Think about the many areas of our lives that are improved through the input of a mentor or coach. For example, a college graduate will benefit from the guidance of a mentor in their chosen field to help launch a career. An entrepreneur might hire a life coach to help them define their goals and execute a plan. A baseball player might access the help of a batting coach to improve his batting average. When someone wants to lose weight and get in shape, they might hire a personal trainer.
Likewise, aspiring writers can use all the guidance and support they can get. There are multiple reasons why a budding author might consider leaning on the expertise of a writing mentor. Why not access the help of a seasoned pro who can help you along your book-writing journey?
Continue reading to learn about how a writing mentor can be an asset in reaching your self-publishing goals.
What Does a Writing Mentor Do?
Having a writing mentor in your corner is like having a professional coach, someone to cheer you on as they guide you towards the finish line.
Consider the athlete. They may possess enormous natural athletic talent but may not be able to harness and use it effectively. A coach can help direct the athlete’s raw talent and energy toward achieving their personal goals.
A writing mentor acts in this same way for the fledgling author. The mentor is not a ghostwriter. A writing mentor is an experienced writer who acts as a guide or a partner, helping the writer organize and polish their book project. The mentor helps the aspiring author improve their writing skills while also helping them find their unique voice.
Writing mentors can help fiction authors develop their plotline, characters, settings, and nonfiction writers to develop and organize their book chapters and content. The mentor can also ease you through a bout of writer’s block, helping you keep your project on track. In sum, writing mentors can provide structure, feedback, and motivation from start to finish.
When selecting the best mentor for you, be sure to consider these traits:
Traits of Stellar Writing Mentors
A good writing mentor will possess certain attributes to help you create a quality project. These traits include:
- Their body of work. Check out the mentor’s portfolio to get a feel for the quality of their work and the scope of their experience before hiring them.
- Familiarity with your genre. When choosing a writing mentor, it is best to find one with experience in your genre. Different genres require unique skill sets, so find a mentor who is familiar with yours.
- Willingness to give honest feedback. What you don’t need is a yes man. Instead, find a mentor who is comfortable offering constructive feedback and suggestions to improve your manuscript.
- Availability in their schedule. Choose a writing mentor who will be available to invest enough time in you and your project to do it justice.
6 Career Enhancing Benefits that Writing Mentors Bring
Tapping into the wisdom of a writing mentor can yield several benefits. Consider the ways a mentor can help you perfect your book project. These include:
1. A mentor will inspire you
The writing process is a solitary endeavor, and sometimes, you just hit a dead zone. A mentor can open up your mind to new plot ideas or suggest a fresh direction, helping to inspire and reignite your writing.
2. A mentor helps you find your voice
Honing your voice as a writer can take time. Writing mentors can help authors develop their style or tone, creating a unique voice that is their own.
3. A mentor helps you improve your skills
As a writer, we are so close to our work that we can become blind to our own shortcomings. The writing mentor comes in with an objective eye, identifying the areas that need improvement.
4. A mentor encourages you
When an author hits a writer’s block, it is tempting to just shelve the project and give up. A mentor will help you push through and pick up where you left off, keeping you on track to finish the manuscript.
5. A mentor keeps you accountable
Writing takes an enormous amount of self-discipline. When we answer to only ourselves, it is tempting to take some days, or even weeks, off. Having a mentor to answer to will keep you moving forward.
6. A mentor can guide you professionally
Writing mentors tend to be very well versed about matters concerning the publishing business. These professionals can offer the aspiring author insights and guidance about publication.
Learn How to Benefit From Having a Writing Mentor Today
No matter what stage of your book project you are at, working alongside a writing mentor can be a great help. Once your book is completed, reach out to the professionals at Gatekeeper Press to publish your manuscript. Contact us today!
