Finding a Writing Mentor

Having a guide who's been there before you can be priceless. That's why you may want a writing mentor.

Maybe you only want someone to bounce ideas off of. Maybe you need some guidance during the first draft process - or to help you complete your editing objectively. Having someone available whose opinion you value, and whose had experience in the areas you need help in can be a lifesaver. Or a book-saver.


Finding a Guru

Where do you look to find this consultant you need? Through writing groups you belong to (or should, if you can), or from fiction workshops you attend. Writing courses you take, writing conferences you attend, and other venues authors are likely to frequent are other places to look. If you belong to any writer's organizations, find out if they have a mentoring program. Many do.

Sometimes you can find someone just by asking the right person at the right time. You may be surprised to find someone you already know who knows someone who knows someone... It's always easier to introduce yourself by saying, "Jane recommended I talk to you about helping me with my writing." Don't be afraid to ask around.

If you admire a certain author you've met (or even one you haven't met), it never hurts to ask if he or she would consider being a writing mentor to you. You might get "no" for an answer, but... you might get yes.


Keeping the Relationship Balanced

Before you go on your search, try to decide why you want this type of help, and exactly what you hope to gain from the relationship. Evaluate your areas of weakness, so when you're checking with various authors, you can say right away what kinds of aid you'd like to have from them.

Mentors might do anything from helping you figure out how to start your novel, to encouraging you to edit your work one more time. If nothing else, they can be support for you while you're slogging through the rewriting process, fighting writer's block and getting rejected by a publisher yet again. But you should have at least a basic idea what you'd like from the relationship, before you set it up.

Once you do get a yes, don't expect your writing mentor to hold your hand constantly. Besides not having the time, it isn't polite of you to expect that much from your guide.

Let your consultant set the ground rules to start with, offering slots of time that work for him or her. Ask your questions and don't take constructive criticism personally. If you've found a good match for you, your guide isn't criticizing you personally, just trying to improve your work. They're only words. Not pieces of you.

Don't think your consultant is going to do your work for you. A good mentor will offer ideas for improvement and let you learn to make things better yourself. As you improve, your needs will change, and the relationship will follow. Eventually, you may shift to friendship and being able to support each other.


Free or Not

Some writers might be willing to be a writing mentor to you for free. Others call it coaching and charge a fee for their time. Don't be afraid to pay someone to be in this role for you. After all, they're sharing their wisdom and their time. Both valuable commodities.

But if you find one who will work for free, great. Just don't take advantage of such an offer by asking more than the writer is willing to give.

Either way, finding a place that has a mentoring program or finding an author you admire who's willing and has the time, your writing career will benefit in the long run.