A writing coach by your side

Writing coach

Hello, dear writer. It’s a brave and wild undertaking, writing a book, whether you’re creating  fiction, nonfiction, or memoir. Wherever you are on your path—new or pro, stuck or just uncertain—I will meet you there. An experienced book writing coach, I’ll be your guide (your writing Sherpa?). I can help you make your book the best it can be!

What is a Writing Coach?

I’m Jamie Morris, book coach

I’ve been coaching book writers for over a decade. I consider myself among the best writing coaches in the country. But writing your book isn’t about me—it’s about you and the story you have to tell. With a little support, I know you can bring that story to life and share it proudly with the world.

Meet Jamie Morris

Free book writing consultation

Let’s connect! Whatever your experience, I want to hear about your book and your goals for it. And you want to meet and get a feel for my style: Am I supportive? Encouraging? Knowledgeable? All this—and that undefinable quality called “chemistry”—will tell us if we’ll work well together.

Let’s Talk

 

Book coaching prompts, resources, and inspiration for writers


  • Writing Coaching for Older Writers

    Writing coaching for older writers gives direction to writing dreams! In the past week, I’ve been contacted by four writers, all in their sixties or seventies. Each of them is relatively new to writing. And they are all excited to finally embark on their long-held writing dreams. But where to… Read more… 

  • Writing Coaching Inspiration: One River Is Like Another River

    Working with writers can be tricky. They’re on a wild and unpredictable journey. As a coach, I want to help—but sometimes a writer’s goals can prove out of their (current) reach. That’s when I reach deep into my bag of writing coaching inspiration. I need to pull out something that… Read more… 

  • A Memoir Coach and a Wild Writing Exercise

    As a memoir coach, I’m always on the lookout for fresh writing exercises. In particular, I love memoir writing prompts that invite us to see past experiences differently. This particular memoir exercise is a weird trip. It will turn your writing—and your insights—inside out! Called “Cut and Paste,” the exercise… Read more… 

  • Why Hire a Book Coach: Jen’s Story

    Perhaps you’re wondering, Why hire a book coach? Jen’s story, below, will give you a novel writer’s first-hand experience of working with a professional book coach. When Jen first contacted me, she’d completed a Young Adult (YA) novel and had already been under contract with a literary agent for a… Read more… 

  • Book Coach Tips for Writing a Successful Novel

    As a professional writing coach, I always want to support writers in their quest for success. This month, my post “Book Coach Tips for Writing a Successful Novel” focuses on the most important aspects of novel writing. I also include resources that will help you level up your novel-writing game.… Read more… 

  • Writing Coaching: The Hard Stuff

    I’ve been in the trenches, coaching writers, for well over a decade. From long experience, I can tell you that, with writing coaching, the hard stuff is the stuff that can make or break a career. And by “hard stuff,” I mean whatever you currently don’t have in your writer’s… Read more… 

  • How to Write a Fantasy Novel: Quick Tips!

    Wondering how to write a fantasy novel? As a professional writing coach, I’ve learned that following a few important guidelines can make all the difference! Here are some magical tips to help you write fantasy fiction, from me—and NEW YORK TIMES best-selling fantasy author Lev Grossman. Quick tips for writing… Read more… 

  • How Long Should a Novel Be?

    IN THE BOOK WRITERS’ CRITIQUE GROUP I LEAD, we recently discussed the differences between works of narrative fiction. While word count is not the only distinguishing feature, it’s certainly the easiest to grasp. Perhaps you’re wondering, “How long should a novel be?” As a professional writing coach, I’m asked about… Read more… 

  • Outline Your Novel with ChatGPT

    Did you know you can outline your novel with ChatGPT? No? Me, either. But I asked my super-smart techie novelist friend MK Swanson if she had used ChatGPT, and she said she had. Specifically, she told me that she now believes “novelists can use ChatGPT to supercharge their process. For… Read more… 

  • Book Writers’ Coach

    Why am I a book writing coach? Great question! Over the last ten years, I’ve coached writers of all types. New writers, short story writers, dissertation and thesis writers, hobbyists and journalists. But after a decade of working with a myriad of different writers, I’ve found my greatest joy as… Read more… 

  • How to Write a Mystery: 10 Tips

    Writing a mystery is complicated, no doubt! But, since mysteries are my favorite type of fiction, I thought it would be a fun challenge to narrow down my thoughts about how to write them effectively. The following 10 tips will help you understand how to write a mystery novel and… Read more… 

  • Writing Young Adult Fiction

    If you’re writing Young Adult fiction, also known as YA, you’ve probably already created an angsty, yet sympathetic, teenage main character (MC). What else do you need? Well, when we’re writing Young Adult fiction, we first need to give our angsty MC a problem to solve. We’ll also want to… Read more… 

  • Tarot’s Judgment: Your Writing Coach

    When tarot’s Judgment card volunteers to be your writing coach, fasten your seatbelt! It’s time to rev up a manuscript you thought had breathed its last. We’ve all been there, right? (Or is it just me?) We give up on a “failed” manuscript. Then we push it as far away… Read more… 

  • Tarot for Writers: 9 of Coins

    When we writers consult tarot and see the 9 of Coins, it may signal a high-five from our muse! Have we graduated in some way? Had a step up in our writing life? Have we made the leap from student or apprentice to master of our writing domain? If so,… Read more… 

  • Unlock Writer’s Block

    Oh, my gosh! Yolanda needs help to unlock her writer’s block! She’s tormented by worries of failing as a writer—yet can’t get any words on the page. While she’s allowed swords of self-recrimination to stack up over her head, it’s probably not as desperate a situation as she believes. Like… Read more… 

  • Two of Coins, Your Book Coach

    When Ella called, upset that daily life was eating up her writing time, I knew just where to look for advice. “If tarot’s Two of Coins were your book coach,” I said, “she’d show you just how to keep all your priorities in play.” The Two of Coins (aka the… Read more… 

  • King of Cups, Your Writing Coach

    If Tarot’s King of Cups were your writing coach, he’d teach you to calm the troubled waters of your writing life. He rules a kingdom that is entirely fluid and in motion—and he’s had to learn how to maneuver in its emotional depths. It took him some time, but the… Read more… 

  • Tarot Writing Coach: Four of Coins

    Tarot writing coach? What?! Why?! Although I’m a professional writing coach, I still need the occasional new insight—for myself and my clients. I’ve found tarot’s 78 intriguing images can definitely inspire us! When writers need an out-of-the-box solution, tarot can act as a writing coach and help them find fresh… Read more… 

  • Tarot and Writing: Meet the Two of Cups, Your Writing Coach

    Tarot and writing seem a match made by the very best of old-school matchmakers! The 78 images that make up a tarot deck can inspire writers in many ways. As a writer myself, as well as in my role as a writing coach, I’ve found looking at the cards can… Read more… 

  • Writing a Novel Fast(er): 10 Tips!

    10 Tips for Writing a Novel Fast(er) Writing a novel is a long game, no way around it. But I’ve helped many writers get to THE END, and I know there are ways to shorten the curve. I’ve listed my favorite get-your-novel-written approaches below. From first concept to first draft,… Read more… 

  • How a Book Writing Coach Critiques Your Book

    Whether your book writing coach calls it a “critique,” a “review,” or an “evaluation,” they mean the same thing. Your coach will read your work and give you their professional feedback on essential elements of your manuscript. But wait! Does that sound scary? For many writers, the idea of a… Read more… 

Elizabeth Sims Writer

Jamie Morris is an outstanding resource for writers who want to reach the pinnacle of success. She’s a warm, encouraging angel on your shoulder, but she’s also got the skills, experience, and good judgment to help you vanquish your weaknesses and capitalize on your strengths. If you’re a writer with serious ambitions, work with Jamie. Elizabeth Sims, YOU’VE GOT A BOOK IN YOU: A Stress-Free Guide to Writing the Book of Your Dreams (Writers Digest)


Hey, J. Just wanted to say “THANKS!” for the coaching session today. It was

Ryan Van Cleeve

amazingly productive. I now have actionable clarity for revising one novel that’s been giving me grief, and finishing another that had stalled in the middle. Pretty good work for one hour, no? Ryan G. Van Cleave, Head of Creative Writing, Ringling College of Art and Design; author of THE WEEKEND BOOK PROPOSAL (Writers Digest) and MEMOIR WRITING FOR DUMMIES (John Wiley & Sons)


Adventureman

For decades, writing was a comfort, and when life was turbulent an anchor to help steady my boat. In my fifties, however, it dawned on me that I actually wanted to become a writer. A really good writer, if that was possible. I read an article in THE NEW YORK TIMES extolling the virtues of writing coaches and how, if you were lucky enough to find a good one, you might very well become a good writer. And so I found Jamie Morris. Fast forward five years and a few books’ worth of short stories, and I believe I have become a much better writer. I could wax poetic about Jamie’s coaching genius, but I won’t. It would spoil the fun. Instead, I’ll let you discover Jamie Morris for yourself—this writer’s best-kept secret. Hugh Holborn, The After-Fifty Adventureman


Whether you are struggling to finish a manuscript, ready for a developmental editor,

Writing Coaching Testimonials Tarot Diva

or simply need someone who understands you, Jamie Morris is incredible. She maps out action plans, gives firm yet reasonable goals, and takes the terror and mystery out of the writing process so you can get to the work at hand. Do yourself and your writing life a favor. Hire her immediately. She’s the best investment you’ll ever make! Sasha Graham, TAROT DIVA (Llewellyn)


Jamie Morris is a true genius at her craft. She’s intelligent and thoughtful, with bone-deep wisdom about how to make a story. It took me fifteen years to get serious about this book, and I swear on my stack of all-time-favorites that I was waiting to find Jamie. She’s the creative midwife of my dreams! —Heather Rosser

Still absorbing the awesomeness with Jamie Morris!

Writing Coach Testimonial A.K. Hicks

We nailed it! Amazing brains clicking together, and I now have a solid first act, broken down scene by scene. So many thanks for your dedication and willingness to stick it out, Jamie! Anne Hawkinson, author, THE MYSTERY AT MOZ HOLLOW; co-author, SCOTLAND’S KNIGHT, Royal Palm Literary Award winner


The foundation you have helped me set will help me to write many books with audacity and finesse—a great combo to have. They don’t call you the guru of writing for nothing. Dr. Simi Ahuja

Writing Coach Testimonial Cara Gubbins, PhD

Jamie: I am so freaking in love with you, this process, and my book! People dread asking me how I am because I tell them in nauseating detail how much I love my book and my writing coach! I feel like I won the lottery! Cara Gubbins, PhD, THE DOLPHINS OF HILTON HEAD (University of South Carolina Press); DIVINE BEINGS: The Spiritual Lives and Lessons of Animals


I’ve always dreamed of being a writer. There’s been 65K words of what I now know is backstory sitting in a file on my computer for over a year. It seemed more a journal than the memoir I was aiming for. Would anyone want to read what I’d written? Does my story really have what it takes to touch hearts? If so, how can I make it most effective?

The answer to all those questions showed up in my inbox one morning, in the form of a magazine article on writing coaches. Jamie was the featured coach. Within an hour of reading the article, Jamie and I were on the phone. I knew before I’d hung up—she’s the answer to my questions.

Book Coach Testimonial

Although I’m otherwise a stranger to her, Jamie has an innate sense of where more is lurking in my memories that will add depth to the story. She’s a great listener and gives exceptional feedback that has enabled me to believe I am a writer. The woman is a genius. I didn’t know a “low point” from a “climax,” and now I’m researching agents. I cannot recommend Jamie enough. —Terrie Reynolds


Megan Cooke Jamie Morris Writing Coach Testimonial

Jamie, I just wanted to thank you for all of your time and mental energy. I felt strange about this story for the longest time. I think it was an awful mess, partly due to how I was holding it at arm’s length and trying to think about some vague idea of what Young Adult books should be. Once you told me to pay attention to the emotional beats, it got SO, so much better.

You are such a great writing coach. I’m incredibly grateful and just stunned at how much ground you covered. Oh, my gosh—I learned a ton from every session! Thank you so much. —Megan Cooke, writer, videographer; graduate, Ringling College of Art and Design Creative Writing Program


Jamie, thanks for the session Friday morning. It was helpful on so many levels. You are someone to treasure, for sure. I’m so glad you are part of my team. All my interactions with you make me—and my world—saner, happier, more optimistic. Beth Lambdin, author of LOVE YOU, SWEETIE


Alina Smith Writing Coach Testimonial

Jamie Morris is such a fantastic coach! Her approach is very intuitive, so no matter what I’m working on, from plotting to character development, Jamie always has an intelligent, unique perspective to present. If you’d like to take your writing to another level, I strongly recommend Jamie! Alina Smith, songwriter, music producer, at LYRE


Jamie! You’re so wonderful!

Your Life Is Medicine Book Coach Testimonial

Our time together is so magical. Thank you for reigniting my passion and gifting me focus and insights. I’m thrilled about the new direction for my book. So profoundly grateful for you and the forces that guided us together for this. Kristen Schneider, author, YOUR LIFE IS MEDICINE


Writing Coach Testimonial

Jamie, I do believe you are this story’s fairy godmother. You are not only making sense of what’s already been done, but giving a new perspective on what is yet to be. Big Shared World is better thanks to your involvement. I am better because of you. Wow! Colleen Waterston, BigSharedWorld.com

View all testimonials and reviews

 
 
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