What We Believe
We’re Not Messing Around
In the Rooted Writes Mentorship, we don’t just say we care about writing for good, we do the hard work it requires.
I, Dani, take very seriously my responsibility to set boundaries, design equitable programs, and protect our community. I’ve been working with a fabulous inclusivity coach, Alyssa Hall, since the fall of 2023. She’s helped me assess my programs to ensure I can actually do what I say (support BIPOC, queer, disabled, and neurodivergent folks writers), develop a scholarship program that’s more than a free ride, and put structures in place to create more belonging, accountability, and accessibility.
Here are some of the ways we practice writing for good:
Rooted Writers must agree with our Beliefs and our Commitment to Socially-Conscious Writing (see them below)
Folks who are interested in joining the Mentorship must complete a thorough application and have a call with me to ensure worldview alignment, openness to learning, and positive story impact
We have frequent conversations about privilege, bias, harmful stereotypes, and how to ensure our stories aren’t doing harm
Expert trainings on topics like DEI for writers and writing diverse characters to help us learn and implement these concepts in our books
Adjusting our novels, sometimes significantly, to remove harmful messages, tropes, or plot lines
Centering the writer’s intent, identities, and desires—who you are determines what you write and why
Ongoing adjustment of the structure, focus, and practices of the Mentorship to better support writers who hold one or more marginalized identities
Every person has inherent worth for who they are and what they have experienced and, therefore, deserve all the benefits of full personhood—love, acceptance, safety, freedom, opportunity, and all other good things.
We are all victims and participants of oppressive systems, though the degree of privilege and/or oppression varies according to the individual. In order to hold ourselves and each other accountable to dismantling these systems, we must each confront our own biases, assumptions, and fears.
By understanding, accepting, and healing ourselves, we can better understand, accept, and heal the world.
Life is nuanced, two things can be true at once, and there are rarely simple solutions to complex problems.
Softness, vulnerability, and compassion are not weaknesses but strengths.
Every person is different and has different needs and challenges, all of which are valid.
Stories create more empathy and connection with ourselves and others.
Stories are most impactful when told by people who hold those identities.
Writing, story, and creativity are inherently valuable, regardless of their profitability or marketability.
Progress is progress regardless of its speed, consistency, or visibility.
Community involves acceptance, curiosity, intentionality, and accountability.
Rooted Writers Mentorship Statement of Belief
Commitment to Socially-Conscious Writing
One of my values is dignity. I believe that every person has inherent worth for who they are and what they have experienced and, therefore, deserve all the benefits of full personhood.
I truly believe stories can change the world, one reader at a time. When I imagine the global impact of the Rooted Writers Mentorship, it's a Quiet Book Revolution—stories going into the world to help people feel seen and to help people see. In this way, I believe we can have more empathy and less division.
The Mentorship is a place for everyone to share their story.
Because writing a project that grows from your own experiences and identity is inherently vulnerable, everyone who joins the Mentorship must be committed to actively cultivating an accountable space so our community can be as safe as possible, especially for those who are Black, indigenous, people of color, trans, queer, fat, disabled, immigrants, or neurodiverse.
People in the Mentorship must be committed to being accountable to each other and to considering how their book will impact the world and people holding marginalized identities.
Some of the ways we do this are by:
Analyzing our characters for harmful stereotypes
Exploring how our books may unknowingly support harmful systems like colonialism, patriarchy, white supremacy, ableism, and anti-queer bias
Being open to unpacking our own biases, fears, and areas of ignorance
Considering the impact of our words and behaviors in our group interactions
Recognizing that we always have more to learn
Being patient with ourselves as we learn and grow
In the Rooted Writers Mentorship, you will likely come up against biases you weren't aware of in yourself and your book. This is not something to avoid, but something to embrace, as hard as it is, because it allows us to create books that move us toward a better world.