MENTORING
12 months of support, to get it finished, and out there
'Bridget is more than a writing mentor. She has changed my life. With her help, I have torn off my inhibitions and found inner freedom. As a result I have learnt how to be at peace on the page. My characters now thrive and take me on wonderful adventures. I cannot recommend her highly enough.' -Helen. Australia
Start working closely with Bridget. Dig deeper...
The mentoring scheme runs over twelve months. It has a rolling intake, so you can start any month. The scheme is composed of twelve hour-long sessions (one a month), via Skype/telephone or in person. The process is tailored to individual needs, and offers:
Writing skills
Goal-setting/practical advice
Support to manage any blocks that come up during the creative process
Learning to hear, and building confidence in your 'natural storyteller'
Detailed handouts to support subjects covered
A mid-month email 'hello' to check how you're doing
Optional experiments (exercises) to undertake between the sessions
Written feedback can be offered in lieu of meeting time, if appropriate
The fee is £1250. It's payable upfront, or in monthly instalments. That breaks down as an hourly fee of 60 pounds per hour.
The scheme is aimed primarily at those who are serious about completing a longer fiction* or non-fiction** project, or a series of short projects. However, if you're without a long project, but want to make an on- going commitment to improving your writing/storytelling skills, you're also very welcome. I guide you to come up with realistic goals, and to stay on a steady path to completing them. If you take a up a place on this scheme, I promise, I'll be with you all the way :-)
Looking for ongoing support for a child's creative writing and storytelling skills? The Mentoring Scheme is also available for children. For more information, please fill in the below contact form, or write directly to bridgetholding@wildwords.org
Enrolments are now open. I look forward to hearing from you if this is what you've been waiting for.
Bridget is a tutor in creative writing for the adult education department of The University of Exeter, former associate lecturer at The Open University, and practising psychotherapist. She holds an MA in the Therapeutic Uses of the Arts, and a BA hons in English Literature and Language. She lectures at festivals of literature throughout the UK. Articles by or about her have featured in magazines including Writing Magazine, Saga Magazine The Psychotherapist, and The Telegraph Newspaper.
Wondering about applying for the mentoring scheme but nervous, ambivalent, confused or unsure? Read here
Ongoing support is also available for less 'goal-oriented' work. For example, to free-up your creativity, or find your voice in everyday communication. If that's your focus, you're equally welcome to get in touch.
*novel, screenplay, short story, flash fiction, poetry etc. **memoir, autobiography, biography, thesis, journalistic article, poetry etc.
You don't have to do it on your own...
At every course and workshop I’ve ever taught, individuals have arrived, plonked themselves down in a chair, glanced at the assembled group, heaved a relieved sigh, and said ‘you know, it’s just really hard to do it on your own’ (or words to that effect).
In my experience, it’s not mastering skills that’s the tough bit. We’re all natural storytellers, and techniques are relatively easy to learn. No, the really challenging things about being a writer or poet are:
Carving out the necessary time in a busy life.
Feeling supported and motivated in the solitary task of writing.
Keeping enough perspective and having sufficient, quality feedback to judge what’s working.
Staying focused and patient enough to get to the necessary level of detail.
What marks out a successful from an unsuccessful wordsmith, is not that intangible ‘talent’. It’s two other things. Firstly, the ability and willingness to keep plodding on. The best crafters-of-words are very hard workers. Secondly, knowing how to ask for help when it’s needed.
I find nothing more satisfying than helping a writer, storyteller or poet dust down that manuscript that they’ve been trying to complete for years, and get it to the point of publication or performance.
There is nothing more conducive to confidence and happiness in life, than connecting to a support network and then doing what we told ourselves we would do and finishing that book. That’s the moment when we stick our flag on the summit of Everest.
'Bridget Holding has mentored me as I write my first novel from October 2016 onwards. Throughout this time her advice has been timely and her feedback insightful and practical, enabling me to take my writing further and deeper than I thought possible. I am working on the second draft, and I would not have got this far, in the time available, without her mentoring.' - Catherine. UK
