During your writing career you will have many questions, be confronted with many obstacles and let’s face it sometimes you will be pulling your hair out and wondering why you wanted to be a writer in the first place. It happens to all of us, even those who have been writing for many years.
What is a mentor?
A mentor is a person who guides a less experienced person by offering constructive advice, building trust and encouraging the mentee by modeling positive behaviors. A mentor understands their role is to be trustworthy, engaged, genuine, and productive in the needs of the mentee.
The mentor/mentee relationship should be one based on trust and understanding with the ability to work one on one. A mentor will gently push you beyond your comfort zone encouraging you to hone your writing, your thinking and being able to see your work from different perspectives.
To some extent your mentor will be your superhero, watching your back and picking you up when you fall.
The partnership should be a celebration of a constructive writing relationship.
Many organisations such as writer’s centres, the Australian Society of Authors (ASA) and private organisations can offer information on mentorships. There are also competitions by some of these organisations offering the services of a mentor as their first prize. The Australian Society of Authors runs their annual Emerging Writers and Illustrator Mentorship www.asauthors.org/emerging-writers-and-illustrators-mentorships. I have included links at the bottom of this article, but you might like to Google mentorship services within your area.
Many mentors are now happy to use Skype, email and phone, so having a mentor interstate should not be a problem.
Before making a final decision, it is ideal to ask questions, talk to others who have utilised the services of a mentor. Find out what they liked, didn’t like and any advice they can give you.
Before you begin your search, first ask yourself the following questions:
Once you have taken the time consider the above, it's time to begin your search.
It is extremely important to find a mentor that suits you, one who is experienced with the genre you write for. I am a strong believer in mentorships and the benefits to the mentee, if the partnership between the two is a good match. And a good match is extremely important.
If you are not happy with your first, second or even third choice, continue to look until you find a mentor you are comfortable with. After all, you are paying for a service and until you find someone who is going to encourage and guide you, you are just wasting your time and money.
Benefits of a writing mentor
I have been working with a wonderful mentor who I met by chance through the 2014 Children’s & YA Festival at the NSW Writers Centre.
In response to my initial introduction email, I received a questionnaire and request for a sample of my writing. This is an excellent way for a mentor to get to know the mentee. It gives them insight into your writing history, dedication and achievements.
I’m fortunate that my mentor fell in love with the story I submitted, and not only provided more feedback than I could have hoped for, but also has helped see my work in ways I had not thought of before. We have since gone on to work on other pieces of work, and I will continue to utilise her services as I believe we are a perfect mentor/mentee match.
My experience is just that, my experience. If you are at a cross-road as to whether to enter into a mentorship, I hope this article will help with your decision.
Good luck!
“Tell me and I forget, teach me and I may remember, involve me and I learn.”
― Benjamin Franklin
For more information on mentorships visit:
- The Australian Society of Authors (ASA) - Paid Mentorships
- Writing NSW Mentorships & Assessments
- Queensland Writers Centre - Editing and Mentoring Programs
- Writers Victoria Mentorships
- The ACT Writers Centre
- SA Writers Centre
- Australian Writers’ Centre - Creative Writing Mentorships
- Australian Writers Mentoring Program
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