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Professional Writing Critiques and Mentoring

“Keep writing. Keep doing it and doing it. Even in the moments when it’s hurtful to think about writing” - Heather Armstrong

We all know that writing is a beautiful, exciting adventure - but sometimes it’s big, big trouble. The blank page can seem more like a wall than a door, and then when we’ve finally started scribbling, our Inner Critic claws at our shoulder, parroting about perfection and the odds of failure.

When we do actually finish something (hurrah!) and bravely send it out into the world, we all have to face our share of rejections which can crumple the best of us onto our bathroom floors.

No wonder it can seem easier to ignore the poems buzzing in our heads, to leave the novel dangling without an ending, our stories without homes to go to.

Except, as all writers know, we can’t stop writing - words are our blood and bones. We can’t refuse what is in us, no matter how inconvenient it might sometimes feel.

So what can we do to make this amazing, bewildering, infuriating writing life more bearable?

We Can Gang Up

Together, we are no longer lonely. Together, we can share our questions, our joys and fears. Together, the plain white paper looks less icy, the Inner Critic seems less loud, rejection letters become just, well, letters - something to mourn for half a day, not a half year. Together, we can keep doing it and doing it, even when it hurts to even think about writing.

As an experienced writer and teacher, I know the importance individual attention can make in helping to push a writer’s work forward. Like Maya Angelou, I believe that everyone has talent. I also believe that if a person is powerfully drawn to writing, there must be literary talent in them crying to get out, a talent which deserves to be respected and nurtured. The balanced encouragement and sensitive, constructive criticism can make the difference between doubt and success, giving the writer the clarity and support to fully evolve.

There are many ways in which I am available to help you with your creative endeavours, from one-off readings to long-term mentoring programmes. I am interested to see work of any length and from any genre - fiction, non-fiction (including academic work), poetry, plays and film scripts - and will do all I can to help your project effectively reflect your highest vision.

As a mentor, I will listen to what you want from your project, remembering at all times that this is your baby, not mine. I will be there to goad you on when you wobble, procrastinate and obsess. I will be there to remind you to celebrate when you achieve your goals, I will take you seriously, challenging you to improve at times (and we all need improvement!), but we will also have fun! (And don&rsquot fret about me stealing your ideas - I already have too many of my own!)

Cheaper than university writing courses and providing more detailed focus on you and your work, my critiques and mentoring services are also less expensive than other editorial assessments on offer. Unlike most manuscript readers, I also operate concessionary rates, because I know the writing life can sometimes take a toll on your finances! I believe in professionalism and commitment, but I think those qualities should not necessarily come with an exclusive price tag which leaves too many artists out in the cold.

I can’t promise you the Booker or Pulitzer, or a huge bestseller, but I can vouch that you will get closer to where you want to go with your writing.

If you are interested in working with me, please look at the detailed list of critique and mentoring services on offer and get in touch!