With the excellent mentoring support and encouragement I received from my local writing group, the Writers Foundation of Strathcona County, I would not be writing today, that's a fact. And so after sixteen years of experience, I am more than happy to help other writers achieve their goals. It might be from general advice all the way through to actual development of a novel, it is my way of giving back to the writing community.

So what is a writing mentor? Let's take a look.

We act as a guide, or a partner, in order to aid a writer to organize and polish their book project, through improvement of their writing skills and finding their unique voice.

We help fiction writers with the development of plotline, setting, and characters and for nonfiction projects aid the organization of their book chapters and content.

It is our aim to inspire you, to find your unique voice, improve your skills, provide structure, encourage you, keep you accountable, guide you professionally, and be a knowledgeable sounding board for your ideas, whilst giving supportive feedback and motivation. Our evaluation and help will advance your writing technique, and find your writing strengths and weaknesses.

When choosing a mentor decide on what your specific needs are and then check out their portfolio for the scope and quality of their work to see which one matches the best. Secondly, make sure they are familiar with your chosen genre and will give you constructive feedback (learning is part of writing) with suggestions to improve your manuscript. Check their availability as you need someone who will invest enough time into your project.

There are main areas of feedback you will require: development, organization, gaps in logic/plot, accuracy, specificity and general flow to name a few. Specific writing suggestions will include: reorganization of text, wordiness, weak verbs, elimination of clichés, improving diction and syntax.

Lastly, but as important they will provide a writing checklist of areas to focus on and suggesting opportunities for paid publication.

Take your work seriously and be open to learning the intricacies of your art.