Mentoring

Writing is more than a profession. It is a way of living, reading, and sharing stories. I spend time as a professional mentor working with graduate students in a variety of ways. 

Manuscript Development
For writers who have completed what Anne Lamott calls the “shitty” first draft, it is time to get to work. Developing character, plot, setting, and refining theme are all part of the heavy lifting. We will talk about the difference between editing and revising, tighten the voice, and work on other subtle elements your agents and editors want in good books. Writers will see their manuscript begin to development into the polished story they imagined. Whether you need a mentor or a good beta-reader, we can foster good writing habits towards publication.

 

Writer Development 
Writers work on pages and that is important to you. It is important to focus on the pages, but it is also important developing ideas, articles, and the writing life. This is something that is not project based but typically it is based on goals, time frames, and digging into close readings, research, and other elements to prepare for a project, idea, or series. 
Philosophically, I use six axioms to help set some guidelines and some values to the experience.

Axiom #1: Foster a writer’s unique ability to pursue creativity.

Axiom #2: Cultivation of ideas is more than just a page-by-page accumulation.

Axiom #3: The scope of the mentors work should be that of the writer’s work.

Axiom #4: Accept that you are a writer.

Axiom #5: Curate your vision through documentation.

Axiom #6: Read with intention and purpose.


I know some of these concept are common sense, but fostering skills as a critical reader and writer will help you develop the writing life you intend. If you are interested in speaking to me about mentoring, writing, or project based mentoring, please feel free to send me an email to discuss the scope of your work. I do work for a fee but it can be flexible based on the scope and depth of the work. 

Let’s chat. Let’s write. Let’s go. 
RonSamulWriter@gmail.com