27
Jun
Jun
Who would be your mentor?
I know today’s my day, but a storn is rolling in and I have to shut down. But I wanted to ask, if you could have any published author as your mentor, who would it be and why?
© 2008 Romantic Inks Entries (RSS) and Comments (RSS)
Log-in | Design by Haven Rich Designs
Wow thats a loaded question and a very very hard one to answer.
I don’t think I could pick only ONE author as a mentor but among the top of the list would be Julia Quinn, Elizabeth Boyle, Lisa Kleypas, Jenna Petersen, Teresa Medeiros, Mary Reed McCall…ugg my hands are tired already lol. Truly the list could go on and I’d want them for various reasons as well. They each have one thing that goes beyond the romance author. Like Jenna knows promotion, Lisa knows sexy (with raspberries even hehe), Mary knows her heros..they all just awe me.
But if I had to pick just one…I think I’d go with Jenna. Maybe she could show me the how she keeps the drive going to write so many books and how to get them out there in the paperback world. And trust me, I’d have a notebook full of notes.
Keep safe April and I hope that storm passes quickly.
June 27th, 2006 at 10:54 pmThis post has been removed by the author.
June 28th, 2006 at 3:45 amApril, I hope you’re all safe over there. Take care!
When I saw this question I was like *gulp*. I went back to feeling like when I did in high school (ages ago) while taking the SATs… nervous. The questions’ answers were multiple choice and if you didn’t know it was recommended for you to make an educated guess rather than leaving it blank.
While I’m not going to leave the question unanswered and I’m not making a guess because I’m sure of my answer, thus I’m feeling less nervous,
I’ll say this: All the authors that I’ve talked with along the way have helped me tremendously. When I decided to pen my own story years ago, I never, ever thought I’d be asking writing questions, business questions, whatever questions to some of my favorite authors. Both aspiring and published authors have been so open and willing to help me out. That includes all of you here my fellow “pre-publish” authors 
While you’re there visit click on her “Cats” blog. Those creatures are absolutely adorable.
June 28th, 2006 at 3:48 amI’m with Haven, visit Jenna Petersen’s http://www.passionatepen.com/ this site is a gold mine in resources for writers. Robyn DeHart http://www.robyndehart.com/for_writers.html has a series of articles for writers. Anne Mallory has a fabulous website too http://www.annemallory.com/dungeon/writing-tips/ which includes, writing tips and a “word of the day” page for those of us writing Regency
I’ve just named three authors who have helped me out along the way. There are many, many, many more that if I name them all I’ve be here for days.
I wish I had a resource for contemporary writers but I don’t. However, the writing articles found on these websites could apply to any writer.
This question is too tough!!
How can you name only one? Like Haven and Isabel have said, there have been so many that have and are willing to share their knowledge.
BUT, if I had to pick one…it’d be Jenna as well. She is just an all-around great person! She answers all questions and is willing to help anyone. She has so many things going on all at once, that it blows my mind how she does it all. With her Passionate Pen website, she is an asset to any aspiring authors…or published authors for that matter! *g*
Whew! That was tough…but then again, maybe not as tough as I thought. Thanks Jenna!!
Andrea
June 28th, 2006 at 7:46 amWell, I really didn’t mean to put anyone on the spot!
Hope I didn’t offend anyone! 
To tell the truth, I just remembered it was my day, and couldn’t thiunk of anything, but thought that might be an interesting question. 
And with that wonderful rain but scary lightning…
June 28th, 2006 at 2:29 pmApril, absolutely no worries,
I just can’t really choose one mentor out of all the authors who had offered me advice and guidance along thw way. I think this is a great topic, we all have someone or many people we admire. I’ll say this, I’d love to meet Judith McNaught one day and thank her personally for introducing me to this wonderful of historical romance.
June 28th, 2006 at 2:55 pmBut you didn’t mention who do you look up to in romance, would telling us?
Hugs,
Isabel
PS: I’m glad to read you’re safe
April, it wasn’t offending but it was a tough question. One to really make you think and wonder who HAS inspired you and helped you along the way and has earned the high honors of being your mentor.
It does seem we all share a common mentor, so I suppose we’ll have to share her haha.
April another quick thing, I didn’t see who you chose as your mentor??? Now who’s on the spot hehe.
BTW I’m so glad it was just a good rain and no twisters.
June 28th, 2006 at 3:21 pmAw, you guys are sweet. Isabel just told me about this post and look how many of you chose me. That’s so nice! So thanks! I’m glad you think of me that way and I’m glad Passionate Pen helps.
June 28th, 2006 at 7:14 pmJennaP
Hi Jenna!
Passionate Pen is one of the best things has happened to me in this writing journey. My favorite part is your diary, it’s has been an amazing experience.
Isabel
June 28th, 2006 at 7:27 pmYou know, I started that diary long before ‘blogging’ was in. I have always tried to put in the good and the bad since I know it’s hard when you’re on the journey and all you see are the ‘good’ announcements. And hey, if you’re ever feeling crappy about rejection, you can go back to 2001 and read all the hills and valleys I went through. I used to read it and cry. Now I smile.
June 29th, 2006 at 8:30 amWell, for me it’s like a double edge sword. You wanna name just ONE author who is your mentor, but you don’t want to offend any other of your favorite authors by excluding them.
You’re right, different authors help you in different ways, so true!
But if I was to pick just one, it would be Teresa Medeiros. (Is it any wonder I have my pen name Michelle Merry?!?! The closer to sit by TM at future conferences, right? LMAO!)
She is a great woman, down to earth, humble, funny, great personality, and wonderful stories! She’s also a good example of what a romance author should be…approachable! I hope to tell her that one day in person!
Michelle
June 29th, 2006 at 1:22 pmWell, like y’all there are so many people I look up to. And I DO have more than one mentor. Linda Castillo, Jenny Archer, are my closest ones. But I’ve learned from authors outside my critique group too, such as Geralyn Dawson, Lorraine Heath, Jill Barnett…It IS hard to name just one, isn’t it?
I worked with/for an author once (who shall remain nameless, and who hasn’t ever been mentioned in our circle here, so far)I was her assistant, and also, she was a close mentor. But it ended in disappointment and disillusionment. She is a talented author, and I love her stories, and did before I ever thought about being a writer. But after awhile, personally, we just didn’t mesh. Still, I learned a lot from her.
June 29th, 2006 at 2:08 pmThanks for sharing, April
June 29th, 2006 at 2:31 pmIsabel