Closing Thoughts on the Nevada SCBWI Mentorship

In five days, my mentorship will be over.  So?  How was it?  First, my objective thoughts.  If you're considering applying, I highly recommend it...

IF...

1. ...you're getting requests for fulls or partials, or good feedback on query rejections.  The mentorship program isn't for new writers.  If you're just starting out, looking for a good course on writing basics, there are plenty of those around.  This isn't one of them.
2. ...you're willing to revise what you thought was a finished piece.  If you hope to submit something and have the mentors tell you it's exceptional and hook you up with a publisher...that ain't gonna happen.  If you're willing to have a mentor tell you what you're doing well and help you with what you're doing crappily, this is the place for you.  If you're willing to revise your entire manuscript three times, changing major plot points each time...  If you're willing to accept hard criticism...  If you're willing to try changes you're not sure you agree with...  If you can accept that maybe, just maybe, you're not as far along the writing path as you thought...  the Nevada SCBWI Mentorship Program could be for you.

Now, for my subjective thoughts from the inside...  What to expect if you get accepted?  Be realistic.

1. Not every mentor and mentee will click, so your  mentorship may not be a blissful Disney-esque meeting of the minds.  If you find yourself having issues with your mentor, put on your big girl panties and TELL THEM!  They're not mind readers.  I can promise you that every mentor in that program is there because they want to help writers meet their goals.  Help them help you.  The worst thing you can do is just throw in the towel because it's not the panacea you thought it was going to be.  I got pretty lucky.  Susan and I spoke the same language and even though I wasn't thrilled with some of her suggestions, I tried them or tried to find ways to incorporate them that felt right to me.  And it worked out great. 
2. Taking a manuscript through the mentor program is not a guarantee that it will get published.  (Read that again.  I'll wait...)  Keep reminding yourself of this.  I needed to have this tattooed across my hands.  Once I started seeing how much better my book was, I started thinking about 'when' it was going to get picked up...not 'if'.  A great manuscript in superb shape still might never get published.  Think about what the mentorship is doing for your CRAFT more than what it's doing for your book.  
3. This is work!  Hard work.  With a deadline.  Not to mention, you're paying for it!  I busted my ass pretty consistantly for six months.  The more work I did, the more refined my mentor's comments became.  We went from focusing on major plot points to weaving in subtle connections between characters to absolutely tying up Every.  Last.  Thread.  I'm still working on that last part.  If you're not willing to tear your manuscript apart to make it the best it can be...you're not going to get as much for your money.  Which brings me to the last point...
4. The money.  $850 for the program, plus airfare to Virginia City twice and hotel for two nights, food, copies, incidentals.  That's not pocket change.  BUT...compare it to other workshops.  Highlights is actually more expensive for their week-long or even weekend programs.  Big Sur, Darcy Pattison, SCBWI regional workshops -- all less expensive, but for the most part they only last one week--not six months.  And they're not one-on-one.  If you're ready to invest in your writing future, I don't think there's a better value than this program.   

But as I sit here, staring at my suitcase which is already packed for our final get-together, I'm not really thinking about those things.  I'm thinking about what a blast this weekend is going to be.  Because, beyond the thousand percent improvement in my mansucript, beyond the chance to pitch it to Alvina Ling (Little Brown) who will be checking out our work, beyond the final suggestions and advice my mentor will have for me, the highlight of these past six months are the friends I've made and the amazing sense of community and support I've gotten from mentors and mentees alike.  It's like the comaradery of Chautauqua, ten-fold.  And as much as I'm looking forward to arriving in Virginia City on Thursday, I'm equally dreading waking up Monday morning...when I'm no longer a mentee.  I'm going to miss being a part of the Nevada Mentorship more than I miss Mt. Dew and cupcakes when I'm on a diet. 

Being done is bittersweet.  Times ten.