Do Writers Need Role Models?

One of the few advantages of working in an office is the increased chance of finding a positive role model. People who work in academia may be similarly blessed. For those of us who spend our working days sitting at a desk facing down the impersonal blueness of the computer screen, finding any sort of human contact is difficult, much less one that would serve as an inspiring role model.

Even (now) famous writers have relied on their peers for support and feedback. Wilkie Collins was a friend of Charles Dickens, and there’s no doubt that the older and more experienced Dickens was an exceptional mentor to the Moonstone author. Centuries later, PD James and Ruth Rendell (also known as Barbara Vine) were close friends and allies.

Lucky is the writer who finds a peer who can help him along. If you attend a creative writing class or participate in a writers’ group, you may well find a kindred spirit there. Perhaps you are the only pair who love Lovecraft, or get your kicks with King. A role model doesn’t have to be way ahead of you in the writing world. You can learn a lot from combining information with your peers.

That said, if you are lucky enough to have a dynamic leader of your group or class, or if a successful author is a family friend or neighbour, you may strike the jackpot if they agree to offer you advice and feedback. Unfortunately, all these possibilities may be a pipe dream for many of us.

So, what are role models good for, and can you do without them? The ideal role model fulfills the following functions:

An example to emulateSomeone to discuss difficulties withA cheerleader for when things get tough

Can you do without them? Probably, but as Bogie might have said, it’s better to have than have not. (Or something like that.) Writing a novel without anyone to give you honest feedback is hard. We can’t always see our own mistakes. That’s why they call them ‘blind spots’. It also helps to watch how someone you respect handles things like book launches, lectures, and many of the other non-writing tasks that we are often required to do. I should add, too, that seeing a famous writer behave badly at such an event can be a lesson of a different sort. We also need people to pick us up when we’re down. Your best friend who tells you that agent who rejected you is an idiot. Or that someone with your talent is going to make it big and they can’t wait to see it happen.

This is a lot to ask of one human being, but, fortunately, you may be able to spread these roles over a number of different people.

You don’t need to have a personal relationship with someone to try to emulate them. I’ve never met JK Rowling, but I’ve seen how she handles herself in public events. I see the compassion she has for children, and the enthusiasm she shows for her writing. I also like watching Stephen King interact with fans at conventions and book signings. I take bits that I like from my A-list group of authors and I try to follow those behaviours I most admire.

While having a professional author with whom you can discuss your writing and the issues you may be having is the optimal, any friend who is a good reader can offer invaluable feedback. In fact, they may be better judges, especially if you write in a genre they are well versed in. Unlike a fellow writer, they won’t be jealous that your writing is better than theirs.

The same good friend can also be your cheerleader and advocate. Just be grateful that you have them and remember to include them in your acknowledgements.

Finally, if you are lucky enough to find one (or three) individuals to serve as your role model, don’t mess around. Respect their time and their point of view. Telling people that they don’t know what they’re talking about is no way to nurture a relationship. It’s a good way to destroy a friendship, and to ignore what may well be excellent advice. Also — I say this from being on the receiving end — if a writer gives you advice and suggests ways you might rewrite a scene, don’t try to con them into doing it for you.

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