Free Services
WRITING HELP/MENTORING
I'm always available to any who need help or mentoring in any form of creative writing [anything that takes words, from poetry and song lyrics to movies, plays, novels, advertising copy, et al.].
I was a professional writing consultant in my 'old life' and now do what I was paid fees up to $150/hr for, for free. No strings attached. Just email me and let me know what you need.
The only caveat is that I won't help with any work having violent content. Details sent on request. See below for some feedback from mentees.
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From a writer’s site I monitored daily:
I'll have to say you had a huge influence on my writing--you still do. I always read posts on which you comment. I've watched the pissy little people who didn't take your advice and are stuck in a rut with their writing. I'm still evolving. I've found the more I do, the more I see what's wrong with my own work. And God knows how many books I've read since I met you. That's helped out quite a bit. I just want to thank you for your tough honesty.
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from a soon-to-be university film student:
You have a very unique ability. Every time I send a work to you, you burst my bubble and tell me it's crap [i don't actually say it's that bad]. Then I get defensive, because I love my writing too much. But then I think about it, and realize that you're right. I rework my piece with your help, and it ends up being enormously better than the original.
So, you're right. I've thought about my story and, as always, have realized that all of your points are dead-on. I'm going to re-work it and send you a new version (edited for violence, of course).
You're right as always!
thanks,
Lucas
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from Hannah, a brilliant, 15-yr-old poet/philosopher who started with me at barely 14:
You probably don't realise how much you've helped me over the last year. Mostly with my writing (do you remember how rubbishy some of my poems used to be?), but just in general life too. You've given me the confidence to take pride in my opinions, views and ideas even though very few people appreciate/agree with them. If it wasn't for your encouragement (and also your valid criticisms) I probably wouldn't be who I am today-- I'd be some doormat who had the potential to be so much more.
You have had to snap me back to reality a couple of times when I've "went off the rails" a little, which I thank you for. Without your support I don't know where I'd be. Confused, probably. I'd be exasperated because I'd think nobody else thinks/sees things the way I do, which isn't true. Thanks for keeping me on track.
I can't thank you enough for your generous time in critiquing my work. I've improved a lot in the last year, which is mainly down to your advice. You're honestly the most generous person I've known. I just wish more people would appreciate/be able to access your kind heart. A heart of blooming gold!
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Subject: your mentoring
Thanks to your help in the very beginning I have written and sold one book and my second has just been accepted, I am currently in the midst of preparing to write it. And my third is looking very good.
I wanted to say thank you. Thank you for listening and helping me when I had no clue there even was an em dash, much less what to do with one! It made me determined to learn more and I am still trying to learn more as I go. Your generous soul is amazing and I just can't thank you enough.
Best Wishes,
Tammy
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Maia,
I curled up with your critique. You sounded downright cranky now and then, which made me giggle a bit, but you are sooooo good! I feel thoroughly kicked in the shins at the same time I feel energized and excited. Strange combination, I realize!
Mainly, this is just to check in and warn you that you will be hearing from me again.
Don't let anything happen to yourself! I need you!
J
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PUERTO RICO PROJECTS
Giving DOES good & FEELS good!
So many in Puerto Rico are in such great need... please donate whatever books [especially children's picture books, dictionaries, and reference books in English or Spanish] and/or clothes/toys/games/anything you don't need or can spare.
Call or email for mailing address.
Love and hugs, maia
maia's Helping-Hands Books & Donation Center
maia3maia@hotmail.com
(787) 200-6050
"You must BE the change you wish to see in the world." Gandhi
maïa, Founder
The Matera Community:
maïa's Helping-Hands Books & Donation Center
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GOOD CAUSE ORGANIZER/WORKER/ACTIVIST
I'll go anywhere in the world I'm needed by any planet/people-serving or protecting group. I helped organize the human shields to Iraq action in London in Jan/Feb '03, have been a committee member of Abolition 2,000. I've lived with and helped the Hopi, kids in the South Bronx ghetto, and homeless women and children in the shelters of Maine, Nevada, and California.
If I can be useful in any way, to those who seek peace and/or justice in this world, all I need is one room where I can both sleep and work [in London, I lived and worked in a tiny, closet-sized office, left the building only once in 2 months].
Nowhere on the planet is too far for me to go and no one in need is too poor to afford me, since I'm somehow provided with all I need, wherever I go. I'm always just a mouse-click away and will be where needed, 'in the flesh,' as quick as a plane, train, or bus can get me there.
"Though I may frequently do & think stupid, dumb things, I have been designed to be capable of greatness in my smallest, least self-serving act toward others... it only remains for me to prove this, by LIVING it."
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FREE GLOBAL HOUSE AND PET-SITTING
I’m available for situations anywhere in the world. I care lovingly for houses, animals, plants, gardens, do not smoke or drink anything alcoholic & am a vegetarian. I’ve owned, designed, built, renovated and repaired my own homes and had pets of all kinds.
Some homes I've tended:
a classic in Poitiers, France for almost a year; several fine homes in Santa Rosa, CA area; a half-yr stint w/ a family in Nemi, Italy; am in Oklahoma through fall ’03.
2004 update:
I'm now living 'permanently' with a dear couple in altadena, CA [next door to hollywood] as sort of a live-in pet nanny to their 3 little pooches, and whenever-needed housesitter.
2005 latest:
spent near a year with the folks in CA and when they decided to expatriate to spain at the end of last year, I was invited up to Toronto to be step-mom to two wonderful, loving, lovable [and huge!] german shepherds… have my own luxurious apartment in the basement and dogless weekends… just applied for a year extension on my ‘visitor’s’ permit, ‘cause the pups’ parents want me to stay ‘forever’… what a life!
My Soc. Sec. income is sufficient for all my needs and I can provide my own travel fare, if necessary. While minding others' homes, I help/mentor aspiring writers [see above] of all kinds, all over the globe. I can go anywhere in the world for any length of time and "get by" in French, Spanish, Italian [have learned the alphabet, but am still struggling with 'out loud' Greek].
2006 update:
I'm now living on the island of Tinian, in the Northern Marianas, so it's pretty costly to go anywhere from here. But if anyone needs me enough to pay the airfare, I'm still up for a 'sit' now and then.
2011 update:
I spent the past 6 years on the tiny island of Tinian, helping the in-need with a donation center and free books program I started and ran there... I was asked to do the same in Puerto Rico, so i made the move to Bayamon, PR in july... see more on this above.
[Note: For info on the listing site I use, see blurb in 'Links' section]
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