Story writing Intensive September 21-24 with Jessica Morrell Manzanita, Oregon Story Writing Intensive is open to writers serious about getting published. Our days and nights will be packed with lectures, one-on-one meetings, feedback sessions, and time to work on manuscripts (and walk on the beach).   Enrollment for this Intensive is limited to no more than […]

©Jessica P. Morrell I made mistakes in drama. I thought drama was when actors cried. But drama is when the audience cries. ~ Frank Capra A few months ago I was part of a discussion about a writer’s novel-in-progress. The writer had been struggling for years to craft a compelling a novel—a sort of heartbreaking […]

“I don’t teach writing. I teach patience. Toughness. Stubbornness. The willingness to fail. I teach the life. The odd thing is most of the things that stop  an inexperienced writer are so far from the truth as to be nearly beside the point. When you feel global doubt about your talent, that IS your talent.  […]

Welcome to my website. I’ve been moving this past month and since I work at home, the boxes need to be unpacked, the stapler and files and notebooks located before I can completly settle in and return to my routine. Meanwhile, I’ve got great workshops and sessions planned for Fall 2011.  So please check out my upcoming […]

Subtlety Jessica P. Morrell “Serious writers, including comic writers, are interested in subtlety, in avoiding heavy-handed effects and obvious characterizations. They want to make reader pay close attention, and reader enjoy picking up on clues as subtle as a hesitation or a dropped glance.”    Jerome Stern “If you would be pungent, be brief; for it […]

When: June 24-26 Where: The Hallmark Inn & Resort in Cannon Beach What: This year’s theme is Truth, Risk & Lies Who: Our keynote speaker is award-winning author Cheryl Stayed Why: It’s a great way for writers at all stages of their careers to hone their craft, network with fellow writers, and meet published authors and […]

“Our imagination flies; we are its shadow on the earth.” ~ Vladimir Nabokov

Programming Note: I’m going to be the guest on Barbara DeMarco Barrett Writers on Writing show this Wednesday at 9 AM (May 25) Pacfic Time. Writers on Writing is a weekly radio program produced and hosted by author Barbara DeMarco-Barrett, with co-host Marrie Stone. Each Wednesday at 9am Pacific, writers, poets and literary agents join […]

   My The Writing Life newsletter is being emailed this week. If you are not on my mailing list, please contact me and let me know what part of the world you’re writing from. Here’s an excerpt: Emotional Resonance One of many mysteries about the human species is how the arrangement of letters –mere black […]

For those of you planning to attend Summer in Words, don’t forget that the deadline to receive the super-fabulous discounted price is May 24th. So call the also super-fabulous Hallmark Inn at 1-888-448-449