Mentor Meeting

As small pairs of eyes peaked through the windows of the Wakeman Boys & Girls Club conference room, six professional women writers sat down to lay the foundation of  The Writer’s Bridge creative writing program. It was obvious whose space we were in as their feet trampled through the halls, their voices pierced through the air, and their laughter swelled the building. We were in the middle of their comfort zone mapping out ways they’d to let us stay there. We thought snacks. We thought games. We thought writing!

If you’re a writer you can look back at the arc of your writing life and ask: who helped me get here?  This question is the driving force behind Fran Silverman’s idea to create a group where female teens can be mentored by professional women writers. Her intentions are to enhance their creative skills and interest but, she also wanted to guide them towards a future where writing wasn’t a silly dream but a possible career path.

I’m super excited, as one of the mentors, to get to work! If I would have had a writing mentor when I won the Young Author’s competition of Bridgeport, CT in 3rd grade my journey towards creative writing could have been different. But, everything happens for a reason and I’m hoping I can cut someone’s journey in half by my experiences.

Stay tuned! The Writer’s Bridge has great things ahead!

 

-Erika Kimberly