joshua,
i'm not really mentor material, but i was serious when i pointed out your talent, and i believe that your gift, properly channeled, can indeed lead you to great successes.
hopefully someone who can guide you and act as an effective sounding board will take you under their wing; but in the meantime, stay mentally active, keep cranking pages out and keep that crippled self-confidence at bay. otherwise, it'll eat away your life before you know it.
-william