Whether you’re a freelance writer, a blogger, or a writer of creative nonfiction, having a more experienced professional to guide and direct you is an excellent way to start your career. 

A writing mentor can be an invaluable resource for an aspiring writer. Mentorship offers new writers professional guidance as they embark on their career journey.

In today’s post, we’ll discuss; who a mentor is, what a writing mentor, the 5 reasons why you need a mentor (as a freelance writer) and the tips for finding a freelance mentor.

Who is a mentor?

Have you ever been in a position where you feel stuck, discontent and confused not knowing the next step to take? Yes, we all have. It’s like driving to an unknown destination with no one to direct you. But come to think of it, wouldn’t it be easier to get to your destination if there is someone to give you direction? Yes, it will.

A mentor is often a more experienced individual who guides and directs a less experienced individual by building trust and modelling positive behaviours. A mentor can be compared to a navigation compass. They both perform the same function; Direction-finding

What is a writing mentor?

A writing mentor is an experienced writer who guides and directs a less experienced writer to help him find his voice. 

The mentor reviews and criticises his work to bring out the best in him. A mentor provides aid to the writer by organizing regular meetings, if the writer is in the same geographical area as the mentor, the meetings can be in person. If the mentor and writer are not in the same geographical area then most of their meetings would be either through calls or online 

5 REASONS WHY YOU NEED A MENTOR

( As a freelance writer)

1. Encouragement: I remember waking up one morning as a new writer, struggling to get ideas to pen down for a blog, but I couldn’t. Words were not flowing, I was completely blank, just sitting and looking at my white screen. As a writer, you should know how frustrating it can be. I felt like writing wasn’t really for me and I was on the verge of giving up. Then, there came my mentor reminding me of the amazing blogs I had written a few days ago. I was encouraged by that reminder. And today He’s the reason I didn’t give up.

2. Motivation: As a writer, it is important to have a mentor you admire so much. Their work and achievement can be a great source of motivation for you to become a better writer. Hearing the story of the challenges they had faced and gone through would motivate and encourage you not to give up when you face similar challenges

3. Inspiration: Mentors can inspire and help you with your writings, they achieve that by drawing from their well of knowledge and experience. They offer advice to help you get through the challenge at hand

4. Career path: A good mentor will offer guidance as you create a roadmap for your career. Mentors help you become a better writer and connect you to opportunities you might not have otherwise had access to

5.Writing skill: A mentor reads your work and gives you honest feedback. If your work is good you get an applaud but if it is not good enough you get criticised. The criticism is meant not to way you down but to make you an excellent writer

3 TIPS FOR FINDING A FREELANCE WRITING MENTOR

1. Check out your current network

From your connection evaluate who you know that can be your mentor. It could be that blogger you are following on Instagram whom you always look forward to reading her blogs. Or it could be that author of your favourite book you connected with on Linkedin. It could be that professor in your writing class whom you look up to. Whoever it is make sure you decide what you’d like to get out of the mentorship.

2. Join a writing community

Whether you’re a freelance writer, a blogger, or a writer of creative nonfiction, find a writing community that puts you in touch with potential mentors. Being in the presence of other writers increases your chances of meeting writing partners and possible mentors.

3. Checkout mentorship sites

Most mentorship sites have professionals in different areas of speciality who are willing to offer you the necessary guidance and direction you need. For example, sites like Mentortribes would be a good platform to get an effective mentorship to build a better you.

In conclusion, when you run alone, you run fast. When you run together, you run far.

Meaning, when you walk alone it is possible to be fast and easier to get stuck, not knowing the next step to take. It is better to run together with someone who knows the route, you won’t get stuck on the way because you have a guide. We at Mentortribes will love to run with you to ensure you don’t get stuck on the way but rather go far on your career journey

Now I’d love to hear from you; Which of the tips from today’s post are you going to use to find for yourself a freelance writing mentor?

Let me know by leaving a comment below right now.