“The main influences Anna had on my writing was ‘keep it simple' and ‘show don't tell'. I definitely overdid it before I worked with her, now I try to make the words I use work doubly hard, rather than use double the words.
“Even five years after doing this mentorship, I notice myself regularly taking some of Anna's pointers into consideration as I'm writing and editing.”
The authors work in a wide array of styles, from poetry to flash-fiction and from romance to horror.
Those mentoring the students have won national and international awards for their writing and many have backgrounds in fostering talent and offer feedback on students writing.
“I feel like it gave me an idea of what to expect if I ever pursued getting my writing published,” Hannah said.
The programme was not always easy.
“It's very difficult to separate yourself from something you have worked so hard on and look at it objectively, so when someone finds fault in your writing or thinks something needs to be changed, it can be hard to accept.”
“Anna's kind and constructive feedback felt like a gentle introduction into what I could potentially expect from editors in a publishing setting.
“It was also nice to be able to pick the brain of a published author. Having a year's worth of one-on-one time with someone who has made a career out of something I love was such a wonderful opportunity.
Applications to the programme close on April 6. For more information visit authors.org.nz, check the “opportunities” tab and click NZSA Youth Mentorship Programme.
