I’m a little bit late posting today – even allowing for time zones between the UK and America. That’s because I was away for a couple of days, talking to a writing group in Yorkshire about writing romances and how I work. This reminded me that one of the questions I was asked at the beginning of this year, when I first started Kate’s Corner, was about this sort of topic. Heather said:
• Time to Mentor — You’re known for helping others and doing workshops, how do you have time? Is there a reason (other than your good nature, of course!) that you make the time rather than producing more books?
I’m often asked this question. In fact some people actually disapprove of the time I spend working with would-be writers and teaching writing courses etc. I’ve never really been able to understand that. I know some people think that if I help unpublished authors work toward being published then they will take their place in the line up of published authors and there will be less readers buying their books – or at least I think that’s what they think! Personally I doubt it. There are so many readers out there, all reading lots of books. And as I haven’t yet found the next JK Rowling, I don’t think they’ll take too many sales away from me.
No, for me the best part about running workshops or – even better – teaching writers face to face – is that I also benefit in lots of ways. Obviously, I hope that I teach these unpublished authors a lot that helps them on their way towards getting the writing right and hopefully getting published themselves (in fact at least 6 people I’ve tutored have now been published and have a good number of books behind them too). But I get to talk with other writers, we look at how to create a book, how to write things well, how to create characters and build tension and all the other things you need to put into a book.
And as well as having my own opinions, I get to hear other people’s ideas. To discuss the techniques they use, the ideas they had. Because there isn’t only one way to do anything, particularly not in writing. It would be a really boring world if we were all the same – and a desperately boring world if all books were the same! That’s why Harlequin has so many different lines, and different authors and styles – because all readers don’t like the same things. And when I’m talking with my students I often get a new idea for find a new way of writing something that I’d never thought of before.
Just chatting with other writers can stimulate my imagination or make me look at things in a very different way – and then I can go back to my own noel with a fresh perspective on things. And when students ask me question – How do you create characters – or what sort of conflict do you think works . . . or could you create a romance between a three-eyed alien and a mermaid (OK, I’ve never actually been asked that one – but it would make me think!) – these sorts of puzzles and queries make me think about what I do and how I do it – and that’s so often a good thing because if I keep on doing the same thing over and over again the same way then I might get bored – or, even worse, my writing might get boring and then I’d really risk disappointing my readers.
So that’s one of the real benefits I get from teaching and mentoring that I do. I’ve also made a lot of really great friends by doing this. Believe me, there’s nothing better than working with someone who is just starting out and then sharing in their excitement when they make their first sale. Then I get an extra bonus because the writers I’ve worked with all send me their first boos – and often more. I probably wouldn’t need to buy any ore books with all the fabulous reading that friends keep sending me. Authors like Julie Cohen (who used to write for Modern Heat and now writes for Little Black Dress) Natasha Oakley, Natalie Rivers, Anna Louise Lucia . . . and I’m hoping there will be lots more in the future.
I also never knew that I would be any good as a teacher. Before I became a writer lots of people thought I might want to be a teacher because my mother was one – and an excellent teacher too. But it wasn’t something that appealed to me. So I trained to be a librarian instead. I never really wanted to be a teacher. But when people asked me about writing, I found I could explain things so that people understood easily. I could see those ‘lightbulb moments’ happening as I explained. This is one of the reasons why I wrote the 12 Point Guide to Writing Romance – it started as an IM conversation with someone who wanted to know how to write romance and then it grew into a workshop and the workshop grew into a book and now that book can help people who can’t get to any of my personal workshops or courses. And that’s another thing about these workshops etc, they’ve taken me all over the place – literally all over the world! I’ve taught in Wales, Australia, New Zealand. I’ve travelled the length and breadth of the UK and stayed in some wonderful places. And there are still more coming up.
If you’re in the UK and you’d like to think about one of my workshop weekends, check out my Events page on my web site and you might find that there is one near you. If so do come along and say hello. Unfortunately I don’t do any workshops in America at the moment but you can always get your hands on a copy of the 12 Point Guide to Writing Romance and that will help you. People say it’s like hearing me talk so I hope it will give you lots of useful tips.
And if you’d like a chance to have me critique a partial of yours – aimed at the Presents/Mills & Boon Modern line – then I’m offering a special one-to-one critique as a special lot in the upcoming Brenda Novak Auction for Diabetes Research. I’ll read and comment on 3 chapters of a novel. The bidding opens on May 1st – so if you’d like to make a bid, why not give it a try?
So you see. I get a lot out of mentoring and tutoring – and hopefully so do the peple who come along on courses etc.
Kate’s latest Presents EXTRA The Konstantos Marriage Demand is still available and in the UK she has a 3 in 1 Collection – Claimed by The Sicilian with reprints of 3 of her best selling stories with sexy Sicilian heroes.
You can find out more details on her web site or on her blog
{ 4 comments… read them below or add one }
I think it’s great that you are taking the time to teach. You’re in inspiration. And your book was great. I use it as a guide when writing category. It has helped me a lot. I would take your workshops but too bad I’m in the US. Thank you for being so giving!
I am really grateful that you do teach. Your workshops are brilliant, full of encouragement and information to suit all levels. That is why I keep turning up and will be for the fifth time when you teach at Fishguard, Wales next February.
The 12 point guide is indeed like hearing you talking and I wouldn’t be without it.
Thanks Kate.
This is a great post, Kate, and really inspiring. It must be wonderful to give so much back in the form of mentoring. As Rachael says, your ’12 Point Guide’ is invaluable – I recommend it to everyone.
Yeah, your workshops are excellent and full of encouragement. It inspites us and gives so much of information! Thanks for having such wonderful teachings!