A writing contest was looking for
some ideas of new prizes
to increase entries.
I suggested offering
mentoring as a prize.
A writer pushed back,
saying they had tried
giving critiques as prizes
and it didn’t increase entries.
There’s a HUGE difference
between a critique and mentoring.
A critique is focused
on the ‘work’,
a specific product
or act.
Mentoring focuses
on the person
being mentored.
It is broader,
relationship-based,
is often more encouraging
than criticizing.
Usually the mentor has had success
in the area she’s mentoring
others on.
A critique of one product/service
might or might not apply
to another offered product/service.
Great mentoring
can change a person’s entire life.
Mentoring is NOT a critique.