Christina Rocha from a Sydney marketing background said, Originally, I thought my manuscript 'Tightsqueeze' was perfect, but I learnt about the technical side of consistent child-centred viewpoint. I had to re-write most of my book about a boy who enters the world of the calculator, check the maths logic and research handball and the terms kids use. Questioned by the mentor about the relevance of the Gulf War period setting, and the credibility of adolescence reactions, Vicki re-wrote, and workshopped scenes daily. Group brainstorming of viable titles and characters names was a useful aspect of group mentoring. Since creators are in a sense measuring themselves against the self-imposed standard of getting the words and story ' artistically right' , it is different from the business workstyle goal where 'success' may be measured in sales or rank, rather than orchestrating ideas.
Commercial success is a valid goal of the mentoring.
Writing synopses, book proposals, business plans and manuscript marketing skills are a necessary part of the writer s workstyle. However, the mentor's role also includes realistic strategies for maintaining confidence, output and a sense of worth in the face of rejection or non recognition. Mentoring attempts to help with the broader issues of a writer s life, of managing time and energy, sustaining book length projects and creating a network of support. Unlike an editor who works on the text, a mentor asks strategic questions to which the mentoree must seek their own answers. A mentor acts more as a guide or coach, and supports the writer s idea life, and aspirations, helps clarify goals and helps with planning a realistic workstyle.