Star Stuff Writer

On Leo Babauta’s “Write to Done” blog, in an article titled “10 Tips for Getting Started as a Freelancer“, Leo offers his usual extraordinary advice.

One noble nugget of guidance, in that article, is to find mentors.

In my experience

In my reading, over the past few years, I’ve often observed that people who write well have been writers, one way and another, for much of their lives. Leo recounts his mentors when he started out in journalism.

I’ve been working to make myself into a writer for some few years now. (See: New Year — Resolved — Be the writer) As a nascent writer, it would clearly be helpful, to me, for another writer to counsel me – to help me understand my strengths – so I can use them to my advantage, and build them, and build on them – and to help me see the areas where I would benefit most from an effort to improve.

For a writer, it’s helpful to have that creative mirror. The reflection that can enable me to apprehend the confection of my craft more clearly.

(I imagine it would be good if my mentor were a better writer than I am at this point. But beggars probably ought not look a gift horse too closely between the eyes.)

It seems to be unhandy that I do not have a writing background. I don’t know any writers, certainly not in my part of Delaware, much less any who have the time or inclination to counsel a greenhorn.

And I understand that time thing – all too well. Life is truly a challenge – from sea to shining sea. My two other blogs should be ample, simple proof of that assertion.

However …

There is one quality I expect I do share with Leo, and that is persistence.

I will continue making the best effort I can to mold myself into a writer. I will work on maintaining and improving the quality of my writing – my grammar and my vocabulary – and my development skills.

And I will continue to push to make the time to write. Leo has observed that this is one of the more difficult challenges any writer has to deal with.

Perchance persistence will win the day.