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I needed article ideas for the summer issue of PROspects, the online newsletter for PRO members of Romance Writers of America. Mentorship, specifically as it relates to writers, surfaced at about number eight on my brainstorming list. I'm not talking about the passing interest of an online professor for the duration of a month or an exceptionally helpful contest judge who leaves a score sheet weighted with comments. Mentorship, in its perfect form, involves a partnership that extends beyond the page. From those throw-in-the-towel moments of self-doubt to the zero-gravity moments of accomplishment.
A few have filled this role, in a diluted form, for a season of my long learning curve to publication. I have, without being aware, filled the role of mentor once myself. So, is mentor just a sparkling word for what we writers already do to pull each other along or is there something more?
Tomorrow, I'm proud to post the extended interview that didn't make it into the article. Valuable gems from someone who has made it her legacy to help other writers. A bit about her:Candace Havens is a veteran entertainment journalist who spends way too much time interviewing celebrities. In addition to her weekly columns seen in newspapers throughout the country, she is the entertainment critic for 96.3 KSCS in the Dallas/Fort Worth area. She is the author of Charmed & Dangerous, Charmed & Ready, Charmed & Deadly, and the nonfiction biography of Joss Whedon: The Genius Behind Buffy, as well as several published essays. Visit Candace at www.candacehavens.com.
If you're interested in my article on writing mentors, you can find it here.
Today : The Texas Giant at Six Flags...squee!
3 comments:
I've added you to my Google reader so I can keep up with your new posts. It may be a bit before I get you onto my blog roll but I'll get that up soon.
I'll check out the article on mentors. I almost had a mentor when I started college. It was a writer from my home town, the only one I ever knew about. Unfortunately, he died only a few weeks after we first talked. I do try to mentor others myself, although so far I've really just had some success in the small press.
Yay on the winning of the book!! (Off to buy a powerball... :)
BTW, your Mentoring article was really well done--I found the "stages" to be interesting and true to what I'd experienced.
Excellent article on mentors. I agree I found the breakdown of the stages very interesting. I think there are times when people don't cross those lines when they should and I'm sure it must help to be able to recognize the stages for what they are.
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