Mentorship is one of the most valuable assets in any creative field. For writers, it can serve as the beacon of guidance, providing insights, fostering growth, and nurturing their unique voice. Gerald Tausch, a writer known for his compelling fiction books, owes much of his success to a source of mentorship that wasn’t rooted in formal education but in the everyday moments of his childhood. The lessons he learned from his dad, particularly the ones that went beyond mere mechanics and ventured into creativity and problem-solving, played a crucial role in shaping his approach to writing.
This blog post delves into the invaluable lessons that Gerald Tausch gleaned from his dad’s mentorship and how these experiences laid the foundation for his successful writing career. We’ll explore how mentorship influences a writer’s journey, the role of creative freedom in that mentorship, and how lessons from unexpected places—like a restaurant experiment gone wrong—can spark a lifelong passion for storytelling.
1. The Importance of Guidance Beyond Formal Education
Many writers begin their careers by pursuing formal education in creative writing or literature. However, Gerald Tausch’s story teaches us that true mentorship can come from the most unexpected sources. While he didn’t have formal training in writing, his formative experiences with his father helped cultivate his creativity, resourcefulness, and love for storytelling.
From a young age, Tausch’s dad exemplified a mentor who didn’t simply provide the answers but guided him toward solutions. This is especially evident in the story of his experiment with motors and transformers at his dad’s restaurant. With no diagrams and only guesswork, Tausch accidentally plunged the restaurant into darkness twice. Instead of reacting with frustration, his dad calmly showed him how things worked, teaching him not only the technical aspects but also the value of curiosity, trial and error, and resilience.
As a writer, Tausch’s approach to crafting compelling stories mirrors these same principles. His writing isn’t just about presenting facts; it’s about exploring the unknown, embracing mistakes, and finding the creative path forward, just as his dad had shown him in his early experiments.
2. Creative Freedom: Learning from Mistakes
One of the most crucial lessons Gerald Tausch learned from his dad was the importance of creative freedom. Mentorship, particularly in creative fields like writing, isn’t about constraining the mentee to rigid guidelines; it’s about giving them the tools to explore their own imagination.
The moment when Tausch accidentally caused the restaurant’s power outage could have been seen as a failure. But his dad’s calm and measured response allowed Tausch to learn from his mistakes rather than feel defeated by them. This ability to explore without fear of failure is something that can deeply influence a writer’s journey. For Tausch, this lesson became a vital component of his fiction. His stories are filled with rich exploration, where characters are allowed to make mistakes, learn, and grow—much like the writer himself.
In the realm of writing, mentorship often involves allowing the writer the freedom to create without fear of judgment. Like Tausch, writers thrive when they feel supported by a mentor who values their unique creative process and encourages them to embrace failure as part of growth.
3. Nurturing Problem-Solving Skills
Creativity isn’t just about coming up with new ideas; it’s about solving problems in unique ways. Tausch’s dad, when faced with his son’s electrical mishap, didn’t just provide the correct wiring instructions—he taught him how to think critically and solve problems independently.
This lesson in problem-solving is essential for writers, especially when they face the inevitable roadblocks of the writing process. Whether it’s overcoming writer’s block, fixing plot holes, or developing more nuanced characters, problem-solving is a skill every writer must master.
Tausch’s writing process is deeply rooted in this ability to troubleshoot. He approaches writing with a mindset that embraces complexity and finds solutions. His stories, rich in thematic depth, are a testament to his ability to navigate the challenges of fiction writing, thanks to the problem-solving skills he developed through mentorship.
4. Patience and the Power of Listening
Another invaluable lesson Tausch learned from his dad was patience. In the restaurant, when Tausch made mistakes with his electrical experiments, his dad didn’t react impulsively. Instead, he patiently took the time to explain the process and guide his son through the proper steps.
This patience in mentorship is essential for writers. Writing is often a long and arduous process that requires both persistence and the ability to listen to feedback. For Tausch, his dad’s approach to teaching reinforced the idea that success isn’t about rushing to the finish line but about understanding the journey and taking time to learn along the way.
Writers often face criticism or self-doubt, but mentorship, like Tausch experienced, teaches them the importance of listening—whether to their inner voice or the guidance of a trusted mentor—and being patient with themselves as they evolve.
5. Mentorship and the Creative Process: Finding Your Voice
Perhaps one of the most lasting impacts of mentorship on Tausch’s writing career is the way it helped him find his voice as a writer. Mentors provide more than just technical knowledge—they encourage mentees to discover their own unique perspective and style.
Tausch’s early experiences with his dad taught him not just how to approach a problem but also how to navigate his creative journey. This freedom to experiment, make mistakes, and solve problems independently shaped the way he writes today. His fiction books, which blend profound insights with relatable characters and rich storylines, reflect his journey of self-discovery through mentorship.
Just like Tausch, many writers find their true voice when they feel empowered by the right mentor—someone who helps them see their potential and supports their creative evolution.
6. Mentorship as a Lifelong Relationship
Mentorship isn’t limited to a specific time or place. In fact, the relationship between mentor and mentee can be a lifelong one, continuing to influence the mentee’s career and life. For Tausch, his dad’s mentorship didn’t end when he grew older. The lessons learned in those early years continue to influence his writing, reminding him of the values of patience, creative freedom, problem-solving, and the importance of listening.
In the world of writing, mentorship often evolves into a lifelong relationship. Even after the formal guidance ends, the impact of that relationship remains, shaping the writer’s approach to their craft and helping them navigate the challenges of the writing world. Gerald Tausch’s story exemplifies this continuous cycle of growth, where the lessons learned from his dad’s mentorship continue to fuel his creativity.
Conclusion
The lessons Gerald Tausch learned from his dad were far more than just practical advice—they were lessons in creativity, resilience, and self-discovery. The role of mentorship in writing is undeniable, as it provides the necessary foundation for writers to grow, experiment, and develop their own unique voices. Through his dad’s patient guidance and encouragement, Tausch not only learned to navigate the complexities of technical tasks but also the nuances of creativity and storytelling.
As aspiring writers, we can look to the example set by Gerald Tausch and his dad’s mentorship to understand the profound impact that guidance and support can have on a writer’s career. Whether you’re just starting out or are well into your writing journey, remember that the role of mentorship—whether formal or informal—is an invaluable part of your creative process.
