Word by Word

Practical insights for writers from Jessica P Morrell

Welcome Mat

Written By: Jessica Morrell

Words are all we have

storytelling…word slinger…craft…seasons…notebook…sensual…sweet-faced children…risk…sensory depth…matisse…relate…reciprocity…hope…farmer’s markets…weaving…poetry…swim…flood…simplicity…blythe…recipe…brain research…starlight…lies…order…peanut butter cups…surround…desire…achille’s heel…witness…journals…mountains…swing…smells…braid…plot…monopoly…limbic system…emulate…formulate…resonance…smart phone…silly conversation…fat-tired bicycles…clue…scavenge…word pictures…trial…rain shadow…keyboard…plot points…virtuoso…amber…reconnaissance…emulate…fault line…buttery…violas…awareness…flash fiction… query…dance…imagery…seeds… i remember…whiskey breath…homonym…freak show…terrier…hershey’s kisses…sunsets….bakelite…creek…lively…synopsis…breath of life…   sun break…gallery…beetle…inspiration…bird song…travel…subtext…anti-hero….shore line…repetition…dazzle…canyon…corvidae…capture…vulnerability…lightning storm…memory…outline…symphony…value…whisper…theme…subtext…metaphor…transfer meaning…gallop…pacing…literal…wish…back story…emotional need…red …build…long walks…wonder…like minded people…popsicle…assonance…sepia photo…dappled clouds…whale songs…search…fate…sparrows…impulse…heart… sizzling verbs…crescent moons…elegance…understatement… underwater summersaults…mob movies…truth…thunder…hummingbird…redwood….notes…motive…mentor… ripples of moonlight on water… run with it…fine tune…intimacy…balance…flow… lipstick…cairns…verdant…mystery…reversal…cello…flavor…bad guy…kick start…revise…gentle spot…figurative…magenta…simmer…activate…reader…care…deep meadow…percolate…bolt…hammer…Welcome…symbolism…paragraph…active…surrender…intention…recognize…synonym…variety…chocolate…font…viva…climb…autumn colors…verisimilitude   garter snakes…pelicans…pond…apply…edit…baby steps…faith…marble…reason…wage…content…simple…punctuation…oversight…conconcentric…resonate…laptop…layer…potency…blog…create…sun dress…freckle…openness to criticism…lens…structure…scenes…fir…fog…ratchet…express…polish…intensive…motivate…traits…small town…design…van gogh…word catcher…instructions…language…entertaining…accessible…dynamic characters…flat characters..static…birth…gratitude…study…rhinestone…gallop…delicate art…lifetime learning…analyze…practice…jot…jog memory…epiphany…reach out…snarky…e-mail..statue…architecture…reader…steeple…excellence…plague…stand up…belief challenging…monet…radical optimism…imperfection…seduction…showing…explore paradoxes…foodie…fairy house…amp…stiletto…picasso…training…telling…train whistle…haunting…cavern…deepening as person…silk…hatch…stray…embrace possibility…dance…lavender sunset…frugal modifier…eschew bombast…red pen…touch…genius…wrangle…pill box…glasses…wild mind…vortex…mythic…villain…transition…keening…vibration…star watcher…wonder…peonies…finish the next sentence…dahlia grower…

8 Comments

  1. Robert C Burnham says:

    Ms. Morrell,

    I must say, I am very much enjoying reading “Thanks, But this isn’t for Us”, and finding it to be as entertaining as it is informative. I knew from the first chapter it would be a worthwhile read, when I discovered that you selected one of my favorite contemporary novel openings as an example of how to make a first impression using suspense.

    Shortly after finishing Dogs of Babel a couple of years ago, I complimented the author, Carolyn Parkhurst, on her fine novel. I feel compelled to mention that in using her novel as an example in your book, you refer to the author as ‘Carolyn Pinkhurst’. I am not an editor and I do not read people’s works to find faults and perhaps this error has already been brought to the publisher’s attention. I simply point it out due to my respect for all authors.

    I would recommend “Thanks, But This Isn’t For Us” to any person approaching or refining their own writing craft. Thank you.

    • jessicap says:

      Robert,
      Thanks so much for your kind words and reading my book. I thought I had used that example in Between the Lines. I like reading widely, don’t you? And I’ve never forgotten that story. If the book goes into another printing I’ll have the publisher fix the typo. Sometimes mistakes get past many sets of eyes, I’m afraid to admit. Also, if you’re writing fiction I send out a newsletter with meaty columns about craft and the writing life. Let me know and I can send you two recent issues on backstory.
      All the best, Jessica

  2. Beth Martens says:

    Hi Jessica. I was enjoying your direct and helpful THANKS, BUT THIS ISN’T FOR US so much, I decided to look you up online. Then I found this wonderful site full of goodies and sage advice. If you would add me to your newsletter mailings, I would be very grateful. Pardon if I missed a mention on your website, but do you ever hold online classes yourself? I have played in the roulette yards of Gotham writers workshops and would much rather choose my teacher.

    Best regards and thank you for the lovely resources,
    Beth

    • jessicap says:

      Beth,
      Thanks for checking in. Happy to add you to my mailing list. I’m not teaching online at this time, but have plans to in the future. Are you writing fiction? And what part of the country do you live in? Take care, Jessica

  3. Beth Martens says:

    Hi Jessica. I am writing fiction and experimenting with a mystery novel at the moment. I live outside of Boston, although somehow everything I write takes me back to my childhood in the south or better yet my graduate years in northern California. Nothing like writing about Yosemite, wine country or SF in summer when there’s a foot of snow outside. 🙂

    Best,
    Beth

  4. Stacey Nelson says:

    Ms Morrell,
    My name is Stacey and I am a fan of your help filled books. I have enjoyed your humor and wisdom for a few years and tonight as I search through the marked pages find myself here. Editing is eating me alive from the inside, I am starting to wonder if my brain will leak out of my ears . . . I know my stories need more work but I am the only writer I know.

    You mention reading groups, editors, ect. These elusive servants willing to help the writer see their faults, prune the overgrowth, and champion a writers efforts have evaded me. Where do I turn?

    I have enjoyed the temporary interest of an agent, been told it was good by an agent not serving the genre, have been flattered by an editor, taken a couple years of college writing classes, and still I scour books for the mystery as to what is missing.

    Highlighter Blues

    • Jessica Morrell says:

      Hi Stacy,
      Oh man, I hear you with those highlighter blues. I used to joke when I finished my books that it was like giving birth to ugly babies because I felt so worn and shaky. That feeling of is this enough? First, can you give me a few more details about what you’re writing and where you live? Second, have you looked for online groups? I am going to start an online class in the new year that I promise will be priced so that a wide range of people can afford it. In it, you’ll receive feedback from me and other students.
      Since you’ve had interest from both an editor and agent, I suspect that you’re not too far off in your technique. Sometimes what feels elusive to the writer can become suddenly revealed. Sometimes you need a nudge from another capable reader.
      Would love to help, please tell me more. And thanks for reading my books.
      Jessica

      • lisa barnes says:

        Hi Jessica and Stacey,

        I am so thrilled that I found this website! I recently borrowed THANKS, BUT THIS ISN’T FOR US from my local library and am having to be forced to put it down (usually, precisely at 3:25pm when the kids get home). I too am looking for a writers group and would love to be a part of a Jessicamorrell.com class in the new year. I am not as studied as Stacey, but more than willing to put in the hours to catch up. I look forward to more information about these and other opportunities in hopes to unlock the mystery of publishing!

        Many thanks!

        Lisa

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