Write the Self: writing from personal experience.

This mentorship is led by New Yorker contributor Frances Badalamenti, author of I Don’t Blame You, Salad Days and Many Seasons (forthcoming in November). This one-on-one program will take a deep dive into your fiction, autofiction, or memoir manuscript.

This is a 3-month Individual Mentorship that includes bi-monthly 1-on-1 meetings with Frances (75 minutes each). The focus can be fiction or nonfiction, but the emphasis is on writing from personal experience: autofiction (autobiographical fiction), memoir, short fiction or personal essays.

You do not need to be working on a full-length book project; this is more about accountability and developing a consistent writing practice. Some level of writing experience is preferred. You do not need to be a published writer, but Frances requires a commitment to write on a regular basis during these three months.

You will be encouraged to develop a consistent, committed writing practice. You will hone in on developing your voice. You will gain an understanding of story structure. You will learn how to develop your writing with the support of community.

And most importantly: my promise is to create a safe, inclusive space so you feel comfortable doing your work and sharing your work. This will be an ongoing part of our dialogue.

The Ideal Applicant may be at any stage of their writing practice, but should have some experience writing. The ideal applicant will come to this mentorship program with the willingness to write and to establish a consistent writing practice. You will be required to write at least 2500 words per week; although, you will only be required to submit 2500 bi-monthly.

The goal of the three months is to establish a solid, committed writing practice. You will finish a few completed stories or essays or you will have a general sense of direction (and a solid head start) on a book-length project.

Participants will be challenged to develop the ability to see their own work with fresh eyes and ask crucial questions about what is working and what isn’t. This mentorship will consist of Frances giving extensive feedback and advice from her personal experience publishing three books and online stories, essays and interviews. Critique will focus on strengths, but also on weaknesses. Frances will recommend books, excerpts, craft essays and/or articles tailored to each unique writer’s needs.

You will be able to send Frances questions and talk through any roadblocks you run into over the three months, but scheduled meetings (phone or Zoom) will occur every two weeks. You will be expected to submit approximately 5000 words every two weeks for direct feedback from Frances, to be discussed at the bi-monthly meetings.

You will also be given new resources from the instructor every two weeks such as: readings, writing tips, ideas on structuring your work, and the opportunity to get support around the struggles that come with being a writer. Since this work is writing from personal experience, which can be quite challenging -- Frances will be there to support you on this unique journey.

Mentor’s Monthly Input:

• (Two) 75 minute one-on-one meetings between mentor and mentee
• Bi-monthly feedback from mentor on writing samples (approx 5000 words)
• Bi-monthly readings: specific readings will be tailored to individual writers needs and goals; to be discussed during one-on-one meetings
• Availability over email and phone to answer questions and provide support

The 3-Month Personal Writing Mentorship

• Bi-monthly one-on-one mentoring meetings (75 minutes); discuss writing, readings and establish goals/timelines
• Personalized roadmap for achieving your currents and future goals
• Accountability from mentor
  
• Access to mentor via email for questions for three months
• Bi-monthly critique of work (approx 5000 words)
• Personalized readings and assignments based on your specific development needs
  
• Writing and revision exercises as needed

Mentee’s Monthly Responsibilities:

• Participate in bi-monthly one-on-one meeting (75 minutes each session)
• Submit work to mentor (up to 5000 words to be submitted every two weeks) based on individual project goals negotiated with mentor
• Keep up with readings
• Sample Reading List
  

Every other week, writers will be assigned readings specific to their individual needs (I will determine these readings based on our discussions about their work). This is just a sample list, as I will determine the readings when I know whom I will be working with and what they will be working on during our time together.

Readings will include (these are just examples, as we will come up with reading lists together during the mentorship:):

Short Story Collections:

• A Manual for Cleaning Women by Lucia Berlin
• The Collected Stories of John Cheever
• The Collected Stories of Richard Yates
  
• Break it Down by Lydia Davis
• Best American Short Stories, various years

Memoir (excerpts):

• The Grief is for People by Sloan Crossley
• Consent by Jill Ciment
• Also a Poet by Ada Calhoun
•  A Life’s Work by Rachel Cusk
• Splinters by Leslie Jamison
• Just Kids by Patti Smith

Personal Essay Collections:

• White Girls by Hilton Als
• The Empathy Exams by Leslie Jamison
• Pulphead by John Jeremiah Sullivan
• Consider the Lobster by David Foster Wallace
• Little Labors by Rivka Galchen
• The Collected Schizophrenias by Esme Weijun Wang
• How to Write an Autobiographical Novel by Alexander Chee
• Slouching Towards Bethlehem by Joan Didion
• Best American Essays, various years

Autofiction and Autobiographical Fiction:

• Shy by by Max Porte
• Lie with Me by Philippe Besson
• Tremor by Teju Cole
• The Light Room by Kate Zambreno
• Change by Edouard Louis
• Getting Lost by Annie Erneaux
• The Copenhagen Trilogy by Tove Ditlevsen
  

Craft Essays & Articles:

Will be determined depending on the needs of individual writers