Carol Bergman

"Today I am a more effective writer. I owe it to your honesty and encouragement. I hope I can keep you as a mentor in my life. Your words were invaluable to my growth as a writer."

-- Jill Krasny, Writer & Editor, Reader's Digest

*****

"I feel extremely lucky to have had you as a teacher. I have been inspired by your interest in life which seems to extend to every facet of existence."

--Joy Frelinghuysen

*****

"Thanks for being my teacher. I really enjoyed your humor, ranting, compassion, and practical advice for how to get over ourselves (or into ourselves) and make better writing...It's really been an affirming experience."

--Kirk Henderson, Architect

*****

"My first encounter with Carol dates back to spring 2006 when I enrolled in her Creative Nonfiction Writing Course. After a long hiatus, I wanted to revitalize myself and renew my interest in the one enterprise that had always sustained me-writing. Having been a college teacher for nearly thirty years, it would now be my turn to be a student. I did not know what to expect nor did I know what would be expected of me. Needless to say, I was rather apprehensive. My fears proved to be ungrounded. Carol, with her indomitable wit and deep knowledge of the writing process, encouraged the best in me. As I walked home after the first class, I noticed a bounce in my step, my head filled with stories I had been yearning to tell, and an overall sense of euphoria that had not gripped me in a long time. I couldn't believe how lucky I was to have come upon such a great teacher and saw it as divine intervention.

Carol imposed a discipline of writing I had long cast by the wayside. I could no longer find excuses for not doing the work. I forced myself to write as much as I could and it soon evolved into a routine. Carol's critiques were direct and honest without resorting to flattery or empty praise. She really made me re-vision my writing. By the end of the course, I had learned though not yet mastered, the literary tropes of setting, time, plot, dialogue, etc. that it became part of my own critical awareness towards my writing. I knew instinctively how to improve my writing and though I was not always successful, I had the tools at my disposal.

Carol's teaching style and methodology was so impressive that I decided to work with her privately. In the past two years, her careful mentoring and astute commentary has resulted in the publication of two of my stories. I am currently working on a collection of memoirs under her continued guidance and hope to complete my book by the summer of 2009. I have internalized the lessons she taught me and see myself growing as a writer. Thanks to Carol, writing has become an integral part of my life. My spirit is renewed and I owe it all to her. When people ask what I do, I can proudly claim, 'I am a writer.' "

--Vasu Varadhan, Associate Faculty, Gallatin School of Individualized Study, NYU

*****

I really enjoyed your course. You made the requirements and objectives clear at the start and your comments on our work were unfailingly perceptive and helpful. Best of all, you seemed genuinely interested in us, not just the writing, but in helping us go further with it.

--John Spencer. Professor Emeritus, Middlebury College

*****

There has always been a sense of urgency in me, to get out my thoughts, emotions, ideas. And, finally, I have figured out how to revise and write...I feel thoroughly inspired...

--Lindsay Gacad

*****

I don't know how many people I've told, "I love my writing teacher!" You are inspirational, honest and dedicated. I got so much more out of this class than I thought I would. It's been a real introduction to writing-a glimpse into the writer's world...

--Dawn Brighid


I look back on my writing prior to meeting Carol Bergman seven years ago and cringe. I have no hesitation recommending anybody of any level working with her to help improve all elements of the craft. Her thorough yet compassionate editorial input has been invaluable to me. Working with her has been tremendously rewarding.

--Ross Martin, Landscape Architect

I appreciated the structure Carol gave us in the workshop. She set a high bar in terms of what we were asked to do--the amount of work, the quality of the readings, the critiques.

--Bridget Moury, Assistant Manager, Business Affairs, HBO.