This week, our overall focus seemed to be on representing nature in the way that does it justice. How can we write through the eyes of plants without overwhelming that voice with our humanistic tendencies? How do we come to fully understand other species?
Our peers had some interesting thoughts on humans' ability—or lack thereof—to write from the perspective of other species, especially plants. We will always humanize these points of view in some way, no matter how much we try to restrain ourselves. After all, the act of thinking is a humanistic trait (well, to our current knowledge), so writing from the point of view of a plant is, by nature (pun definitely intended), automatically humanizing that plant. So how can we write about nature in a way that allows it to speak for itself? We seem to think research is key here. As writers, we should study our characters—be them humans, animals, or plants—in depth to get the best possible understanding of that subject.
On another note, I am shocked at the lack of comments on how our friend Michael Pollan (read: pollen) is aptly named to speak about nature. What's in a name? Perhaps our destiny. I'll see myself out now.
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