Mentoring…Keep on Writing
Sisters in Crime Blog Hop – I find it interesting to use the word “mentor”. The definition, of course, is someone who teaches or gives help and advice to a less experienced and often younger person. When you hear someone say, “He or she is my mentor”, it brings the question to my mind, how exactly is that person helping this other person? Did they ask for help? Did they just latch onto this person and follow their lead? I would think being a mentor would be a lot of pressure. Let’s also remember that before you offer your advice, be sure you were asked for it in the first place.
My thoughts to mentor a new writer in the writing business would be, go for it. If you’re thinking about being a writer, or have an inner desire to explode your thoughts on paper, then do it. I remember a wonderful line in the movie, Finding Forrester, played by Sean Connery. The biggest impact on me was how Sean Connery told young Jamal, as he sat in front of the typewriter, “Don’t think, just type. You can think after the first draft has been written.” I love that idea. It rang true for me. My motto…keep on writing.
I’ve been interviewed a few times, and a question that often comes up is, “When did you decide to be a writer?” My answer, “I didn’t…writing found me.” I don’t believe in stereotypes of any kind, especially for writers. There are many, not all, who believe that writers wanted to be writers when they were young, and then went onto school to do so. For me, my story came from within and out of nowhere landed on the keyboard and into a novel. Don’t get me wrong, I took writing classes, something I would mentor a new writer to do. It helped me polish my craft, but I sincerely believe that all writers have a story to tell, so they need to clear any negative thoughts…and keep on writing.
The writing world has changed in ways that are too long to post here, but I feel that every writer needs to find their own path. They need to make mistakes, as we all have, and then learn from them to become a better writer. There isn’t a right or wrong way to write. There isn’t a place to sit to write that’s better than another. The key is to tap into that creative mind and just…write. Believe in yourself and know that you can do it and then pay it forward to help other new writers.
So if a new writer came to me and asked for advice in the writing business, or wished me to be their mentor, I would be glad to help in any way I can and then I’d be sure to remind them to…keep on writing.
Robin is also the sole proprietor of Rookie Writers Solutions: www.rookiewriterssolutions.com
Enjoy the next blog post by J. M. Northup
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