Editing is crucial

"I want to keep doing this for as long as I can."

Writing is often thought of as a solitary pursuit, but in reality, it thrives in community. In this conversation with

Joanna Wolfarth

, winner of the Wild Muse Nature Writing Prize, we explore the role of external feedback in shaping a writer’s voice.

Joanna shares how the process of revision – sometimes painful, always illuminating – transforms raw inspiration into something refined and resonant. Together, we discuss the delicate balance between protecting personal vulnerability and crafting a story that connects with others.

At the heart of our conversation is the power of noticing.

Nature writing isn’t reserved for those who wander through vast landscapes; it belongs to anyone who takes a moment to truly see the world around them. Whether it’s the flicker of a bird in an urban park or shifting light through a window, paying attention changes us. Joanna speaks to how this practice not only deepens our writing but also nurtures our well-being.

“Noticing is an act of creation.”

Creativity, like nature, moves in cycles. There is a season for first drafts and a season for editing, a season for solitary reflection and a season for seeking feedback.

Joanna reminds us that writing, even when it isn’t financially rewarded, holds deep intrinsic value. It is an act of meaning-making, a way of engaging with the world, and – most importantly – a way of connecting with ourselves.

Ready to reflect?

The questions below aren’t just prompts; they’re invitations – to pause, to explore, to engage more deeply with your own creative process. I’d love to hear your thoughts in the comments.

1. What does 'noticing nature' mean to you in your daily life?

2. How do you balance vulnerability in your creative work?

3. Have you ever received feedback that transformed your writing? What did you learn?

4. Where do you find storytelling in your life beyond writing?

5. What role does editing play in your creative process?

Read Joanna’s Winning Entry ‘Imprints’

"For a time—who knows precisely how long; the elastic morass of labouring—I existed in two places at once: my darkened living room and this very specific, shimmering landscape."

Subscribe to Joanna’s ‘The Weaver’ and discover the beautiful way she weaves together ideas about motherhood, art, nature, feminist explorations of power, life and so much more.