From the Mouth of an Editor
Get Better.
I'd had all my appointments on Friday so Saturday afternoon, I wandered into the appointment room at the ACFW conference thinking that it would be smart to see if there were any more openings.
There was one, a mentoring appointment with longtime editor, Andy Meisenheimer. I decided to do it though my plan of what to talk with him about was pretty sketchy.
Appointment time came. I popped into the room, shook his hand, sat down (maybe not in that order but I can't remember now) and then frankly told him I wasn't sure what to be mentored on but it seemed like a good idea. I asked him for whatever advice he thought a new author should have.
The poor guy seemed startled at first but he recovered and gave me some of the best advice I've ever heard.
Get Better.
I highly recommend a mentoring appointment if you ever go to a conference. Meisenheimer was knowledgeable, encouraging and I just overall really enjoyed talking to him. I left the meeting with a lot to chew on.
Are you striving to "Get Better"? Do you ever think some authors get stuck in mediocre writing? How do you spur yourself to get better?
I'd had all my appointments on Friday so Saturday afternoon, I wandered into the appointment room at the ACFW conference thinking that it would be smart to see if there were any more openings.
There was one, a mentoring appointment with longtime editor, Andy Meisenheimer. I decided to do it though my plan of what to talk with him about was pretty sketchy.
Appointment time came. I popped into the room, shook his hand, sat down (maybe not in that order but I can't remember now) and then frankly told him I wasn't sure what to be mentored on but it seemed like a good idea. I asked him for whatever advice he thought a new author should have.
The poor guy seemed startled at first but he recovered and gave me some of the best advice I've ever heard.
Get Better.
I highly recommend a mentoring appointment if you ever go to a conference. Meisenheimer was knowledgeable, encouraging and I just overall really enjoyed talking to him. I left the meeting with a lot to chew on.
Are you striving to "Get Better"? Do you ever think some authors get stuck in mediocre writing? How do you spur yourself to get better?
Comments
Me too. I've always been more of a contented person, which is good in a way, but it also means I lack the drive to push forward into somewhere uncomfortable.
Books and workshops are a great way to spur momentum. Thanks for stopping by. :-)
Great advice. No matter who you are, you always need to challenge yourself to do better than yesterday. This applies to everyone from newbies to bestselling authors.
Sometimes the best advice is the most obvious. :)
Blessings,
Susan
~ Wendy
Yes, I hunger and thirst to get better. And it seems to me that some seasoned writers who've made it big get lazy and appear to quit trying. But who am I to judge?
Karen, I know. It's nice and concise. Makes a good chant. lol
Wendy, yes, funny and very, very nice. He made me feel welcome at his table, which was cool.
Jeanette, I have to agree with you about more seasoned writers, though I'll just call it my opinion rather than judging. *grin*
True, Katie.
Linda, that's how I felt. In a rut. Which is why I met up with him. I hope you find an awesome book that gets your creative juices churning. :-)
Great post, Jessie! And I'm so proud of you for marching into that meeting spur of the moment. That's my pal.
I've always wondered what I would ask in a mentoring session. I like your question! Next time I'll have to try that out.
I think that definitely helps to grow us. :-)
Mmmmm, LYNN! I think I need to do that today!!! Good idea. *wink*
Eileen, I believe you're right. I hope I'm careful with my contracts and balance myself out okay. As for mentor questions, I got some advice from Katie G beforehand. :)
When I received my first book contract, a friend said I had arrived. My response was something like, "Nuh uh...now I have to prove I can do it again, but even better."
We need to keep studying the craft and sharpening our skills.
You got some great advice! Thanks for sharing.
Patti, you remember KISS? lol Also, I know I've heard people recommend writers to keep growing their craft, but to hear an editor say it really hit home.
Lisa, that is SO true!!
You're welcome, Loree! :-)
go Andy! :)
jeannie
the character therapist
Jeannie, good point, and I agree. ;-)
One thing that helps me clarify a technique is to teach it. Even just creating an article on the subject forces me to gain a better understanding of it.
Why should I care about that character? I think it works for plays and novels.
And I hope things are going well with your editing process with LI! When's your book due out?
Thanks, too, for commenting on my blog! It's great to see you!
I'm sure there are books and books of other ways. I like Andy's advice because it was simple.
Time to edit. :)
Mel