Method to the madness…

Mango&Stella uses the Amherst Writing Method developed by Pat Schneider, author of Writing Alone and With Others. This method strictly focuses on positive and supportive feedback in workshops as a means to cultivate healthy writing habits and continued creativity. No judgement here. Sorry haters, only positive vibes allowed.

How the method works…

All writing exercises are meant as invitations. If a prompt isn’t striking your fancy, no problem! Writers are encouraged to follow the flow of their individual creativity. Want to continue writing from the last prompt? Go for it! Did you bring a project from home? Have at it!

No critiques…

At Mango&Stella you will be starting from scratch, erecting cities and three-dimensional characters and hopefully new and exciting things you will be driven to work on later. Considering this, it’s important to acknowledge that first drafts aren’t exactly polished things of beauty for most of us. That’s why at Mango&Stella there are no red pens in sight, no critiques and no corrections.

Fact or fiction?

In the name of maintaining a safe space to express ourselves we consider all work written inside the walls of Mango&Stella to be fiction.

Does the facilitator write?

Yep! I will be right with you in the trenches, sharing my work with you and participating in exercises. I’m not pretending to be a professor or a teacher. I’m just the facilitator. The person with the right tools and method to help you coax your inner creative muse.

Our lips are sealed…

As in Vegas, all things that happen at Mango&Stella stay at Mango&Stella. All work is confidential.

5 essential things to keep in mind…

1. Everyone has a strong and unique voice.
2. Everyone is born with creative genius.
3. Writing as an art form belongs to all people, regardless of economic class or educational level.
4. Teaching writing can be done without damage to a writer’s original voice or artistic self-esteem.
5. A writer is someone who writes. It’s that simple!