Why I Love Mentoring
"Working with other writers on an individual basis is one of the most rewarding uses of my skills I have found. I love working one on one to help a writer bring a vision and desire to write into pages."
~Dia Calhoun
Creative Writing Mentoring
Dia Calhoun offers private mentoring sessions in creative writing on-line or in person for adults and children.
Sessions are designed around the writer's need. She offers one time novel reviews, or long term ongoing support. This might include work on narrative structure, arc, character, style--or general help with the writing life, creativity, production.
Calhoun has taught at Seattle University and the Cornish College of Arts. She is currently a Mentor for Stony Brook University in the Children's Literature Fellows program.
from Sara Costantino, Stony Brook University:
“. . . thank you for your generosity this semester. You were so giving with your feedback and your time and I am truly grateful for that. Your insights have empowered me to go further with my writing in a more controlled way. Basically, you were wonderful and I’m going to miss our monthly correspondences very much. To be understood is a beautiful thing.”
from Linnea Lentfer, age 13:
“I first began working with Dia Calhoun, I had the idea for a novel and a few scattered scenes. Through weekly edits and phone sessions, Dia helped me through the complex process of transforming my early vision into a cohesive story. Early on, Dia guided the creation of a chapter by chapter map outlining both the plot and character development. The map proved crucial in seeing how small scenes fit into the overall narrative arc.
"When I struggled to find fresh words, Dia taught me tricks to get going again. We’d spend an hour picking through one paragraph, dissecting what worked, discarding what didn’t. Although Dia never told me what to write, a flood of new words often flowed after our conversations.
”Writing is harder than I ever imagined. Dia helped the words find their way from my head and heart onto the page. With her gentle guidance and mentorship, the seed of a story has grown into an actual manuscript I can hold in my hands.
"Not only did Dia help me write a book, she nurtured me as an artist. She gave me the confidence to say, “I am a writer.” Not only is she a mentor I respect, she is a caring human being who has become a dear friend.
"I can’t imagine a greater gift."
Recommendations
from author Kim Heacox
"Dia Calhoun rescued me. She didn’t just pull me out of deep water with my arms wrapped around a beloved 300-page book manuscript, soaking wet with problems. She breathed new life into me with sage advice, clear thinking and many good ideas about dialogue, narrative arc and character development. I’ll forever be in her debt."
~Kim Heacox, The Only Kayak and Jimmy Bluefeather
from Linnea Lentfer, age 13:
"Writing is harder than I ever imagined. Dia helped the words find their way from my head and heart onto the page.
"Not only did Dia help me write a book, she nurtured me as an artist. She gave me the confidence to say, 'I am a writer.'"
(Linnea's full letter to left.)
from Hank Lentfer, Linnea's Papa:
"Dia Calhoun is a trustworthy, gentle and wise guide for anyone venturing into the world of words. She knows good writing requires risk and persistence, confidence and courage. With sensitivity and insight, Dia nurtured my daughter to dig deeper and write better. Linnea ended each weekly conversation animated and excited to travel around the next bend in her story. Through all the edits and outlines, Dia never lost sight of the creative process being more important than any finished product.
"Dia Calhoun is more than a writing coach. She’s a caring and compassionate human who understands the courage required for young artists to put their hearts on the page."