Kathryn Aalto - Teacher, Designer, Writer & Speaker

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Kathryn Aalto

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Kathryn Aalto

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"An old silent pond A f

"An old silent pond
A frog jumps into the pond—
Splash! Silence again."“The Old Pond” by Matsuo BashōI am just a little obsessed with haiku and Basho and Japanese gardens. Haiku is a form of Japanese poetry that is traditionally formed of three lines, with 5, 7, and 5 syllables, respectively. Originally, they were a type of nature writing, finding short tales within the natural world. Can you imagine -- a narrative in 17 syllables?Telling a story in this length requires focus. Discovering a storyline and then pinpointing concise details that best express it are difficult skills to master, but rewarding. The strict rules force you to notice the smallest of things, honing in on the most significant parts.Even if you are not working towards a haiku, the practice of capturing a moment with brevity and clarity can be valuable. It is truly writing with only the essentials. Fleeting inspiration, no matter how small, can be transformed into art.I recently included a poetry section in my classes and will now always include poetry at the beginning of classes as it hones a particularly close attention to language. We all love listening to poetry and hearing the words and seejng symbolism in our mind's eye slides us into a writing state-of-mind.My autumn courses are open for registration, including Nature Writing (for beginners) and Travel and Place Writing (for beginners and intermediate level writers).If you have any questions, I offer a free consultation. Details are available on my website under COURSES.#amwriting #writing #writingcommunity #writersofinsta #womenwriters #naturewriting #memoir #mentor #haiku #placewriting

Carved over centuries by the footsteps of travelle

Carved over centuries by the footsteps of travellers, the passage of carts, and the forces of weather, holloways might just be one of my favourite landscape features.Every stage of a holloway experience has magic.Coming around a bend and seeing a verdant tunnel ahead brings an instant smile on my face and chatter with my walking companion. "Oh (fill in the blank)," is usually what comes out depending on who is with me. As we walk through the verdant tunnel, there is a sense of immense radiance: the interplay of dappled light between our eyes and minds from the overhead canopy has a meditative effect. And then there is the re-entry into the light, or the rain shower like today, of day.Holloways also remind me of the interplay between human history and the natural world, unveiling layers of time through their weathered walls and gnarled tree roots.Passing through their arching branches, I can feel how the very pulse of rural life has ebbed and flowed for centuries here in Devon. These pathways are living records of the communities that have depended on them, connecting hamlets and villages and farms, fostering trade and kinship, and driving livestock to fertile grazing. As I walk The Two Moors Way, they have led me into countless conversations with farmers in the deep coombes of rural Devon.Have you experienced a holloway?#amwriting #writing #writingcommunity #writersofinsta #womenwriters #naturewriting #holloway #nature

Early-bird registration extended until Sunday!I

Early-bird registration extended until Sunday!I am finishing The Two Moors Way this weekend and thought this time might also invite others to join a different kind of journey -- a beautiful literary one for beginners upwards.There are discounts of £25-50 per course.If narrative nonfiction inspires curiosity in you, then I invite you to enrol in any of my upcoming autumn courses for a discounted tuition.If you are an alumni and recommend any course to a friend, you receive a £100 course discount.The response to this autimn launch has been heart-warming, and classes are filling. I so look forward to welcoming new and returning students. It is an honour to be your teacher.Courses on offer in the autumn include:- The Art of Narrative Nonfiction and the Personal Essay
- Narrative Nature Writing
- Travel and Place Writing
- Memoir and Life Writing Level 1
- Memoir and Life Writing Level 2Coming in October for my serious alumni and any others who are at the book proposal stage, Writing Your Book Proposal. It will be a six week-course starting after Narrative Nonfiction ends and will be up on the website this weekend.If you have any questions, why not book a free consultation? Information is available in the link in my bio.#amwriting #writing #writingcommunity #writersofinsta #womenwriters #naturewriting #placewriting #travelwriting #narrativenonfiction #memoirwriting

Implementing intention to your writing practice ca

Implementing intention to your writing practice can transform the process and increase productivity.Intention can appear very different for every writer, as goals and motivation look different. Whether a writer is seeking to chronicle their life, deep dive into a big life question, entertain an audience, hone their craft, or all of the above, these contribute to the way that purpose presents itself.By identifying and working towards these goals, writers can begin to form a vision. This vision can then inform the frequency, methods, and style of your writing.Helping my students create an intentional writing practice is a primary concern of mine. It is a fascinating cocktail.That being said, there is more to intentional writing than just identifying goals; intention and discipline work hand in hand to design and follow a productive routine. Quality writing comes from a balance of freedom and stringency.If you would like support with creating a more intentional writing process, I offer mentoring sessions. More information is available on my website.And, today is the last day for early-bird registration for my courses. Unless the course is full, registration will still be open right up to the start of class. (To avoid disappointment, I would dissuade last-minute registration, however.)#amwriting #writing #writingcommunity #writersofinsta #womenwriters #naturewriting #productivity #mentor

August is a bittersweet month, when summer is both

August is a bittersweet month, when summer is both at its peak and nearing its end. The whole country becomes a schoolyard, while the fresh start of September lurks in the near-distant future.Inspiration is as cyclical as the seasons. Just as trees lose their leaves and grow anew, inspiration drops and is reborn.Some draw their inspiration from the flames of a midwinter fire, while others bloom with the spring flora. We all discover our muses in different places.Some months it flows easily, while others are barren and hopeless. One certainty remains, though; no season lasts forever. No matter how dry our pool of ideas may appear, the seasons will change and no drought will last forever.No matter what we are writing, this constant change is occurring both internally and externally. If we appreciate each season to its fullest, the natural change will help fuel our creativity.I'm also now offering complimentary course consultations for anyone considering joining me for my next season of courses. Link in bio.#amwriting #writing #writingcommunity #writersofinsta #womenwriters #naturewriting #nature #august #changingseasons

As I was walking from Widecombe On the Moor to Cha

As I was walking from Widecombe On the Moor to Chagford a few days ago on my Coast to Coast journey, I spotted in rapid succession wheatears, ravens, skylarks, stonechats, and song thrushes. Dartmoor's rich tapestry of heather and gorse provides a rich refuge for a range of birdlife. And I was then reminded of an essay written by one of my writing students, Victoria Jane Kearney, a talented singer-songwriter in London. During the pandemic, she attuned and awakened to birds in woods near her home, capturing in poetic prose the beauty of this mellifluous bird.With her permission, I share an excerpt."The Song Thrush. Sky poet of a hundred verses. Bold toned, blunt and charismatic. Each sonorous cadence too delicious to deliver only once, it sings ‘I am alive, I am alive, I am alive!’ Of all the birds I have come to know and love, the Song Thrush has a direct line into the wild woods of my heart. It seems to sing with the full force of music, calling to me from beyond the beyond, to a place within the within.
…"The Song Thrush was perched in the fork of an oak tree, dappled chest silhouetted against the sky, beak opening and closing as it sang. For a moment, everything became still. I could feel my heartbeat. A drop of rain fell onto my forehead and trickled down my face. I had the feeling that I could step into the music and somehow, my full weight would be supported."A tiny oak leaf pirouetted to the ground. These moments, how to hold onto them? They are as the birds, apt to resist capture, quick to take off in flight. All I know is that they keep the wild woods of my heart awake, listening to life that sings from beyond the beyond, calling me home."#writing #writingcommunity #writersofinsta #womenwriters #naturewriting @victoriajanekearney #songthrush #birds #walking #naturewriting #mindbodyspirit #songwriter #englishcountryside #dartmoor

For centuries, flowers have communicated meaning a

For centuries, flowers have communicated meaning and symbolism. In many myths, specific flowers are instrumental to the plot. Writers can also use them to communicate with their reader -- Shakespeare was well known for his use of floriography. In the book, Shakespeare's Flowers by Jessica Kerr, I am reminded of Shakespeare's keen awareness of flower symbolism. Cowslip provides a refuge for Ariel. Rosemary is used by Perdita to welcome guests. Oberon casts a spell on Titania with a "little western flower." Witches brews, love potions, and recipes were filled with floral meaning in Shakespeare's day.Many of these meanings still resonate with a modern audience. The devotion of a rose is commonly recognised even today, and baby's breath is still used at weddings for everlasting love. Marigolds are widely known for their connection to grief, thanks to their role in Día De Los Muertos.The Victorians were famous for their use of floriography as bouquets sent different messages, including temperance (azelea), basil (hatred), and mirth (crocus).When used well, floral symbolism can strengthen any narrative. For those who want to read between the lines, the choice of flowers in a specific moment can add depth to a scene. Yellow flowers can make a seemingly innocent gift a clear sign of romantic rejection or just a declaration of friendship. As a popular funeral flower, lilies can be a foreboding presence.Before including any flower in your writing, I would always recommend taking a pleasant detour into research to for additional meaning.How have you used floriography in your work?#writing #writingcommunity #writersofinsta #amwriting #womenwriters #naturewriting #floriography #botanicalwomen #plantsmakepeoplehappy #gardens #flowersofinstagram #gardendesigner #fleur #symbolism

Today marks the celebration of National Book Lover

Today marks the celebration of National Book Lovers Day. To commemorate, I want to take a moment to contemplate the delight that unfurls through the act of reading.Reading unfailingly bestows the gift of enchantment and growth. Imagine your own journey...Your young mind, brimming with exuberance, embarking reading your first full sentence aloud.Your preadolescent self delving into a world of fantasy under the shadow of your classroom desk.Your teenage self, full of ardour, moved to pen your feelings amidst the lines of your paramour's anthology of verse.Your commuter sanctuary on the train as it passes through urban undergrounds and overlands and the way you cling to a mystery's allure in the surrounding crowd. Perhaps others are in their own worlds as they listen to an author reading their own audio book.I have experienced these different stages in my own reading life.Today, as I walk the Coast to Coast, I am reading STAY TRUE by @huahsu to my son Stellan along the banks of the River Teign near Chagford.Subtlety written, the book is about friendship and identity, and how a life cut short has long affected the author. It is a book my Memoir and Life Writing Level 2 students will be reading and discussing in the autumn.Where and what will you be reading today?

One of life's greatest ironies is the constance of

One of life's greatest ironies is the constance of change. For better or for worse, the only factor that we can truly rely on is impermanence.When life propels us in a new direction, it can feel impossible to find our footing. Even long-awaited change requires recentering, finding our balance all over again.In the graceful act of forging closure, we find the strength to progress. I intimately understand acute change, loss, and grief. I am walking the Coast to Coast to reflect upon my expat journey, a profound opportunity of growth that began sixteen years ago but a process twinned with crippling grief.Any change is really an ignition point that starts a process. We can repattern our thinking and emerge anew, or we can spin and spin in a refusal to accept. I intimately know that it is not easy, nor is it quick.I am in a profession that compels me to think about meaning and beauty. The act of slowing down and setting aside time to explore the sea of thoughts creates a private outlet to emotionally transition from old to new. Finding the words to frame the past allows all of us to gain perspective, to examine how to bear its load.It may appear that I am on a very long walk, but the landscape I am really exploring is unseen and within. To better understand migration and movement, it helps to walk and write.Discover the art of narrative non-fiction writing with me this September if you would like to learn ways writing can help enhance your life as well. Link in bio.#writing #writingcommunity #writersofinsta #womenwriters #naturewriting #memoir #embracechange #change #transitions #griefjourney #walkingintomyself #lifelonglearning

"Your life story is a gift, and it should be treat

"Your life story is a gift, and it should be treated as such.”–Emily V. GordonEven those who doubt their imagination hold within them one story—their own. This tale is a map for our literary journey.In the face of hardship, Gordon's words may feel challenging, yet they still ring true. Every experience, like a gift, holds hidden treasures.Through writing chapters of our life story, we can unearth value and meaning. Understanding, processing, reclaiming. Giving form to the formless, as one of my student eloquently wrote last week. There is value in putting our life stories into a narrative on paper. It can unveil new facets of our personal history to ourselves and others.Reflection reveals our progress, our future path, and our appreciation for the present. Unwrap the gift of your life story with my upcoming memoir classes. There is a Level 1 for beginners and a Level 2 for intermediate writers. Details in my bio.#writingcommunity #writers #memoir #emilyvgordon #creativewriting #journey

There is something magical about rambling through

There is something magical about rambling through the English countryside where every corner seems to hide a treasure waiting to be discovered.As I walk the 125-mile Two Moors Way (Devon's Coast to Coast), I follow footpath signs that guide me like grandfatherly sentries. Small and humble, tall and gallant, often weathered by age, they silently gesture, and I pivot in the direction of their gaze.With an exception: on Dartmoor, which aggressively insists on little to no signage, demanding explorers dust off their navigational skills with an old-fashioned compass, which may have recently caused a lot of angst in one particular pilgrim when presented with three unmarked paths, swimming contour lines on a map, and an uncertain tor. (Oh, the prickly constellations of off-trail heather and gorse on bare legs.)Some footpath signs are merely utilitarian. Some are handpainted by farmers to corral the wayward walker from 'exploring' wheat or potato fields. Some are barely visible, forcing the daydreamer tripping on memories while listening to Taylor Swift to pay much MUCH closer attention -- perhaps even backtrack -- but never with regret. Others are intricately carved or quaint.No matter their appearance, the traveller relies upon them at junctions to lead her into worlds of tranquillity, history, and wonder.Following them, I go deeper into ancient landscapes where drovers and lovers, mariners (yes) and mourners, farmers and schoolchildren, and so many more once walked, creating over centuries a heady web of lines and links with each footfall. Not a memory remains of these people, but they have become a part of the place, as we all are and will become.For me, they lead me into myself.Novelist Elizabeth von Arnim wrote that walking "is the perfect way of moving if you want to see into the life of things."Guided by myriad signposts, long solo walks downshift me into deeply meditative states, prompting the best kind of reset and eliciting ancient ways of reading places with my eyes and intuition in the way mudlarking does. It also tests ligaments and tendons and resolve.If only we had signposts at all junctions in life, it might make the journey easier.

Supporting fellow female creatives is instrumental

Supporting fellow female creatives is instrumental to all of our success. By empowering other women, we help forge a community that strengthens us all.I was delighted to help @drclarehickman launch 'The Doctor's Garden' via Zoom in 2022. It was a joy to interview her and delve into the links between medicine and horticulture.Her commendation of my involvement was truly wonderful...“Kathryn had carefully read and considered the various angles I had taken to the material. She insightfully drew out the larger themes and scope and understood the originality of my work and how it sits within the wider context of landscape and botanic history. In particular, the discussion interweaving the academic research and my approach to writing was a joy and am sure helped me communicate verbally the processes as well as the outcomes of years of investigation. She was outstanding as an interviewer.”I cherish every opportunity to uplift and collaborate with other brilliant women.Please see the link in my bio if this resonates with you and if you would like to work together.#interviewer #womensupportingwomen #writing #writingcommunity #writersofinsta #womenwriters #naturewriting #naturewritingbywomen #botanicalwomen #gardens #femaleempowerment

Toes in sand, stone in pocket. Yesterday, I starte

Toes in sand, stone in pocket. Yesterday, I started walking The Coast to Coast or Two Moors Way. As cold waves licked my ankles, I was reminded how taking the time to write creates a solitary moment to soak in the ever-changing tides of everyday life. It provides rest from the battle against the current, allowing our senses the freedom to take in the riches that lie below.Rrflective writing allows us to deep-dive into the emotions and memories that weigh too heavily to carry above the currents. When we resurface, even light looks different, reflecting a new outlook, a reminder of the muted world we think we perceive.I recently asked my students to explore reasons why they write. Do you identify with any?To grow.
To forgive.
To celebrate.
To process thoughts.
To clarify experiences.
To explore a topic of fascination.To find through-lines.
To see how we develop.
To let go of the past.
To plan for the future.
To feel validation.
To claim a new narrative.
To increase empathy.
To make beauty.To share and increase hope.
To find humour.
To understand the truth.
To complicate our thinking.
To understand what we believe.
To change a belief.
To indulge in language.
To explore our heritage.
To leave something behind.Edit:Received from a student after I posted this.To make sense of the world (with all its confusions and cruelties) To find order and meaning in the chaos of experienceTo face fears and anxietiesTo make sense of lossTo assuage a sense of shame To express love for the more-than-human worldBecause I’m scared (of writing)Because I have stories to tellTo move peopleTo connect, to shareTo work through difficult experiencesTo work out what I think about thingsTo work out what’s importantTo find diamonds in the drossTo leave a legacyTo control the uncontrollableTo give form to the formlessTo find solidarityTo show careWhen was the last time you were able to submerge yourself in the WHY of writing?#writing #writingcommunity #writersofinsta #womenwriters #memoir #nature #mindset

Unlike autobiography — a narrative of one’s en

Unlike autobiography — a narrative of one’s entire life — memoirs focus on a particular chapter of one’s life.This focus is often about a time of momentous change, a profound realisation, or an important journey of some sort that prompted you to experience profiund personal growth and evolution. Subjects of memoir are as varied as people, but it always begins a change or “ignition point.”It caused you to stop being the person you once were in order to re-pattern your thinking and become someone new. Transformation or transcendence is the essence of a great memoir.Do you have a period of life that you have yet to understand, reclaim, or close?Putting that experience into a literary narrative is often the solution to enhanced well-being. There is something about writing that helps us.This is an amazing course to teach as I witness people embracing the powerful impact of writing on their lives. sometimes for the first time.If this is something that appeals, consider joining me in the autumn with the company of other like-minded people from all corners of the world.Please see the link in the bio to learn more. x#memoir #writing #writingcommunity #nature-writing-course #memoirs

“I felt like summer had taken me over.”-- Junot Diaz, This Is How You Lose HerHave you ever had a summer like that? What does that mean to you?
...#ecopsychology #summertime #nature #plantsplantsplants #pollinators #gardens #gardendesign #summer

"The cure for boredom is curiosity. There is no cu

"The cure for boredom is curiosity. There is no cure for curiosity." -- Dorothy ParkerThis autumn, after picking apples, preserving blackberry jam, and seeing the kids off to school, join me live in my studio in Devon, England, for Nature Writing for Beginners.🍃This course is for people who love being in the natural world and have always dreamt of capturing their ecological aesthetics, experiences, and reflections in words.🍃For those who want to take a more activist stance and be a part of the change the world needs more than ever, I teach you how to harness the foundations of narrative nonfiction to do so.🍃Beginning September 11 until December 18, we meet every other week to cultivate an understanding of nature writing and to read classic to contemporary nature poetry and prose.🍃We begin each class by listening to poetry to hone our attention to language. I do a whole lot of lecturing on a range of topics and share my decades-long affinity for techniques used in this vital genre.🍃Each class includes lively discussions of wonderful readings. There are also guest speakers, including the immensely talented former student @kimberlycoburn and the inspiring Robert Berry, a sound recordist who will teach how to listen closer to the landscape.🍃I teach the foundations of narrative nonfiction (more on my website) and insights into creative processes to help you understand the changes needed to sustain a writing practice.🍃Please see the link in my bio for registration details. Feel free to drop an email to publicity@kathrynaalto.com to arrange a free 15 minute chat. I would love to work with you!...#nature-writing-course #writingcommunity #writing #nature #climatechange #growthmindset #lifelonglearning #womenwriters #womensupportingwomen

Proud to announce my new flagship course, Travel a

Proud to announce my new flagship course, Travel and Place Writing, is open for registration! Link in bio.
..#nature #travel #amwriting #writingcommunity #nature-writing-course #growthmindset #lifelonglearning #motivation #memoir

I am proud to announce a flagship narrative nonfic

I am proud to announce a flagship narrative nonfiction course called Travel and Place Writing.This new intermediate level writing course combines memoir, travel, and nature writing, which reflects the interests of most people who come to study with me.Travel and nature writers are explorers and observers. Two of the most popular and marketable genres in nonfiction are travel writing and nature/place writing. The best of both involve gripping and exhilarating moments of action that telescope outward to reflect upon an understanding of the different journeys.We will explore landscapes through classic to contemporary travel poetry and prose — crossing Spain on foot, exploring abandoned sites reclaimed by nature, and wandering through France, Mongolia, and post-WW I London. We are fortunate to be joined by two acclaimed travel and nature writers who will share their knowledge and insights.In October, travel writer and actor Andrew McCarthy joins me to discuss his Walking with Sam: A Father, a Son, and 500 Miles Across Spain (2023). McCarthy is the author of four books, including Brat: An ’80s Story, Just Fly Away, and The Longest Way Home — all New York Times best sellers. He is an award-winning travel writer and served for a dozen years as an editor-at-larger at National Geographic Traveller magazine. Best known as an actor for the past four decades, Andrew has appeared in such iconic films as Pretty in Pink, St. Elmo’s Fire, and Less Than Zero. He lives in New York.In November, we are joined by Cal Flyn. She writes long form journalism and literary nonfiction. Her latest book, Islands of Abandonment, won the John Burroughs Award, was a Sunday Times bestseller, and was shortlisted for numerous awards, including the Baillie Gifford Prize for nonfiction. It won her the title of Sunday Times Young Writer of the Year in 2022.Early bird registration with a discount is open until August 15th.See link in bio to register. ⛵️ ⛵️ ⛵️

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