The waterfowlers encapsulated what I've been feeling about a lot of outdoor media for a while. The writing has felt formulaic and stale, driven too much by SEO and affiliate marketing. It's gotten to a point where I could anticipate what articles would feature in each issue, i.e. winter issue would cover how to hike in winter conditions, how to use winter kit, top ten lists for winter hikes, and reviews of down jackets.
Seeing the revival of print zines in the outdoors has been great to witness. I'm seeing more of those stories that encapsulate the adventure, community and connection people crave in these stories.
I loved every word of this and found myself nodding along, "digitally underlining," and grinning at so many points. Your meta analysis of writing and stubborn, time-honed optimism for a different way of being has me fully bought in. Add me to the thousand-plus who believe in what you're doing!
This was excellent! It addressed questions I’ve been working on and even revealed an answer. I feel it’s very easy to lose trust and then interest in anything written about the outdoors (among many things) these days. How do I trust what my attention is on when seemingly the only things that make it to my eyes are corporately sponsored? How do I read something that is not just a glorified product placement in disguise? And finally, yes I do like physical items but I can’t knowingly put myself in the destruction dilemma when the time comes to clear them out. I’m glad I found this, thank you.
Writing is something that that I have done for years but mostly short stories that my mom and my now wife enjoyed reading. My dad was afraid I wouldn't make a living writing. (I am sure you have heard these stories before). I have written some stories about hunting and fishing with my brother in the Arkansas Delta. Now this format makes me a little sad that it took me to the age of 72 to find out there are also people that like to write. Long or short this gives them a place to do it. I enjoy stories, I don't read political stuff, I read stuff that I enjoy, and I guess I would say Happy if that is not too sappy. I spent a lot of my youth in the woods and fields on my family farm. My brother and I hunted, fished and even did a little trapping, things I miss since he passed away and I moved away. Hope everything works out because I enjoy your writing.
“I realized how rare this type of outdoor writing had become — outdoor writing that stands up to all the same tests of quality and originality that other, less niche types of writing face”
Unfortunately “good” writing in general is increasingly hard to find — which is why I cling so vehemently to that which I find of any genre. Thanks for providing so much of it and look forward to more!
The waterfowlers encapsulated what I've been feeling about a lot of outdoor media for a while. The writing has felt formulaic and stale, driven too much by SEO and affiliate marketing. It's gotten to a point where I could anticipate what articles would feature in each issue, i.e. winter issue would cover how to hike in winter conditions, how to use winter kit, top ten lists for winter hikes, and reviews of down jackets.
Seeing the revival of print zines in the outdoors has been great to witness. I'm seeing more of those stories that encapsulate the adventure, community and connection people crave in these stories.
I loved every word of this and found myself nodding along, "digitally underlining," and grinning at so many points. Your meta analysis of writing and stubborn, time-honed optimism for a different way of being has me fully bought in. Add me to the thousand-plus who believe in what you're doing!
Miss the old Mountain Gazette printed on newspaper. Stopped subscribing to most mags due to the heavy colored
Paper
Yeah we’re super pumped for newsprint, long reads, and a deep dive into community with our quarterly paper :)
Great piece. Viewpoint shared by many. Thanks for sharing @Matt Miller
This was excellent! It addressed questions I’ve been working on and even revealed an answer. I feel it’s very easy to lose trust and then interest in anything written about the outdoors (among many things) these days. How do I trust what my attention is on when seemingly the only things that make it to my eyes are corporately sponsored? How do I read something that is not just a glorified product placement in disguise? And finally, yes I do like physical items but I can’t knowingly put myself in the destruction dilemma when the time comes to clear them out. I’m glad I found this, thank you.
Pinedale WY “All the Civilization You Need”
We’re here for it!
I quit reading outdoor life years ago because it got so bland. Today's mags are too full of adds. It felt like you got no content to read.
Great writing here Katie Hill. Nice work.
Writing is something that that I have done for years but mostly short stories that my mom and my now wife enjoyed reading. My dad was afraid I wouldn't make a living writing. (I am sure you have heard these stories before). I have written some stories about hunting and fishing with my brother in the Arkansas Delta. Now this format makes me a little sad that it took me to the age of 72 to find out there are also people that like to write. Long or short this gives them a place to do it. I enjoy stories, I don't read political stuff, I read stuff that I enjoy, and I guess I would say Happy if that is not too sappy. I spent a lot of my youth in the woods and fields on my family farm. My brother and I hunted, fished and even did a little trapping, things I miss since he passed away and I moved away. Hope everything works out because I enjoy your writing.
“I realized how rare this type of outdoor writing had become — outdoor writing that stands up to all the same tests of quality and originality that other, less niche types of writing face”
Unfortunately “good” writing in general is increasingly hard to find — which is why I cling so vehemently to that which I find of any genre. Thanks for providing so much of it and look forward to more!