Why Every Writer Needs a Mentor

by Lynn H. Blackburn @LynnHBlackburn

According to the dictionary, a mentor is a trusted counselor or guide.

Y’all, I’ve been a published author for over nine years. I’ve written a bunch of books, won some awards, signed some contracts, etc. I am not a newbie. But please hear me:

I STILL NEED A MENTOR. 

I told someone recently that I have a mentor who is now one of my best friends, but she is still someone I consider to be my mentor on this journey, and they were genuinely confused. “Why do you need one? It’s not like you’re new at this anymore.”

I didn’t say it, but I thought (to myself, in full Southern), “Oh sweetie. Bless your heart.” 

Here are a few reasons why you, as a newly or not-so-newly published author might need a mentor:

1. Emotions. 

You’re going to have a lot of them. You’re going to be so happy, but then terrified. 

You’re going to struggle to navigate the tricky waters that NOBODY EVER WANTS TO TALK ABOUT… I’m talking about how do you now interact with your friends who aren’t published? Because you’re so happy, and they’re happy for you. But you don’t want to rub it in their face because you aren’t a monster! And you just wish everyone could be published so everyone would be happy! 

But then you’re crying in the shower because you are most definitely not happy. You knew being published wouldn’t solve all your problems, but you didn’t realize that you would get a whole new load of problems that you have no prior experience handling. But you can’t complain to your unpublished friends because you know that the you from a year ago would kill to have these problems. But the you from a year ago was clueless and she just needs to hush. 

(This is where I desperately wish I could tell you this was all hypothetical, but…) 

So yeah, there are some big emotions coming your way. You need someone you can call, text, Vox, FaceTime, MarcoPolo, or whatever the latest thing is. You need a safe person who you can vent/whine/complain/moan/be dramatic to. And please, do not even try to tell me that you’re never dramatic. You’re an author. That ship has sailed, sweetheart. 

And then, that person can tell you that you aren’t alone. You aren’t an ungrateful wretch. That you’re doing good work. Holy work. That you’re loved and held, and that God’s timing is perfect. And then you’ll be able to breathe. 

2. Revisions. 

You’re going to have a lot of them. They are not going to be fun. You will be so happy that someone wants to publish your book, but then your editor is going to suggest something, and you’re going to get your back up. 

You’re going to need someone you can text snippets of your manuscript to and say, “Can you read this and tell me if I’m being ridiculous about this?” Sometimes they will say, “Stet it.” (STET is latin for Let It Stand) And more often than not they will say, “Sorry, but you need to change that because you’re the only one that makes sense to.” 

Um, again, I wish this was hypothetical, but it isn’t. 

3. Readers.

You’re going to have a lot of them. And some of them are going to be A.MAZ.ING! (Now, I’m going to whisper this next part so no one gets their feelings hurt…some of them are not going to be awesome). 

There’s no one better than an author who has been putting his or her work out into the world for years to guide you when you get random emails about how you used an expression incorrectly (even though you used it exactly the way your Granny’s been saying it for 90 years). Or when they feel compelled to correct your theology (even though you believe and meant every word you said and if they don’t, then you worry for them). Or when they want free books and call you names because you won’t ship them, also for free. 

(Do you really need me to say it again? Not hypothetical.) 

4. Opportunities.

You’re going to have a lot of them. But not all of them are going to be right for you. There are conferences to teach at, book events to attend, and novella collections to write for. 

If you’re blessed to have a few writer friends who have already survived those first few years where they seriously overcommitted themselves (because most of us do) and now they are a bit more selective about what they say yes to, you’ll potentially spare yourself hours and hours of overwhelm and overwork. Or you’ll ignore them, do it anyway, and they’ll be there to let you vent all the emotions when it goes sideways. 

#nothypothetical

So, to sum up. You’re never going to get to a point where you don’t need mentors. The need for close, wise, honest guides who have your back will always be there. 

This is why we tell new writers that they need to join local writing groups, attend conferences, and immerse themselves in the publishing world. 

The relationships you’re forming as you journey to publication are going to be the relationships that sustain as you journey through publication.

If you don’t have anyone you can turn to for advice, let me encourage you to pray that God will bring these relationships into your life.

If you have someone who fills this role in your life, maybe shoot them a text and say, “Thank you.” And then be that person for someone else. Someday, they won’t need you nearly as much. And then it will be their turn to give back. 

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Why Every Writer Needs a Mentor from author @LynnHBlackburn on @EdieMelson (Click to Tweet)

Lynn H. Blackburn loves writing romantic suspense because her childhood fantasy was to become a spy, but her grown-up reality is that she's a huge chicken and would have been caught on her first mission. She prefers to live vicariously through her characters and loves putting them into all kinds of terrifying situations while she's sitting at home safe and sound in her pajamas! 

Unknown Threat, the first book in her Defend and Protect series, was a 2021 Christy Award finalist and her previous titles have won the Carol Award, the Selah Award, and the Faith, Hope, and Love Reader’s Choice Award. Malicious Intent, the second book in the series, released March 2022.

She is a frequent conference speaker and has taught writers all over the country. Lynn lives in South Carolina with her true love and their three children. You can follow her real life happily ever after by signing up for her newsletter at LYNNHBLACKBURN.COMand @LynnHBlackburn on BOOKBUB, FACEBOOK, TWITTER, PINTEREST, and INSTAGRAM.

Featured Image: Photo by Medienstürmer on Unsplash