Mentor - a person such as a peer or instructor a writer seeks out for supportand modeling during any phase of the writing process. This is how the University of Nebraska's Writing Department defines a mentor.

Q: Where do you find a Mentor for Blogging ?

A: Here! On ActiveRain! Currently, I'm involved in the Makeover2Takeover ActiveRain contest, so I have a real mentor who talks to me via phone, email, SKYPE, twitter, and North Carolina Girls Getaway trips :) Lucky me! (Sorry, was I bragging?)

Missy has been a wonderful mentor to me. Sharing with me her business practices along the way of our weekly assignments.

What if you weren't so lucky to be chosen for the contest? What if you didn't even know to enter? What if you had no clue how to find a mentor?

Take some time surfing around on ActiveRain. Sometimes you have to search through the "extra" posts, (the point seekers ...How's the Weather? Gramma's Cookies, etc)  Use the search feature if you already have a topic you'd like more info about in particular. Search by Featured Blogs from the "Blogs" page.

I have to tell you, I've learned so much from so many people here on ActiveRain. ActiveRain was instrumental in birthing my outside blog, www.WestofPhillyBurbs.com. (And soon another one since the release of AR's Outside Blogs.)

Jeanette told me about a challenge she had with Ricardo. He challenged her to write a post a day. I'm not sure exactly how that came about - but it started with someone asking!

After you find someone who is writing similar to your style and where you would like to be - pick up the phone! Send an email! Say hi!  I have picked up the phone a handful of times, and never have been hung up on yet by an ActiveRain member, nor have I hung up on anyone!   You just have to ask!

Now don't go running to the most popular, busy bloggers on ActiveRain and think they all have time to talk to you once a week. But if you have a particular, direct question - I have faith they would answer you!

Step out of your comfort zone............ read............ and ask questions............

Ok, if you are just way too shy, and can't pick up the phone or draft an email right away.... just spy on them. You can pretend they are your mentor and that they are writing just for you!