Finishing Your Book (ASYNCHRONOUS)
This is a class for anyone struggling with a book. Although that first sprint of 50 pages into a book—either novel or nonfiction—can be very exhilarating, it’s hard to sustain until the end. Sooner or later, you’re likely to find yourself in a creative ditch, wheels spinning. We’ll look at when to revise and when not to revise; what questions are productive, and what questions are counterproductive. We’ll seek ways to re-invigorate ourselves for much more writing. This class takes place online through our partners at Wet Ink, and sessions can be done at your own pace throughout the week.
Peter Mountford
Peter Mountford is the author of the novels A Young Man's Guide to Late Capitalism (2012 Washington State Book Award in fiction), and The Dismal Science (a NYT editor's choice). His work has appeared in The Paris Review, Southern Review, The Atlantic, The Sun, Granta, and The Missouri Review. He is currently on faculty at Sierra Nevada University's MFA program, teaches at Creative Nonfiction, Hugo House, and is a writing coach and developmental editor. Peter's former students and clients have gone on to publish numerous books and stories and articles, and include two NYT best-selling novelists (Tara Conklin and Rachel Griffin).
Teaching Style and Philosophy: I believe the best I can do for students is help free them from the tyranny of talent and the whims of inspiration, which are fair-weather friends. Instead, I want you to hone your personal aesthetic, and to develop an authorial voice, and most importantly develop fluency with the elements of craft. One you can control what's happening on the page with ease, producing publishable work is no longer a mysterious fluke, but a familiar and non-scary process.
Website: petermountford.com
