The three questions to help you find the mentor that’s meant for you
By Paul Roberts
During the last few years, mentoring has become extremely popular. As a writer, editor and mentor myself, I’ve come to understand the important role that mentoring can play in supporting a writer’s journey. But I’ve also realised how it must be tailored to suit the writer’s character and needs. It’s definitely not a one-size-fits-all service.
Choosing the right mentor – and building a great working relationship with them – takes time and care. And I’m purposely using the word ‘relationship’. In commissioning the service, you are making an investment in your mentor. And, of course, your mentor will invest their time and expertise. But for it to be a success, it also requires commitment from you both. In that sense, it’s more than a transaction. It’s a partnership.
With this characterisation in mind, there are three fundamental questions to ask of yourself as you anticipate, shape and engage in a mentoring relationship.
1. What are your ambitions as a writer?
A mentor can provide some insight into what I call the ‘writing life’. What are the realities of being a writer? Are your hopes realistic? What can you expect when you succeed… or don’t? What can it feel like?
You may not have given much thought to such things, but these are all matters which can hinder or contribute to the more mechanical aspects of writing. You might want to secure an agent or a publishing agreement. You might want to share your life-story with friends and relations. You might want to be more productive, more efficient and less side-tracked by the distractions of life around you. You might want to earn a lot of money.
Your mentor may challenge you to reflect on your expectations and support you as you define and refine your purpose and motivations as a writer.
2. What are your ambitions for your book and/or your writing practice?
This is what I mean when I refer above to the ‘mechanical aspects’ of writing. Your mentor is a writer too. They’ll have studied writing, practiced it and learned from it. Want to understand how Show, Don’t Tell might work in your own writing? Your mentor can help you to identify opportunities to apply it. Unsure what narrative voice to use? You and your mentor can explore the pros and cons of different options.
Perhaps you’ve one or more ideas for a book and have been struggling to know which project to pursue? One of my clients was torn between the urgency of a fictional idea that excited him, and the rugged practicality of writing about a subject area in which he was a world authority. Together, we found a way through his confusion.
Or perhaps you’re facing a blank page, not knowing what – or how – to write? You wouldn’t be the first. Your mentor can help you explore and apply techniques that get you writing.
With the right mentor, you can unlock the means to pursue your writing projects and enjoy the process.
3. What would you like to gain from a mentoring relationship?
As you may have already begun to realise, the relationship with a mentor that I have described bears some similarity to that of a counsellor and a client. In such a framework, there are opportunities to share, explore and become aware of your insecurities, your frailties, your strengths and motivations. In doing so, there is the potential to grow and develop as a writer and to gain greater enjoyment and fulfilment from your writing practice. If that’s an attractive model, the relationship with your mentor will work best when you are both honest, trusting and committed. Sometimes, you may not like what you hear, but with a reflective mindset, you may benefit from it.
Alternatively, you may have decided that you require support that is tailored around the mechanics of your writing practice. I have worked with clients who have sent me regular blocks of writing that can be discussed and developed. We may have come to know and like each other, but the focus has been on technique and productivity.
And of course, you may want a relationship with someone who can share their knowledge of your preferred genre or market. Having specialised in all forms of non-fiction, I can offer an authoritative and informed perspective for writers in these areas.
As in life, there are few if any rules about what makes a good relationship. However, it can certainly help to be honest not only about what you want, but also what you are prepared to commit.
So, when you’re looking for the right mentor, ask for an initial, exploratory chat. Any mentor worth the investment will be happy to talk with you about your needs, preferences and character. It will give you both the opportunity to determine whether you’re right for each other.
And having challenged yourself with the questions above, you’ll stand a much better chance of finding the mentor that’s meant for you.
Work one-on-one with Paul Roberts or any of our expert writing mentors & book coaches. Our mentoring service is like a choose-your-own-adventure for writers. Pick a package that fits your needs, and use your hours however you like. Each package includes your mentor’s reading, editing, and any calls or video chats. Our mentors provide clear, actionable advice with warmth and encouragement. Find out more.
By Paul Roberts
About the author
Paul is an experienced and established writer and literary consultant who specialises in non-fiction. He has been published many times by Routledge, Kogan Page, Wiley and Profile Books (as The Economist). He writes frequently for magazines and professional publications as diverse as the Independent, Evening Standard, Maxim and Viz comic. He has also written for television. He has a novel nearing completion. As a reviewer, editor and teacher of creative writing, he has supported developing writers for many years. Paul has Bachelor’s and Master’s degrees in Creative Writing. Many of Paul’s clients have gone on to get published. Notable successes include Adeline Lim whose book, ‘In the Footsteps of Anne Lister’ went on to top the Amazon Travel books best seller list, Jamie Parker, author of the prescient ‘Painting Britain Blue: Why the Conservatives keep winning and how Labour have let them’, and Peace Ani with whom Paul has worked on several successful publications including ‘Brexit: the benefit of hindsight’ and ‘Nurturing Soft Skills: A Practical Guide for Developing Leadership and Financial Literacy Skills in Children’. He has worked with Jericho for ten years as an Editor and Mentor and greatly enjoys helping writers develop their writing capabilities and mindset. For more on Paul, see his Amazon author page.