The Curse of Heatherwell House (Working Title) came from a slightly different place than many of the other stories in this collection. When I decided that I was going to put together a collection of short stories with the theme of Gothic Horror, I quizzed Clemency on what would scare her. She said “zombies”. Not the easiest thing to work with for Gothic Horror – give me a ghost any day. Here are some thoughts about how I went about creating The Curse of Heatherwell House … Once I had spoken to Clem about the things she finds scary – and discovered which of my back catalogue she found the creepiest – I started to get an idea for a story. It involved a vicar (obviously the younger son of a wealthy family, as all these Gothic vicars seem to be) who took over gravedigging responsibilities because the rest of his parish were too sick to do it. I was pleased with the premise – and perhaps it will turn into another story. Watch this space… But there was one major sticking problem: whils...
I'm afraid that today was another forgetting-it-was-Monday day! It's the May Day Bank Holiday, meaning I'm off work so naturally, I've been spending the entire day thinking it was Sunday.
So I've had to quickly put together my notes for this blog, which is all about the Mentor Character in a middle grade novel. But first...
What is the Mentor Character?
This character's primary job is to teach and guide the protagonist until the time comes when they can stand on their own two feet. This could involve teaching them magical abilities, or lending a listening ear when it's needed. It could be a family member, or a friend of the family's, or a guide to another land... The possibilities are endless (just be aware of stranger danger!)
Do all Middle Grade Books Need a Mentor Character?
No, not at all. But, if you have a bunch of kids running around on adventures, the authorities are going to start asking questions sooner or later. A mentor offers the opportunity to get rid of this nuisance plot feature. In Heartstone, Ben's grandad acts as the boys' mentor for the first part of the book. This means that, as an adult, he can also act as a chauffeur as the plot requires the two boys to find their way around remote, ruined castles. Without the grandad, I would have had a problem getting them to where they should be.
Does a Mentor Need to be Old?
Honestly, no, but it's easier if they're an adult. Children are used to adults assuming the mentor role, so it would seem as unusual for them as if another kid decides they know so much more about what's happening. As I mentioned before, too, adults can also bring some other skills to the table, like a driver's license!
What are the Cons of Having a Mentor Character?
Mentor characters are great and I would always have one in a middle grade novel, especially if it's the first in a series. However, there are a couple of pitfalls to be aware of...
Firstly, no one knows everything. It's important for your Mentor to have moments of weakness and doubt. Otherwise, why are they not going on the adventure and leaving the kids in a safe place? Make sure you include your Mentor's shortcomings in your plan.
Secondly, the Mentor makes things too easy for your characters. You need to get rid of them part way through the book. You could kill them off (although be careful as this can be quite predictable and cliched) or incapacitate them in some other way. Back to Heartstone... Ben's Grandad is unable to help them after a certain point because something happens to him that prevents him from helping. No spoilers here, though!
That said, however, I would recommend you include a Mentor in your plan, especially if it's a standalone or first in a series. They can offer a lot of insight and make things much easier for you as an author.
If your interested in reading more about the Mentor Character, I wrote blog a hundred years ago about Gandalf's role in Lord of the Rings, which you can find here.
Happy Writing! :)
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