Hi friends,
I’ve had a lot of people ask me about mentorship in the writing community, so I thought I’d share here. Let’s start off by the definition of mentorship.
When I started out writing with the hopes of publication someday, I knew I had a big learning curve ahead of me. I wasn’t in a hurry. I had lots of reading, writing, and studying to do. Much like a pianist first learns fingering, tempo, composition, melody and more, there is much to learn in the craft of writing and storytelling. Yes. I do believe writing and storytelling are two different things, but that will be my next post. For today, I’ll focus on mentoring.
I was a couple years into studying the craft and practicing by writing my attempt at a manuscript. It was a practice piece. Whatever aspect I was studying in the craft—be it pacing, characterization, structure, setting, etc.—I would focus on that element in my practice manuscript. By the end, you can imagine the mess of a manuscript I had, but I was able to see over time how my writing improved.
Though, the greatest improvement came when I started working with my mentor. She was my favorite author and I so wanted to write romantic suspense as well as she did. Not sure I’ll ever live up to that because she’s amazing, but she took me under her wing. She transformed my storytelling. We worked together on three manuscripts and for four years before that third story sold. But it was during the writing of stories that she taught me. She read my work and commented on it directly as I went. By the third manuscript, which ended up being Submerged, she’d put together a full-scale review of the complete story.
Had she not started out with comments throughout, with examples and with craft book suggestions and mini lessons on the craft elements I needed help on, I never would have gotten to the place where she’d read my stories as a whole. I’m honored to say she’s read parts (when I’m flailing on a certain aspect) or the complete manuscript of every novel since.
Not only did she teach me in the craft of writing, but in the publishing industry. Knowing how to submit to agents and editors was a huge part of the process. Knowing what to look for in my first contract, how to move forward as a published author, and how to continually go in the craft were all major lessons that have blessed me to this day.
Being mentored instilled in me the desire to mentor others. I’ve mentored three writers and I’m ecstatic to say they’re all agented today, and the one who was already published before we worked together, is soaring. It’s a joy to watch her fly. I’ve loved the process and the relationships of mentoring so much that I’ve started a mentoring service. If you’re a writer or know a writer who might be interested in mentoring, feel free to use the contact form on my website.
I’ve loved being back with you today!
Reader question: Who has been a mentor in your life? A parenting mentor, spiritual mentor, writing mentor…?
Blessings,
Dani
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I enjoyed hearing about your mentoring relationship. I sent you a question via your website.
Hi Jodie,
So glad you enjoyed the post. I just emailed you back. Hope it’s helpful 🙂
Thank you for a great post, Dani. Mentoring is such a valuable thing for any area in life, from professions like you were mostly talking about here, to spiritual growth like Titus 2 commands. I have been so blessed to have had several mentors, including school teachers/professors, piano teachers, and ladies from church just doing life with me & encouraging me by their words & examples. They were/are all unique gifts from the Lord to help mold me. Thanks for sharing!
Love that you’ve had mentors in so many areas. That’s wonderful! So glad you enjoyed the post.
I love mentoring! Experienced authors were so generous with me when I was starting out. It’s rewarding to be the one helping, encouraging, and guiding new writers now.
Absolutely feel the same way 🙂 I know several of the authors in your mentoring/critique group and they love it!
I loved reading this! It’s helpful to know that mentors are great in the writing business, that way I know when I get a little older, it’s something to keep in mind.
So glad it was helpful! Thanks so much for stopping by 🙂
Thanks for sharing, Dani! Posts like this one always encourage me (an aspiring author, myself!) when the idea of navigating the publishing world gets to be overwhelming! Just knowing that even my favorite authors had to start somewhere helps me believe that I can actually do this☺️