Courses / Tuition

2025 – 2026 Nature Based Creative Writing Courses:

My nature based creative writing courses are designed to help begin to learn the craft of creative writing using the natural world for inspiration. Not only will you learn creative writing techniques, I also aim to help students gain a deeper connection with, and understanding of the natural world.

I run two rolling courses for the Field Studies Council – Exploring Nature Writing and Developing Nature Writing. Dates for the next courses are as follows:

Exploring Nature Writing

Wednesday the 14th of January 2026 to the 25th of February 2026

This introductory online nature writing course will immerse you in the world of nature writing. You will learn some basic practices and techniques, allowing you to develop as a writer, as you take inspiration from nature and hone your craft. For more information or to enrol click here.

Developing Nature Writing

Wednesday the 22nd of October 2025 – 03 December 2025 (Course currently in progress)

Using the written word, bring nature’s power to life on your page. Take inspiration from nature, art, and philosophy. A follow up course to Exploring Nature Writing aspiring nature writers are taken through a series of exciting workshops to hone their craft, sketching out the beauty of nature with the written word. If you are interested in future course dates please check the FSC website here.

If you are interested in enrolling on a future course that doesn’t yet have dates advertised please contact Field Studies Council for more information.

Past courses / commissioned courses:

I’ve left previous courses that have run listed below for information. I am skilled in using creative writing for any of the following means:

Personal Development
Team Building
Community Connection
Themed writing classes (i.e. nature / arts / animals – any subject of your choice!)
Memoir and Life Writing
Craft of Writing (i.e. workshops in fiction writing, poetry, prose, building stories etc).

If you are interested in commissioning me to run a bespoke creative writing class for you please contact me at emma@lifeatbasecamp.com to discuss.

September 2023

Exploring the Folklore and Mythology of Wild Birds – Online course

A Creative Writing Course with Emma McKenzie

An exciting two-part course exploring the folklore and mythology surrounding wild birds. This course aims to introduce students to the roots of folklore, exploring some of the interesting tales about wild birds.

In Workshop 1 I will be joined by Catherine Heinemeyer (twitter: @cheinemeyer) a professional storyteller. Catherine will introduce the tradition of storytelling and some folk lore stories. This will be followed with the opportunity to participate in tasks to inspire creative writing linked to folklore. Following part 1 students will be given an opportunity to research themes of interest before creating a piece of their own writing to bring back and share with the other participants in workshop 2.

*Image from pixabay – courtesy of AceClipart_Etsy*

Online Workshop 1: Saturday the 23^rd of September 10:45 – 12:45pm

Online Workshop 2: Saturday the 7^th of October 10:45 – 12:45pm

Cost: £45

Please note: if you are receiving health related benefits, or on a low income I am happy to do a discretionary discount fee. Please email me for details.

To book please email: emma@lifeatbasecamp.com

June / July 2022 Woodland Nature Writing Course (Naturewrights)

A four week course exploring the flora, fauna and wildlife in UK woodlands through creative writing.

Have you ever wanted to know more about our wonderful British woodlands? Are you interested in using a combination of creativity, research and imagination to help you feel a deeper connection and understanding of woodland habitats? This four week course is a self directed learning course, it takes place over an online classroom. Each week students log in to complete a set of tasks related to woodland environments before meeting over zoom to discuss their work at the end of each week.

October 30th 2022 – Winter Solace Online Writing Course

Winter Solace, Online Nature Writing Course 30th October 2022 —EVENT NOW FULLY BOOKED—

For anyone dreading the dark winter months, my Winter Solace Online Writing course aims to:

Celebrate the beauty of nature during the dark winter months.
Take inspiration from the Danish practice of Hygge – getting cosy during winter and using it as a time for reflection.
Create short extracts of prose that reflect our journey through the winter and help us to draw on the natural world for comfort and solace.
To share writing practice and inspiration.

No writing experience necessary. An opportunity to connect to the natural world through words and to find ideas and inspiration to write about during the winter months. Cost £25, each participant will also have the opportunity to receive a small booklet anthology of work created during the class. Please contact me at emma@lifeatbasecamp.com if you wish to receive a booking form. (The class will run via zoom, links are sent out when booking is completed).

(If you are interested in any of my previous workshops please email me at emma@lifeatbasecamp.com and I can add you to my mailing list for future event notification.)