tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2092805684169371138.post1449014243711428814..comments2023-08-27T04:22:55.468-07:00Comments on The Literary Lab: Do You Need A Writing Mentor?Unknownnoreply@blogger.comBlogger36125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2092805684169371138.post-8189196989102068582010-04-15T08:10:23.951-07:002010-04-15T08:10:23.951-07:00Lynette: Well said! Yes, I think it's importan...<b>Lynette:</b> Well said! Yes, I think it's important to have a balance between our own confidence and trusting others to help us.Michelle D. Argylehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09696465137285587646noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2092805684169371138.post-14963885807340885062010-04-15T07:51:41.717-07:002010-04-15T07:51:41.717-07:00I believe in mentors - but ONLY when the mentor is...I believe in mentors - but ONLY when the mentor is someone MUCH higher than myself. Not someone who is going to tell me what TO write, but someone who pushes me to FEEL everything I write.<br /><br />When I developed a faith only in my own opinion, I ceased to see my mistakes.Lynette Eklundhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17211392281993724657noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2092805684169371138.post-35679772728734198702010-04-15T06:47:01.731-07:002010-04-15T06:47:01.731-07:00Judy: Perfectly said, thank you!<b>Judy:</b> Perfectly said, thank you!Michelle D. Argylehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09696465137285587646noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2092805684169371138.post-88329315981125461202010-04-15T00:30:03.261-07:002010-04-15T00:30:03.261-07:00A mentor is great if one can retain one's inde...A mentor is great if one can retain one's independence of thought, while remaining open to constructive criticism. The more experienced a writer is, the less need there is for a mentor. I'm still clinging to the wires though.Judy Croome | @judy_croomehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17455755011354905278noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2092805684169371138.post-9459690817889229642010-04-14T13:20:30.025-07:002010-04-14T13:20:30.025-07:00I believe we have different types of needs as we e...I believe we have different types of needs as we evolve in our writing. I know that I will keep writing, regardless of praise or criticism. I don't write for anyone but myself these days. Yes, I want those who read it to adore it but I also look for honest crits from critique partners, etc. I hope to have my work published someday. Until then I need critique partners and wow it would be awesome to have a published author as a mentor at this point. I'll keep on writing though.Lisa_Gibsonhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17238496789960349077noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2092805684169371138.post-52185400143013010912010-04-14T11:16:40.093-07:002010-04-14T11:16:40.093-07:00Lois: We are all on different paths, and we can al...<b>Lois:</b> We are all on different paths, and we can all keep learning no matter where we're at. I think the important thing is confidence - I think that's what I was trying to say here in this post, but I didn't realize it until now.<br /><br /><b>Simon:</b> Ah, yes, turning to the great writers as mentors is a great way to learn. Yeah, blogging and networking has its good sides. ;)<br /><br /><b>L.T.:</b> You do seem pretty sure of yourself, though, from the times I have talked to you about writing. Even if you're unsure about some things, your overall confidence will carry you far.Michelle D. Argylehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09696465137285587646noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2092805684169371138.post-43573653492874174002010-04-14T11:10:21.235-07:002010-04-14T11:10:21.235-07:00I'm not sure if I've cut the wires or not....I'm not sure if I've cut the wires or not. In some places, I feel like I can stand on my own. In others, I feel like I'm just too bloody unsure. I know that I'll always seek better learning for my craft but I suspect that's quite different than what you're talking about here. I'm trying out my wings but I'm not sure how far I'll make it from the nest.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2092805684169371138.post-83853883222750898342010-04-14T11:06:15.647-07:002010-04-14T11:06:15.647-07:00I had one fiction writing teacher, for three month...I had one fiction writing teacher, for three months. She was the first to publish my work, and for that I'm forever grateful. But the real work began once I graduated and started to write for myself, and not for arbitrary class deadlines. Then I turned to Hemingway and Faulkner and Woolf as mentors.<br /><br />Validation is still sweet, though. That's what blogging is good for. :)Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2092805684169371138.post-26847423102863667322010-04-14T10:54:55.279-07:002010-04-14T10:54:55.279-07:00I like the validation, and obviously with what I&#...I like the validation, and obviously with what I've learned over the last few weeks I need instruction. I'm still on the learning side of things.lotusgirlhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06663641163048764869noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2092805684169371138.post-70672652774363754862010-04-14T08:34:26.001-07:002010-04-14T08:34:26.001-07:00Misa: That is wonderful about your short story! Co...<b>Misa:</b> That is wonderful about your short story! Congratulations. This writing journey is long. Enjoy every step!Michelle D. Argylehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09696465137285587646noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2092805684169371138.post-30127652145038094382010-04-14T04:29:20.992-07:002010-04-14T04:29:20.992-07:00I've never had a mentor. The closest I've ...I've never had a mentor. The closest I've come was a couple of friends with whom I used to banter ideas around with.<br /><br />Every step I've taken has been a shaky, self-taught one. It's lonely, scary and I very often lose my way.<br /><br />But I've made one milestone - the acceptance of a short story. I'll make having a novel published eventually.Misahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14078445234042437694noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2092805684169371138.post-91328624936265779062010-04-13T20:07:27.399-07:002010-04-13T20:07:27.399-07:00Paperback: That's the problem - I didn't r...<b>Paperback:</b> That's the problem - I didn't really define it. I always write posts without clearly defining things. Mostly, I meant someone who can teach and guide us, but also validate us with their praise because of the position they hold. But then, because of some comments above, I've started seeing that a "mentor" can mean a lot of different things. Sorry to be confusing!Michelle D. Argylehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09696465137285587646noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2092805684169371138.post-75315753982681316592010-04-13T20:05:05.804-07:002010-04-13T20:05:05.804-07:00Ah, yes, well, if we count authors whose examples ...Ah, yes, well, if we count authors whose examples we may follow, that's different.<br />I suppose I misunderstood your definition of the term "mentor."A Paperback Writerhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10155962941590663738noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2092805684169371138.post-2005620417387505982010-04-13T19:51:02.078-07:002010-04-13T19:51:02.078-07:00Patti: I like that about keeping grounded. Timothy...<b>Patti:</b> I like that about keeping grounded. Timothy mentioned that up above, too. Always good to have a few. :)<br /><br /><b>Paperback:</b> I've never had an "official" mentor, but I do consider others as mentors, in a way. Another commenter above said her mentor is reading from great authors. That can work too.<br /><br /><b>Tess:</b> I think friends can serve as mentors, in a way, even if they do seem more like equals. I have a feeling that no matter how far I get with writing, I'll always write stuff I don't know is good or not. Hopefully that just won't happen as often.<br /><br /><b>Brigitte:</b> Hehe about Tim Burton! And I think that's wonderful that your mom is your mentor. In a way, parents should always be mentors for their children, so I'm glad to see that your mom has done that for you in the creative field.Michelle D. Argylehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09696465137285587646noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2092805684169371138.post-51805694262453884862010-04-13T18:54:58.926-07:002010-04-13T18:54:58.926-07:00I have the privilege of having my wonderful mother...I have the privilege of having my wonderful mother as my artistic mentor. I couldn't be luckier! She taught me all she knew, even convinced me to life-drawing classes at fourteen (complete with nude models) - same as she did. traumatizing for a kid. fascinating for an artist.<br />As someone aspiring to become a director, I also find it important to have more than one mentors so I can see as much as I can from different points of views - which is extremely important if i want to be successful. Since it's a multi-tasking job, I feel I have to explore everything. Just like writing if you want to see through different types of creative processes to be able to place yourself correctly and you don't end up in the wrong category.<br /><br />I like to say Tim Burton is my mentor.<br />He just doesn't know it yet. >w><br /><br />xoxoxo<br />looking-glass-fables.blogspot.comBrigittehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14886662855050236414noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2092805684169371138.post-30786508548342454912010-04-13T18:00:22.343-07:002010-04-13T18:00:22.343-07:00I agree. That need is so strong and important at t...I agree. That need is so strong and important at the very start..but it fades with time. The validation and help is nice and appreciated, but not as life sustaining.<br /><br />Still, doubt hides in shady corners of my mind and I'm sometimes surprised to read something I have written and have no clue if it is good or complete crap.<br /><br />honestly, that's the truth. So, in those moments, I turn to friends. I see them as equals more than mentors but I sure do appreciate the objective review they offer.Tesshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10014195715998913268noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2092805684169371138.post-50698000761691853332010-04-13T16:40:03.791-07:002010-04-13T16:40:03.791-07:00Since my degrees are in English, rather than creat...Since my degrees are in English, rather than creative writing, I've never had a writing mentor. I've taken a few summer classes and learned some good things, and one of those teachers did make a good suggestion to solve the problem with one of my YA novels, but it wasn't more than a one-time thing. <br />I tried a writing group once, but everyone in the group was still struggling with very basic stuff, and they weren't much help to me.<br />Mostly now, since I write YA, I get a rough draft done and then have my students beta read it. They can't make suggestions like an instructor can, but they don't pull any punches either. If they don't like something, they tell me -- even if they can only barely explain why they don't like it. But at least I know which parts they like.<br />I wish I did have a mentor; I'd like one. But I've never had the chance.A Paperback Writerhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10155962941590663738noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2092805684169371138.post-80919006630728052822010-04-13T13:02:57.575-07:002010-04-13T13:02:57.575-07:00I think you always need wires, maybe not as many a...I think you always need wires, maybe not as many as when you begin, but sometimes wires are necessary, even if it's just to keep you grounded.<br /><br />Great post.Pattihttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00685341739870191402noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2092805684169371138.post-54944672863154424402010-04-13T12:55:53.463-07:002010-04-13T12:55:53.463-07:00Kari: Wow! A whole blog post. I will definitely go...<b>Kari:</b> Wow! A whole blog post. I will definitely go check that out. Thank you. :)Michelle D. Argylehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09696465137285587646noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2092805684169371138.post-25898562540860595172010-04-13T12:55:12.958-07:002010-04-13T12:55:12.958-07:00Yat-Yee: I really like your comment. I think that&...<b>Yat-Yee:</b> I really like your comment. I think that's what I need a lot of the time - more cheering and support than teaching and instructing. Not that I'm not always learning, but I don't feel like I need that kind of focused teaching, if that makes sense.<br /><br /><b>Taryn:</b> I agree with you on that - about becoming satisfied with our writing without other people being the cause of it. I'm working on that still.<br /><br /><b>Scott:</b> I think validation and mentorship are two different things, although they can go hand in hand. I will always appreciate praise for my work, but I'd like to get beyond the phase where I need an actual instructor to praise me in order to feel good. <br /><br /><b>Angel-Star:</b> I agree all the way on that. It's nice to see our work please someone.<br /><br /><b>Mary:</b> Critique groups can be good for that, yes! <br /><br /><b>Shelley:</b> Yes, I think mentors shouldn't be used only for or mainly for validation. I like how you get mentors from reading - that's what I've preferred to do for awhile now.<br /><br /><b>Genie:</b> Yes, I probably should have made it more clear that I mean "teaching mentors" more than anything else. I think any serious writer reaches a point where they don't necessarily need instruction on their writing anymore.<br /><br /><b>Bane:</b> Yes, I like that phrase of "finding your own path." It's difficult to get our own voice and style if we're catering to others we look up to.<br /><br /><b>J.J.:</b> Ah, I hope you have some great mentors!<br /><br /><b>Timothy:</b> Hah, I hear you about the writing snobs. I think it's a good thing to be networked with other writers who can keep us always striving to be better.Michelle D. Argylehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09696465137285587646noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2092805684169371138.post-57361758177859307162010-04-13T12:47:38.351-07:002010-04-13T12:47:38.351-07:00I answered your question with a blog post of my ow...I answered your question with a blog post of my own :)<br /><br />http://www.imperfectclarity.net/?p=761<br /><br />At some point in my writing career, I'll be happy to have a mentor. For now, I need to push myself to do the things I keep thinking I need a mentor for: accountability and validation :) <br /><br />Need? No. Want? You betcha--when I'm ready :)Kari Wolfehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07568153229230329211noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2092805684169371138.post-89598253302546296232010-04-13T10:37:38.765-07:002010-04-13T10:37:38.765-07:00The nature of writing or any artform is that we mu...The nature of writing or any artform is that we must be willing to blow everyone else off and write the way we think is best or we'll never be more than just a copycat. But there's always something we can learn from others. I look back at some of the stuff I did when I was younger and I think, "I wish someone had told me that before I tried it." At the time, I thought I knew what I was doing, but experience taught me otherwise. A good mentor could have saved me the trouble.<br /><br />As for writing mentors, I suspect that we can reach a point where there aren't people who can help us improve our writing much, just as skilled musicians reach a point where they don't really need much help learning to play better, but we could still use help in other things. One of the things I've noticed, for example, is that success drives writers to become snobs. It's a natural thing. If you listen to enough people praise your work, you will eventually start believing it. But some authors are able to keep that tendency in check. If I ever become a successful author, I hope there is a mentor there to help keep me from becoming just another snobish author.Timothy Fishhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06554064732811895577noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2092805684169371138.post-84813600189587748402010-04-13T10:35:02.351-07:002010-04-13T10:35:02.351-07:00I'm starting from point "A" so help ...I'm starting from point "A" so help and mentors are something of an important thing for me.Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03884912115599229843noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2092805684169371138.post-42243732420526368692010-04-13T10:32:11.974-07:002010-04-13T10:32:11.974-07:00My creative writing teacher had me read some flann...My creative writing teacher had me read some flannery o'connor... I enjoyed her, but, yeah, I completely agree -- early on, it might be important, but once you've got your feet under you, it's best to figure your own path, IMOJoshua McCunehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17367262185912463258noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2092805684169371138.post-55073772936994257692010-04-13T09:45:20.715-07:002010-04-13T09:45:20.715-07:00Ah, I remember being a high school and college stu...Ah, I remember being a high school and college student completely in awe of my teachers and professors and wanting so bad to learn from their wisdom and get validation from them that I could write. <br /><br />Most of them were extremely helpful, not just with their teaching, but with their encouragement. One or two were a little dangerous. When a young person learning to write is in such a vulnerable state, one snide comment or non-constructive criticism from a trusted teacher can destroy confidence for years.<br /><br />I like the idea of a progression in mentoring needs. At first, we need teachers who encourage (which must come first) and instruct (which we need to build skill).<br /><br />In my experience, what I need at this point is motivation and critique from my peers and more experienced writers. When I'm ready to get into submission and publishing, I'll be happy for any mentoring on the business end of writing that I can get. I can't imagine ever being at a point in my writing where I won't need anything from anybody, but I think it moves more from a teacher/student structure to peer review.Jean Michelle Miernikhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08971882597502010124noreply@blogger.com