Although mentoring has a long, rich history, it is only recently that this tradition has resurfaced and that women have begun to discover the enormous rewards of having other women as their mentors. The concept makes perfect sense: after all, women share common experiences and must overcome common difficulties. Mentoring can be an important catalyst to both personal and professional success, and Under Her Wing provides women with information and encouragement to reach out and take advantage of the deep resources of other women. Under Her Wing is not just about career and business mentoring, but also addresses the huge numbers of women searching for guidance, support, community, and connection in all areas of their lives from starting a new business to academia, parenting and personal growth. It provides readers with an inside look at how others women's lives have been changed by the help of mentors those special teachers who have learned well, embraced reflection, sacrificed, and explored their potential and are willing to share it with others. Through in-depth interviews with dozens of women who have enjoyed a mentor-protCgC relationship, the author explores the nature of this unique relationship and why it works and provides a wealth of practical information that can be easily applied to any developing mentor relationship. Readers discover how to get beyond the fears that have kept them from reaching out to other women, initiate and maintain a learning relationship with other women, anticipate and avoid roadblocks to effective mentoring, and benefit from the knowledge that only other women can impart. Throughout Under Her Wing, moving and insightful stories of others' mentoring experiences provide readers with a firsthand look at the tremendous benefits these partnerships can bring, both personally and professionally. A final chapter, "Completing the Circle," discusses the rewards of being a mentor, encouraging readers to share their newfound wisdom and strength with others.
I wouldn't trade my job as a novelist for any other job in the world. Writing is a refuge for me--a secret garden, a doorway into other lives, an occasion for expanding on the truth and getting paid for it (once every couple of years, at least).
One life has never seemed like enough to me (maybe because I'm a Gemini?). Short of immortality or schizophrenia, fiction seemed to me to be the closest I could get to experiencing many lives from the inside-out.
My books have also brought me into contact with people from all over the world I would never have met otherwise (including, most lately, my fiance!). I can only hope that readers will begin to understand how important they are to writers--and to literature itself! Buying books is an act of cultural affirmation. Literature--and writers--will perish without readers who are committed to buying, reading, and talking about books.
