Comments on: One is a Lonely Number – Why You Need a Writing Mentor

By: teendudes

teendudes — Fri, 13 Nov 2009 09:30:32 +0000

So my next step should be searching a mentor !!!! Thanks for making my vision more clear.

By: Mike Consol

Mike Consol — Thu, 12 Nov 2009 04:25:33 +0000

I’ll echo the advice of Natalie Goldberg, author of “Writing Down the Bones.” If you take a class from a writing instructor or, in this case, take on a mentor, make sure the person is writing. Goldberg wisely points out that if the person isn’t writing it means they have a very strong inner critic, and they will turn that inner critic on you.

Her good friend Julia Cameron, author of “The Artist’s Way,” says find a “friendly reader.” Critical readers or mentors could crush the spirit of an aspiring writer before he or she has a chance to develop.

By: Omar

Omar — Wed, 11 Nov 2009 17:38:26 +0000

I love having people read my work and offer criticism. Even though I may not like it. Thanks for the tips on finding a mentor.

By: Gary Smailes

Gary Smailes — Tue, 10 Nov 2009 10:14:54 +0000

Before I comment I just want to declare an interest. I run a company called BubbleCow that provide mentors to writers, but I am hoping this doesn’t turn into a plug. (well that bit was a plug but you know what I mean…)

When we started BubbleCow we knew there was a need for good writer mentoring, but even we were shocked by the number of writers that have shown an interest.

I think that the perfect model for mentoring is similar to the support that is offered by post graduate creative writing courses. I have found that writers are looking for three vital elements. The first is support and critical feedback. By this I mean that writers not only need constructive analysis of their work but also pragmatic advice on how to improve. The second is a writing framework. Many writers need an ‘excuse’ to write and having a mentor breathing down your neck can be great motivation. The third is market knowledge. A good mentor will not only help with the text but also have an insight in the market. This will allow their feedback to not only direct your writing towards the most publishable format, but also provide advice on where to go to see your work in print.

Yet it is not all rosy. My advice for any writer looking for a mentor is to make sure that they can fulfil all three of these criteria. You are looking for a published writer, with in-depth market knowledge and the time to commit to your work. Not an easy combination. I would also suggest that writers are ultra realistic about what they expect to get from the relationship. At BubbleCow we only take on writers we feel have a chance at producing a manuscript of publishable quality. If your work is never going to reach this standard then the best mentor in the world will be wasting their time if the goal in to see the book in print,

Hope this helps…

By: Eric C

Eric C — Tue, 10 Nov 2009 04:30:13 +0000

Where do you get one?

By: joylene

joylene — Tue, 10 Nov 2009 01:44:39 +0000

I’m lucky, I’ve had some great mentors. Still do. And return I’m mentoring a few of my own. Thanks for the spot-on post.

By: tea_austen

tea_austen — Mon, 09 Nov 2009 17:50:22 +0000

Great post, Jules–I definitely agree. I always say that writing may be a solitary pursuit, but having a writing career requires community. I’ve made a point to stay in touch with friends from old writing groups, old writing jobs. We support each other and trade advice, knowledge, editor contacts, job offers we can’t take on at the moment. If you can find others who are not competitive, it’s invaluable.

By: Kaushik

Kaushik — Mon, 09 Nov 2009 15:59:11 +0000

Great idea! Finding someone resonant is tricky though.

By: jules

jules — Mon, 09 Nov 2009 10:17:39 +0000

thanks for all the great comments guys

so glad to hear there are others out there who have experienced the benefits of a mentor – and happy there are a few who have been inspired by this post.

By: Kittie Howard

Kittie Howard — Sat, 07 Nov 2009 18:40:35 +0000

Jules, Thanks for sharing some great ideas. Writing shouldn’t be a lonely process but one of growth and fulfillment. Yes, yes, a mentor would add much.