Jessica was generous enough to give TWO copies of her book for the giveaway, which means two folks who comment will win copies today! Thanks, Jessica!
This past January, Jessica Morrell invited me to be a keynote speaker at her mini-writing conference in Portland, Oregon. I was impressed with how hard she worked to gather up good people, good speakers, good food, good help, and a good location to pull off a successful event. Anyone who has ever hosted a literary event knows that there are a million and one little details to attend to and Jessica attended to them all with care and attention to the tiniest detail.
I can only imagine that Jessica brings the same kind of care and devotion that she brings to her students to her writing. Not to mention that Jessica has penned multiple books on writing topics, making her a veteran writing teacher and author. Jessica Morrell is a longtime and steadfast supporter of writers. I appreciate her dedication and commitment. Please help me welcome her!
About Jessica Page Morrell
Jessica Page Morrell lives in Portland, Oregon where she is surrounded by writers and watches the sky in all its moods and shades. She writes with depth, wit and clarity on topics related to writing and creativity and is the author of Thanks, But This Isn’t For Us, A (Sort of) Compassionate Guide to Why Your Writing is Being Rejected; Bullies, Bastards & Bitches, How to Write the Bad Guys in Fiction; The Writer’s I Ching: Wisdom for the Creative Life; Voices from the Street; Between the Lines:Master The Subtle Elements Of Fiction Writing; and Writing Out the Storm. More at JessicaMorrell.com.
About Thanks, But This Isn’t For Us
All great works of fiction and memoir are unique-but most bad novels, stories, and memoirs have a lot in common. From clunky dialogue to poorly sketched out characters, sagging pacing to exaggerated prose, these beginners’ mistakes drive any agent or editor to their stock rejection letter, telling the aspiring writer “Thanks, but this isn’t for us,” and leaving many to wonder what exactly it is that they’re doing wrong.
Veteran writing coach, developmental editor, and writing instructor Jessica Page Morrell will fill in the gaps in every rejection letter you’ve ever received. In Thanks, But This Isn’t for Us, Morrell uses her years of experience to isolate the specific errors beginners make, including the pitfalls of unrealistic dialogue, failing to “show, not tell,” and over-the-top plot twists. These are just a few of the problems that keep writers from breaking through with their work. Sympathetic and humane, but pulling no punches, Thanks, But This Isn’t for Us shows writers precisely where they’ve gone wrong and how to get on the right track. In sixteen to-the-point chapters, with checklists, exercises, takeaway tips, and a glossary, Morrell helps readers transcend these mistakes so that they don’t have to learn the hard way: with another rejection letter.
The Very Short Interview
When did you know for sure that you were a writer and that writing would be a major energy focus in your life?
In 5th grade. Every week our teacher Mr. Becker tuned into a radio broadcast about creative writing for kids. He had an old radio with a cloth front from the 40s at the back of the crowded classroom and the teacher’s voice was ancient and scratchy as fingernails on our always-dusty chalkboard. One week the assignment was to create a monster. I did and read my piece out loud to the class and got the 5th grade version of a standing ovation. And I was hooked.
Who has always been behind your writing career and who helped pull you up the ladder of success?
I had a few terrific teachers that I’ve never forgotten; Ray Vils in high school and Pulitzer prize winner Paul Hayes in college. Both taught be so much and inspired me with their passion for language and stories. Bill Johnson and Willamette Writers have supported me as an author and teacher and I’m always grateful for their help. These days, my man Jay guards my back and helps me carve out time for writing.
What is the most frequent comment you hear about your book (or books) from readers? Tell us a little story about the response to your work.
I just received an email from a reader of Thanks But This Isn’t For Us. As do most of these emails, he thanked me for writing it and told me that it’s eye-opening and he’s read it three times. I also see copies in reader’s hands that are full of underlines and post-it notes. Love that. Sometimes when you’re at your desk writing it’s like you’re a sea captain in the north Atlantic at midnight. In January. A lonely perch—so hearing from readers is gratifying.
And Now, Your Turn
Now it’s your turn. You remember how this works right?
I ask you a question. You answer in the comments for your chance to win a book each day.
Please just respond once, even if you make a typo. 
Answer in the comments in 50-200 words (no less and no more to qualify to win one of today’s books). Please read the complete rules at least once!
Thanks for participating in the Writer Mama Every-Day-In-May Book Giveaway! I hope to see you here every day this month. Bring your friends!
If you could spend a full day however you wanted, how would you spend the day? Describe the whole thing, morning to night for us!
Ready, set, comment!
