For any student looking to craft an original, clear, engaging Personal Statement for the Common App, book this 60-minute session. Be ready to explore unique prompts and dive deep into how you have changed and grown over your life, but also be prepared to shine a light on how your chosen college campus will benefit from your special gifts and talents. 

Expect to leave the session with clearly stated tasks to move the essay towards completion.

This is ideal for the student who has done quite a bit of work already, or for a student who wants support beginning the essay. A session includes one round of suggested edits via Google docs, as long as student submits a draft within 1 week after meeting. (Accountability helps with getting over the finish line!)

For those needing more help with their Personal Statement, or for those students who have additional essay questions — this is the package for you. 

Truly, a great essay is 25% writing, 25% editing, 25% simmering, and 25% re-writing. Expect to finish the 4-session package with a completed Personal Statement and up to 3 additional short questions. Be ready to find confidence, excitement, and clarity on how to answer other essay questions —  whether for additional college applications or down the road in your Freshman symposium. 

Includes up to 5 rounds of suggested edits via Google docs. Student must submit essay at least 48 hours prior to first meeting. Copy must be submitted within a week of the last meeting for final edits.

Put the pieces together as we connect by Zoom for 60 minutes. I’ll listen to the story you tell and — perhaps more importantly — the story you don’t tell. Expect to finish with a clearer sense of what you are working towards with your words, as well as with an exercise that will help you get there.

For new clients, this offering includes a one-page reflection within 72 hours of what I heard you say your story is, as well as any themes and threads that might be worth noticing a bit more.

For returning clients, this offering includes a read-through of up to 1,500 words or 8 pages of poetry prior to our meeting, which will serve as the jumping-off point for our session. Work must be submitted 48 hours in advance. 

For returning clients, book 4 separate hour-long sessions as a package and deepen your commitment to your project.

Receive exercise suggestions, a read-through of up to 8,000 words, and a keen eye of how to shape and craft your story to be more compelling, thorough, and clear. You will also receive notes summarizing the Zoom sessions.

All sessions must be completed within 4 months and any work must be submitted 48 hour prior to the meeting. The 8,000 words may be broken into smaller sections/pieces, or you may submit at one time.

Expect to finish the time together with a blossoming project, profound understanding of the connections between characters and themes, and clarity on the arc.

You are ready to hunker down overnight in a writer-friendly space, write your story or book of poems, and have a supportive ear and eye once a day.

Come to the Yellow Writing House in Lakewood, OH: a private home next to mine where you’ll be able to write at any and all hours — with a daily accountability meeting (60 minutes) for edits and feedback.

Includes private Queen room and bathroom, living room with fireplace and a writing desk, plus a stocked fridge for breakfasts. Plenty of restaurants within blocks and only a 15-minute walk to Lake Erie.

Optional: additional one-on-one work for developmental help and feedback ($125/hr).

Coming with a friend or two? The retreat house can host 3 writers comfortably and includes a facilitated sharing circle each night. ($275/pp night)

If you’re ready to get your work out there, add-on the Backyard Reading Party, complete with supportive audience and feedback cards. It’s the best way to end a retreat and keep your writing on track! ($350)

Connect with Melissa by sending an email with your questions to see if this is the right fit for you!

There’s so much to say about this one!

Click on RETREATS in the main menu or head to this link to learn more: melissavincel.com/retreats