Today is National Encourage a Young Writer Day. As writers and authors we have been encouraged, mentored and supported by the writing community during our writing career. I feel it is important to give back and help new and novice writers reach their potential. Obviously, we can offer our own advice and wisdom in a general way within group settings, at conferences and workshops. We can also offer to coach, whether as a payable service, or for free. It is obviously personal choice, which option you go with.

I am happy to be assisting a young person with their first novel and we will take it step by step, so they can formulate their own writing style without my influencing them in that respect. After all every writer has their own peculiarities when it comes to their actual writing method. Whether it evolves into a structured, or free flow method either way, with encouragement will give them the confidence to tell their story, their way. It may take several months of coaching but it will be worth it to see them develop as a writer. We will start with the basics - plotting, character descriptions, setting, world building etc.

In addition, for several years I have been a judge for a children's story contest and am happy to be judging again this year. The stories, creativity, and imagination of the children's tales are always so wonderful to read. They are so grateful for the feedback as well.

If you can give back please do.

As a community we need mentors - their experience, their wisdom, their generosity.