Countdown to Russia: days 11 & 10. Mentoring session and another obstacle.

Yesterday I had my video call mentoring session with Brandon, my Lonely Planet mentor (every new writer is assigned a senior writer). He sat in a cafe in Turkey and talked to me in detail about how the system works. How to get more gigs: do a great job on your first one, since you're 'on probation'; build positive relationships with your editors and fellow writers - that way you'll know what's available to pitch for and if editors trust you and like you, you'll get more work. Don't be a 'pitching whore' - someone perpetually available who pitches for everything (after all, there must be a reason as to why you're perpetually available, and editors prefer writers who are clearly busy and sought-after). So one hand, I have to try and get as many gigs as possible to establish myself, but without seeming too desperate for work. Catch 22. 

It's not what you know, it's who you know. Editors give you first pick if you've already worked on a guide.

He explains how it's possible to go from one gig to another in different parts of the world: "You don't have to be an expert on a destination. But you do have to be an expert on finding the expert." That makes sense, but goes against the advice given to me by a senior Rough Guide author, who is indeed an expert on two distinct regions.

Then follows the technical information - where to find the Author Manual, how to upload diffent fonts used for specific guidebooks from the Lonely Planet FTP site (because anything else will bugger up the text you're working on), how to approach editors and when to approach them.

Every year we have to fill out an 'Author At A Glance' Excel document, describing our travel experience. Brandon disabuses me of the illusion that it's an important document. "The editors' cubicles are all next to each other. If they want to know something about you, they just turn around and ask an editor who knows you."

The Skype connection is dreadful and we keep getting cut off. I appreciate Brandon's persevering. Since he's doing the Latvia chapter, we agree to meet in Riga when I go and do Lithuania.

Get a horrible shock when I check my bank balance. Somehow I've managed to spend almost £2000 in three weeks. All those visas, trips to London, essential purchases (Gore-Tex jacket, rucksack, Microsoft Office 2010), flight...it all adds up. Really need to sublet my room, otherwise am financially buggered.

Plod on with the finicky bits of the Peru chapter. Have a single house viewing by a Cambridge grad student. He seems to be interested in the room, and confirms his interest in the evening. Whew.

Today I get onto the urgent task of having my legalised deed poll document translated before Friday, when am due to go to London. Call several companies for quotes. Luckily I have the presence of mind to go on the Russian consulate website to discover that I can't just turn up with my deed poll and expect to have it ratified; I need to make an official appointment with the notary, and, as it happens, there's only one available slot this Friday (and none next week!), so I rush to a translation office and implore them to do my document in 46 hours, rather than 48, otherwise I'm in serious trouble.

Lunch with Sonia, my manga artist friend. Since we're both in the creative, freelance business, bounce a few ideas for new guidebooks off her and she gives constructive advice. To sell a good idea to big publishing company or to self-publish? Or even to sign a non-disclosure agreement and ask to work in partnership in exchange for financial backing and recognition? I've got a couple of ideas to pitch to Trailblazer, but I really need to hear back from Bryn first.

Feel sapped of creative energy, so focus on the mundane 'Directory' sections for each Peruvian city - addresses of airline companies, pharmacies, post offices, police stations, etc. It's slow, methodical work. Feeling a bit overwhelmed at the moment.