Heading into my third year in business as Write Now! with Jon Tattrie, I’ve been reflecting on some of the most valuable work I’ve ever done.
I’ll be honest: when I started, I wasn’t sure exactly HOW I could best help writers. Prettier sentences? No: my writers are after the soul.
Writers like Gwen Dixon, author of Is This Party Over?
Gwen was overflowing with ideas for her braided memoir-plus about her life and her life with Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder. The first thing I ever read from her was about a childhood birthday party in 1968 where the birthday girl’s hair caught fire—and little Gwennie wondered, Is this party over? Because if it’s over, she should get a goody bag with wonderful little plastic things inside.
In one action-packed and hilarious story, Gwen uses a misplaced tight gusset and a plastic toy whistle to show you exactly how an obsessive mind operates.
Gwen was writing brilliant, but isolated, one-off stories. She had the raw material, but needed help to turn it into a book people will want to publish and read.
Together, we built a custom book blueprint. Want to destroy writer’s block forever? Learn how to create your own blueprint so when you sit down for your writing hour, the blank cursor won’t blank you—you’ll just carry on executing the blueprint.
Gwen and I celebrated our one-year anniversary working together in May, and she is now about 90% done with the first draft, with 21 stories marked green on the blueprint and a few final gems under construction.
I have read every page she’s written and helped her bridge the gap between what she as the author needs to express and what her readers will need to know.
We tore apart and rebuilt individual stories, restructuring the entire flow so her childhood logic naturally connects to her adult understanding. Through lovely editing, we are elevating her first draft into a polished, professional fifth draft.
Gwen is approaching the finish line. When she’s absolutely delighted with ITPO, I’ll help her find a traditional publisher, or guide her into an independent publishing strategy. I am backing her 100% either way.
Congrats, Gwen! Can’t wait for the next chapter. :)
💡 Want to turn your raw ideas into a finished book framework?
I’m taking on new coaching and developmental editing clients for the upcoming season. Whether you have scattered stories or a messy first draft, let’s build your blueprint and get you to the finish line.
📩 Email jon@jontattrie.ca to get started turning your dream into a real book!