I have just started working on my first book and I have read a few articles saying that I should get a mentor to help me. What are your thoughts about this?
Those articles probably presume you are well connected and have a fortune in your back pocket. It might be possible for you to do it alone. Research writing techniques through the internet and use online workshops (such as the one on this site) for feedback. If you happen to come across someone willing to be your mentor, I'd say you've struck gold and you should definitely seize upon the opportunity. In my opinion, and cost aside, it is always best to have a mentor. I have no personal mentor, but the people around here are of great help. Or... perhaps if you have a mentor... you will be unable to create your own stylised work? It might be both good and bad?
I agree. Start writing and see how it moves you. If it really suits you, you might try to find a local writing group. The other people in there will undoubtedly be ahead of you (since they're already in a group) and you can mooch ideas and techniques off their best members. I was listening to Chuck Palahnuik the other day and he was saying how his writing group kicked him out. His writing was too . . . I guess harrowing would be the word for it. Seems supremely stupid, IMO. Writers should be tougher than that. I assume this was before he made his name. Now you're not going to find an author like CP in your group, I don't think, but you'll probably find somebody a couple rungs up the ladder and they'll help pull you higher. I do agree that a mentor is the fastest way to learn. It's why when you find a musical prodigy, step one is to take them to the maestro, where they are taught technique and learn the sonata, not the symphony. There's an interesting metaphor in there for writers . . . Anyway, it works for us laymen too.
I haven't had anyone I'd call a 'mentor', and I haven't even had anyone I'd call a 'steady' beta for years. I feel like I'm doing all right. My (uneducated) opinion is that you shouldn't look for a mentor. If you happen to have one take an interest, that's great! But there are so many wannabe-writers out there, why would someone take an interest in you, specifically? Especially if you don't have anything of real substance to show you're serious yet. Writing clubs are gold though. I have learned a lot from the ones I've been in. Keep writing the book, find clubs to hook up with, other writers you can talk to in-person. Maybe that'll escalate to a mentor, maybe not, but either way, don't let the mentor thing slow you down.
I'm not sure you can go out and find a mentor. I think it has to happen organically. Kind of like finding a soulmate... you can't just cycle through a dating app and pick one from the stockade.
The best way to learn is by trial and error yourself, I find. A mentor can teach you ways of doing things and habits that might not best suit you, but you do them anyway, because that's what they told you to do. Learning yourself from resources allows you to pick, choose, and try out the different methods and find the ones you like best. Then, further down the line, I guarantee you'll be happier in your own skin and less likely to feel frustration.
do you know some one who is mentor worthy? I recently emailed a professor I had back in undergrad because I needed advice. I'd had him for 1 writing class, he was also the professor in charge of the literary magazine that I was an editor on, as well as ran the MFA program. So he was always around and he was always super helpful. When I graduated, he said to email him anytime. I did sort of start seeing him as a mentor. In college, he'd read my stories and offer critique and actually introduced me to Duotrope and Submittable. If you know someone who you feel comfortable with, who has experience in this craft, you could always reach out to them for advice, and take it from there. If you like the advice they give you, you can ask them if they wouldnt mind you reaching out in the future.
You could always start with a writing group (which might also lead to a mentor). I actually found a nice creative writing group in my area through meetup.com. Some of the members are published authors. Might pan out for you as well.
I have an amazing mentor and know I'm pretty lucky. He's very accomplished when it comes to writing and publishing and has Wikipedia page that talks all about it. But my mentor chose me and not the other way around. He saw something in my writing and started bringing me into his circle of industry professionals. My mentor has as many plans for my writing future as I do. Perhaps, he seems a little more confident about everything working out. But many things are happening because of him. A mentor is not a beta reader or an editor. I guess they could be, but I think it's more about someone showing you the ropes and being generous with their contacts. There is a difference between a mentor and a writing teacher. Sure, your mentor might also teach writing courses, and that could be a great way to start forming that sort of relationship. But mentors aren't looking to fix your grammar or read everything you scribble. You sort of need to be able to prove that you are worth their time and efforts. And to do that I think you already need to be writing at a certain level. My mentor does regularly ask me what I'm working on and asks to see things. He's also helped me publish. But sometimes I land my work into great publications on my own. I've sort of proven myself worthy of his time and attention which has led to more of his time and attention. At this point, I will 100 percent go through him when it comes to an agent and/or publisher for books. Some of that is already in motion. I feel like I owe it to him to succeed. And that's great motivation. My mentor is probably my biggest fan. I can't imagine where I would be without him. So, yes, mentors are great, but I'm not sure how easy it is to just find one. Work on your writing. Do your best. Then try to get your work and yourself in front of people who could really have an impact on your writing career. Sometimes things just click.
