Mentors & Allies 1: Jen Sookfong Lee

Jen Sookfong Lee told me to write a novel. No, wait. I tried to pass off a book-in-progress as a book of short stories and she said it felt more like a novel. I think that was a nice way of saying, Chelene, stop hiding from the truth.

There are only a handful of writers who can make me feel like I am ready to revise, ready to dig into the feedback and really rip my own work to shreds. Jen Sookfong Lee was the first person to lay eyes on Junie, and she was brutally honest about where I could take the book, and how to get it there. Following @JenSookfongLee on Twitter is also one of my favourite pastimes and so I suggest you all engage in her glorious tweets … you never know what she will throw at you ; )

Check out Jen's answers to my questions about being a mentor.

What do you think makes a good mentor?

I think a good mentor is, above all else, nurturing and generous. Sharing works-in-progress can be a really intimate act, and new writers need to feel safe and supported in order to be fully able to explore their creativity. A mentor often has to provide criticism, but a good mentor does so with the intention of making the work better or helping the new writer with their process. I take care to always point out what a writer is doing well, so they know what their strengths are, as well as what needs further revision. Being kind goes a long way in making criticism easier to digest.

What do you do for self-care?

I go for long walks in the woods, watch Youtube makeup tutorials, and eat noodles! I have always had dogs and there is nothing like picking up some dog poop to remind you that life exists outside of your writerly anxieties and it’s only you who cares about the pacing in chapter 4.

Being a mentor is a massive responsibility, what is the one thing about mentorship that scares you the most?

I worry about conflict between students, which can and does happen. Workshops are a delicate balance and a good mentor watches, gauges, and intervenes when necessary. But nothing makes me more uncomfortable than watching two of my mentees in a disagreement.

What advice do you have for new writers who have no clue what to expect once they enter the world of CanLit?

You can choose your level of engagement. Don’t feel like you have to be on social media or that you have to be someone who goes to events all the time. Those things can help, and if you’re into promotion, then that’s wonderful, but it’s not for everyone. Also, know who you are and what your work is. I think that when you’re entering publishing, it can be easy to listen to the critics or editors about what your work is or should be, but really what matters is that you’re executing your vision in the way that makes you the proudest of the words you’ve written.

Name one thing you want to say to Chelene that you’ve never said. This can be negative, I won’t cry. LOL

Chelene, I am so proud of all you’ve accomplished and I love your energy. But you need a rest! Can I make you go on vacation?