elpais.com
Author Completes Novel with Vargas Llosa's Mentorship
A 32-year-old author, struggling with writer's block, won a 2004 Rolex Mentor and Protégé Arts Initiative grant, receiving mentorship from Mario Vargas Llosa which led to the completion of their second novel, "Recursos Humanos", within a year through meetings in various cities.
- How did the mentorship's structure and geographical diversity influence the novel's completion?
- The mentorship involved weekly meetings (except Sundays) across various cities, with the author submitting work weekly and receiving feedback. The collaboration fostered the completion of a 364-page manuscript, demonstrating the effectiveness of the program in overcoming writer's block and supporting creative output.
- What impact did the Rolex Mentor and Protégé Arts Initiative have on the author's writing career?
- In 2004, the author, then 32, won a Rolex Mentor and Protégé Arts Initiative literature grant, securing a year of mentorship with Mario Vargas Llosa. This opportunity helped overcome a three-year creative block, resulting in the completion of their second novel, "Recursos Humanos", with regular meetings in London, Paris, Lima, and Madrid.
- What broader implications does this experience have on the effectiveness of mentorship programs for artists?
- The author's experience highlights the potential of mentorship programs to revitalize artistic careers. The structured sessions, regular feedback, and geographic diversity of the meetings all contributed to the successful completion of the novel. The anecdote of attending a Tom Cruise film on a public bus with Vargas Llosa underscores the unexpected and personal nature of their collaboration.
Cognitive Concepts
Framing Bias
The framing is overwhelmingly positive and personal. The narrative focuses on the author's personal growth and experience with Vargas Llosa. This framing could be seen as potentially neglecting any critical assessment of Vargas Llosa's work or personality, but given the personal nature of the piece, it's not inherently biased. The focus is clearly on the mentorship and personal connection.
Language Bias
The language used is largely positive and celebratory, reflecting the author's admiration for Vargas Llosa. While this positive tone is not inherently biased, it limits the objectivity. There's no overtly loaded language. The overall tone is subjective but appropriate for a personal recollection.
Sustainable Development Goals
The article describes a mentorship program that fostered the author's literary development, aligning with the SDG 4 (Quality Education) target of ensuring inclusive and equitable quality education and promoting lifelong learning opportunities for all. The mentorship provided invaluable guidance and support, enabling the author to overcome a creative block and complete a novel. This directly contributes to the development of human capital and skills.