On April 21st, our Art of Writing journey reached a new peak when The Successful Writer’s Pyramid author Jon Mullineaux beamed in from Columbus, Ohio. Many of the girls already knew Jon’s workbook — the dog‑eared copy on the desk of one of the girls proved how often she returned to its colorful charts — but this was the first time they could pepper the writer himself with questions.
A Coach’s Pyramid Meets a Writer’s Pen
Jon opened the session with a childhood photo: an 11‑year‑old boy standing beside legendary basketball coach John Wooden. Wooden’s Pyramid of Success shaped the way Jon sees writing — as a structure you build from the ground up: words, phrases, clauses, sentences. That architecture clicked with our girls, who have spent the last two months turning blank pages into vivid stories.
“Start with the fundamentals, then climb,” Jon said, holding up the pyramid slide. Exactly the advice our mentors give when the prospect of a full essay feels Everest‑tall.
Journaling: Our Ongoing Superpower
We’ve been championing journaling all semester (see last week’s post, Finding the Words). Jon doubled down, calling journals the safest laboratory for experimenting with style — places where emotions breathe in ways no AI tool can replicate. The screen exploded with heart emojis at that line, and by session’s end half the cohort had pledged to add a fresh page to their notebooks that very night.
Laughing at Mistakes — Then Fixing Them
One of Jon’s most disarming moments came when he admitted his own common error: the missing word. (Yes, even published authors leave gaps!) By naming — and laughing at — his habits, he gave the girls permission to treat mistakes as stepping‑stones. Together they created a running list of personal error patterns, promising to hunt them down in future drafts. Who knew grammar could feel like a scavenger hunt?
A Quiet Shout‑Out to Libraries
Jon’s day job is Life Skills Specialist at the Columbus Metropolitan Library — consistently ranked among America’s finest public library systems. As the co-founder of BVG, I can’t resist underscoring what that means. In the United States, libraries are more than book repositories; they’re gateways to language classes, resume labs, citizenship workshops, and free Wi‑Fi for newcomers finding their footing. Many of our own immigrant families in Ohio started their American story with a library card and a friendly reference desk. It’s fitting that a champion of clear writing spends his days in a place devoted to open access and community learning.
Homework — The BVG Way
True to form, Jon closed with three reflective prompts, inviting the girls to choose one:
- What did you learn today?
- Who is a hero in your life?
- What creative dream are you willing to begin — right now?
Simple, open‑ended, and perfect fodder for a journal entry.
Why Sessions Like This Matter
Every guest reminds us that voice grows stronger through practice and community. Jon’s pyramid gives structure; our journals supply the daily reps; and the library — whether physical or digital — offers endless fuel. Put those pieces together, and you have a blueprint not just for better essays, but for a life where words open doors.
Thank you, Jon, for scaling the pyramid with us and for showing that the climb is half the fun.
Keep writing, keep journaling, and remember: the next page of your story is only a library card (or a fresh notebook) away.
