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I am writing sixty-odd miles east of the vast Pacific. This is a place of waters and trees and deep green. Some mornings I want to slip away and drive to the endless shore and let the sound of the waves wash over my tumbling thoughts. But I rarely give in to this urge. Instead I perch here, in a room with a window facing north, with a view that somehow opens on to a much bigger world. I have been teaching,
editing, and coaching writers since 1991. I’ve worked with thousands of
writers now, watching them transform their fears into accomplishment, their
awkward drafts into polished masterpieces. For
nearly three years I coached and taught writers at iVillage.com which became my
most successful laboratory. I also teach a series of workshops and at writing
conferences, and am fortunate to meet all kinds of writers. And no matter where
and how I teach, once the students start practicing, their writing improves. I wish there were a way
that I could zap you into one of my classrooms for a few hours, after I’ve
assigned an exercise. After we have settled into the quiet and magic of a group
of writers bent at a task, inspired by an idea. I wish you could listen in as
they read aloud their efforts—as diverse as This web site culls
exercises that I’ve been using with my many students over the years and at the
request of readers, it also contains reprints of past columns.
You’re also going to find inspiration, quotes about writing, reminders
and prompts to stir the writer within. This site was conceived as a tool that
addresses the greatest problems that writers face: how to make writing a daily
habit; how to keep experimenting and practicing no matter what level you
achieve; and how to feel refine your skills.
Jessica Page Morrell believes that writers need solid and concise information that they can immediately put to use, proven strategies to jump start their careers, and inspiration to keep going when a manuscript bogs down. Her workshops aim to increase a writer's chances of getting published; suggest ways of succeeding at the writing life; ignite creativity; and help writers navigate the evolving marketplace. Since she began teaching writers in 1991 and editing in 1995, many of her students and clients have gone on to publish their work. Her workshops are lively, focused, and filled with practical insights. Her classes and workshops have been offered through writing conferences, college programs, through her own venue, and on-line at iVillage.com. While serving as the Writing Expert at iVillage.com, one of the world's largest and most influential web sites, her content was voted by Writer's Digest as one of 101 Best Sites for Writers. Workshop and writing conference participants have described her as: "a torrent of information," "lots of practical information with excellent concrete examples," and "Absolutely everything she says is packed with value." She also teaches at corporations and speaks for writers groups and various conferences around the country. She is the author of Between the Lines: master the subtler aspects of writing fiction published by Writer's Digest Books, The I Ching Writer's Companion with coauthor Elaura Niles published by Running Press in September 2006, and Writing Out the Storm, Collectors Press and four booklets on writing. Jessica's newest work is Bullies, Bastards, and Bitches - How to write the bad guys in fiction. Morrell works as writing coach and freelance editor and book doctor. She's been writing a monthly column about topics related to writing which currently appears in The Willamette Writer, writes a monthly newsletter, The Writing Life, a web log (BLOG), thewritinglifetoo.blogspot.com and contributes articles to on-line sites, newspapers, and public radio.
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