If you’ve ever been through the creative writing process, you’ll know that it’s one of the most daunting tasks. You sit down with your notebook or computer, pour your thoughts onto the page, and hope that something coherent comes out. For some, this can be a quick and easy process; they write something, then read what they’ve written and feel good about it. For others, it’s a struggle that can last for hours, with multiple cups of tea being consumed. Despite the various personality types, there is one thing that most people agree upon: The creative writing process can be improved upon.
Whether you’re a professional writer or someone who just wants to express themselves in creative ways, there is a way to make the writing process more influential. And that way is through mentoring. Now, before you rush to judgment and think that learning to be a better writer means becoming some sort of mentor, let’s examine exactly what mentoring is and why you should consider it.
What Is Mentoring?
The very definition of a mentor is someone who “advises, teaches, or encourages another person; gives practical advice or guidance,” according to Merriam-Webster. In essence, a mentor is someone who can guide you on your creative writing journey, offer advice, and provide encouragement. The lines between a mentor and a teacher become blurred, as some mentors also act as your personal tutor, guiding you through the intricacies of creative writing and helping you grow as a writer.
Why Is It Important To Have A Valuable Mentor?
The benefits of a mentor are countless. One of the most significant is the confidence and self-belief boosting factor. Consider this – if you’re struggling with craft, you’ll never be able to tell whether or not what you’ve written is good. One of the best things a mentor can do for you is give you the confidence to keep on writing, even if you don’t feel like it at first. The mentor’s advice and suggestions can also guide you towards a more professional writing style.
How To Find A Valuable Mentor
If you’re serious about being a better writer, the first step is to identify a few valuable mentors who can help you along the way. The Internet is a great place to start, as there are many helpful writing blogs and forums online. Once you’ve established a base, you can branch out and engage with other bloggers, forums members, and content creators in your niche. If possible, seek out a few of these people and establish yourself as a professional writer seeking advice and collaborations.
More Than Meets The Eye
When you establish yourself as a professional writer, you open doors to new opportunities. One of the best things that can happen to you is to be matched with a valuable mentor who can help grow your writing career. In your email correspondence with the mentor, make sure to establish yourself as a professional and genuinely seek advice and collaborations. You need to be confident in your writing and seek advice and criticism from experienced writers.
The Importance Of A Memorable Experience
Even if you don’t end up choosing to work with the mentor, establishing a relationship with them is valuable in itself. One of the best things that can happen to you as a writer is to engage with a few valuable mentors who can offer advice and commentary on your work. From the moment you establish yourself as a writer, you’ll have the opportunity to engage with other bloggers, forums members, and valuable mentors who can offer advice and guidance on your writing career.
Make The Most Of It
Once you’ve established yourself as a writer, make sure to maximise the experience. Reply to all correspondence from valuable mentors respectfully and engage with them whenever possible. You can also set up a writing session with a renowned author or celebrity as a paid mentorship which will help establish yourself as an independent writer who can handle paid editing and custom writing projects.
Being a writer is an incredible opportunity to establish yourself as someone who can be trusted. When you have an article ready, send it to a few experienced editors who can offer their opinion and guide you towards a more professional manner. The pay can vary from small to large sums, so it’s imperative that you find a way to make money as a writer if you’re going to make any money at all!
As you can see, there are many ways that you can put these tips to work for you and make your writing process more influential. And what’s important is that you find a way to make it work for you.