By Sylvie O’Rourke
This month marks my 10th year of publishing Cornwall Outdoor Club stories in The SDG & A Cornwall Seeker. Over one hundred stories already! How time flies! I’ve read some past articles and noted how my writing style has evolved. I am so grateful to Julia and Mai-Liis for welcoming me, an unknown wannabe writer, and allowing me to hone my skills.
Then, I didn’t know that writing for The Seeker would become a long-term engagement. I remember wondering how I would generate a new story every month. It hasn’t always been easy and sometimes I’ve had to think outside the box to make it happen. Without a doubt, the most difficult time was during the pandemic chaos. How could I write about activities that couldn’t take place? I resorted to creating virtual events, interviewing club members, or reminiscing. There was no way to anticipate how long this situation would last, but truthfully, I enjoyed the challenge.
Writing about outdoor club activities has also pushed me to try things I may not have tried normally so that I could write from a fresh perspective. Among the most memorable outings were a winter tent-camping event in January, an overnight backpacking hike up a mountain, and ice skating, something I’ve never excelled at, using a skating aid. I haven’t done any of those things since, but I haven’t ruled them out. Who knows when I will need another dose of inspiration?
Other first-time experiences that were originally undertaken for the sake of a story had more staying power. The biggest one, paddleboarding, has since become one of my passions. Camping in lean-to shelters and fat-biking have made several reoccurrences as well. Other events like indoor rock climbing, ziplining, and downhill skiing remain on the sidelines. I am not that desperate …yet, especially when it comes to the latter.
Often when I plan to write a story, I have a preconceived idea of what I think my story will be about, and then something unexpected happens to take it in a completely different direction. One such event had us snowshoeing on a member’s private land in deep snow where, not unlike a game of Russian roulette, we would take turns post-holing, at times up to our waists. The side-splitting laughter that ensued made us helpless to assist the latest victim to get up. One surprising storyline was borne of a long weekend trip to Sherbrooke, Quebec, where two out of three vehicles broke down on the way to our destination. That was a not-so-welcomed plot twist! Never would I have foreseen that while on a mountain hike in the Adirondacks, I would trip and break both wrists. A story ensued from this experience, but certainly not the one I envisioned which would have included the vibrant fall panorama from the summit, a summit I was not destined to reach that day. This accident kept me from participating in most activities for three months and modified my way of writing from typing to voice-to-text technology.
Sometimes, creativity needs a little nudge, especially when visiting a location for the umpteenth time. Creating a fresh account might require digging deeper, perhaps by focusing on an individual, a feeling, a specific occurrence, or an extreme weather situation. Finding the extraordinary in the ordinary can be daunting, like trying to light a fire without a match, difficult but not impossible. With a little perseverance, a flicker of an idea might emerge, perhaps enough to trigger a small flame. The trick is to keep that flame from dying by fanning it into a full-fledged bonfire.
Writing for The Seeker has taught me to be sensitive to my surroundings and to collect observations that may be useful for storytelling. I’ve noticed that my narratives have gradually become more introspective and personal. Throughout this journey, I have learned to sort through the jumble of words in my head to unearth those that most accurately convey my experience, making the images in my mind more vivid. Being a part of the Seeker family has introduced me to a group of talented contributors versed in various disciplines. Although we differ in interests, we all come together monthly to spread positive community-focused news. I am so lucky my husband believed in me enough to give me a little nudge into that Seeker Chicks building all those years ago.
SDG & A Cornwall Seeker, www.theseeker.ca, February 2025, page 33