WriteMentor Spark is a monthly, online one-to-one mentoring service. Working with a children’s author, you will receive ongoing developmental editing, writing advice, publishing insights, and direct feedback on your manuscript to help you elevate your writing craft to the next level.
Spark Mentoring is always available if you need extra help or support each month.
Alternatively you can join the waiting list for our group mentoring (PB, MG, YA) here.
If you'd like 1-2-1 PB mentoring, complete this form.
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WriteMentor Magazine Issue 9 out now!
Buy your copy here!
Catch up on past issues ⬇️
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We've got not one, but THREE podcast series for your ears to enjoy! All free-to-access, so grab a cup of tea and settle down to some writing & publishing insights.
Our Podcast page is here.
If you prefer watching, or would like closed captions, you can go to our YouTube channel.
Latest episode: This Writing Life: Ep4 The Absolutely Best Thing
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This Writing Life: Episode 4
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We’re on Trustpilot!
Reviews help us reach new writers and grow the WriteMentor community, so if you can spare a minute or two, we’d be grateful for one on our new Trustpilot page https://uk.trustpilot.com/review/write-mentor.com
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As writers we learn from others in our writing community, from authors and courses. But as a disabled writer dealing with chronic health conditions, I’ve found myself having to reframe some of this advice.
Common pitfalls and difficulties like imposter syndrome – may include extra aspects. For a disabled/chronically-ill writer it may become a battle against internalised ableism. Being harder on ourselves in an attempt to keep up with healthy and able-bodied writers.
For me, this led to me fighting a losing battle to be something I can’t be. It encouraged mean self-talk, added to my exhaustion and sometimes made me sad.
This is something I’ve worked on in recent years. My conclusion is: by battling against what makes my perspective what it is, I risk losing my personal writing voice.
Plus, it’s a huge drain on my limited energy.
I wish I’d realised this sooner. Not that I’ve got it all sorted – I’ve still plenty to work through. It helps to have other disabled and chronically-ill writers who inspire me.
My latest challenge is to stop apologising too much for not being able to do things. It’s nice to say sorry when I’m late or have to pull out of something but no need to berate myself and apologise profusely.
This stems from my fear of letting people down. I don’t want my inability mistaken for lack of enthusiasm or commitment. But to honour my writing voice and perspective I must stop feeling bad for being unable to alter things out of my control.
Every stage of writing – from finding the initial energy to finding an agent or publisher – requires extra management. For instance, when drafting a WIP – pacing is necessary. And if an agent (I live in hope) wanted to meet me in London I’d need to organise help from a carer or personal assistant.
In the past I was afraid to declare my struggles. But how will the publishing industry realise our needs if we’re not open? Declaring my difficulties may rule me out of consideration by some agents and publishers. With lots of good writers submitting already – why bother adjusting for those who can’t work in the expected ways? Luckily there are agencies and publishers who realise the answer to this. That authentic perspectives lead to truthful books that readers can empathise with and relate to.
It’s not just the publishing world which benefits from new ways of working – we can too. Our writing lives can be happier and more productive when we find healthy ways to approach our work. For me, this happens best when sharing ideas and learning from others. With this in mind, I’ve been talking with our Jedi Master (aka Stuart) about ways to help chronically-ill and disabled writers. To be clear, this includes everyone who identifies no matter how mild or severe they judge their struggles to be. It’s all about how we as individuals identify and not about any specific label.
There are many common hurdles we all face. I struggle with physical disabilities; my daughter is autistic, and friend has crippling low self-esteem. Yet we’ve discovered we share multiple stumbling blocks and barriers.
What would help you?
What about hearing from writers with experience of these varied challenges?
Would interviews, podcasts, articles, zoom check ins, or a hub channel where we can share helpful links be useful? We’ve many ideas. But as magical as all the Jedi working at Write Mentor are – they still have to cope with wrangling time and cost, so no promises.
I know – shocking because it does seem they are constantly delivering beyond our wildest dreams!
We’d like to hear your helpful thoughts to gauge the need and want within our lovely community. Please DM me (Katina) or/and Stuart on the hub. Or express your input via Twitter tagging in @writementor and #CIDwriters.
Find a way to write which works with, not against, your individual abilities and needs.
Don’t apologise for or disregard what is part of you and your writing voice.
Fight for your unique voice – it’s likely to be invaluable to future readers. I know for some of you this is hard to believe. But I put it to you – what if your perspective is the one readers out there need?
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Writing can be lonely, but it doesn't need to be.
May the Force be with you!
Stuart, Florianne, Melissa and Emily
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