How It Works

The purpose of Split Rock Online Mentoring for Writers is to enable you and your mentor to create a productive, satisfying relationship. We have designed our technology with this in mind.

Working Offline
One of the beauties of Online Mentoring for Writers is that you don't have to use online connect-time to read your mentor's replies or prepare your submissions. You do all your word processing "offline" at your own pace. You only connect to your Web page when you are ready to send your submission, when you have a reply from your mentor, or when you want to see your account information or your history of exchanges with your mentor.

E-Mails
Online Mentoring uses e-mail to inform you about every step of the Groundwork and Mentorship process. You will automatically receive e-mails when:

You are assigned a username and password after registering for Groundwork.

Your Groundwork reply from your mentor is posted to your Online Mentoring Web page. This e-mail will also tell you how to register for Mentorship I, II, or III if you decide to continue.

Your Mentorship I, II, or III hours are posted to your Web page after registering for a mentorship.

You have a reply from your mentor.

Your mentorship is complete.

Each e-mail will contain clear, easy, complete instructions for accessing replies and preparing and submitting your Groundwork or mentorship submission.

Working Online
Online Mentoring's interactive submission screens are easy to use. There are only three steps in the submission process, and each is clearly shown on the screen. It takes only a moment or two to upload and post a submission.

Groundwork Online Submission<
This has four parts:

One Microsoft Word document containing up to ten pages of writing that you would like to work on during your mentorship or that lays the groundwork for new writing you would like to pursue during your mentorship.

One Microsoft Word document containing your one-page writer's autobiography.

One Microsoft Word document containing your one-page statement about your goals for your mentorship.

Your choice of mentors, if you have one. You may also have us match you with the right mentor.

The Groundwork submission screen prompts you through each of these parts.

Mentorship I, II, and III Online Submissions
Each submission to your mentor may have two parts:

Your manuscript in the form of one Microsoft Word document. This may be new writing, a revision of all or part of a previous submission, or a combination of both. There is no limit on length.

Your accompanying letter to your mentor in the form of one Microsoft Word document. In this, you may ask questions, comment on your manuscript, and discuss whatever writing-related issues and topics you wish. Think of your letters as your ongoing conversation with your mentor. There is no limit on length.

The time it takes your mentor to reply will depend upon the length of your submission.

Groundwork and Mentorship Online Replies
Each reply from your mentor may have two parts:

A marked-up version of your submitted manuscript. Your mentor may choose to type questions and comments directly onto your manuscript, usually between paragraphs, lines, or stanzas. Or, if your mentor chooses to offer questions and comments in his or her accompanying letter, he or she may return your manuscript unmarked.

Your mentor's accompanying letter. In this, your mentor may ask questions, make observations, offer insights, and continue your conversation together. He or she may also make comments in addition to those marked on your manuscript or, if he or she has chosen to leave your manuscript unmarked, the letter may include complete comments.

Documents List
Your Online Mentoring Web page will include a list of all past submissions and replies to and from your mentor. You may download any manuscript or letter as many times as you want. If you are working at a different computer, or if you don't want to save your submissions and replies on your hard disk, they are always available here.

Account Information
If you register for Mentorship I, II, or III, your Online Mentoring Web page will have an Account Information section near the bottom of the page. Each time your mentor sends you a reply, he or she will enter the time spent on it. This will include reading and reviewing your writing, forming questions, composing comments, creating writing exercises for you, answering your questions and addressing your concerns, and so on. Your mentor will enter her or his time in 15-minute increments.

Throughout your mentorship, you will be able to see how much time your mentor has spent on each reply, how many hours of your mentorship have been spent in total, and how many hours remain on your mentorship.