Welcome to Writing Tips and Resources! This month we’re talking about:
Climbing the Mountain of Your Writing Project!
Like a mountain, a writing project can be big, confusing, and hard to picture in its totality.
Luckily, we can prepare to write just like we prepare to climb a mountain. Let’s work through these stages so you can approach your new project with confidence.
[Photo by: Alpsdake (CC-BY-SA-3.0)]
PREPARATION
The work you do before you start a climb sets you up for success. In the same way, preparing before you write helps you succeed.
[Photo by: NPS Photo/M.Reed, Public Domain]
Some ways to prepare:
- Decide what mountain you’ll climb: Select your topic or story idea so you have a sense of your project’s scale.
- Pack your bags: Identify what skills, research and ideas will help you write.
- Determine what you need to be comfortable. On a mountain hike, this might be layers of clothes, sturdy boots and a good-fitting backpack. For writing, consider how you work best:
- Where do you like to write?
- What do you need with you?
- When, where, and with what snacks do you do your best work?
Activity: Create an Outline for Your Writing
There are many ways to plan out your writing project. Here are a few steps to consider:
- Get all your ideas out. Don’t worry about order or organization yet.
- Study what you have. Does a big idea appear? What’s interesting to you?
- Now organize the important ideas into a structure or outline.
- Keep moving points around and adding ideas until you have a plan that you’re excited about.
Book Recommendation:
MOUNTAIN by Jason Bittel and Sandra Neuditschko offers inspiring photos and fascinating facts from diverse mountains around the globe. So many amazing mountains…but you can only climb one at a time. Which mountain will you pick? Which writing project?
STARTING
You’re packed and planned for your climb. You’ve gathered your resources. Now it’s time to start.
Starting can be scary. It’s where you realize that you’re actually going to climb this big, beautiful, dangerous mountain. You might want to just head home instead.
To get the ball rolling, try these tips:
- Pick a day and time when you will start writing
- Lower your expectations: You don’t have to write something perfect; you don’t have to finish today.
- Write without editing; keep moving forward
- Set a timer: Maybe just write for 20 minutes. Or 5 minutes.
- Find an accountability partner: Agree with a friend that you’ll write at the same time, or share your writing goals.
- Reward yourself: Do something fun after each writing session.
Activity: Start! Use the tips above or your own ideas and start writing.
Book recommendation:
HOW TO MAKE A MOUNTAIN by Amy Huntington and illustrated by Nancy Lemon is a great example of how even a mountain has to start somewhere and grow step by step. “It’s going to take a little muscle and a whole lot of patience. It is a big job but it’s packed with adventure.”
STAYING ON COURSE
You might feel like you’re nearly there and suddenly you turn a twisty corner and realize there’s more in front of you. The mountain feels endless, and so does the rest of your writing project. You’re not at the end yet, and you’re not sure if you have the strength to get there.
The good news? Everyone feels this way sometimes. And if you keep going, you’ll get through the messy middle.
[Photo by: U.S. Army 173IBCT-A by Spc. Giovanny Lopez, Public Domain]
Here are some ways to stay on course:
- Consult your map (aka plot chart or outline). How can it guide you forward? What are you missing? Dig deep to get inspiration and direction.
- Twists and turns aren’t always a bad thing; have you stumbled on a new insight or direction? Don’t be afraid to let go of what’s not working.
- Keep the faith: The end may not be visible and you may feel lost, but trust that you can make your way to the summit if you persist.
Activity: When you worry your project is off course:
- Can you identify what isn’t working?
- Ask what you need to support your takeaway: Additional sources? A creative plot twist?
- Keep track of what you’ve done and what’s left to do.
- Take a break! Go for a walk, do a word puzzle, play with a pet.
- Review your outline or free write about your story or essay to see if there are any changes needed to the outline.
- Believe in yourself. You got this far and if you keep going, you’ll get to the end!
Book Recommendation:
SAVING THE GHOST OF THE MOUNTAIN: AN EXPEDITION AMONG SNOW LEOPARDS IN MONGOLIA by Sy Montgomery and Nicole Bishop shows the persistence and patience needed to find something precious—like the elusive snow leopard—or create something meaningful—like the story or essay you’re writing. Keep at it—good things come to those who persist.
Book Recommendation:
SURVIVAL SCOUT: LOST IN THE MOUNTAINS by Maxwell Eaton III offers practical survival tips using the resources you have on hand (and a little humor).
THE MIDPOINT (peak)
Congratulations—you’ve reached the top of the mountain! (aka you’ve finished your first draft). Look back on how far you’ve come! This is worth celebrating!
And there’s still work to do—a mountain to climb down, and a draft to revise.
But as you look around at the view and proudly study your pile of words, you can gain confidence: you’ve made it this far; you can make it all the way home to a finished draft.
[Photo by: Staceymacnaughtosl (CC-BY-4.0)]
Activity: Celebrate and Look Ahead
There are two important things to do at this stage:
1. Plan your next steps:
Figure out when you’re going to revise. Put down your thoughts about what to add, change, or look at more closely. These notes will help you move into revisions.
2. Celebrate yourself!
You’ve done something huge and deserve to enjoy the view from here. Remind yourself of what you’ve accomplishment! Tell people who’ll care about this important step. Do something good for yourself—dance around the house, play a game you love, read a good book, spend time with your pet. Treat yourself!
[Photo by: Damithch96 (CC-BY-SA-4.0)]
HEADING HOME
As you head home, you’re walking back over the same path and seeing it from a different angle. This is revision: going through what you’ve written and tidying your trail.
Are your arguments clear? Do your references support what you want to say? Do your characters have enough…character? Are your sentences and word choices the strongest they could be?
As you make these changes, watch your writing project come into focus.
[Photo by: Richard Wood (CC-BY-SA-3.0)]
Activity: Plan and implement your revision
- Remind yourself what you wanted to accomplish with this piece of writing
- Read what you’ve written: Does your writing achieve your overarching goals?
- What was the point of your writing? (what was your main argument? What character journey did you want to explore?)
- After you revise, ask someone else to read your writing. Do they take away the ideas you wanted them to? What questions or ideas do they have?
- Revise again if there are changes you still want to make.
[Photo by: Eli Duke (CC-BY-SA-2.0)]
When is it done? Once your big ideas are in place and you’re just fiddling with a few words here and there, you’re probably finished.
AFTER YOUR CLIMB
Each mountain (project/ piece of writing) is unique; allow yourself the freedom to meet the particular needs and opportunities it brings.
If the way you write doesn’t match the one above, that’s great too. Creative processes are all different and evolve over time.
When you get to your next project, some of this will work for you but some of it you’ll need to adapt, just like every mountain you climb has its own particularities.
[Photo by: ID 16863375 @ Christa Eder | Dreamstime.com]
Activity: Celebrate! You’ve done something amazing!
Step back and admire the mountain you just climbed. Take time to enjoy what you’ve done.
Then start dreaming about your next project.
Book Recommendation:
AT THE TOP OF THE WORLD: THE GREATEST MOUNTAINS ON EARTH (AND HOW TO CLIMB THEM) by Robin Jacobs and Ed J. Brown offers another celebration of amazing mountains with tips about how to climb them and face the natural disasters they’re prone to. What will your next climb—or writing project—be?
Post created by:
Alexandra Millarhouse is a researcher, science communication professional, and writer focused on the intersection of nature, science, and self. Her debut picture book, THE ANIMAL QUEENDOM, comes out in 2027 with Simon & Schuster, followed by an unannounced picture book in 2028. Living in Vermont, Alexandra is often tracking wildlife across a cemetery, or sitting by the water with a sketchbook. Visit Alexandra online at: https://www.foxandindigo.com/
Kamilla Milligan is a kidlit writer who explores themes of home, connection with nature, and cultural diversity in her stories. Kamilla has lived in Canada, the southern US, and Russia, and applies her PhD in education to her work in equity and human rights. Outside of reading, Kamilla enjoys gardening, fibre projects, and nature walks. Visit Kamilla online at kamillamilligan.com
