Do You Have a Writing Mentor?

I remember my first experience at a writing conference.

Sitting in a crowded room with other first-time conferees, I was ready. Ready to learn all the ins and outs of maneuvering a writing conference. Ready to meet other writers and yes (gulp) willing to speak with an editor or agent. What was I thinking?

Within minutes of arriving, I knew I had no idea what I was doing and questioned why I was there. Too many industry terms were a foreign language to me. Elevator pitch? Platform? Query Letter? Proposal? Other writers asked me questions like:

·       “What’s your book about?” 

·       “Which agent/editor are you here to meet?”

·       “Are you hoping to get a contract?”

Contract? I was hoping to get through the week!

Afterward, I felt like I’d gone through a writer’s boot camp only to return home defeated. Looking back, I wonder how different my experience would have been if I’d had a mentor to help me through the obstacles. If there had been someone to guide me through the process before I arrived, even to answer questions I didn’t know I needed to ask.

Think about the many areas of our lives that are improved through the input of a mentor or coach. Over the years as I’ve learned the craft and other areas in the publishing industry, they all have one element in common that has helped me to succeed. Mentorship.

Do you have mentor?