Mentoring

Mentoring

Our Quick Guide on buying wisdom

The Writers' Workshop has always done most of its work via intensive one-on-one edits. That's how editorial work is almost always done. It's what suits most of our clients, most of the time.

But not always.

Sometimes writers just need extra help. Maybe you need help with your motivation. Maybe because working chapter by chapter with an editor is what suits you best. Maybe you just need a friend and ally along the way. Well, we're here to help with all that.

Please note that if you have not started writing yet, or are right at the beginning of a project, and want in-depth mentoring every step of the way, your best option is probably Daren King's Complete Novel Writing Course. If your requirements are less extensive then this, read on.

The Normal Procedure for Mentoring

Usually, mentoring works best like this.

• Step one. You send us your manuscript as it stands at the moment. It doesn't matter if you've got a completed MS or just a few thousand words.
• Step two. We'll allocate that MS to the most appropriate editor for you. They will read your work and give you a full written report telling you exactly what's working, what's not working, and how to fix the things that aren't yet right. Up to this point, all this is simply our normal editorial process - which in one single bound gives your editor the chance to really understand your writing, and it gives you the opportunity to really get a full data-dump of all the issues that your editor sees in your work. Most of the time, this is the best possible prelude to ...
• Step three. You talk to your editor. Between you, you can figure out what your goals are and how best to accomplish them. Most of the time, that'll involve monthly exchanges - you send some work to your editor/mentor. They read it & give you some written feedback. You chat about it, and then plan out your goals for next month.
• Step four. We stay flexible. If things need to change, we change em. You're the boss, and we're here to do as you want.

You're the Boss

Although steps 1-4 above are how things normally work best, we don't want to be too prescriptive. If you think some other way of approaching things will work better for you, then talk to us and we'll sort out whatever works best.

Finding the Flow

Please note that one of our many fine mentors is Dr Susan O'Doherty, a clinical psychologist who specialises in creativity and flow. She's published books on the topic, and has a psychotherapy practice that focuses on precisely these issues. If your mentoring needs revolve around motivation / writers' block / accessing creativity, etc, then Sue is the mentor for you. She's based in Brooklyn, NY, but the Writers' Workshop knows no earthly boundary. If you live on Planet Earth and have a phone and/or email address, then Sue stands ready to help.