by MontanaCoauthor | May 11, 2021 | News, Writing Process Tips
Musings on the work that begins AFTER the first readable draft is complete I recently turned in the first full readable draft of a multi-author manuscript. The team was elated. Each author had already spent months of effort working with me to revise their chapters. I...
by MontanaCoauthor | Nov 21, 2020 | Sketchbook, Writing Process Tips
It hasn’t been the prettiest Autumn. Bitter cold—well below freezing—in early October, many trees hadn’t even lost their leaves yet when everything froze solid in shades of brown and gray. After that abrupt halt to our growing season, the deciduous trees and bushes...
by MontanaCoauthor | Sep 12, 2020 | Sketchbook, Writing Process Tips
I’m on a fractals kick, finding ways to apply them in my dual livelihood, both as a micro-farm manager and as a writer and book editor. If you’re not familiar with the concept of fractals, take a moment to read Life’s Universal Patterns by Eliot Kersgaard. It’s a...
by MontanaCoauthor | May 11, 2020 | Sketchbook, Writing Process Tips
The feeling I get when I thin out seedlings in my garden is so similar to how I feel when I begin removing scenes that aren’t making the cut in a manuscript. “But, but… I like that one. Really like it! Why can’t I leave things as is?” Well. Because crowded scenes...
by MontanaCoauthor | Apr 16, 2020 | News, Writing Process Tips
Well, things just got really strange, didn’t they? I started this year with resolve to finish a draft manuscript of one of my own works in progress. Believe it or not, it’s always a fight to make time for writing, even if you live off writing. Maybe especially...
by MontanaCoauthor | Mar 3, 2020 | Writing Process Tips
Surprisingly few writers head into a book-writing journey with a clear outline in mind. Writing a non-fiction book often begins with a flurry of impulsive draft writing. Topics and sections manifest out of order or in loops, sometimes with certain themes and ideas...
