Mentoring writers

I'm going over a novel manuscript right now that a young writer has sent me at my invitation. This is something I have to be careful about doing: I don't want to spread myself too thin by giving too much attention to too many people. To be blunt, it's not worth my (woefully small amount of) time if the person isn't really good, and serious about bettering their craft. But once in awhile, I'll run across something written by someone who isn't published yet who seems to have potential. I do love finding a writer in that particular stage, one you can easily see has worked hard and has honed his or her craft, right before actually starting to sell. Encouragement is so critical for a writer at this stage, saying something like: "yes, I see what you're doing, and I believe it you. I think you could sell, if you really want to. I think you could become a professional writer." Generally, I'm much more likely to do this if the invitation has come from my side. I've turned many other hopeful wannabes away. I'm more likely to do this if I've already run across a sample of the work and have been impressed AND especially if I know the writer is already attempting to market their work. It doesn't make sense to comment extensively on a manuscript if the young writer can't work up the courage to send it out but instead stashes it in a desk drawer.

Remember, of course, sometimes it does make more sense for a young writer to send that precious manuscript to an editor, rather than to me, a writer. Remember, I can't buy your manuscript. But, once in a while, I do vett the work of others outside my writing group in an attempt to help.

There were writers who did that for me, like Joel Rosenberg and Pat Wrede. Others didn't necessarily read my stuff, but were willing to talk to me and answer my questions. In my experience, writers in my field (sf/fantasy) are very generous with their time, because they've benefited from this pay-it-forward ethic in turn. And I'm doing the same now. It's fun.