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Mentoring for Writers

I can get you from idea to final draft with blood, sweat – and no tears. How? By helping you set yourself realistic word-count targets and deadlines; by giving you regular and constructive feedback by email, telephone or Skype on how your work is progressing; by making you see how vital it is to concentrate on getting your first draft finished rather than spending hours and days perfecting the opening paragraph or the opening chapter. Think of yourself as a sculptor. First, you have to make the clay to create the sculpture which you then re-shape, chisel and re-shape again. The polishing comes much later.


Along with way, I will inspire you with writing prompts and exercises, should you hit writer’s block, and suggest some reading that will enrich your own work.


I will help you believe in yourself and your project using tried and tested tips to quieten those voices in your head that say “you can’t do it” and “it’s too hard”. You can. I will show you how.

One-to-one mentoring

I mentor writers of life writing, creative non-fiction and fiction on a one-to-one basis. I provide a bespoke service that serves your needs, whether you are a published author or you are working on your first book.

 

Writers have one thing in common: we all need feedback, a sounding board for our book ideas, and deadlines to keep us motivated and on track. Constructive feedback is also vital: it ensures that we write to the best of our ability, and develop our craft in the process. That is what my one-to-one mentoring programme offers.

 

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Mentoring, editing and feedback package for a 7,000-word extract

My one-to-one mentoring programme works like this:

  • First, we establish your writing goals and target deadline for a completed first or second draft, or an agent-ready manuscript. 

  • Then, every month, or every six weeks, or whatever interval we have decided is best for you, you send me 7,000 words. Dates are agreed in advance.

  • I mark up that manuscript, making comments on structure, narrative drive, dialogue, content and so forth, depending on what you are writing. I send that annotated manuscript to you with a short report summarising my overall response and key pointers for you. 

  • You get between three to seven days to digest my feedback, longer if necessary.  We then have our pre-arranged one-hour mentoring and feedback session on Zoom, during which we establish your goals for the next submission.

  • Some writers prefer to send 10,000 words each time. Others submit in batches of 30,000 words. That's fine; all word counts can be accommodated.

  • There is a fixed fee for the 7,000-word mentoring, editing and feedback package (POA). For longer extracts, I adjust my fee accordingly. 

  • My aim is to provide expert and timely feedback at a reasonable rate. It is my privilege to help you grow and flourish as a writer. What you'll take away is the discovery that the creative process is as valuable and enriching as the story you produce for your readers.  

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