What is the genesis of a project? It starts with a glimmer, a shimmer, a quiver that won’t let go. Filled with passion, you gather research, begin the first draft and soon have reams of writing. You edit, revise, edit some more and then…discover you’re lost in the forest. You can’t see your way ahead. You’re tempted to give up. “It’s terrible. No one will want to read this.” Sound familiar? Believe me, I’ve been there.

This is exactly when you Must persist. As Calvin Coolidge said, “Nothing in this world can take the place of persistence. Persistence and determination alone are omnipotent.”

What you need is a mentor. But where to find such a person, to guide you effectively while understanding your insecurities? You worry they might interfere with your vision or crush your dreams. You consider asking your partner, a friend or a member of your writing group for feedback. Less risky, right?

NOOO! You’ll only make matters worse and the result could be disastrous, ending in a rift you can’t heal. Of Don Miguel Ruiz’s Four Agreements, the hardest for me is: “Don’t take anything personally.”  Ask yourself, “Do they have the experience, skills and emotional distance to help me?” Not likely.

Okay, how about seeking advice from books on writing, taking online courses such as “Masterclass,” or attending conferences? All are essential to the development of your craft knowledge and networking, but won’t boost your confidence or uncover problems in your own work. Not personal enough.

For fifteen years I worked with professional writing mentors on poetry and a novel, some over a period of several years. Their guidance was crucial to my writing career. I’m always surprised when emerging authors tell me they’ve never worked with a mentor. If that’s you, I have three suggestions: First: Find at least one expert mentor. Second: Develop a working relationship. Third: Know when to let go.

1. Find a Mentor:

First, join writers’ societies and associations. Check out reputable state, provincial, local and national associations, like the https://authorsguild.org/ ; https://canadianauthors.org/national/; https:/www.alexandrawriters.org/; etc. Some may have publishing requirements for acceptance, while others provide free courses or low subscription fees. Start with a few courses and workshops by professional coaches, then consider one-on-one consultation. In Canada, public libraries provide free access to writers-in-residence, as does the University of Calgary’s Calgary Distinguished Writers Program. Investigate creative writing programs at your local college or university. Attend coaching classes on social media like LinkedIn, at a reasonable price, then dive deeper. Extended writing retreats can lead you to great teachers; not cheap, but the focus and guidance can be very beneficial. Take your time, research the mentor’s background, then follow your gut. Ask yourself, “Can I work with this person?”

2. Build a Relationship:

Like any partnership, effective coaching relies on common interests and trust. Define your goals in advance. Determine your budget for time and money and check your ego at the door. We are sensitive souls, so facing criticism can be hard. A good mentor will seek to understand your journey and begin with the positive aspects of your work. “You’re so good at finding the perfect way to evoke the emotion of the moment, Lise.” This was the tone my long-term mentor took, followed by specific feedback, with resources and suggestions for next steps.

You don’t have to accept every suggestion. Use what makes sense to you, but if you jump to disagree, take a breath. Ask yourself, “Am I being honest?” One mentor said, “Make sure every word you say is true,” as she crossed out my clichés. Ouch. But this became my editing mantra. Be humble, pose questions and engage with the person offering their expertise and experience. Meet deadlines and give your mentor ongoing feedback about the process. It’s a two-way street.

3. Letting go:

How will you know you’re ready to fly solo? Ask yourself, “Am I progressing? Does this process still meet my needs and most of all, am I having fun?” You might be wandering in circles again, editing and revising the work to death.”Le mieux est l’ennemi du bien: Perfection is the enemy of the good.” If you’re stalled, perhaps it’s time to say farewell to that mentor, with thanks for the craft knowledge and constructive feedback. I was struggling to find the conclusion to my novel when I discovered a new mentor through the public library.

“What you need is a deadline,” he said. We established a date and I stuck to it. I started to hear that voice calling from the forested glade. Pieces of the puzzle slid into place like they were just waiting to be found. I still worried about publication, especially after many rejections. My mentor refused to allow me to succumb to despair. His words fit perfectly with the Manx aphorism which figured in the theme of my novel: Traa Dy Liooar, which means: There’s time enough; all will be well in good time. This became the title of the book: Time Enough.

Voilà! The magic of mentorship! Several mentors provided reviews and book blurbs, when the time came and the book was in the world. They’ve remained my cheerleaders for years and I celebrate their ongoing success. Treasured relationships with author/mentors have changed my life. I highly recommend you seek mentorship to help you find that voice, calling to you from deep in the forest. All the best!

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Lise Mayne (aka LG Pomerleau) B.Ed, M.Ed, is a retired educator who now work as an author from her home in Nanton, Alberta. She preserves memories and builds bridges through poetry and historical fiction. Her first novel, Becoming Sand, 2012, portrays settlers from France to New France. Her newest novel Time Enough, Oprelle Publications, 2024, is a saga of the immigration of one family from the Isle of Man, to Canada via Michigan, in the 1900’s. A member of the Canadian Author’s Association and the League of Canadian poets, Lise’s award-winning poetry has been published in international journals. Time Enough has multiple award nominations including three Bronze medals from international competitions. Lise is a Rocky Mountain bluebird monitor, plays the harp and cherishes her family.

CONNECT WITH LISE MAYNE!

Website: https://www.lisemayne.ca/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/maynelise_author
LinkedIN: https://www.linkedin.com/in/lise-mayne-lg-pomerleau-006130a4
Blue Sky: @lisemayneauthor@bsky.social
Facebook:https://www.facebook.com/lisemayneauthor/

TIME ENOUGH

In the early 1900’s, a Manx family of miners subsists on a small-hold farm; their lives are stable, steeped in routines, love and faery lore, but they are on the verge of ruin. The young family must leave forever, in search of a new life. How will a mother of six, Euphemia, and her eldest son, Henry, make a family home in a new world?

William’s younger brother, Thomas, posts their bond for emigration to Michigan. Euphemia suspects her first lover has ulterior motives and that he will destroy her. Henry, almost a man, longs to remain and save their land. No matter. They must go. Too late, they discover they are trapped. Euphemia and Henry together and separately, must struggle to surmount betrayal, lies, abuse and heartbreak.

On a three-decade journey from Isle of Man to Saskatchewan, via Michigan and Manitoulin Island, we are immersed in this moving saga of Euphemia and Henry’s fight for independence. A sweeping novel about what endures in an unfamiliar place. Can forgiveness restore love and bring hope? Is there time to heal the past and build a future?

LEARN MORE

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