However, less well known and understood, a special eight hour TJ Virtuoso Program was held on Monday, one day before the retreat began for most. Ten prominent “mentors” worked with ten students each. A total of one hundred students. Admitted by invitation only. It was kind of like applying to Harvard or Yale. Few were accepted. And those who were then had to pay the extra tuition.
The mentors lead class critiques of a 2,500 word sample of each student’s latest writing project. They also spent time talking about various business aspects of being a writer. The mentors were usually big name authors. This year, however, for the first time, one mentor was selected who was not an author. But who knew of course how to critique a manuscript. And the business of being a writer. And who coincidentally just happened to be a member of TITO’s board as well. Genevieve Lasko.
It was five fifteen. In less than three hours her TJ Virtuoso Program would get underway. The morning sun had not yet appeared over the horizon. Lasko sat at the desk in her Hotel Marisol beach suite reviewing the notes of the ten samples submitted by her Virtuoso students.
The knock at the door of her remote casita startled her. “Business Center, Ms. Lasko. Special Delivery Package for you.” Lasko was a no show at her TJ Virtuoso Program.
The Puppet Master Page 44