Extra Teeth Mentorships: A Chat With Ayla Douglas
This year, for the first time, we opened formal submissions to our previously-informal mentorships - and we received over 200 applications! The successful applicant for that first round was Ayla Douglas, whose hugely promising work drew us in and wouldn’t let us go.
We’ve been working with Ayla for the last six months, and she recently shared some thoughts with us on what she’s gained from the mentorship and where she’s headed next.
1. What was your writing experience, prior to being chosen as an Extra Teeth mentee? What did you hope to gain from the experience?
AD: I’ve dabbled in writing since I was little but I only started taking more of a serious, considered approach to it in the months before I started the mentorship. I had some postcard fiction published in a magazine and that led me to decide that I wanted a better understanding of what I needed to work on more. I have been a fan of Extra Teeth since its first issue; I love its experimental approach to form, plus its design/illustration is always gorgeous. So for me it seemed an ideal publication through which to get mentorship.
2. How was the mentorship structured, and what did you work on?
AD: In total we had three sessions by phone. Prior to the second and third sessions I sent the magazine a piece of writing to review. We worked on two short stories, which were both drafted during the mentorship, using feedback and suggested edits to develop the writing further. Very helpfully for me, the sessions were spread over a number of months which meant I could fit the mentorship in around work and being a mum, as free time is not something I have an abundance of!
3. How has the mentorship helped develop your writing in the long run?
AD: It has been of huge value to me in developing my work. I feel I have better insight into how to best approach my work with a critical, editorial eye. As I write for fun I’ve always taken an instinctual approach with it; mentorship helped me take a step back to understand the technicalities better, which I think has improved the readability of my work. I had prepared for my ego to take a battering but the magazine were so supportive and tactful in how they delivered criticism. The mentorship helped me recognise strengths I was unaware of and areas where I need to just trust myself more.
4. What would you say to someone considering applying for an Extra Teeth mentorship?
AD: Do it - mentorship is important in life no matter what you choose as your vocation; there is much insight to gain from a knowledgeable sounding board. It helps that the magazine are so down to earth and fun to work with.
5. What are you working on right now?
AD: I’m working on a short fiction submission for an anthology, although given time constraints (see above), I probably won’t be able to make any real progress until the Christmas break. Writing helps me unwind and stay sane, so sitting down with a packet of biscuits and a blank notebook will be an ideal way for me to spend cold winter evenings.