’s currents and tides shape the coastline and help to create and maintain beaches, bays, and estuaries. The ocean also plays a crucial role in regulating the planet’s climate, by absorbing and redistributing heat from the sun.

The ocean’s interaction with gulfs and basins is also important. The Gulf Stream, for example, is a powerful current that flows from the Gulf of Mexico to the North Atlantic, and it has a significant impact on the climate of Europe. The ocean’s deep basins are also crucial for the planet’s carbon cycle, as they absorb and store large amounts of carbon dioxide from the atmosphere.

Lakes are another important part of the Earth’s water cycle, and they can have a significant impact on the environment. The Great Lakes, for example, are a vital source of freshwater for millions of people in North America.

Glaciers are also an important part of the Earth’s system, and they can have a significant impact on the ocean. As glaciers melt, they release freshwater into the ocean, which can affect the salinity and temperature of the water. This, in turn, can affect ocean currents and weather patterns.

The ocean’s interaction with boundaries and latitude is also significant. The ocean plays a crucial role in the formation of weather patterns, and it can affect the intensity and frequency of storms and hurricanes. The ocean’s interaction with Antarctica is also important, as the continent’s ice sheets are melting at an unprecedented rate, which could have significant consequences for sea levels around the world.

Finally, the ocean’s interaction with bays and the coastline is crucial for many species of plants and animals. Coastal ecosystems are some of the most diverse and productive on the planet, and they are home to a wide variety of species. The ocean also plays a crucial role in the formation of coral reefs, which are some of the most biodiverse ecosystems on the planet.

Overall, the ocean’s interaction with the Earth is complex and multifaceted, and it plays a crucial role in the planet’s climate, weather patterns, and ecosystems.

Ocean’s Role in Life Support

The ocean is a vital component of life on Earth, providing a range of resources that are essential for human survival. Here are some of the ways the ocean supports life:

The ocean produces more than half of the world’s oxygen through photosynthesis by marine plants, such as phytoplankton. This process is essential for sustaining life on Earth, as oxygen is necessary for the respiration of all animals, including humans.

The ocean is a major source of food for humans and other animals. It is estimated that over 3 billion people worldwide depend on seafood as their primary source of protein. The ocean also provides a variety of other food resources, including seaweed, shellfish, and other marine plants and animals.

The ocean plays a crucial role in generating renewable energy. It is a source of hydropower, which is generated by the movement of tides and waves. Additionally, the ocean’s temperature difference between the surface and deeper waters can be harnessed to generate electricity through ocean thermal energy conversion.

While the ocean is primarily composed of saltwater, it also contains freshwater in the form of icebergs, glaciers, and sea ice. The ocean’s role in the water cycle is essential for providing freshwater to land-based ecosystems and human populations.

The ocean’s saltwater is also important for sustaining life on Earth. It is a critical component of the Earth’s climate system, regulating temperature and weather patterns. Additionally, the ocean’s saltwater is used in a variety of industrial processes, including the production of salt and the desalination of seawater for human consumption.

Overall, the ocean plays a critical role in supporting life on Earth, providing essential resources such as oxygen, food, energy, freshwater, and saltwater. Understanding the importance of the ocean and taking steps to protect it is essential for ensuring the continued survival of human and other animal populations.

Unexplored Oceans

Despite covering over 70% of the Earth’s surface, the ocean remains largely unexplored. The vast and unknown depths of the ocean remain a mystery to us, with only a fraction of the ocean floor having been mapped and explored.

The ocean trenches, which are some of the deepest parts of the ocean, remain almost entirely unexplored. These trenches, such as the Mariana Trench, are deeper than Mount Everest is tall and are home to some of the most unique and fascinating creatures on the planet.

However, due to the extreme pressure and darkness of these regions, it is incredibly difficult to explore them, and we still know very little about what lies at the bottom of these trenches.

When compared to space exploration, the ocean is still a vastly unexplored frontier. While we have sent humans to the moon, only a handful of people have ever traveled to the depths of the ocean. Despite this, there is still much we can learn from the ocean.

The ocean plays a vital role in regulating the Earth’s climate and is home to a vast array of plant and animal species, many of which are yet to be discovered.

In recent years, there have been efforts to explore more of the ocean and to better understand its mysteries. However, due to the vastness of the ocean and the challenges of exploring its depths, progress has been slow.

Nonetheless, as technology advances and we continue to learn more about the ocean, we may one day unlock the secrets of this vast and unexplored frontier.

Human Interaction with Oceans

As a human, you have a significant impact on the marine environment. The actions you take on land can affect the oceans, even if you live miles away from the coast. Here are some ways in which humans interact with the oceans:

Transport : The oceans are an essential mode of transportation for goods and people. Ships and boats transport goods and people across the world’s oceans. However, shipping also contributes to pollution, including oil spills, sewage, and garbage disposal.
Rock and Sediment : Humans extract rocks and sediments from the ocean floor for various purposes, including construction, oil and gas drilling, and mining. This can have significant impacts on the marine environment, including habitat destruction and changes in sedimentation patterns.
Plains : Humans have also impacted the ocean’s plains by introducing structures like oil rigs and wind turbines. These structures can disrupt ocean currents, affect marine life, and cause pollution.
Salinity : Human activities, such as irrigation and damming of rivers, can affect the salinity of the ocean. The runoff from agriculture and other land-based activities can also increase the amount of nutrients in the ocean, leading to harmful algal blooms and other negative impacts.
Action : Humans engage in various activities in the ocean, such as fishing, recreational activities, and scientific research. Overfishing and destructive fishing practices can lead to the depletion of fish populations and damage to marine habitats.
Mapped : Mapping the ocean floor is essential for understanding the marine environment. However, the process of mapping can also have negative impacts, such as disturbing marine life and habitats.

Overall, human interaction with the oceans has both positive and negative impacts. It is essential to understand these impacts and take steps to minimize negative impacts while maximizing positive ones.

Frequently Asked Questions

What are the features of the ocean.

The ocean is a vast body of saltwater that covers approximately 71% of the Earth’s surface. It is divided into four main regions: the Pacific, Atlantic, Indian, and Arctic oceans. The ocean has many features, including currents, waves, tides, and diverse marine life. It also plays a significant role in regulating the Earth’s climate and weather patterns.

What are some interesting facts about the ocean?

The ocean is home to the largest living structure on Earth, the Great Barrier Reef, which is visible from space. It is also the deepest part of the ocean, the Mariana Trench, which is over 36,000 feet deep. The ocean contains about 97% of the Earth’s water, and only about 5% of it has been explored. Additionally, the ocean is responsible for producing over 50% of the oxygen we breathe.

What are the seven oceans of the world?

There is only one global ocean, but it is traditionally divided into five main regions: the Pacific, Atlantic, Indian, Southern (Antarctic), and Arctic oceans. Some oceanographers also consider the Southern Ocean to be a separate ocean, while others include it as part of the Atlantic, Indian, and Pacific oceans.

How do you describe the Pacific Ocean?

The Pacific Ocean is the largest and deepest ocean on Earth, covering about one-third of the planet’s surface. It is surrounded by the Americas to the east and Asia and Australia to the west. The Pacific Ocean is known for its vastness, strong currents, and frequent earthquakes and volcanic activity along its “Ring of Fire” boundary.

What is the difference between a sea and an ocean?

A sea is a smaller body of saltwater that is partially enclosed by land, while an ocean is a larger body of saltwater that covers most of the Earth’s surface. Seas are usually connected to oceans and are often shallower than oceans. Some examples of seas include the Mediterranean Sea, the Red Sea, and the Caribbean Sea.

What are the characteristics of ocean water?

Ocean water is salty, with an average salinity of about 35 parts per thousand. It is also dense, cold, and has a high heat capacity, which means it can absorb and release large amounts of heat without changing temperature significantly. Ocean water is also highly alkaline, with a pH of around 8.1, and contains dissolved gases such as oxygen and carbon dioxide.

DraftSparks ✨

133+ ‘Ocean’ Writing Prompts

Ocean Planet

Picture a world entirely covered with water and write a story about the people who live there.

Crack in the Ocean Floor

Envision a scenario where your character is tasked with sealing a dangerous, and growing, crack in the ocean floor.

Guardians of the Earth

Write a short story about an Earth memory embodied as a character protecting its wonder.

A World in a Sandbox

Describe a day at the park where the sandbox turned into an entire miniature world.

Ocean of Tears

Write a letter to your tears, recognizing each one of them as symbols of your pain, agitation, and love.

Marine Wonder

Imagine the mysteries of the underwater world and write a story of a fish exploring the ocean.

Sunny Vacation Escapades

Write about your dream holiday in the sunny weather.

Ocean Front Glory

Depict a summer day spent basking in the sun on a lively beach.

Abyssal Palace

Imagine a villain whose secret lair is an elaborate palace hidden deep within the ocean.

Ocean’s Ovation

Pen down your feelings about the ocean’s importance and your personal connections with it.

The Serenade of Ocean Waves

Describe the journey of a wave from the middle of the ocean to a sandy shore.

Hidden City under the Sea

Your protagonist finds a sophisticated yet uncannily advanced city submerged deep in the ocean.

The Ocean’s Balance

Imagine a world where underwater and surface civilizations have pivotal roles in maintaining world balance. Write from the perspective of a liaison tasked with maintaining this balance.

Submarine Mission

You lead an exploration mission in the deepest part of the ocean. Describe what you find.

Mystical Marine Adventure

Write about a deep-sea diving adventure where you encounter magical sea creatures.

Tales of the Sea Turtle

Narrate the life journey of a sea turtle, from its birth on a beach to its adventures in the ocean.

The Song of the Whale

Imagine you are a whale, sing your song and tell your story.

In the Depths of the Ocean

Write about the mysterious world that exists in the deepest parts of the ocean.

Wave by Wave – Perspective of the Ocean

Write from the perspective of the sea in summer.

Sands of Time

Imagine a beach bonfire that has the mystical power to show the past or future. Write a story revolving around a character who discovers this power.

Innovative Solutions

Imagine you have unlimited resources to combat one major environmental issue. What would your solution be?

Voyage Across the Poisoned Seas

Essay a treacherous journey across a perilous and poisoned ocean in search of a safe haven.

Ocean’s Silent Crisis

Write about the growing issue of ocean pollution and its impact on marine life.

Surface versus Depths

Compare and contrast the tranquil surface of the ocean with its mysterious and intimidating depths.

Her Majesty’s Sea

Reflect on the power and majesty of the ocean.

Voyage into the Unknown

Write a fictional account of discovering a new species in the dark depths of the ocean.

Beachside Reflections

Write about a day at the beach during summer and your reflections while watching the waves.

Ocean Adventure

Imagine you’re an explorer who discovered a new island. What does it look like? What challenges do you face?

Gifts Of Nature

Describe a natural landscape or phenomena that genuinely awes you and makes you feel grateful.

Decoding Emotions

Write about the different emotions you have been feeling since the heartbreak.

Nature’s Song

Write a poem inspired by a natural element or scenery that has left a mark on you.

Sounds of Nature

Write a poem that describes the different sounds you hear in nature.

Underwater Adventure

Describe a thrilling underwater journey with various sea creatures and hidden worlds.

Under the Sea

Invent a story where the ocean and its inhabitants are characters based on a colorful marine-life filled picture.

Tell a story about a day in the life of a sea creature.

Dialogue with the Ocean

Write a conversation between yourself and the vast, insightful ocean.

Animal Adaptation

Choose an animal and write a story about its adaptation to its environment.

Ocean Symphony

Describe a symphony conducted by the ocean in your own poetic terms.

Ocean’s Embrace

Describe the merging of sky and sea at a place where the horizon disappears.

Journey to the Edge of Earth

Imagine visiting the least explored parts of our world. Write about your adventure and what you would discover there.

Creature’s Perspective

Write a story from the perspective of an elusive marine creature that has always observed life from the ocean depths.

Sunken Ships & Forgotten Lore

Imagine you stumble upon a long-lost shipwreck, laden with treasure and forgotten stories. Write about the ship’s history, last voyage, and its lost souls.

Murky Waters

Pen a suspenseful tale where a renowned detective has to solve a murder mystery on a luxury cruise ship.

Underwater Armageddon

Write a thriller revolving around a sudden, unknown threat emerging from the depths of the ocean.

Whispers of the Waves

Imagine a conversation you would have with the ocean at the end of summer.

The Animal Within

If you could transform into any animal, which one would you pick and why?

Beneath the Ocean Waves

Tell a tale of an underwater adventure, describing the aquatic life and unique features of the underwater world.

5. My Imaginary Water-world

Create a water-themed imaginary world with its own unique rules and inhabitants.

Brook or Ocean: Life In a Drop of Water

Draw and describe what life looks like in a drop of water.

Ocean Exploration with Aquatic Friends

Imagine you can breathe underwater and have the underwater world to explore. Who are your new friends and what adventures you embark on?

Earth Anthem

Pretend you are a songwriter writing an anthem for Earth Day. What would its lyrics and message be?

Flying on a Magic Carpet

Ride on your magic carpet and depict where you go. Then, write a timed story about your journey.

Ocean Explorer

Pen down a collective adventure of a class submarine voyage exploring the ocean depths.

Lessons from the Land

Explore a lesson that you’ve learned from nature.

Temperature’s Tale

Imagine if the Earth could speak, write a dialogue between Earth and its inhabitants regarding the rising global temperatures.

Animal Adventure Day

Imagine a day where you become your favorite animal, write about what you would do.

Nature’s Bountiful Gifts

Write about your favorite element of nature that you are grateful for.

Animal Adventures

Choose an animal and write a sentence about what an adventure might look like with that animal.

Cliffs of Moher Contemplation

Describe standing on the edge of the Cliffs of Moher, one of Ireland’s most famous landmarks.

The Ocean of Sadness

Write a story where a character must navigate through an ocean of sadness.

Journey into Colors

Draw a picture of an imaginary friend and use words to describe all the colors you’ve used to bring them to life.

Strangers in Paradise

Imagine a chance romantic encounter with a stranger in a tropical paradise. How would the story unfold?

The Plastic Paradox

Explain your stance on the use of plastic and the harm it does to our environment.

Lessons from the Ocean

Create a short story about a reef fish who teaches a scuba diver about the importance of oceans and marine life.

Creature of the Wild

Pretend you are a wild creature living in a forest, jungle, or ocean. What’s your everyday life like?

A Virtual Vacation

Imagine you can use virtual reality to travel anywhere in the world or universe. Describe your ideal trip.

Aquatic Depths

Narrate a memorable encounter with water; it could be a swim in the ocean, a rainy day, or even a tearful moment.

Pollution Pirate Adventure

Write about a group of eccentric pirates who sail the seven seas, freeing oceanic creatures from pollution and fighting against those who harm the marine environment.

Whale’s Tale

Imagine being a whale and describe Earth Day from beneath the ocean.

The Capsized City

Detective Blake must solve a murder in a city that’s steadily sinking into the ocean.

Coastal Encounter

Describe a walk along Ireland’s rugged coastline.

Splendor of the Ocean Depths

Recount a SCUBA diving experience, focusing on the magnificence of life deep within the ocean.

Dive Into the Unknown

What if the depths of the ocean led to an entirely new universe? Write a micro story about this first exploration.

Ocean’s Whisper

You’re the only human who can talk and understand the language of the ocean. Write a flash fiction around your dialogue with the sea.

The Secret Life of a Raindrop

Chart the journey of a single raindrop as it falls in a tropical rainforest.

Ocean’s End

Pen a journal entry of a retired sailor, reflecting on his voyages, the adventures/treasures he found, and the memories seared into his heart.

Song of the Sea Monsters

Write a short story about an ancient sailor who swears he’s seen sea monsters and lives to tell his tale.

Space vs Ocean Exploration

Put forth an argument supporting why we should invest more in exploring space or our oceans.

Mysterious Mermaid Encounter

Imagine your ship is stranded in the middle of the ocean and you encounter a mysterious mermaid.

The Wisdom of Nature

Describe a moment in nature that led to a spiritual epiphany.

Ocean’s Unspoken Words

Capture the depth and breadth of the ocean in a letter the ocean might write to the shore.

Echoes from the Deep

Delve into the dark depths of the ocean and imagine a terrifying creature that resides there.

Letters from an Ocean Nomad

Every week, a bottle washes up on the shore with a letter from a self-proclaimed sailor adventuring across the seven seas.

The Sea’s Siren Song

Write a narrative about a sailor who is lured by a mysterious melody that seems to come from the ocean itself.

Ocean’s Cradle of Life

Imagine a story where scientists discover a deep-sea ecosystem teeming with a plethora of previously undiscovered life forms.

Mysterious Leviathan

Write a story about a team of scientists venturing into the depths of the ocean to discover and decipher the myth of the giant sea monster.

Animal Life Swap

Create a comic strip about swapping lives with your favorite animal for a day.

Uncharted Territory

Create a vivid narrative set in an unforgiving landscape you are entirely unfamiliar with, such as a desert, deep ocean, polar ice cap or dense jungle.

Ocean’s Avenger

Imagine a character who has been granted powers by the ocean to fight against pollution.

Ocean Odyssey

Describe a day spent exploring a coral reef.

Chronicles of Coral

Describe the journey of a coral reef in transition from a vibrant ecosystem to a bleached ghost town due to warming seas.

Endless Wave Chase

Write about your most exciting encounter with the ocean during a summer vacation.

The Language of Love

Compose a poetic piece using symbolism to describe love in a unique and profound way.

Lost at Sea

Imagine a scenario where an experienced sailor disappears during a solo voyage.

Ocean Depths Exploration

Write about an underwater adventure as a marine scientist discovering a new sea creature.

The Solo Sailor

Write about a solo journey across the ocean.

Life Under the Waves

Describe a day in the life of a marine creature.

Marine Marvels

Create an underwater adventure with you as a scuba-diving explorer.

Underwater Wonders

Dive deep into an ocean and describe the sea animals you see.

Underwater Explorer

Pretend you are a dolphin exploring unfamiliar parts of the ocean.

Creative Writing Prompts - The Sea

Here is the third list of ideas in my series of Creative Writing prompts.

The purpose of these writing prompts is to encourage both children and adults to be more creative, get outside, be inspired by their natural surroundings and start writing about what they see and experience.

In turn, I would encourage them to write freely about what they feel, see, hear, and share those writing experiences with others. These writing opportunities should enable you to feel comfortable within your surroundings and share good content about natural elements that inspire you.

In this short post, I would like to share some more creative ideas about how you can incorporate the sea and its unique qualities into your writing style.

I live very close to the sea and spend a fair amount of time there. The sea is continually alluring, and it is an ever-changing, awe-inspiring natural landscape that can help stimulate your mind and senses in so many different ways. It motivates many people to produce imaginative pieces of writing, photography , or develop other creative outlets, whereby they capture the sea, the colours and weather conditions in so many different ways.

In my opinion, there seems nothing better than standing at the beach, looking towards the horizon and thinking about what lies beyond or beneath. Hopefully, we can all resonate with this, and by doing so, what you see can provide the perfect stimulus for you to do something new, exciting and unique.

Once again, I encourage you to look through the list of ideas below. Get outdoors, go into your local environment, hopefully to the sea, look around you at different points of the day. Make notes, take pictures about what you see, and understand the differences and how the sea changes with its waves, colours, and sounds.

Then use these natural components as a stimulus to develop your writing ideas and create something unique. Explore, Learn and Create with what you find and let us celebrate all that is wonderful about the sea.

SEA WRITING PROMPTS

If the sea was a different colour, what colour would it be?

What if your boat was marooned on an uninhabited island. Describe the craft you would build to help you sail away.

Write a story sailing across the sea.

Five items get washed up on the beach. What could they be? Describe them in detail.

Write a poem about a perfect sunset at sea.

You are visiting the sea. Tell a story describing as much as you can remember. Think about adding in information about all five senses.

You buy a submarine that can take you to the ocean's deepest depths, the ocean floor, and the trenches. Describe what the journey to the bottom would be like, and explain what you would see? What would it be like when you finally reached the bottom?

At Skagen in Denmark , two seas meet. Create a conversation between two seas meeting for the first time.

Write a story about riding a colourful seahorse in a seahorse race.

You discover the Blue Whale isn't the largest creature in the sea! Describe what the newest animal is; where did you find it? What does it look like?.

What if a school of fish was actually like a school humans go to? What would it be like? And what would the fish learn?

Tell a story about going out deep sea fishing. What fish are you trying to catch? Are there any dangers? Is it fun?

What is your favourite sea creature? Produce a fact file and describe it and explain more about it.

You find a message in a bottle washed up on the shore. What did the note say?

You find yourself in a raft in the middle of the ocean. How did you get there?

What would it be like if mermaids lived under the sea?

Sit by the sea for about an hour. Look at the sea and then write about what you see.

Describe the differences in what the sea landscape is like during sunrise and sunset.

Take a photograph, or paint a watercolour, then describe what you see.

Write a story about a winter storm at sea.

You are part of a scientific research team, and you discover a new sea creature! Describe it, where it lives, the habitat, its relationship with other sea creatures, etc.

Write a descriptive poem about the waves.

Describe in 20 words what the sand feels like on your feet.

You are a Lighthouse keeper stranded in your Lighthouse, out at sea. Describe your experiences as the roles through.

MORE INFORMATION

As a school teacher and outdoor educator, I have a wealth of knowledge, experience, and resources. You can find more of those resources available in my School Resources shop. You can also read a selection of other writing prompts here .

If you require further advice or to draw upon my experience, please get in touch and say [email protected]

Further Writing Links

Creative Writing Prompts - Clouds - Gareth Mate

Creative Writing Prompts - Trees - Gareth Mate

Let's Write About The Outdoors - Gareth Mate

Inspire Portal

Wisdom, Wellbeing and Writing for Conscious Creatives

15 Ocean-Inspired Storytelling Tools & Tips

21 May 10 Comments

a young man typing in an old typewriter on the beach

Every writer has days where they feel a little deflated, distracted or depleted of wonder — especially when working on a project as grand as a novel. With short fiction too, it’s natural for this ebb and flow . Although each of us must find our own process , if your writing runs a little dry or you’re feeling uninspired, try these ocean-inspired storytelling tips.

When You Don’t Know How to Begin: Jump In

Woman jumping off cliff into the ocean. Summer fun lifestyle.

“Almost all good writing begins with terrible first efforts,” Anne Lamott wrote in ‘ Bird by Bird’ , echoing Hemmingway’s famous quote . Wild and messy first drafts not only grant you the permission to write badly, which is key, but also allow you to slip into your creative flow. Unless you let go, stop overthinking your process, and allow your writing to come through you, it will always feel a little stuck.

“As soon as I stopped over-thinking my process, my infernal internal editor shut up , my characters started talking to me again, and my writing improved vastly,” says author K. M. Weiland . “The first draft is the place to smear your raw creativity onto the page. Don’t worry about being perfect. Just have fun. Live your story; find your awe. Don’t think too hard about what you’re doing until after you’ve done it.”

Let Your Writing Flow

To make progress with writing, any writing, letting it be wild and untamed during the first draft stage is essential for both your progress and prose. “Why does a coherent first draft give birth to a stilted finished product? Because it means you haven’t let it flow. You haven’t given yourself permission to make mistakes,” says Elizabeth Sims .

“Unless your throttle’s wide open, you’re not giving it everything you’ve got. If you can be gut-level honest with yourself, you’ve really got a shot at your readers. And the only way to find that honesty is to not overthink it. For your writing to come alive—to be multi-dimensional—you must barter away some control. The rewards are worth it.”

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Trust Your Story & the Fluidity of the Process

Underwater photo of a human diving in blue sea water

The finest plotting technique I’ve ever been taught is to find the key scenes in your novel, the ‘heart-clutching moments’, as Elizabeth Sims calls them. Similarly, Sarah Selecky refers to these pivotal story moments ‘milestones’. While author Victoria Mixon , in her book ‘ The Art and Craft of Fiction ‘, used the loose map of the subway to plot (for fellow Brits, think London Underground ).

You’re looking for the key scenes, and then using these to guide your story much like a buoys guide a boat through a channel. It’s a fantastic tool as you have direction, you have a loose outline, a sequence of events, and guide but are free to discover, experiment, dive deep. “I chose a few milestones to hit throughout the story — scenes that had some energy that I liked turning over and over in my head. I invited these scenes to come at the beginning, middle and end. I didn’t force them,” says Sarah Selecky .

“I wrote a lot of notes and questions in my notebooks until something interesting happened on the page. I saved the interesting bits, highlighted them, and wrote them in general terms on Post-It notes and called them ‘milestones’.” Writing to these ‘milestones’ or ‘heart-clutching moments’ leaves room for your story to evolve and change without the need to revaluate everything. “I simply adjust the outline as I go. It’s an approach that mixes the joy of freewriting with the comfort of an outline.”

Uncover Your Story

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15 May at 10:50 am

Inspiring!!!! Wrote my first book – 7 years ago – exactly as you teach…but, sadly I lost the ‘plot’. Thank you for this re-affirmation. Have had a huge block the last couple of years.

16 May at 8:14 pm

Thanks Mario! So glad you enjoyed it, and I hope you are soon liberated from that block. Jump in. 🙂

17 May at 11:43 pm

great and very thorough blog post – I have to share that with the writing group I am a part of. A lot of information packed in there, and all of it valuable. Thanks

18 May at 8:14 pm

Thanks Claudia, so pleased you enjoyed it. I’m in love with the ocean [almost] as much as writing, almost. Wishing you the finest of writing weeks.

9 November at 8:42 pm

I will recommend this article to my friends. This is inspirational and motivational at the same time. Sometimes, when we are cynical about life, the only that will keep us moving is passion. We should not let others believe in us, rather we should believe in ourselves.

[…] talk to people a lot to uncover what their stories are really about. I ask people to really go deep sea diving into their own lives to get to those more meaningful places. The stuff we write has to matter, and I’m always pushing to the core, the heart of […]

[…] love is writing fiction so one rock is always related to that—writing my novel, research, or at the least, a free-writing session every day. A far less lovely but […]

[…] so. Aufwachen zu den Klängen des Meeres, die Einrichtung von meiner Laptop auf einem Tisch unter der warmen Sonne und Kokos-Saft direkt aus der Schale schlürfen wie ich Wörter tippen mühelos auf der […]

[…] is the messiness of life—that we all carry multitudes, so must sit with the shifts. Be water. Flowing, flexible and soft. Subtly powerful and open. Wild and serene. Able to accept all changes, yet still led by the […]

[…] Being like water in uncertain or tricky times is to be fluid, moving with ease instead of excessive effort or struggle. It’s the cultivation of a mental state wherein we adapt, finding new solutions to go around the rocks that thwart our path instead of bumping into them, finding ourselves stuck in resistance. Wu Wei is also allowing the water to take you wherever your own story leads. […]

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Beach Description Essay

Looking for simple and beautiful descriptive writing about a beach in summer? The beach description essay below is just what you need! Get inspired for your own creative writing with us.

Introduction

Description of a beach.

Summer is the perfect time for individuals to visit and enjoy the marvelous scenes along the coast. In addition, the feelings and experiences felt on the beach during the summer are always fantastic. Several sceneries and experiences are seen and felt at the beach during summer. These include; the plantation along the beach and inside the sea, the animals, the waters, and the people found on the beach.

The beach appears to be alive and joyful with the presence of the natural vegetation. There are evergreen plantations both along and inside the beach. Images of buoyant seaweeds can be seen along the shore. Palms trees are seen to stand tall along the beach, dancing to the tune of the breeze emanating from the waters of the sea.

The sea grapes and the sea oats are also observed gathered in clusters in the sea next to the shore. Their colored flowers are splendid and brighten at the shining of the summer sun. The sweet scent of the flower grapes sends a signal to the world about the hope brought by nature.

The atmosphere is fully intensified by the aroma produced by the buoyant sea flowers. In addition, from afar, images of leafless trees are also observed. The perfect combination of the vegetation along the beach and inside the sea displays the beauty of nature to the highest peak.

It mesmerizes the eyes to gaze at the beautiful creatures that hover all over the beach and on the deep-sea waters. There are sights of beautiful birds that fly all over the dry shoreland and over the seawaters. Their colored feathers brightened the sea with a marvelous appearance at their illumination by the sun’s rays.

There are varieties of birds that are in the vicinity. For instance, there are pelicans and seagulls. Pelicans are seen hovering over the sand, singing sweet melodies that make the atmosphere at the beach vibrant. The seagulls are also observed to be flying over the seawater in small groups. Some of the birds are gathered in groups spreading the wings that cloaked a soft shadow on the gentle water ripples.

Next to the shore, there are sea turtles that seem to enjoy the summer heat from the sun. Their eggs are also seen to be exposed on the sand by the children that play on the shoreline. Bees are seen flying from one flower to another over the sea grapes. The humming of the bees as they gather nectar from the sea flowers attracts insect-eating birds.

Large crowds are observed all over the seashore. These people come to enjoy themselves on the beach at this period of the year. In the sea, people of all ages and sexes are seen swimming and playing with the cool seawater. The scorching heat from the summer sun is felt on the forehead of all individuals.

This makes the people chill themselves in the cool waters of the sea. The children are seen playing beach ball on the shoreline. Some children are also seen pelt each other with sand on the shoreline. Besides, young boys are observed climbing tall palm trees to gather fruits.

What is more, several activities take place along and inside the shoreline. Vendors are seen carrying ice creams and soft drinks all over the shoreline. Views of homes, hotels, and other buildings that run along the peak of the beach are also seen. On the sand where children play, pieces of shells are scattered.

In most cases, children collect the shells for fun. In the shades built along the shoreline, people are seen reading books, journals, and magazines. Some are seen idling on the sand, while few adults are observed playing football.

However, there is a disgusting scene of plastic bags, cigarette butts, food wrappers, and beer bottles along the beach. These items seem to pollute the entire shoreline and the seawater.

Anglers are also observed far into the sea casting large nets into the waters to have a bulk catch of their prey. Some of the anglers are also observed perching on the edge of the shore carrying sticks in their hands. Their faces displayed the anticipation that they had for their prey.

The deep waters of the sea produce a marvelous view for anyone who gazes at the sea. The water is seen to be slowly running low on the shore. Small waves are also observed crashing on the shoreline. The surface of the sea is seen to appear blue in color.

However, some portions are also seen to have the spectrum that results from the sun’s refracted rays. Deep inside the sea, there are high waves that lift boats up and down mightily. The shimmering waves of the sea that are clear and blue mirror the rays of the hot sun. The refreshing breeze that emanates from the seawater is enjoyable.

In conclusion, the beach has a perfect view and activities that are delightful to experience during the summer. It is a place that everyone would love to be at all times.

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51 Delightful Ocean Writing Prompts

Celebrate the sea, ocean animals, the beach, and marine life using these engaging ocean writing prompts and ideas.

These creative prompts not only reduce writer’s block, but also stretch the imagination, improve writing skills, and instill a love for writing.

That’s why these ocean writing prompts and topics make a perfect addition to your collection of writing prompts.

So try a few of these delightful ocean-themed writing prompts this week.

Ocean Writing Prompts

Following you will find a variety of ocean writing prompts that even reluctant writers love.

1. Give characteristics of an ocean.

2. Use figurative language to describe the ocean.

3. Which activities are best done in the ocean? Tell about them.

4. Write a story about someone who rides waves in the ocean.

5. Explain how the ocean has a calming effect on people.

6. Compare and contrast a stormy vs. a calm ocean.

7. Imagine that you are a sea creature. Write a story that involves you getting lost in the coral reefs.

8. Draft a story about an adventure at sea.

9. Write a story about a family that takes a cruise.

10. If you could interview a mermaid, what questions would you ask and why?

11. Draw a picture of a submarine. Then write a few sentences that describe it.

12. Write an essay that discusses the beauty of the ocean.

13. Draw and write about a seahorse.

14. Sketch a picture of your favorite ocean animal. Write a few words to describe it.

15. You arrive home to find an octopus sleeping in your bed. Write what happens next.

16. The ocean is…

17. Sketch a picture of what it looks like under the sea. Now describe your drawing.

18. Compare and contrast an ocean and a river.

19. Share five facts about your favorite ocean creative. Tell why it is your favorite sea animal.

20. Using the five senses, describe the ocean.

Underwater Adventure Writing Prompts

Dive into the realm of underwater adventure writing prompts. As parents who home educate we have the power to explore boundless possibilities through creative storytelling. These underwater adventure writing prompts will plunge you into a world of imagination, where vibrant marine life, hidden treasures, and mythical creatures await your narrative touch. Dive in together with your children and explore the depths of imagination and discover how writing prompts can stimulate our storytelling prowess.

Beneath the Surface: Describe an Underwater World

Imagining an Exotic Marine Paradise

Picture yourself in an enchanting underwater Eden, where bioluminescent creatures light up the dark waters, and coral reefs form intricate tapestries of color. Describe this vivid marine paradise, where graceful sea turtles glide effortlessly through the crystal-clear waters and schools of neon-hued fish dance in unison. Let your words conjure the vibrant beauty and awe-inspiring diversity of this underwater wonderland.

Unveiling the Secrets of an Ancient Underwater City

Delve into the depths of creativity and craft a tale around an ancient underwater city lost to the annals of time. Imagine the towering spires and grand architecture of this submerged metropolis, now concealed by aquatic flora. Unearth the untold history and mysteries of its inhabitants, and paint a picture of intrigue and wonder that lies hidden beneath the surface.

The Forgotten Abyssal Realm

Venture beyond the sunlit zones and explore the mysterious abyssal realm , where darkness shrouds the ocean’s depths. Describe an otherworldly underwater world where bioluminescent creatures create mesmerizing light shows, illuminating the otherwise pitch-black surroundings. Unveil the strange and fascinating organisms that thrive in this extreme environment, adapted to withstand crushing pressures and scarce resources. Let your words paint a picture of the eerie beauty and surreal landscapes of this forgotten abyss, where nature’s wonders and terrors coexist in an intricate balance.

Deep Dive: A Tale of Oceanic Discovery

Creating Characters for an Underwater Expedition

Assemble a cast of intrepid explorers ready to embark on a daring underwater expedition. Each character brings their unique expertise and quirks to the table, forming a dynamic team ready to face the challenges of the deep. From seasoned divers to marine biologists and enthusiastic tech experts, explore their motivations, fears, and dreams as they plunge into the unknown.

Unraveling Mysteries in the Deep Blue Sea

Set the stage for a gripping mystery as your characters uncover a hidden underwater treasure or a long-lost artifact. The ocean holds secrets of shipwrecks and sunken civilizations, waiting to be unraveled by your creative storytelling prowess. From decoding ancient maps to deciphering cryptic clues, immerse your readers in a web of suspense and adventure.

Lost Civilization Beneath the Tides

Descend into the ocean depths to uncover the remains of a lost civilization that once thrived underwater. Your characters stumble upon ancient ruins, submerged temples, and cryptic artifacts that hold the secrets of an advanced society from eons ago. Unravel the enigmatic history of this submerged civilization and explore how its legacy impacts the present world. What challenges will your characters face in their quest to piece together the mysteries of this long-forgotten realm?

The Enigmatic Underwater Creature

Craft a narrative around a mythical or unknown underwater creature that haunts the imagination of sailors and divers alike. Legend speaks of a majestic, elusive being lurking in the ocean’s depths, captivating all who encounter it. Dive deep into the folklore surrounding this enigmatic creature and build anticipation as your characters set out on a daring mission to catch a glimpse of this elusive marvel. Will they find what they seek, or will they uncover something far beyond their wildest imaginations?

The Enchanted Mermaid: Crafting a Mythical Tale

The Lore and Legend of Mermaids

Mermaids have enchanted human imagination for centuries, their tales transcending cultures and time. Dive into the mythical lore surrounding these mesmerizing creatures – half-human, half-fish – and explore the various legends that surround them in mystery and allure. From Greek mythology to folklore from around the world, understand the essence of these captivating beings.

Conjuring a Mesmerizing Tale of an Underwater Enchantress

Compose a mythical tale that revolves around a mermaid and her adventures beneath the waves. This enchanting protagonist can be compassionate, curious, or even mischievous. Unleash your creative prowess to construct her world, her desires, and the challenges she faces. In this underwater fantasy , let your words weave a tale that captivates readers and transports them to an otherworldly oceanic realm.

Shipwrecked: A Survivor’s Story

Crafting the Journey of a Shipwreck Survivor

Imagine the harrowing experience of a character shipwrecked in the open sea. Confronted with isolation, vulnerability, and the vastness of the ocean, your protagonist must navigate through physical and emotional challenges. Unfold their resilience, fear, and hope as they strive to survive amidst the unforgiving waves.

The Resilience and Determination to Survive in the Open Ocean

As your character grapples with survival, delve into the human spirit’s unyielding determination to overcome adversity. Through eloquent prose, illustrate their resourcefulness and their newfound appreciation for life as they form an unbreakable bond with the ocean, one that transforms them profoundly.

Environmental Awakening: The Plight of Marine Life

Raising Awareness through Storytelling

Stories have the power to inspire action, and you have the pen to script change. Create a narrative that brings to light the plight of marine life, emphasizing the consequences of human impact on oceans. Whether it’s the devastating effects of plastic pollution or the urgency of coral reef conservation, let your words spark empathy and drive readers towards a deeper understanding of environmental issues .

Conveying the Urgency of Ocean Conservation through Narrative

Craft a powerful tale that motivates readers to become stewards of the oceans. Your story can revolve around an individual or a community taking action to protect marine life and habitats. Through storytelling, instill a sense of responsibility and ignite the desire for change in the hearts of your readers, urging them to contribute to the preservation of our planet’s greatest asset – the oceans.

Underwater adventure writing prompts unleash a wave of creativity, carrying you to unexplored depths of imagination. From vivid marine paradises and daring expeditions to mythical tales of enchanting mermaids, the possibilities are as boundless as the ocean itself. As you dive into the depths of storytelling, let these writing prompts be your guide to crafting captivating narratives that mesmerize, educate, and inspire. Embrace the adventure, and let your words ripple through the minds of readers, leaving a lasting impact on the shores of their consciousness.

If you are looking for more writing prompts be sure to check out our ultimate guide to writing prompts with links to all our different writing prompt topics.

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Coastal Inspirations: Describe Seashells Creative Writing

My name is Debbie, and I am passionate about developing a love for the written word and planting a seed that will grow into a powerful voice that can inspire many.

Coastal Inspirations: Describe Seashells Creative Writing

The Beauty of Seashells: A Coastal Inspiration for Creative Writing

Exploring the diversity of seashells: a world at your feet, uncovering the stories within seashells: the secrets they hold, seashells as symbols of resilience and adaptation: lessons from the coast, seashells: resilience and adaptation in the coastal realm, harnessing the ethereal magic of seashells: fueling your creative imagination, uncovering the beauty of seashell poetry, creating seashell art: embracing nature’s canvas for unique expressions, unlocking the mysteries of seashells: scientific fascination for writers, frequently asked questions, concluding remarks.

Step onto the beach and dive into the mesmerizing world of seashells – nature’s intricate masterpieces that tell stories of the vast ocean depths. These mesmerizing treasures offer not only visual delight but also endless inspiration for creative writing. Their delicate shapes, vibrant colors, and unique patterns evoke a sense of wonder and mystery, inviting us to explore our imaginations and unleash the power of the written word.

Immerse yourself in the coastal charm of seashells, and watch as your creative writing takes flight. Let the enchanting spirals of conch shells transport you to mystical realms where seafaring adventures and mermaid tales come to life. Feel the rhythmic grooves of scallop shells under your fingertips, as they whisper tales of hidden treasures and long-lost pirate escapades. Explore the delicate intricacies of sea stars, and unravel the secrets of a cloistered underwater world through poetic descriptions and vivid storytelling. With seashells as your muse, your writing will be imbued with the ethereal beauty and enchantment of the coast.

Exploring the Diversity of Seashells: A World at Your Feet

The world of seashells is a fascinating one, brimming with a diverse array of shapes, sizes, and colors. Each shell has its own story to tell, showcasing the wonders of nature and the beauty of the deep blue sea. There is an infinite number of seashell varieties scattered across our beaches, waiting to be discovered and admired.

Seashells come in a vast range of shapes, from the iconic spiral of the nautilus to the delicate lace-like patterns of the wentletrap. Some shells have jagged edges, while others are smooth and glossy. They can be massive like the giant clamshell or so tiny that they can fit in the palm of your hand. Imagine the thrill of stumbling upon a rare pink conch or a perfectly intact sand dollar during your coastal adventures.

Uncovering the Stories Within Seashells: The Secrets They Hold

Hidden beneath their beautiful exteriors , seashells possess an intriguing world of history and secrets. These delicate wonders serve as reminders of the vast oceans they come from and the fascinating creatures that once inhabited them. Each shell tells a unique story, a testament to the natural wonders of our planet. From the shores of distant islands to the depths of the ocean floor, seashells hold a wealth of information waiting to be uncovered.

Seashells as time capsules transport us to ancient eras, allowing us to catch a glimpse of the past. The intricate patterns etched on their surfaces reveal not only the evolution of these mollusks but also the environmental changes that occurred throughout time. These seemingly fragile shells are, in fact, the remarkable result of a complex process that imprints the life story of each individual organism. Whether it’s the vibrant colors of a seashell or the delicate ridges that symbolize its growth rings, each characteristic has a tale to tell.

Seashells as Symbols of Resilience and Adaptation: Lessons from the Coast

Seashells have mesmerized humans for centuries, not only for their remarkable beauty but also as enduring symbols of resilience and adaptation. As we stroll along sandy shores, it becomes evident that these small treasures hold valuable lessons that transcend their delicate appearance.

Seashells, like tiny time capsules, bear witness to the countless challenges faced by marine life. They serve as a powerful reminder that life finds a way to thrive even in the harshest of environments. Just as seashells endure the relentless crashing of waves, constant weather changes, and the ever-shifting tides, they embody the spirit of resilience.

Strength in Fragility: Seashells may seem fragile, but their ability to withstand the unforgiving forces of nature is astonishing. Their carefully honed shapes and composition allow them to absorb and distribute incoming waves efficiently, preventing damage. In the face of adversity, seashells teach us that even the most delicate beings possess inner strength and resilience.
Adapting to Change: The variety of seashells that flourish across coastlines worldwide reflects their remarkable adaptability. Each unique species has evolved over time to survive and thrive in specific ecological niches. By adapting their shape, color, and behavior, seashells demonstrate how embracing change and accommodating new circumstances can lead to prosperity.
Building Solid Foundations: Just as seashells meticulously layer mineral compounds to create their hardened exteriors, we, too, can learn the importance of building strong foundations . Seashells symbolize the resilience that stems from a solid base. By nurturing our physical, mental, and emotional well-being, we enable ourselves to weather the storms of life with grace and fortitude.

The coastal realm is an ever-changing landscape, and seashells stand as timeless beacons of adaptability and resilience. Let these reminders from the coast inspire us to face life’s challenges head-on, embracing change, and finding strength within ourselves.

Seashells, adorned with their intricate designs and captivating hues, have long been revered as more than just natural treasures. They possess an ethereal magic that can ignite and elevate our creative imagination to new heights. By tapping into the enchantment of seashells, we can unlock a world of inspiration and unleash the full force of our artistic potential.

1. Connecting with Nature’s Artistry: Seashells are nature’s very own masterpieces, crafted with meticulous precision. By immersing ourselves in their beautiful shapes, patterns, and textures, we can immerse our minds in the essence of art itself. Take a moment to observe how the delicate swirls mimic the strokes of a paintbrush or the symmetrical lines mirror the architectural wonders of our world. Let the artwork of seashells transport you to realms where imagination and creativity have no boundaries.

2. Channeling the Energy of the Ocean: Seashells are infused with the power of the mighty ocean, and by bringing them into our creative process, we can harness that untamed energy. Feel the tides of inspiration wash over you as you hold a seashell in your hand, connecting you to the vast expanse of the sea. Let the rhythmic sounds of waves crashing against the shore guide your artistic flow. Like an ocean breeze, seashells can invigorate your imagination, allowing ideas to flow freely and effortlessly.

Seashell Poetry: Capturing the Whispers of the Sea

Seashells hold within them a magical allure that has captivated humans for centuries. They serve as vessels of inspiration, containing the elusive whispers of the sea. Like hidden treasures washed ashore, seashells invite us to embark on a poetic journey, where we can uncover the enchanting stories whispered by the ocean waves.

When we hold a seashell to our ear, we are transported to a world untouched by time. The gentle roar of the waves seems to resonate from within, awakening our sense of wonder. With each delicate curve and intricate pattern, seashells come alive, inviting us to explore the mysteries of the deep blue.

Diving deeper into the world of seashell poetry, we discover an array of captivating themes and imagery:

Mermaid’s Lullaby: Immerse yourself in the magic of the sea through verses that evoke the soothing songs of mythical mermaids.
Whispering Secrets: Explore the hidden wisdom concealed within seashells, as they reveal the secrets of the depths only to those who truly listen.
Dancing with Sunbeams: Dive into the shimmering world of seashells, where sunlight dances upon their iridescent surfaces, illuminating poetic verses.

Seashell poetry allows us to unlock our imagination, blending the beauty of nature with the power of words. It invites us to become storytellers, capturing the essence of the whispering sea within our lines. So next time you stroll along the sandy shore, take a moment to pick up a seashell and let its poetry guide your creative spirit.

Seashells retain an alluring charm, each carrying its own story of the ocean. They provide a remarkable medium for artistic expression, as their unique shapes, patterns, and colors effortlessly enhance any artistic creation. When creating seashell art, the possibilities are boundless, allowing you to unleash your creativity and embrace nature’s intricate canvas.

To begin your seashell art journey, start by collecting a diverse array of shells. Explore sandy beaches or visit local shell shops to discover an assortment of shapes, sizes, and textures. Remember, each shell has its own character, and the combinations you choose will define the overall aesthetic of your artwork. Once you have gathered your shells, separate them by type and size to easily visualize the design possibilities.

Next, consider the various art forms you can explore with seashells. From simple crafts to intricate mosaics, there is something for everyone. Experiment with the following techniques to create captivating seashell masterpieces:

– **Shell Collages**: Arrange shells on a canvas or a piece of wood, playing with composition and color to create an eye-catching collage. You can glue them directly onto the surface or use a strong adhesive to ensure they stay in place.

– **Shell Jewelry**: Transform shells into stunning accessories by drilling holes or using wire to attach them to earring hooks, necklaces, or bracelets. You can add other elements like beads or pearls to further personalize your designs.

– **Shell Mosaics**: Arrange shells in intricate patterns or pictures to create stunning mosaics. Apply a layer of adhesive onto a surface, such as a tabletop or a mirror frame, then carefully arrange the shells to form your desired design. Seal the mosaic with a protective varnish to ensure its longevity.

These are just a few artistic pathways to embark on when embracing seashell art. Allow the beauty of nature’s canvas to inspire your creations, as you bring seashells to life in unique and captivating ways. So go ahead, let your imagination run wild , and create breathtaking artworks that capture the essence of the ocean.

Seashells have captivated the human imagination for centuries, leaving us in awe of their intricate beauty and fascinating patterns. Yet, beyond their aesthetic appeal lies a world of scientific wonder waiting to be explored. For writers seeking inspiration, delving into the secrets held within seashells offers an endless source of creativity and knowledge.

Embark on a journey alongside scientists who have dedicated their lives to unraveling the enigmatic nature of seashells. From the vibrant hues of the rare conus gloriamaris to the spiral perfection of the nautilus, these seemingly unassuming treasures are a testament to the awe-inspiring intricacies of nature. Discover how each shell tells a unique story, shaped by ancient oceans and evolutionary processes that span millions of years. Delve into the deep-rooted symbolism associated with seashells across various cultures and uncover their significance in folklore, art, and literature.

Explore the diverse classification of seashells and the fascinating names bestowed upon them.
Unravel the biological mysteries behind the formation and growth of shells.
Learn about the extraordinary adaptations that enable mollusks to create and utilize their protective exoskeletons.
Discover how seashells have been intertwined with human history, from ancient trade routes to modern scientific advancements.

The world of seashells offers an unparalleled opportunity for writers to immerse themselves in scientific intrigue while weaving compelling narratives. Whether you wish to explore the realm of marine biology, develop colorful characters with symbolic ties to these exquisite wonders, or simply find inspiration in the interplay between science and creativity, unlocking the mysteries of seashells will undoubtedly fuel your literary imagination.

Q: What is “Coastal Inspirations: Describe Seashells Creative Writing” all about? A: “Coastal Inspirations: Describe Seashells Creative Writing” is an article that explores the beauty and creativity of seashells through the art of descriptive writing.

Q: Why are seashells considered to be coastal inspirations? A: Seashells are often found along the coastlines, washed ashore by the tides. Their intricate patterns, vibrant colors, and unique shapes make them a captivating inspiration for creative writing.

Q: How can seashells be described creatively? A: Creative writing about seashells involves using vivid and poetic language to describe their physical characteristics, such as the texture, color, and shape. Additionally, writers may delve into the emotions or memories that these shells evoke, creating a more profound and personal narrative.

Q: What are some examples of descriptive language that can be used to describe seashells? A: Descriptive language can bring seashells to life, allowing readers to visualize their beauty. Words like “iridescent,” “glistening,” “pearlescent,” “curved,” “mottled,” and “petal-like” are just a few examples that can enhance the description of seashells.

Q: Can writing about seashells be a therapeutic and calming experience? A: Absolutely! Writing about seashells can provide a peaceful and therapeutic experience. The act of connecting with nature and expressing oneself through creative writing can foster a sense of calm and tranquility, promoting mindfulness and self-reflection.

Q: Is previous experience in creative writing necessary to describe seashells effectively? A: Not at all. Creative writing is accessible to everyone, regardless of their previous experience. All it takes is a willingness to observe, reflect, and express oneself. Everyone’s unique perspective will bring something new to their description of seashells.

Q: Can children also partake in this creative writing exercise ? A: Absolutely! In fact, children often have a vivid imagination, making them perfect candidates for exploring creative writing about seashells. This activity can enhance their observation skills and encourage them to express their thoughts and emotions through writing.

Q: Are there any benefits to practicing creative writing about seashells? A: Yes, there are several benefits to practicing creative writing about seashells. Aside from promoting mindfulness and tranquility, it can enhance one’s descriptive writing skills , foster creativity and imagination, as well as enable personal reflection and self-expression.

Q: How can one get started with creative writing about seashells? A: To start writing creatively about seashells, one can begin by finding a quiet and inspirational spot, preferably near the coastline. Take time to observe the shells, paying attention to their details. Then, let the imagination flow and start writing descriptions, feelings, or narratives inspired by these beautiful coastal treasures.

Q: Are there any writing prompts or exercises that can further enhance creative writing about seashells? A: Yes, there are many exercises one could try! For instance, you could imagine yourself as a shell, describing your surroundings and your purpose in a poetic manner. Another exercise could involve writing a short story or a poem inspired by a specific seashell you find particularly captivating. These prompts can ignite creativity and reveal new perspectives.

In conclusion, exploring the coastal seashells through creative writing offers a unique outlet for personal expression and inspiration.

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George Saunders photographed by his daughter at home in New York State.

Always wanted to write? Booker winner George Saunders on how to get started

The Booker winner discusses work, wisdom and the drive to teach, plus seven key tips on how to write well

W hile George Saunders was writing his latest book, A Swim in a Pond in the Rain , he noticed something strange. The book examines seven Russian short stories, which Saunders has taught on the creative writing course at Syracuse University, New York, for 20 years. Many writers teach, and many have a difficult relationship with teaching, but Saunders long ago “decided to not let it be like that”. He sliced his weeks into three days of teaching, four of writing, a clear division of roles. But when he started the Russian book, however, his two lives merged.

He adopted his “teaching stance” while he wrote, and was amazed by “how much fun” he had. “There’s a different sensibility when I walk into a classroom,” he says. The outward appearance is the same – “sloppy balding hippy” – but “I’m a slightly nicer and less egotistical person”. With this slightly nicer, less egotistical person at the keyboard, interesting things began to happen, and his fiction-writing self “got a real boost”.

A Swim in a Pond in the Rain by George Saunders

Last month Saunders launched the “natural extension” to his teaching and that book: Story Club, a subscription newsletter on Substack . In his twice-weekly newsletter, Saunders promises to look at what makes stories work – and “what [we can] learn about the mind by watching it read and process a story”. He will also look at what makes stories not work, including sharing his own early drafts of tales knocked back by the New Yorker. One week after launch, thousands had already subscribed.

But why does Saunders want to do it? What wisdom, if any, does he want to impart? He won MacArthur and Guggenheim fellowships in 2006 off the back of his first short-story collections, and since then the awards and accolades have rolled in. There was the Folio prize for Tenth of December in 2014, and in 2017 a Booker for Lincoln in the Bardo , his first – and so far, only – novel. It is set in the graveyard where Abraham Lincoln’s son was buried, and populated by a troupe of restless ghosts. But even before he wrote it, Saunders was a literary celebrity. David Sedaris, Lena Dunham, Miranda July and Ben Stiller voiced the audiobook. All of which means: “At this point,” Saunders says, speaking on the phone from his home in Corralitos, California, “I’m like a grizzled eminence.”

He could be locking himself away to write the “big War and Peace-type novel that spans 10 or 15 years and goes into a lot of people’s heads” that he’s spoken about recently. But instead, eminence has taught Saunders to weigh the extra potency it gives his teaching. “If my bit of disapproval or indifference or praise has an undue effect, good.” He is 63, and his age seems to fidget at the edge of his vision. In a podcast with Substack, he said he joined the platform because he “hated” the idea of losing the wisdom that students have imparted to him over the years. (It is typical of his magnanimity that he posits himself as the gatherer of others’ wisdom rather than the purveyor of his own.) “I thought: ‘So when I’m done with this life, that’s gone …’” Confronting that idea made him feel “a little miffed”, so he came up with Story Club.

In his genial introduction he describes how he sees the club working: “The writer is a person running through some winter woods, wearing ice skates. The creative writing programme (or Story Club) is a frozen pond that suddenly appears: you are, of course, still using your own natural energy (because what else could you use?), are still headed in ‘your’ direction – only now, you’re moving faster.

“So, as in that metaphor, the writer doesn’t have to worry, or obsess, or get her ducks in a row, or plan: she just has to skate, which means she has to be energetic in relation to the challenges the teacher puts in front of her; willing to take them on in a spirit of: ‘Well, what the heck – it might help.’”

His first newsletter includes a photograph of his solitary writing shed in the woods behind the house in Corralitos. His wife, Paula, bought it for him a few years ago, and it’s a writer’s dream. No fences or distant rooftops. Just the shed surrounded by trees and the shadows of trees. Writers’ rooms are usually reclusive. But Saunders is using his to host a writing community. Why does he care? “I suppose one of the things that a person worries about along the way is, ‘Does this really matter?’”

He got an answer to this question as soon as the letters started to arrive from readers of A Swim in a Pond in the Rain . Saunders has always had a healthy mailbag. “But those letters about the Russian book … People were saying they were going through a hard time and the book spoke to them. It wasn’t anything philosophical. It was just the feeling of another human voice talking to them.” Saunders is a great writer, and part of the greatness is that reading him feels very much like being spoken to kindly.

This might be why some people wrote to add their observations to his readings of the stories. Others wrote to disagree. One woman argued for close study of the horse in Tolstoy’s Master and Man. “And she’s absolutely right,” he says. When somebody writes to say “‘I hated your novel’, that’s not so fun”. But if they respond to a story, “that’s a classroom conversation”, right there in the shed. Saunders’s wisdom of teaching is: “Make energy. You feel the temperature rise, then it’s like everybody in the room has ripened.”

A Swim in a Pond in the Rain advocates the closest kind of close reading. There are diagrams and grids, nuts and bolts. Saunders studied engineering at university and he loves “that close, almost engineering way” of approaching text. “I find it really comforting to think that it’s a process,” he says. But the approach provides other kinds of solace, too.

“To go up in that shed every day was so helpful.” It was, he says, a way of saying: “‘I can’t control the world.’ We do so much projective worrying. There are all these feeds coming into our house, into our heads, telling us all the horrible things that are happening … And we welcome it in … ” But if a person chooses instead to “check on a cool story, you are concentrating on something, and you are watching your own mind react to it. I think that is good in the way that meditation is good.

“For me, the pandemic – I see it as a little bit like dying and being a ghost. Because you can see the world. It’s still there. And you can remember being in it and loving it and not having to worry about wearing a mask … You can remember that but you can’t do it. So it does, in the same way being a ghost would, make a little pause. Like: ‘Hah! Wow! This world is crazy. It’s wonderful. I wish I was in it again!’ And of course the hope is that we’ll get back in it.”

As well as lifting you out of the anxiety of the pandemic, such close reading, he believes, is key to writing your own work. When Saunders went into teaching mode in his shed, he says, “I suddenly was seeing ideas all over the place.” Ordinarily he’s “a one-or-two-stories-a-year person”. But after he finished A Swim in a Pond in the Rain, he wrote four in 18 months, and has sent off the manuscript for his next collection. The effect of reading so closely was “like listening to a bunch of great albums and trying to take them apart, and suddenly you’re musical”.

“This is so corny,” he says, but one night, soon after he had completed A Swim in a Pond in the Rain, he “actually had a dream of the first four or five lines” of a story. He got out of bed, went to the kitchen and sat down to write. “I don’t usually do this. But I got all the way to the end of it at three in the morning.” He then spent a year revising.

Saunders says Substack won’t take him away from the great novel, “because I don’t know what it is”. He just knows there is a hankering for such a thing, and he wonders if he “could write about regular people in America”. As he puts it: “I got to come to the table as a published writer with the first couple of books that were very funny and sci-fi and dystopian. So now I feel like I’m coming on a journey to figure out to what extent that chimes with my actual feelings about life. I guess I want to make sure that what I’m doing is not in any way trivial. In other words, that it would speak to people in the future, that it would be a properly, very properly, recognised book, the light and the darkness in human existence. When I think about War and Peace, that took a real swing at it … So I just want to take a really good swing at it.”

Besides, he says: “I don’t like relaxing. My policy is [to] overload myself. I work better with less sleep and I work better with more work.”

To learn more or to subscribe to receive George’s work in your inbox, visit Story Club at georgesaunders.substack.com

Seven ways to improve your creative writing

1 Revise “Intuition, those momentary flashes of judgment that we have when we are editing, that’s really where the gold is,” Saunders says. In Story Club, he describes his mental compass, which has a needle that points to P (Positive) or N (Negative) according to how he feels when he rereads his own words. He checks the needle each sentence. If it points to N, he revises. He revises till the needle points to P for the entire text.

2 Number the drafts Saunders calls this “psychological self‑gaming”. Every time there’s a big change, he renumbers the draft. “I can go back, and say: ‘Oh, I’m on 98.’” Does he get into the thousands? “It depends how you count them.”

3 Print Revision is “not meaningful unless I print,” he says. “There’s a visual difference in reading on the page versus the computer. I don’t trust it unless I’m reading a hard copy.”

4 Know when you over-revise Those new to writing should overwrite just “to get a familiarity with their particular world. We have to learn our individual symptoms” of over-revision. “For me,” Saunders says, “the symptom is the humour goes out of it.”

5 Any time can be good time “Productivity and time at desk are not necessarily linearly related,” Saunders says. “When I used to have that engineering job, I was never writing more than 40 minutes at a time. And then I would sit down and do that little mental thing: ‘I hereby permit you to write at your desk. Go ahead. Cut the bullshit. Cut to the chase.’”

6 Face the problems in your story “If you try to deny the problem and write in spite of the problem in a story you’re writing, it is not going to be very good. But if you say to yourself in the story: ‘You got a problem, haven’t you?’ then the result is going to be better because it’s honest.”

7 Avoid thinking about your book’s big themes “If there’s a little idea that comes to me that’s not sucky, that kind of interests me, I go: ‘OK, I’m going to do that.’ But at that point your mind starts saying: ‘And the reason I’m doing that is because it’s a critique of patriarchy.’ I cut that off. ‘No, no. We don’t know why we’re doing it. We’re just doing it because we like it, and it will tell us what it’s about.’”

George Saunders

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bluff New Member

Creative writing on the sea.

Discussion in ' Word games ' started by bluff , May 24, 2008 .

googletag.cmd.push(function() { googletag.display('funpub_a27a87ba7279b230ae32f30062ebbd95'); }); Hey guys! I was hoping if I could get some ideas on writing about the sea. Its for a school assessment. I have ideas which need further development. I also need further creative ideas. The writing is mainly about the beach, the sea, and swimming in the sea. Any ideas?? I especially need help/suggestions with ideas which include metaphors and similies. Cheers! Much Appreciated!

googletag.cmd.push(function() { googletag.display('funpub_a27a87ba7279b230ae32f30062ebbd95'); }); Also, you could also refer me to any texts which include creative writing on the sea/ocean/beach/water

Al B New Member

googletag.cmd.push(function() { googletag.display('funpub_a27a87ba7279b230ae32f30062ebbd95'); }); There are many decent writers of nautical fiction, some obvious choices to read if you want to check out technique would be: Patrick O'Brian, author of the Aubrey/Mauturin series which the film Master and Commander is based on; James Nelson, who writes similarly themed books on the period in a more modern style; Richard Armstrong, who wrote a large series of nautical adventures which were very much in the style of Robert Heinlein's 'juvenile' novels, in that they were aimed at young adults, they are not childish however, so can still be enjoyed by an adult reader; Tom Clancy, whose writings I personally do not like, but a hallmark of his books is masses of technical detail, many of which feature submarines and warships, so if putting huge amounts of technical naval data in your tale is something you fancy, he'd be worth a look. You might not actually want to write about ships travelling on the sea, but reading books of that nature will obviously be one of the best sources for descriptive material on matters pertaining to water and the sea. Oddly enough, one of my ongoing novels does have a lot of nautical episodes in it, it being set during the wars between England and the Spanish/French alliance. It features a very long sea trip, which is part of the adventure, so the detail had to be correct. Because of that, there a few things I can warn you to watch out for, and some things which are worth noting that can assist your narrative. First, any lack of believable knowledge on sailing techniques or the ocean's terminology and behaviour would be a glaring error in your prose, so you need to do plenty of research on that, for example, I had to do a lot of research on the speed of ships and the routes they would take in the 17th century, so that I could write my tale with a believable passage of time, I was surprised to find that a ship of the size I was writing about would have been doing well to maintain anything over an average speed of six knots, but my research of logs and historical documentation confirmed it. I'd recommend looking at some sailing tutorial websites if you are not at all familiar with sailing (fortunately I am) as they will teach you many basic concepts about the subject, and even if not actually writing about sailing, you will learn a lot about the behaviour of the sea itself in terms of tides and currents, and that knowledge will show through in your writing. I also had to do a lot of research on combat between ships for my tale, and that's important because otherwise I might have been tempted to go off what I had seen in movies, which whilst often thrilling, is also often nothing like how things really transpired. So, again, getting a lot of technical books on what you intend to write about, or searching reputable online resources, is invaluable. A good example of where that might go horribly wrong without some decent research, would be to write about a submarine in the Persian Gulf, submarines do operate in the Persian Gulf, but they are usually not nuclear ones, because diesel/electric ones are actually quieter and harder to detect than nuclear ones, and therefore better in shallow water, and the Persian Gulf is mostly shallow. Without knowing that, through a bit of research, writing based on assumptions rather than research would mean ending up with a glaring error in the tale. Next, the English language, being formed by an island nation with a nautical tradition, English is absolutely littered with words and expressions of a nautical origin, and these could trip you up if thrown into your text incorrectly when writing on a nautical theme. things such as: 'without a clue', 'the devil to pay' 'taken aback' 'go by the board' 'in the offing 'at loggerheads' 'skyscraper' 'first rate' 'halcyon days' 'show your true colours' etc etc. All these have a nautical origin, and I've only listed a few, and they often have a technical basis and a strange route on finding their way into the English language; 'Admiral', for example, is actually an Arabic word, which means master of the sea, 'without a clue' and 'clueless', would originally have been spelled 'clew' referring to the ring attachment and clew line at the bottom of a sail which attaches it to the hull, so when a sail is flapping in the wind having not been secured, it is 'clewless'. also note the terminology there, in that I used the word 'line' rather than 'rope', which is important, there are very few instances when the word 'rope' would be used on a ship. There are quite a few websites dedicated to the origins of nautical phrases and words in the English language, do a search on google and you will come across them, and they are well worth a look to avoid making an error in your prose of which you would otherwise be unaware, and to help with inspiration too. It's amazing the amount of ideas it can spark for your writing when you read up on those origins, and many of the events in my own nautical tale were inspired in just such a way. Al

googletag.cmd.push(function() { googletag.display('funpub_a27a87ba7279b230ae32f30062ebbd95'); }); hey thanks for the reply! My creative writing assessment (for year 12) is based on the sea... I am writing about a person from a city who longs to go back to the countryside-where he originally comes from. I am basing it on the New Zealand countryside. The person is dreaming about going for a swim in the ocean in early morning. The beach and ocean is covered by early morning mist and native bush surrounds the area. The water is cold, but the person really enjoys the swim. (Picture from http://www.flickr.com/photos/sondyaustin/636993592/ Flickr by Sandy Austin Family) My inspiration is from this place!^^ Any ideas which can describe the place well?

Cogito Former Mod, Retired Supporter Contributor

googletag.cmd.push(function() { googletag.display('funpub_a27a87ba7279b230ae32f30062ebbd95'); }); I think the assignment really requires you to get in touch with your own creativity in this case. What you are asking is too central to the assignment.

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French Journal of English Studies

Home Numéros 59 1 - Tisser les liens : voyager, e... 36 Views of Moscow Mountain: Teac...

36 Views of Moscow Mountain: Teaching Travel Writing and Mindfulness in the Tradition of Hokusai and Thoreau

L'auteur américain Henry David Thoreau est un écrivain du voyage qui a rarement quitté sa ville natale de Concorde, Massachusetts, où il a vécu de 1817 à 1862. Son approche du "voyage" consiste à accorder une profonde attention à son environnement ordinaire et à voir le monde à partir de perspectives multiples, comme il l'explique avec subtilité dans Walden (1854). Inspiré par Thoreau et par la célèbre série de gravures du peintre d'estampes japonais Katsushika Hokusai, intitulée 36 vues du Mt. Fuji (1830-32), j'ai fait un cours sur "L'écriture thoreauvienne du voyage" à l'Université de l'Idaho, que j'appelle 36 vues des montagnes de Moscow: ou, Faire un grand voyage — l'esprit et le carnet ouvert — dans un petit lieu . Cet article explore la philosophie et les stratégies pédagogiques de ce cours, qui tente de partager avec les étudiants les vertus d'un regard neuf sur le monde, avec les yeux vraiment ouverts, avec le regard d'un voyageur, en "faisant un grand voyage" à Moscow, Idaho. Les étudiants affinent aussi leurs compétences d'écriture et apprennent les traditions littéraires et artistiques associées au voyage et au sens du lieu.

Index terms

Keywords: , designing a writing class to foster engagement.

1 The signs at the edge of town say, "Entering Moscow, Idaho. Population 25,060." This is a small hamlet in the midst of a sea of rolling hills, where farmers grow varieties of wheat, lentils, peas, and garbanzo beans, irrigated by natural rainfall. Although the town of Moscow has a somewhat cosmopolitan feel because of the presence of the University of Idaho (with its 13,000 students and a few thousand faculty and staff members), elegant restaurants, several bookstores and music stores, and a patchwork of artsy coffee shops on Main Street, the entire mini-metropolis has only about a dozen traffic lights and a single high school. As a professor of creative writing and the environmental humanities at the university, I have long been interested in finding ways to give special focuses to my writing and literature classes that will help my students think about the circumstances of their own lives and find not only academic meaning but personal significance in our subjects. I have recently taught graduate writing workshops on such themes as "The Body" and "Crisis," but when I was given the opportunity recently to teach an undergraduate writing class on Personal and Exploratory Writing, I decided to choose a focus that would bring me—and my students—back to one of the writers who has long been of central interest to me: Henry David Thoreau.

2 One of the courses I have routinely taught during the past six years is Environmental Writing, an undergraduate class that I offer as part of the university's Semester in the Wild Program, a unique undergraduate opportunity that sends a small group of students to study five courses (Ecology, Environmental History, Environmental Writing, Outdoor Leadership and Wilderness Survival, and Wilderness Management and Policy) at a remote research station located in the middle of the largest wilderness area (the Frank Church River of No Return Wilderness) in the United States south of Alaska. In "Teaching with Wolves," a recent article about the Semester in the Wild Program, I explained that my goal in the Environmental Writing class is to help the students "synthesize their experience in the wilderness with the content of the various classes" and "to think ahead to their professional lives and their lives as engaged citizens, for which critical thinking and communication skills are so important" (325). A foundational text for the Environmental Writing class is a selection from Thoreau's personal journal, specifically the entries he made October 1-20, 1853, which I collected in the 1993 writing textbook Being in the World: An Environmental Reader for Writers . I ask the students in the Semester in the Wild Program to deeply immerse themselves in Thoreau's precise and colorful descriptions of the physical world that is immediately present to him and, in turn, to engage with their immediate encounters with the world in their wilderness location. Thoreau's entries read like this:

Oct. 4. The maples are reddening, and birches yellowing. The mouse-ear in the shade in the middle of the day, so hoary, looks as if the frost still lay on it. Well it wears the frost. Bumblebees are on the Aster undulates , and gnats are dancing in the air. Oct. 5. The howling of the wind about the house just before a storm to-night sounds extremely like a loon on the pond. How fit! Oct. 6 and 7. Windy. Elms bare. (372)

3 In thinking ahead to my class on Personal and Exploratory Writing, which would be offered on the main campus of the University of Idaho in the fall semester of 2018, I wanted to find a topic that would instill in my students the Thoreauvian spirit of visceral engagement with the world, engagement on the physical, emotional, and philosophical levels, while still allowing my students to remain in the city and live their regular lives as students. It occurred to me that part of what makes Thoreau's journal, which he maintained almost daily from 1837 (when he was twenty years old) to 1861 (just a year before his death), such a rich and elegant work is his sense of being a traveler, even when not traveling geographically.

Traveling a Good Deal in Moscow

I have traveled a good deal in Concord…. --Henry David Thoreau, Walden (1854; 4)

4 For Thoreau, one did not need to travel a substantial physical distance in order to be a traveler, in order to bring a traveler's frame of mind to daily experience. His most famous book, Walden , is well known as an account of the author's ideas and daily experiments in simple living during the two years, two months, and two days (July 4, 1845, to September 6, 1847) he spent inhabiting a simple wooden house that he built on the shore of Walden Pond, a small lake to the west of Boston, Massachusetts. Walden Pond is not a remote location—it is not out in the wilderness. It is on the edge of a small village, much like Moscow, Idaho. The concept of "traveling a good deal in Concord" is a kind of philosophical and psychological riddle. What does it mean to travel extensively in such a small place? The answer to this question is meaningful not only to teachers hoping to design writing classes in the spirit of Thoreau but to all who are interested in travel as an experience and in the literary genre of travel writing.

5 Much of Walden is an exercise in deftly establishing a playful and intellectually challenging system of synonyms, an array of words—"economy," "deliberateness," "simplicity," "dawn," "awakening," "higher laws," etc.—that all add up to powerful probing of what it means to live a mindful and attentive life in the world. "Travel" serves as a key, if subtle, metaphor for the mindful life—it is a metaphor and also, in a sense, a clue: if we can achieve the traveler's perspective without going far afield, then we might accomplish a kind of enlightenment. Thoreau's interest in mindfulness becomes clear in chapter two of Walden , "Where I Lived, and What I Lived For," in which he writes, "Morning is when I am awake and there is a dawn in me. To be awake is to be alive. I have never yet met a man who was quite awake. How could I have looked him in the face?" The latter question implies the author's feeling that he is himself merely evolving as an awakened individual, not yet fully awake, or mindful, in his efforts to live "a poetic or divine life" (90). Thoreau proceeds to assert that "We must learn to reawaken and keep ourselves awake, not by mechanical aids, but by an infinite expectation of the dawn…. I know of no more encouraging fact than the unquestionable ability of man to elevate his life by a conscious endeavor" (90). Just what this endeavor might be is not immediately spelled out in the text, but the author does quickly point out the value of focusing on only a few activities or ideas at a time, so as not to let our lives be "frittered away by detail." He writes: "Simplicity, simplicity, simplicity! I say, let your affairs be as two or three, and not a hundred or a thousand; … and keep your accounts on your thumb nail" (91). The strong emphasis in the crucial second chapter of Walden is on the importance of waking up and living deliberately through a conscious effort to engage in particular activities that support such awakening. It occurs to me that "travel," or simply making one's way through town with the mindset of a traveler, could be one of these activities.

6 It is in the final chapter of the book, titled "Conclusion," that Thoreau makes clear the relationship between travel and living an attentive life. He begins the chapter by cataloguing the various physical locales throughout North America or around the world to which one might travel—Canada, Ohio, Colorado, and even Tierra del Fuego. But Thoreau states: "Our voyaging is only great-circle sailing, and the doctors prescribe for diseases of the skin merely. One hastens to Southern Africa to chase the giraffe; but surely that is not the game he would be after." What comes next is brief quotation from the seventeenth-century English poet William Habbington (but presented anonymously in Thoreau's text), which might be one of the most significant passages in the entire book:

Direct your eye sight inward, and you'll find A thousand regions in your mind Yet undiscovered. Travel them, and be Expert in home-cosmography. (320)

7 This admonition to travel the mysterious territory of one's own mind and master the strange cosmos of the self is actually a challenge to the reader—and probably to the author himself—to focus on self-reflection and small-scale, local movement as if such activities were akin to exploration on a grand, planetary scale. What is really at issue here is not the physical distance of one's journey, but the mental flexibility of one's approach to the world, one's ability to look at the world with a fresh, estranged point of view. Soon after his discussion of the virtues of interior travel, Thoreau explains why he left his simple home at Walden Pond after a few years of experimental living there, writing, "It is remarkable how easily and insensibly we fall into a particular route, and make a beaten track for ourselves" (323). In other words, no matter what we're doing in life, we can fall into a "beaten track" if we're not careful, thus failing to stay "awake."

8 As I thought about my writing class at the University of Idaho, I wondered how I might design a series of readings and writing exercises for university students that would somehow emulate the Thoreauvian objective of achieving ultra-mindfulness in a local environment. One of the greatest challenges in designing such a class is the fact that it took Thoreau himself many years to develop an attentiveness to his environment and his own emotional rhythms and an efficiency of expression that would enable him to describe such travel-without-travel, and I would have only sixteen weeks to achieve this with my own students. The first task, I decided, was to invite my students into the essential philosophical stance of the class, and I did this by asking my students to read the opening chapter of Walden ("Economy") in which he talks about traveling "a good deal" in his small New England village as well as the second chapter and the conclusion, which reveal the author's enthusiasm (some might even say obsession ) for trying to achieve an awakened condition and which, in the end, suggest that waking up to the meaning of one's life in the world might be best accomplished by attempting the paradoxical feat of becoming "expert in home-cosmography." As I stated it among the objectives for my course titled 36 Views of Moscow Mountain: Or, Traveling a Good Deal—with Open Minds and Notebooks—in a Small Place , one of our goals together (along with practicing nonfiction writing skills and learning about the genre of travel writing) would be to "Cultivate a ‘Thoreauvian' way of appreciating the subtleties of the ordinary world."

Windy. Elms Bare.

9 For me, the elegance and heightened sensitivity of Thoreau's engagement with place is most movingly exemplified in his journal, especially in the 1850s after he's mastered the art of observation and nuanced, efficient description of specific natural phenomena and environmental conditions. His early entries in the journal are abstract mini-essays on such topics as truth, beauty, and "The Poet," but over time the journal notations become so immersed in the direct experience of the more-than-human world, in daily sensory experiences, that the pronoun "I" even drops out of many of these records. Lawrence Buell aptly describes this Thoreauvian mode of expression as "self-relinquishment" (156) in his 1995 book The Environmental Imagination , suggesting such writing "question[s] the authority of the superintending consciousness. As such, it opens up the prospect of a thoroughgoing perceptual breakthrough, suggesting the possibility of a more ecocentric state of being than most of us have dreamed of" (144-45). By the time Thoreau wrote "Windy. Elms bare" (372) as his single entry for October 6 and 7, 1853, he had entered what we might call an "ecocentric zone of consciousness" in his work, attaining the ability to channel his complex perceptions of season change (including meteorology and botany and even his own emotional state) into brief, evocative prose.

10 I certainly do not expect my students to be able to do such writing after only a brief introduction to the course and to Thoreau's own methods of journal writing, but after laying the foundation of the Thoreauvian philosophy of nearby travel and explaining to my students what I call the "building blocks of the personal essay" (description, narration, and exposition), I ask them to engage in a preliminary journal-writing exercise that involves preparing five journal entries, each "a paragraph or two in length," that offer detailed physical descriptions of ordinary phenomena from their lives (plants, birds, buildings, street signs, people, food, etc.), emphasizing shape, color, movement or change, shadow, and sometimes sound, smell, taste, and/or touch. The goal of the journal entries, I tell the students, is to begin to get them thinking about close observation, vivid descriptive language, and the potential to give their later essays in the class an effective texture by balancing more abstract information and ideas with evocative descriptive passages and storytelling.

11 I am currently teaching this class, and I am writing this article in early September, as we are entering the fourth week of the semester. The students have just completed the journal-writing exercise and are now preparing to write the first of five brief essays on different aspects of Moscow that will eventually be braided together, as discrete sections of the longer piece, into a full-scale literary essay about Moscow, Idaho, from the perspective of a traveler. For the journal exercise, my students wrote some rather remarkable descriptive statements, which I think bodes well for their upcoming work. One student, Elizabeth Isakson, wrote stunning journal descriptions of a cup of coffee, her own feet, a lemon, a basil leaf, and a patch of grass. For instance, she wrote:

Steaming hot liquid poured into a mug. No cream, just black. Yet it appears the same brown as excretion. The texture tells another story with meniscus that fades from clear to gold and again brown. The smell is intoxicating for those who are addicted. Sweetness fills the nostrils; bitterness rushes over the tongue. The contrast somehow complements itself. Earthy undertones flower up, yet this beverage is much more satisfying than dirt. When the mug runs dry, specks of dark grounds remain swimming in the sunken meniscus. Steam no longer rises because energy has found a new home.

12 For the grassy lawn, she wrote:

Calico with shades of green, the grass is yellowing. Once vibrant, it's now speckled with straw. Sticking out are tall, seeding dandelions. Still some dips in the ground have maintained thick, soft patches of green. The light dances along falling down from the trees above, creating a stained-glass appearance made from various green shades. The individual blades are stiff enough to stand erect, but they will yield to even slight forces of wind or pressure. Made from several long strands seemingly fused together, some blades fray at the end, appearing brittle. But they do not simply break off; they hold fast to the blade to which they belong.

13 The point of this journal writing is for the students to look closely enough at ordinary reality to feel estranged from it, as if they have never before encountered (or attempted to describe) a cup of coffee or a field of grass—or a lemon or a basil leaf or their own body. Thus, the Thoreauvian objective of practicing home-cosmography begins to take shape. The familiar becomes exotic, note-worthy, and strangely beautiful, just as it often does for the geographical travel writer, whose adventures occur far away from where she or he normally lives. Travel, in a sense, is an antidote to complacency, to over-familiarity. But the premise of my class in Thoreauvian travel writing is that a slight shift of perspective can overcome the complacency we might naturally feel in our home surroundings. To accomplish this we need a certain degree of disorientation. This is the next challenge for our class.

The Blessing of Being Lost

14 Most of us take great pains to "get oriented" and "know where we're going," whether this is while running our daily errands or when thinking about the essential trajectories of our lives. We're often instructed by anxious parents to develop a sense of purpose and a sense of direction, if only for the sake of basic safety. But the traveler operates according to a somewhat different set of priorities, perhaps, elevating adventure and insight above basic comfort and security, at least to some degree. This certainly seems to be the case for the Thoreauvian traveler, or for Thoreau himself. In Walden , he writes:

…not until we are completely lost, or turned round,--for a man needs only be turned round once with his eyes shut in this world to be lost,--do we appreciate the vastness and strangeness of Nature. Every man has to learn the points of compass again as often as he awakes, whether from sleep or any abstraction. Not till we are lost, in other words, not till we have lost the world, do we begin to find ourselves, and realize where we are and the infinite extent of our relations. (171)

15 I could explicate this passage at length, but that's not really my purpose here. I read this as a celebration of salutary disorientation, of the potential to be lost in such a way as to deepen one's ability to pay attention to oneself and one's surroundings, natural and otherwise. If travel is to a great degree an experience uniquely capable of triggering attentiveness to our own physical and psychological condition, to other cultures and the minds and needs of other people, and to a million small details of our environment that we might take for granted at home but that accrue special significance when we're away, I would argue that much of this attentiveness is owed to the sense of being lost, even the fear of being lost, that often happens when we leave our normal habitat.

16 So in my class I try to help my students "get lost" in a positive way. Here in Moscow, the major local landmark is a place called Moscow Mountain, a forested ridge of land just north of town, running approximately twenty kilometers to the east of the city. Moscow "Mountain" does not really have a single, distinctive peak like a typical mountain—it is, as I say, more of a ridge than a pinnacle. When I began contemplating this class on Thoreauvian travel writing, the central concepts I had in mind were Thoreau's notion of traveling a good deal in Concord and also the idea of looking at a specific place from many different angles. The latter idea is not only Thoreauvian, but perhaps well captured in the eighteen-century Japanese artist Katsushika Hokusai's series of woodblock prints known as 36 Views of Mt. Fuji , which offers an array of different angles on the mountain itself and on other landscape features (lakes, the sea, forests, clouds, trees, wind) and human behavior which is represented in many of the prints, often with Mt. Fuji in the distant background or off to the side. In fact, I imagine Hokusai's approach to representing Mt. Fuji as so important to the concept of this travel writing class that I call the class "36 Views of Moscow Mountain," symbolizing the multiple approaches I'll be asking my students to take in contemplating and describing not only Moscow Mountain itself, but the culture and landscape and the essential experience of Moscow the town. The idea of using Hokusai's series of prints as a focal point of this class came to me, in part, from reading American studies scholar Cathy Davidson's 36 Views of Mount Fuji: On Finding Myself in Japan , a memoir that offers sixteen short essays about different facets of her life as a visiting professor in that island nation.

17 The first of five brief essays my students will prepare for the class is what I'm calling a "Moscow Mountain descriptive essay," building upon the small descriptive journal entries they've written recently. In this case, though, I am asking the students to describe the shapes and colors of the Moscow Mountain ridge, while also telling a brief story or two about their observations of the mountain, either by visiting the mountain itself to take a walk or a bike ride or by explaining how they glimpse portions of the darkly forested ridge in the distance while walking around the University of Idaho campus or doing things in town. In preparation for the Moscow Mountain essays, we read several essays or book chapters that emphasize "organizing principles" in writing, often the use of particular landscape features, such as trees or mountains, as a literary focal point. For instance, in David Gessner's "Soaring with Castro," from his 2007 book Soaring with Fidel: An Osprey Odyssey from Cape Cod to Cuba and Beyond , he not only refers to La Gran Piedra (a small mountain in southeastern Cuba) as a narrative focal point, but to the osprey, or fish eagle, itself and its migratory journey as an organizing principle for his literary project (203). Likewise, in his essay "I Climb a Tree and Become Dissatisfied with My Lot," Chicago author Leonard Dubkin writes about his decision, as a newly fired journalist, to climb up a tree in Chicago's Lincoln Park to observe and listen to the birds that gather in the green branches in the evening, despite the fact that most adults would consider this a strange and inappropriate activity. We also looked at several of Hokusai's woodblock prints and analyzed these together in class, trying to determine how the mountain served as an organizing principle for each print or whether there were other key features of the prints—clouds, ocean waves, hats and pieces of paper floating in the wind, humans bent over in labor—that dominate the images, with Fuji looking on in the distance.

18 I asked my students to think of Hokusai's representations of Mt. Fuji as aesthetic models, or metaphors, for what they might try to do in their brief (2-3 pages) literary essays about Moscow Mountain. What I soon discovered was that many of my students, even students who have spent their entire lives in Moscow, either were not aware of Moscow Mountain at all or had never actually set foot on the mountain. So we spent half an hour during one class session, walking to a vantage point on the university campus, where I could point out where the mountain is and we could discuss how one might begin to write about such a landscape feature in a literary essay. Although I had thought of the essay describing the mountain as a way of encouraging the students to think about a familiar landscape as an orienting device, I quickly learned that this will be a rather challenging exercise for many of the students, as it will force them to think about an object or a place that is easily visible during their ordinary lives, but that they typically ignore. Paying attention to the mountain, the ridge, will compel them to reorient themselves in this city and think about a background landscape feature that they've been taking for granted until now. I think of this as an act of disorientation or being lost—a process of rethinking their own presence in this town that has a nearby mountain that most of them seldom think about. I believe Thoreau would consider this a good, healthy experience, a way of being present anew in a familiar place.

36 Views—Or, When You Invert Your Head

19 Another key aspect of Hokusai's visual project and Thoreau's literary project is the idea of changing perspective. One can view Mt. Fuji from 36 different points of views, or from thousands of different perspectives, and it is never quite the same place—every perspective is original, fresh, mind-expanding. The impulse to shift perspective in pursuit of mindfulness is also ever-present in Thoreau's work, particularly in his personal journal and in Walden . This idea is particularly evident, to me, in the chapter of Walden titled "The Ponds," where he writes:

Standing on the smooth sandy beach at the east end of the pond, in a calm September afternoon, when a slight haze makes the opposite shore line indistinct, I have seen whence came the expression, "the glassy surface of a lake." When you invert your head, it looks like a thread of finest gossamer stretched across the valley, and gleaming against the distinct pine woods, separating one stratum of the atmosphere from another. (186)

20 Elsewhere in the chapter, Thoreau describes the view of the pond from the top of nearby hills and the shapes and colors of pebbles in the water when viewed from close up. He chances physical perspective again and again throughout the chapter, but it is in the act of looking upside down, actually suggesting that one might invert one's head, that he most vividly conveys the idea of looking at the world in different ways in order to be lost and awakened, just as the traveler to a distant land might feel lost and invigorated by such exposure to an unknown place.

21 After asking students to write their first essay about Moscow Mountain, I give them four additional short essays to write, each two to four pages long. We read short examples of place-based essays, some of them explicitly related to travel, and then the students work on their own essays on similar topics. The second short essay is about food—I call this the "Moscow Meal" essay. We read the final chapter of Michael Pollan's The Omnivore's Dilemma (2006), "The Perfect Meal," and Anthony Bourdain's chapter "Where Cooks Come From" in the book A Cook's Tour (2001) are two of the works we study in preparation for the food essay. The three remaining short essays including a "Moscow People" essay (exploring local characters are important facets of the place), a more philosophical essay about "the concept of Moscow," and a final "Moscow Encounter" essay that tells the story of a dramatic moment of interaction with a person, an animal, a memorable thing to eat or drink, a sunset, or something else. Along the way, we read the work of Wendell Berry, Joan Didion, Barbara Kingsolver, Kim Stafford, Paul Theroux, and other authors. Before each small essay is due, we spend a class session holding small-group workshops, allowing the students to discuss their essays-in-progress with each other and share portions of their manuscripts. The idea is that they will learn about writing even by talking with each other about their essays. In addition to writing about Moscow from various angles, they will learn about additional points of view by considering the angles of insight developed by their fellow students. All of this is the writerly equivalent of "inverting [their] heads."

Beneath the Smooth Skin of Place

22 Aside from Thoreau's writing and Hokusai's images, perhaps the most important writer to provide inspiration for this class is Indiana-based essayist Scott Russell Sanders. Shortly after introducing the students to Thoreau's key ideas in Walden and to the richness of his descriptive writing in the journal, I ask them to read his essay "Buckeye," which first appeared in Sanders's Writing from the Center (1995). "Buckeye" demonstrates the elegant braiding together of descriptive, narrative, and expository/reflective prose, and it also offers a strong argument about the importance of creating literature and art about place—what he refers to as "shared lore" (5)—as a way of articulating the meaning of a place and potentially saving places that would otherwise be exploited for resources, flooded behind dams, or otherwise neglected or damaged. The essay uses many of the essential literary devices, ranging from dialogue to narrative scenes, that I hope my students will practice in their own essays, while also offering a vivid argument in support of the kind of place-based writing the students are working on.

23 Another vital aspect of our work together in this class is the effort to capture the wonderful idiosyncrasies of this place, akin to the idiosyncrasies of any place that we examine closely enough to reveal its unique personality. Sanders's essay "Beneath the Smooth Skin of America," which we study together in Week 9 of the course, addresses this topic poignantly. The author challenges readers to learn the "durable realities" of the places where they live, the details of "watershed, biome, habitat, food-chain, climate, topography, ecosystem and the areas defined by these natural features they call bioregions" (17). "The earth," he writes, "needs fewer tourists and more inhabitants" (16). By Week 9 of the semester, the students have written about Moscow Mountain, about local food, and about local characters, and they are ready at this point to reflect on some of the more philosophical dimensions of living in a small academic village surrounded by farmland and beyond that surrounded by the Cascade mountain range to the West and the Rockies to the East. "We need a richer vocabulary of place" (18), urges Sanders. By this point in the semester, by reading various examples of place-based writing and by practicing their own powers of observation and expression, my students will, I hope, have developed a somewhat richer vocabulary to describe their own experiences in this specific place, a place they've been trying to explore with "open minds and notebooks." Sanders argues that

if we pay attention, we begin to notice patterns in the local landscape. Perceiving those patterns, acquiring names and theories and stories for them, we cease to be tourists and become inhabitants. The bioregional consciousness I am talking about means bearing your place in mind, keeping track of its condition and needs, committing yourself to its care. (18)

24 Many of my students will spend only four or five years in Moscow, long enough to earn a degree before moving back to their hometowns or journeying out into the world in pursuit of jobs or further education. Moscow will be a waystation for some of these student writers, not a permanent home. Yet I am hoping that this semester-long experiment in Thoreauvian attentiveness and place-based writing will infect these young people with both the bioregional consciousness Sanders describes and a broader fascination with place, including the cultural (yes, the human ) dimensions of this and any other place. I feel such a mindfulness will enrich the lives of my students, whether they remain here or move to any other location on the planet or many such locations in succession.

25 Toward the end of "Beneath the Smooth Skin of America," Sanders tells the story of encountering a father with two young daughters near a city park in Bloomington, Indiana, where he lives. Sanders is "grazing" on wild mulberries from a neighborhood tree, and the girls are keen to join him in savoring the local fruit. But their father pulls them away, stating, "Thank you very much, but we never eat anything that grows wild. Never ever." To this Sanders responds: "If you hold by that rule, you will not get sick from eating poison berries, but neither will you be nourished from eating sweet ones. Why not learn to distinguish one from the other? Why feed belly and mind only from packages?" (19-20). By looking at Moscow Mountain—and at Moscow, Idaho, more broadly—from numerous points of view, my students, I hope, will nourish their own bellies and minds with the wild fruit and ideas of this place. I say this while chewing a tart, juicy, and, yes, slightly sweet plum that I pulled from a feral tree in my own Moscow neighborhood yesterday, an emblem of engagement, of being here.

Bibliography

BUELL, Lawrence, The Environmental Imagination: Thoreau, Nature Writing, and the Formation of American Culture , Harvard University Press, 1995.

DAVIDSON, Cathy, 36 Views of Mount Fuji: On Finding Myself in Japan , Duke University Press, 2006.

DUBKIN, Leonard, "I Climb a Tree and Become Dissatisfied with My Lot." Enchanted Streets: The Unlikely Adventures of an Urban Nature Lover , Little, Brown and Company, 1947, 34-42.

GESSNER, David, Soaring with Fidel: An Osprey Odyssey from Cape Cod to Cuba and Beyond , Beacon, 2007.

ISAKSON, Elizabeth, "Journals." Assignment for 36 Views of Moscow Mountain (English 208), University of Idaho, Fall 2018.

SANDERS, Scott Russell, "Buckeye" and "Beneath the Smooth Skin of America." Writing from the Center , Indiana University Press, 1995, pp. 1-8, 9-21.

SLOVIC, Scott, "Teaching with Wolves", Western American Literature 52.3 (Fall 2017): 323-31.

THOREAU, Henry David, "October 1-20, 1853", Being in the World: An Environmental Reader for Writers , edited by Scott H. Slovic and Terrell F. Dixon, Macmillan, 1993, 371-75.

THOREAU, Henry David, Walden . 1854. Princeton University Press, 1971.

Bibliographical reference

Scott Slovic , “ 36 Views of Moscow Mountain: Teaching Travel Writing and Mindfulness in the Tradition of Hokusai and Thoreau ” , Caliban , 59 | 2018, 41-54.

Electronic reference

Scott Slovic , “ 36 Views of Moscow Mountain: Teaching Travel Writing and Mindfulness in the Tradition of Hokusai and Thoreau ” , Caliban [Online], 59 | 2018, Online since 01 June 2018 , connection on 22 April 2024 . URL : http://journals.openedition.org/caliban/3688; DOI : https://doi.org/10.4000/caliban.3688

About the author

Scott slovic.

University of Idaho Scott Slovic is University Distinguished Professor of Environmental Humanities at the University of Idaho, USA. The author and editor of many books and articles, he edited the journal ISLE: Interdisciplinary Studies in Literature and Environment from 1995 to 2020. His latest coedited book is The Routledge Handbook of Ecocriticism and Environmental Communication (2019).

By this author

Introduction (version en français) [Full text] Introduction [Full text | translation | en] Published in Caliban , 64 | 2020
To Collapse or Not to Collapse? A Joint Interview [Full text] Published in Caliban , 63 | 2020
Furrowed Brows, Questioning Earth: Minding the Loess Soil of the Palouse [Full text] Published in Caliban , 61 | 2019
Foreword: Thinking of “Earth Island” on Earth Day 2016 [Full text] Published in Caliban , 55 | 2016

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67-68 | 2022 Religious Dispute and Toleration in Early Modern Literature and History
65-66 | 2021 Peterloo 1819 and After: Perspectives from Britain and Beyond
64 | 2020 Animal Love. Considering Animal Attachments in Anglophone Literature and Culture
63 | 2020 Dynamics of Collapse in Fantasy, the Fantastic and SF
62 | 2019 Female Suffrage in British Art, Literature and History
61 | 2019 Land’s Furrows and Sorrows in Anglophone Countries
60 | 2018 The Life of Forgetting in Twentieth- and Twenty-First-Century British Literature
59 | 2018 Anglophone Travel and Exploration Writing: Meetings Between the Human and Nonhuman
58 | 2017 The Mediterranean and its Hinterlands
57 | 2017 The Animal Question in Alice Munro's Stories
56 | 2016 Disappearances - American literature and arts
55 | 2016 Sharing the Planet
54 | 2015 Forms of Diplomacy (16 th -21 st century)
53 | 2015 Representing World War One: Art’s Response to War
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Beaches In Moscow: 10 Spots To Get The Sunscreen Out In The Winterland

23 Mar 2023

Moscow is really a wow destination when it comes to tourism in Russia. And adding up to its attraction, there are awesome and breathtaking beaches in Moscow that describe this depart in the special light. The summers in the city Moscow are quite mild.

Moscow is well-known globally for its massive deserts, high-rising mountains, affluent heritage sites, natural & eye-catchy geyser fields, and astonishing art & architecture but more than that there are various beaches near Moscow.

Top 10 Famous Beaches In Moscow

From the soft to sub-tropical white sands on the beaches, take a glimpse at these faultless Moscow beaches that must be added to your summer holiday in Russia. Without any further ado, here is the comprehensive list:

Serebryany Bor
Rublyovo Beach
Chyornoye Ozero
Bolshoi Gorodskoi Prud
Levoberezhny Beach
Meshcherskaya Recreation Area
Beloye Lake
Shkolnoye Lake

1. Troparyovo

Image Source Troparyovo is a small beach which is located in the large grounds of the Troparyovsky Forest Park. This beach is one of the favorite Russian beaches in Moscow among local individuals. Moreover, this beach is considered as an ultimate place to gain a swimming experience and calm down in the south-west corner of the city. Moreover, the Troparyovsky is a well-liked preoccupy for the Moscow’s younger people as most of the visitors can hire catamarans, bicycles, rollerskates, and boats for an unassuming sum.

The place is more adventurous and exploratory — or the individuals who are interested to know about – what the hamster experiences like — they can attempt their hand at the water sorbing on this lake. Moreover, there are many other facilities that get on this place such as – a big sports field, free Wi-Fi, and a wide children’s play region that add a lot to the charm. The place doesn’t have any kind of flashy services such as the beach resort, thus, it is the ultimate place for spending a tranquil day with your family. Also, there is a big car parking facility which is just next to the Ulitsa Akademika Vinogradova, if you are coming from your car. Moreover, it is a short walk distance from the metro.

Location : 12 Akademika Vinogradova St, Moscow, Russia Famous For : Sports Things To Do: Bicycling, rollerskating, swimming

Must Read: 15 Interesting Things To Do In Moscow: Trekking, Opera, And More

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3. Rublyovo Beach

Image Source Rublyovo Beach is known as Russia’s most esteemed regions that offer a relaxing experience with rich and beautiful surroundings. From beach games to wakeboarding and for the special foam party, there is something for everybody to take pleasure in this upscale and fashionable resort. Kids gain a lot of fun for many hours in the special and huge children’s area which is featuring from the remarkable waterfall.

Moreover, most of the Saturdays in the summer season the club also hosts the late-night beach parties for the young revelers. The water is very clean, the sand is too much silky as well as there are a plethora of beach relaxing chairs. Thus, get a dip and enjoy the most relaxing atmosphere of this place. The entrance cost of this place is 200 rubles.

Suggested Read: Shopping In Moscow: 14 Top Places That Will Make You Believe The City Is As Classy & Chic As Milan

4. Chyornoye Ozero

Image Source This picturesque and charming beach is situated on the edge of the forest which is located at the east of the city, Moscow. If we translate the name of this lake in English, the meaning is “black lake”. The ‘black lake’ admittedly sounds similar to the name of a worthless horror movie than an alluring beach resort. But don’t go with the name. Despite its misty appearance which is generally caused by the peat on the bottom of this lake – the water of this lake is very clean and also it is perfect for the summertime swim. There are also a plethora of cafes, restaurants, hire boats on rent, and many other facilities that are more upscale than this beach club offers.

Once you are established in your beach costume, you will experience like a shelter of tranquil, far from the busy streets of the city. There are a wide playground and the lifeguards which mean you do not need to be anxious if you go with your kids. This beach is also free for all visitors. Thus, the place offers a more relaxing atmosphere to have fun, enjoy a picnic, and swim in water this summer.

Location : Zelinograd, Microdistrict 6, Moscow, Russia Famous for : Black Lake Things to do : swimming, cafes, boating

Suggested Read: 20 Fascinating Places To Visit In Moscow That Reflect The Real Russian Beauty!

5. Bolshoi Gorodskoi Prud

Image Source Bolshoi Gorodskoi Prud pond and beach is most popular in Moscow, due to its location, pristine condition, and size. This beach is located in the west region of Moscow. The entrance to this place is free. Moreover, on the hottest summer season, you get the space on the sand to ground your parasol.

The place offers many activities such as sunbathing and swimming. In fact, people can play air hockey, billiards, volleyball, ping-pong, and even hire a boat on rent and discover the bursting length of this pond. This area is ideal for the families as the place offers a particular kid’s zone with many aquatic attractions, such as water slides, swings, and more.

6. Levoberezhny Beach

This sunny beach is lined with multiple cafes and restaurants, volleyball courts and soccer pitches to have a good time out in the sun with your beach pals. The beach here has grassland and does not have sand, you can take a riverboat tour and purchase tickets for these from the station.

Location : 5 Pribrezhny Lane, Moscow, Russia Famous for : Riverboat Tour, Picnic spot Things To Do : Picnic spot, Riverboat tour, cafes, restaurants, volleyball courts, soccer pitches

7. Meshcherskaya Recreation Area

A small recreational spot, it can be thoroughly enjoyed with your friends who will have a great time hiding away from the sun in the woods. The beach occupies a tiny spot with sand and a grassy patch along with woods in the background as it is located in a village.

Location : 5 Voskresensky St, Moscow, Russia Famous For : Boating Things To Do : Boating, Biking

8. Beloye Lake

Beloye Lake is the only Lake in Moscow where swimming is officially allowed and locals can also enjoy fishing as the lake has plenty of them. The water is said to be cleaner and there is a famous landmark, the Church of the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary in its proximity.

Location : 2/6 Zaozernaya St., Moscow, Russia Famous For : Swimming Things To Do : Fishing, Swimming

9. Beach Club

Everybody deserves to pamper themselves after a hectic day at work. To beat the heat and escape the scorching sun, head to the Royal Beach Club to cool off and revive yourself after a stressful week of work. As fancy as it sounds, the Beach Club is slightly heavy on the pockets but, the facilities available at this club are top-notch. You can even rent a room for the night and enjoy the tranquil sunrise just before your morning swimming session. The pools are heated, there are VIP areas and the white sand is frequently renewed which is brought in from the Maldives.

Location : 39 Leningranskoye Highway, Moscow, Russia Famous for : Watersports, Wedding Photoshoots Things To Do : waterskiing, dining-in

10. Shkolnoye Lake

With an interesting history behind this lake, this small pond makes for a perfect spot for all recreational activities located amidst the urban chaos. You can find cafes nearby to grab a quick bite and kill your hunger pangs.

Location : Zelinograd, Microdistrict, Moscow, Russia Famous for : Swimming Things To Do : Swimming, Boating

Further Read: With The Red Square Turning White, Snowfall In Moscow Hits A 100-Year High!

Thus, this summer season plans your vacation to these interesting and offbeat places. Though, when the climate gets warm the local populace goes off for the swim as there are many beaches in Moscow that offer you a unique Russian vacation experience.

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Moscow’s Best Swimming Holes

Summer's here and the swimming is terrific..

Moscow has a surprising number of beaches for swimming in lakes, canals and streams, which are just opening up after the long period of self-isolation and cool, rainy weather.

In Moscow city, the swimming zones are not officially open: the city is still on high alert mode in response to the coronavirus pandemic. So wait until they officially open or go at your own risk.

But the swimming season in the neighboring Moscow region has already begun.

Here are our top picks for the best places for sunbathing, swimming and water sports. As far as we can tell, all these beaches are regularly monitored by the public health services and are safe in terms of water quality, but check with monitoring agencies since the situation may change.

Troparevo Beach

Entrance: Free

The beach is mostly sandy, and there are wooden bridges and steps leading into the fairly deep water. The swimming area is equipped with changing cabins, toilets and free wooden sun beds.

The place offers many recreation activities: children's carousels and trampolines, sports fields and even a boat station where you can rent catamarans when the beach is open to swimmers.

The location also has a lunch area serving meals and light snacks. For car owners, there is a small number of free parking lots located a bit distant from the lake.

12 Ulitsa Akademika Vinogradova

By public transportation: From Teply Stan metro station by bus № 388 to Mikrorayon 8A Teply Stan bus stop.

Serebryany Bor–2 Beach

Admission: Free

This is one of the most popular recreational areas in Moscow. A sandy and grassy beach equipped with sun loungers and shower cabins stretches for almost a kilometer along the Moscow River bank.

The location has also everything for a family holiday, including a paid mini-zoo, rentals of sun beds, boats and quad bikes. There are a few parking spaces, but not close to the beach without a special pass.

44 Tamanskaya Ulitsa

By public transportation: From Polezhaevskaya or Khoroshevo metro station by bus №T21 to the end of the line, as well as by trolleybus № 20.

Serebryany Bor–3 Beach

This recreation area is larger than the neighboring beach, but with the same mostly grassy and sandy river bank. This beach has a lot more water activities: boats, catamarans and even wakeboards available for a rent.

The territory is also equipped with showers and changing cabins. Sun beds can be rented.

Only local residents are allowed to enter the beach area by private vehicle, but the parking area nearby is larger than at the neighboring beach. There is also special bicycle parking.

15 4th line of Serebryany Bor

By public transportation: From Polezhaevskaya metro station by bus №390 to the Serebryany Bor bus stop (Plyazh № 3).

Admission: 1,000 rubles ($14) on weekdays, 2,000 ($28) rubles on weekends and holidays

The beach is located on the banks of the Khimki reservoir and is a popular location for Muscovites who want to feel like they’re at a foreign resort.

The beach is made of fine sand that was — rumor has it — brought from abroad and is divided into two zones: for regular visitors and for VIP guests.

There is an outdoor gym and even an open-air dance floor available for guests. You can rent jet skis and wakeboards while your children play on a special playground. The parking lot is guarded and personal items and belongings can be left in a storage room.

39 Leningradskoe Shosse

By public transportation: 10-minute walk from the Vodny Stadion metro station

Beach Bukhta Radosti (Bay of Joy)

One of the most popular summer vacation spots in the Moscow region, this one-and-a-half-kilometer beach on the territory of the Pirogovskoye vodokhranilishe (Pirogovskoye Reservoir) is mainly grassy and sandy.

Behind the beach is a dense pine forest. There is everything for active recreation with friends or family: playgrounds for children, jet skis rental, catamarans, boats and yachts.

If you want a picnic, you can rent a separate wooden gazebo with a barbecue.

Amateur teams come here to play football or volleyball, and there is a paintball club at the beach. Parking is paid.

Moscow region, Mytishchi, Sorokino village, Bukhta Radosti.

By public transportation: From regional train station Mytischi (Yaroslavl direction) by bus or minibus №26. Buses leave every 10-15 minutes. Travel time: 25 minutes. Bus stop Sorokino village.

From Medvedkovo metro station, take bus or minibus № 438. Shuttle buses run every 20-30 minutes.

Lake Senezh

Admission: 300 rubles ($4) or free

Lake Senezh is one of the most enchanting tourist destinations in the Moscow region and the main landmark of Solnechnogorsk.

There are two beaches located about half a kilometer from each other. The city beach has an entrance fee, but there is also a free beach called Veretevsky. The city beach has swimming pools, playgrounds and cafes.

Lake Senezh is very famous among local kitesurfers, and they regularly hold sailing regattas.

Moscow region, Solnechnogorsk city district, lake Senezh.

By public transportation: By commuter train from Leningradsky railway station to Podsolnechnaya station. Travel time: just over an hour.

By bus from Moscow, Vodny Stadion metro from Monday to Saturday 5:15 to 22:25 every 25 minutes, on Sundays — from 5:45 to 21:45 every 25 minutes) Bus №440.

Freestyle Extreme Watersports Park

The Freestyle extreme park is located on the territory of the famous Luberetskiye Karyery (Lubertsy Quaries).

This is the best location for fans of active water sports. There are experienced trainers who help beginners to get up on a wakeboard or start surfing. They also hold jet ski races.

One of the best features of this beach is that you can ride a cable car down the mountain right over the surface of the water (just like in the movies).

There are also open sports grounds for playing volleyball and other sports. Cafes and bars also operate in the park.

Moscow region, Dzerzhinsky, 19 Ugreshskaya Ulitsa

By public transportation: From Lyublino metro station by bus №305 to Rynok bus stop.

From Kotelniki metro by bus № 904 to Mountain Freestyle bus stop.

From Lyubertsy metro by buses №20 and №21 to Rynok bus stop.

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Gorky Central Park of Culture and Recreation, Moscow
Guide to Russia

What is the history of Gorky Park?

In the pre-revolutionary period, Gorky Park was a city dump and wasteland, which was cleared in 1923 to host the All-Russian Agricultural and Artisan Industrial Exhibition
In 1928, a huge park was planned on the former site of the exhibition. It would not just be a place of leisure, but a place to proudly display Soviet culture and daily life
Gorky Park has remained a cultural hub ever since, and has been renovated and added to over the years to make it one of Moscow’s top attractions today

Gorky Central Park of Culture and Recreation

Gorky Park is the most famous park of Moscow, created during the Soviet period as a hub for relaxation and cultural activities. The park is beloved by Muscovites and tourists alike, who visit in all seasons to stroll, enjoy sports, admire the park’s attractions, and attend cultural events. Gorky Park is the central part of an ensemble of four green spaces – Muzeon Park of Arts, Neskuchny Garden, and Sparrow Hills Nature Reserve – which curve around the southern bank of the Moskva River to the south-west of Moscow city centre. Here you may spend some time and enjoy nature and contemprary art during your vacation in Moscow .

History of Gorky Park

Imperial russia.

In the 17th century, the eastern bank of the Moskva River beyond Moscow’s city limits was home to floodplain meadows, where palace horses grazed. From the mid-1850s, events such as cockfights, fistfights, and races were held here, and by the 20th century this area had become a city dump where the unemployed and homeless people of Moscow lived, which remained this way until the Soviet period. This wasteland lay in stark contrast to the adjoining Neskuchny Sad – ‘merry garden’ – which lay to its south, an area of aristocratic country estates and elaborate gardens.

Soviet Russia

Gorky Central Park of Culture and Recreation

Photo from https://parkseason.ru/

Following the October Revolution, Vladimir Lenin travelled around Moscow to find a suitable site for the first All-Russian Agricultural and Artisan Industrial Exhibition, which would reveal opportunities for socialist development of agriculture and industry. Lenin decided on the wasteland alongside the Moskva River, which was cleared with a programme of community work. In 1923, the exhibition began. It encompassed 250 pavilions dedicated to different themes of agriculture and industry, and was divided into thematic zones, such as villages, livestock, crops, engineering, railways, republics of the USSR, and foreign countries. The organisation of the exhibition demarcated the future layout and size of Gorky Park, and the paths, ‘zones’, and main square of the exhibition have been preserved until the present day. In March 1928, Moscow City Council decided to establish a park of culture and recreation on the site of the former exhibition, which would also encompass the Neskuchny Garden. Moscow’s residents were instrumental in the construction of the park – they voiced their desires for events spaces, physical education and leisure facilities, and gave up their weekends to build the park. The park’s main architect was Konstantin Melnikov.

Did you know? Konstantin Melnikov also helped to construct Lenin’s Mausoleum and the Rusakov Worker’s Club, one of Moscow’s Constructivist masterpieces .

Over 100,000 Muscovites flocked to the opening of the park on 12th August 1928. The brand-new park was equipped with two theatres, a cinema, nursery, reading room, restaurant and café, music stages, sports arenas, rowing boats, and even a giant helter-skelter slide. Unfortunately, because of the vast size of the crowd and the general excitement, the park was damaged and closed until September.

Did you know? The park was not named after Maxim Gorky, writer and founder of Socialist Realism, until 1933.

In 1929, Betty Glan – at the mere age of 26 – became director of the park. She decided to reconceptualise it, uniting leisure, design, and ideology with the help of Moscow’s most eminent architects, designers and artists. Over the next decade, more cultural venues were established in the park, the Pushkinskaya Embankment along the Moskva River was developed, and the landscaping of the park was carefully cultivated. Architect Alexander Vlasov was particularly influential, and won the Grand Prix at the 1937 World Exhibition in Paris for his design of Gorky Park. This period under Glan’s directorship until 1937 was known as the ‘golden age’ of Gorky Park, which became not just a place for recreation, but a public space where Soviet culture and everyday life could be proudly displayed.

Did you know? During the Second World War topical events were held in Gorky Park, such as the championship in bayonet combat, grenade-throwing competitions, and air defence training. What’s more, an exhibition of captured enemy weapons – tanks, artillery, aeroplanes, and more – was organised in Gorky Park and continually updated throughout the war.

In the post-war decades new attractions were continually added to Gorky Park. These included the majestic 24-metre triumphal arch at the entrance to the park, an astronomical observatory (which remains open today), the famous Ferris wheel (unfortunately dismantled in 2008), and a fountain with lights and music.

Russia today

Photo from https://countryscanner.ru/

The Gorky Park ensemble continued to flourish as a centre of culture and recreation in post-Soviet Russia. The adjoining Muzeon Park of Arts was founded in 1992, and Garage Museum of Contemporary Art was established in Gorky Park in 2008. The ensemble underwent serious reconstruction in 2011. Many new sports facilities were added, including centres for beach sports and extreme sports, bicycle paths and sports equipment rental hubs, and much effort was devoted to reviving original buildings, sculptures, and landscape compositions. Two years later, the embankment of the Moskva River from the southern tip of Zamoskvorechye Island all the way to Sparrow Hills was redeveloped and pedestrianised, making it possible to peacefully walk or cycle along the Moskva for many kilometres.

What can you do at Gorky Park today?

Explore the park and see architectural attractions, fountains, and beautiful gardens
Visit Garage Museum of Contemporary Art and the Gorky Park Museum
Go boating on the lakes and stroll down the Pushkinskaya Embankment
Rent bicycles or scooters, skateboard, and visit the sports centres

What can you do at Gorky Park?

Park attractions.

While exploring the treelined paths of Gorky Park, you’ll come across a number of attractions. To the west of the main entrance, near the river, is a beautiful geometric bandstand used for music and literary evenings in the Soviet period. As you head down the central alley of Gorky Park from the main entrance, you’ll see a statue of Maxim Gorky on your right, and discover the light and music fountain with its dancing jets of water – find the schedule of its performances here .

Did you know? Don’t be afraid to feed the red squirrels and birds you encounter on your walk around Gorky Park – there are even vending machines which sell special food for the animals!

The southern section of Gorky Park is occupied by the Golitsynsky Garden. In 1802, the Golitsyn Hospital was founded here as a hospital for the poor; it still adjoins Gorky Park today. Gardens were created as a relaxation place for patients, extending from the hospital building to the riverbank, and included landscaped gardens, a Chinese Bridge, and two ponds. On the riverbank is the Rotunda of the Golitsyn Hospital, which has been preserved since the 19th century. There is also a rose garden and fountain by the Bolshoi Golitsynsky Pond.

Did you know? In the Golitsynsky Garden is also located an unusual architectural monument – a public toilet designed by Alexander Vlasov in the 1930s, which is recognised as an ‘object of cultural heritage’!

Outdoor activities

Gorky Park’s extensive and varied grounds aren’t only good for walks! You can relax on the water by renting boats to sail on the Pionersky and Bolshoi Golitsynsky Ponds, or visiting the Olivkovy Beach on the Pushkinskaya Embankment to sunbathe. As well as this, you can hire bicycles, electric scooters, longboards or even roller skates to explore the park and embankments, play table tennis, visit the sports complex to play football, basketball, handball, badminton or volleyball, or visit the Vans skatepark or Nike sports centre for workouts and classes such as rooftop yoga.

Gorky Park Museum

Photo from http://themedium.ru/

Visit the Gorky Park Museum, located in the left pier of the entrance arch. The current exhibition is dedicated to Gorky Park in the ‘golden age’ of the 1930s, and shows the development of Moscow’s central park through the eyes of Betty Glan. There is an observation deck on top of the arch, which offers a lovely view over the park and Moscow’s skyline.

Did you know? In the entrance arch there is also a gift shop where you can purchase balls, frisbees, blankets, and other items to enjoy your visit to Gorky Park.

Garage Museum of Contemporary Art

Photo from https://muzeolog.com/

In Gorky Park you will find Garage Museum, Russia’s first philanthropic institution dedicated to contemporary art, founded in 2008 by Roman Abramovich and Dasha Zhukova. 10 major exhibitions are hosted each year to showcase the work of established and up-and-coming artists. Also organised are a rich programme of events including curator-led excursions, workshops, masterclasses, lectures, concerts, performances, festivals, and film screenings at Garage’s outdoor cinema. Read our article about Garage Museum of Contemporary Art to learn more.

Food and drink

There are plenty of excellent cafes and restaurants dotted around Gorky Park, where you can stop for a quick coffee or enjoy a long meal with a view. They include the stylish lakeside café Ostrovok (Little Island) and upmarket restaurant Vremena Goda (Seasons) which serve European and Russian food, colourful lakeside Thai restaurant Lebedinoe Ozero (Swan Lake), trattoria Merkato with its huge summer terrace, restaurant Syrovarnya (Cheese Factory) with a menu focused on its homemade cheese, food-truck court Restoparking which is stylised as a drive-in café, and ice-cream and tea shop Chaynaya Vysota.

What’s nearby?

Gorky Park is bordered by Muzeon Park of Arts, Neskuchny Garden, and Sparrow Hills Nature Reserve. This huge ensemble curves for eight kilometres along the bank of the Moskva River, providing a beautiful oasis of green in Europe’s biggest city.

Muzeon Park of Arts

Photo from https://new-magazine.ru/

Muzeon Park of Arts is the largest open-air sculpture museum in Russia, home to 1,000 sculptures by Soviet and Russian sculptors, including those by famous artists. A large part of Muzeon is occupied by the New Tretyakov Gallery , which houses Russia’s most complete exhibition of national art from the 20th century to the present day. The pedestrianised Krymskaya Embankment which extends alongside Muzeon has recently undergone redevelopment, and is one of Moscow’s most popular spots to relax.

Neskuchny Garden

Neskuchny Garden is the oldest park in Moscow, founded in 1728 by Prince Nikita Trubetskoy, who threw fantastic festivities in his manor house and gardens – neskuchny means ‘merry’ in Russian. Many other noble families also built their country estates in this area, which became a public park and garden after being acquired by the royal family. Today, the Neskuchny Garden is home to historical buildings, fountains, and gardens from the 18th and 19th centuries, sports facilities, an open-air theatre, and a huge greenhouse which supplies flowers to Gorky Park.

Sparrow Hills

Sparrow Hills Nature Reserve is a huge forest park lining the steep bank of the Moskva River and the only specially protected nature area near the city centre. It is home to ecological trails, ponds, natural springs, rare species of plants and animals, many spots for picnicking, cafes, and a mini zoo. At the bottom of the park lie the Vorobyovskaya and Andreevskaya Embankments, with promenades along the Moskva River, a beach, and piers offering boat trips. As with Gorky Park, Sparrow Hills is hugely popular for sports and outdoor activities in all seasons. A new winter sports complex with snowboarding, ice skating, and ski tracks and jumps is currently under construction. When the weather is pleasant, you can rent a bicycle to ride the 8 kilometres along the river from Muzeon to Sparrow Hills.

Essential information for visitors Address and contact details Gorky Park, Krymsky Val, 9, Moscow, 119049 Website: https://park-gorkogo.com/ Email: [email protected] Telephone: +7 (495) 995-00-20 Nearest metro: Oktyabrskaya (570m), Park Kultury (860m) Opening hours and tickets

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Russia's capital has so much to offer, from the Kremlin and the Metro to the Old Arbat street and the Tretyakov Gallery. Besides these sites, you will also visit a fascinating country estate which today is quite off the beaten path, Gorky Estate, where the Soviet leader Lenin spent the last months of his life.

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133+ 'Ocean' Writing Prompts
The Ocean's Balance. Sep 22, 2023. —. by. DraftSparks. in Sci Fi Writing Prompts. Imagine a world where underwater and surface civilizations have pivotal roles in maintaining world balance. Write from the perspective of a liaison tasked with maintaining this balance.
An ancestral yearning: why do writers love the ocean?
That Woolf would commit suicide by drowning mirrors a deep connection with water and the sea found in her writing. In her most elegiac work, The Waves, the sea is fundamental both to the structure and themes of the book, and also to the characters themselves. In a passage auguring her author's own fate, Rhoda imagines launching a garland of ...
Creative Writing Prompts
Creative Writing Prompts - The Sea. Here is the third list of ideas in my series of Creative Writingprompts. The purpose of these writing prompts is to encourage both children and adults to be more creative, get outside, be inspired by their natural surroundings and start writing about what they see and experience.
15 Ocean-Inspired Storytelling Tips
Zoom in on Sensory Detail. If you find yourself slowing or getting a little stuck on a scene or sentence, zoom in. Focus on the sensory detail. Writing through each sense is a wonderful way to bring a scene alive, and reconnect with your characters, setting, and story. To find the source of an experience, the detail, the sentiment.
Beach Description Essay: Descriptive Writing about a Beach in Summer
Large crowds are observed all over the seashore. These people come to enjoy themselves on the beach at this period of the year. In the sea, people of all ages and sexes are seen swimming and playing with the cool seawater. The scorching heat from the summer sun is felt on the forehead of all individuals. This makes the people chill themselves ...
51 Delightful Ocean Writing Prompts
28. Write a story about a ruler of the underwater world. 29. Imagine that you live in an underwater cave. Describe your surroundings and also a typical day in the ocean for you. 30. Pretend that you are a citizen of AquaFresh, an underwater world. Describe this magical place. ocean writing prompts.
A Day at the Beach
A rip tide had suddenly occurred in the sea where they were swimming. Melanie had wandered into the water and gotten caught up in the awful current. In a second she was gone -- pulled under by the current and her tiny body had not enough strength to stay above the surface until someone could get to her.
Underwater Adventure Writing Prompts
Conclusion. Underwater adventure writing prompts unleash a wave of creativity, carrying you to unexplored depths of imagination. From vivid marine paradises and daring expeditions to mythical tales of enchanting mermaids, the possibilities are as boundless as the ocean itself. As you dive into the depths of storytelling, let these writing ...
39 Beach Writing Prompts & Beach Story Ideas
25. Write a story about going to the beach with your best friend. 26. Write a story where you find a beachside souvenir shop that isn't what it seems. 27. Write a story where you move into a new home on the side of the beach. 28. Write a story where a character finds an unusual item in an underground cave at the beach.
Coastal Inspirations: Describe Seashells Creative Writing
A: Creative writing about seashells involves using vivid and poetic language to describe their physical characteristics, such as the texture, color, and shape. Additionally, writers may delve into the emotions or memories that these shells evoke, creating a more profound and personal narrative.
Always wanted to write? Booker winner George Saunders on how to get
W hile George Saunders was writing his latest book, A Swim in a Pond in the Rain, he noticed something strange.The book examines seven Russian short stories, which Saunders has taught on the ...
Creative Writing on the Sea
My creative writing assessment (for year 12) is based on the sea... I am writing about a person from a city who longs to go back to the countryside-where he originally comes from. I am basing it on the New Zealand countryside. The person is dreaming about going for a swim in the ocean in early morning.
36 Views of Moscow Mountain: Teaching Travel Writing and Mindfulness in
Designing a Writing Class to Foster Engagement. 1 The signs at the edge of town say, "Entering Moscow, Idaho. Population 25,060." This is a small hamlet in the midst of a sea of rolling hills, where farmers grow varieties of wheat, lentils, peas, and garbanzo beans, irrigated by natural rainfall.
Beaches In Moscow: 10 Places To Chill Out When In The Capital
Meshcherskaya Recreation Area. Beloye Lake. Beach Club. Shkolnoye Lake. 1. Troparyovo. Image Source. Troparyovo is a small beach which is located in the large grounds of the Troparyovsky Forest Park. This beach is one of the favorite Russian beaches in Moscow among local individuals.
Moscow's Best Swimming Holes
The swimming area is equipped with changing cabins, toilets and free wooden sun beds. Pavel Kassin / TASS. The place offers many recreation activities: children's carousels and trampolines, sports ...
Gorky Central Park of Culture and Recreation, Moscow
Gorky Park is the most famous park of Moscow, created during the Soviet period as a hub for relaxation and cultural activities. The park is beloved by Muscovites and tourists alike, who visit in all seasons to stroll, enjoy sports, admire the park's attractions, and attend cultural events. Gorky Park is the central part of an ensemble of four ...