The author spent 30+ years on wheat and cattle ranches in northeastern Montana, before leaving to attend the University of Montana. Her best-selling memoir, "Breaking Clean," was published in 2002 to critical acclaim, including a PEN/Jerard Fund Award for nonfiction, the 2001 Whiting Writers’ Award, and the 2003 Mountains and Plains Bookseller’s Award. She teaches at the the University of Montana. Presented by the MFA at EWU and Get Lit! Programs and hosted by Spark Central.