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After a degree in Art History turned out to be even less useful than predicted, Louise Finch fell into the charity sector and has stayed there for over a decade. She’s worked across issues such as local communities, women’s rights and youth, many of which have influenced her writing.
Alongside crafting Young Adult novels, she has mastered the absolute basics of numerous other creative pursuits. She gets most of her thinking done while hiking with her two tiny dogs.
Louise’s novel, The Eternal Return of Clara Hart, was shortlisted in the WriteMentor Children’s Novel Award 2020 and went on to list in several other competitions. Over summer 2020 she was mentored by Emma Finlayson-Palmer and Carolyn Ward.
What made you apply for the WriteMentor programme?
In short, I knew I needed help! Like so many writers-in-training before me, I’d written my book, edited it to death, and knew something still wasn’t right.
At the same time, thanks to the pandemic, I was furloughed from my job for three months and my partner’s business lost all its bookings overnight. I suddenly had a lot of time on my hands and needed a distraction from everything going on in real life. The WriteMentor summer programme in which mentors generously give their time for free to aspiring writers was the solution. I hoped it would give me focus, encouragement and expert support.
What was your experience like?
My experience on the programme was so positive from start to finish. I was incredibly lucky to get to work with two mentors, the brilliant Emma Finlayson-Palmer and Carolyn Ward who, in addition to being experienced writers, editors and mentors, are two of the loveliest and most encouraging people you could hope to meet.
It also connected me to the ever supportive YA Mentee Class of 2020. As every writer knows, having other writers to share the ups and downs of this journey is vitally important.
Read more here.
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