Benefits of Virtual Writing Mentors

Wouldn't it be nice if, the minute you decided to pursue a writing career, you were assigned your own personal writing mentor?

Being an aspiring writer can be pretty lonely. Not to mention frustrating. You sit for hours, all alone, typing away at the keyboard. You pass up on parties and movies, so you can write another article or chapter, all with no guarantee your hard work will pay off. On really hard days, when the words aren't coming and everyone you know is at the beach having fun, it's very easy to decide it's not worth it and throw in the towel. And that's why writing mentors are so invaluable.

Writing mentors are like guardian angels. Having realized their own dreams, they reach out to aspiring writers and try to help them do the same. They've been where you're trying to go, and can help you avoid the pitfalls, stay motivated, and navigate the rocky road to success.

Unfortunately, finding writing mentors isn't exactly a walk in the park. There's no listing for "writing mentors" in the Yellow Pages. (I've checked.) If you're lucky, there's a successful writer living in your neighborhood who would be happy to give you some advice. Or something you've written will catch a successful writer's eye, and they'll volunteer to help nurture your talent.

But what if you aren't that lucky?

Writing mentors are definitely hard to find. Fortunately, there are alternatives.

Talks and Lectures

I went to hear a local writer talk about his first published novel. He wasn't a famous writer, and the book wasn't a best seller. But listening to him talk about writing the book, and the experience of having it accepted and published, was an amazing motivator. I became a lot more productive after that. And, whenever I thought of giving up, I remembered this guy who was like me in a lot of ways, and had succeeded. If he could do it, I could do it.

If a professional writer is giving a talk at a local college, signing books at the bookstore in the next county, or speaking at the library downtown, go. Even if you write thrillers while they write science fiction, go. Talking to, listening to, or just being in the same room with a writer who had made it was enough to push some very famous writers to pursue their dreams. And it could work for you too.

Autobiographies and Interviews

Reading about how a successful writer works, what their schedule is like, and how they struggled, just as you're struggling now, before they found success, can be a great motivator and confidence booster. It helps to know that your favorite writers had problems just like yours, but were able to overcome them and find success.

And, along with describing their trials and tribulations on the way to writing success, a lot of writers throw a little instruction into their autobiographies. So, you'll be getting advice on how to write from the writers you like to read.

Writing Courses

Sometimes, a professional writer will teach a course at a local college or learning center. Try to find such a course in your area and sign up. Not only will you be learning from a pro, you'll get feedback on your work.

Message Boards

Online, you'll find many message boards that are visited by (or even run by) successful writers. At these forums, writers answer questions, give advice, and might even read and comment on stories and nonfiction posted by novice writers.

If you're interested in interacting with others who are "in the business," searching for such message boards will be time well-spent.

There are no real substitutes for writing mentors. But these alternatives will help you stay motivated, and will inspire you to keep pursuing your dreams of writing success.