Why Writing in Nature Works: The Wild Lines Philosophy

Wild Lines invites writers and artists to connect with nature through creative hikes. Experience the beauty of the Reno/Tahoe area while fostering community and inspiration. Join us for events that blend creativity, nature, and support for artistic minds seeking new perspectives and connections in the great outdoors.

Join an upcoming hike now.

Hiking gets your blood flowing, yes, but it also gets your ideas moving. As you walk, your thoughts loosen up. You start to wander—literally and mentally. You might find yourself working through a tricky plot point, solving a structure problem, or unlocking a creative thread you didn’t even know you were looking for. Movement shakes things loose.

And then, there’s the setting: nature. There’s something about being surrounded by trees, wind, birdsong, and shifting light that helps you tap into a deeper, freer version of yourself. Out there, you're away from screens, deadlines, notifications, and the invisible pressure of imagined readers or critics. You’re just you, in your body, with your thoughts—and that’s a powerful place to write from.

In that space, there’s no need to self-censor. You can be silly, raw, weird, honest. You can write something you’d never let yourself write in a coffee shop or cubicle. It’s not about being productive or polished—it’s about being open. About letting go.

That’s why I started Wild Lines: to give writers and creatives a space to reconnect with their work and themselves. Sometimes that looks like a quiet, meditative hike followed by solo writing time at a summit. Other times, it’s a more structured hike with group discussion, prompts, or a shared creative focus. And sometimes, it’s just about hiking together in community, holding each other accountable to show up, create, and keep going.

Each hike can be a little different—because every writer is different. But the goal is the same: to help you move, write, and discover something new along the way.