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 Coaches: An Interview

    A FEW WEEKS AGO, in an interview on writing coaches, I got to discuss both the purpose of having a writing coach and the role of critical feedback in a writer’s life for The Working Writer Podcast with my client and good friend Tia Levings. Tia and I started working… Read more… 

  • Three Benefits of a Creative Writing Coach

    Would you like support unlocking your full potential as a writer? What is creative writing and how can a creative writing coach help? When we say, “creative writing,” we’re actually talking about two things: primarily imaginative writing and creatively developed factual writing. The more imaginative types of writing include short… Read more… 

  • Makes a GREAT Writing Coach?

    What is a writing coach? A writing coach is someone who helps writers get their books done! Part editor, part cheerleader, part story confidante, a coach is always, always on a writer’s side—and she is also someone who has the chops, knowledge, and experience to make her support effective. Your… Read more… 

  • How to Choose a Creative Writing Coach

    A creative writing coach is a professional who provides guidance, feedback, and support to help writers develop their craft and achieve their writing goals. Are you looking to hire a writing coach who is the perfect fit? I hear you! Deciding to work with a coach—whether you’re looking for a… Read more… 

  • Plotting Your Novel: 5 Fabulous Tips!

    Plotting your novel can be confusing! I compiled these 5 fabulous tips for plotting your novel because, if you don’t have a guidance system to help you navigate, you might find yourself asking questions like these: Where do I start my story for greatest impact? What events will force my… Read more… 

  • How to Choose the Right Writing Coach

    Spit-spot! Hiring a writing coach can be like inviting Mary Poppins into your writing life! Are you struggling to improve your writing skills? If so, you might consider hiring a writing coach to help. Do you feel you’re not making the progress you want, no matter how much time you… Read more… 

  • Benefits of Working with a Writing Coach

    Writers, the benefits of working with a writing coach can add up to the perfect equation for your success! Wondering how working with a writing coach will benefit your writing? I hear you! The decision to work with a writing coach—whether you’re looking for a fiction writing coach, a nonfiction… Read more… 

  • The Five Biggest Benefits of Working with a Book Coach

    Your book coach knows that writing a book is an exciting—and ambitious!—undertaking. And your book coach is as enthusiastic about the challenge as you are! (It’s what we live for, honestly.) Wearing a number of different hats—editor, cheerleader, critique partner, among them—your professional book coach has the experience and know-how… Read more… 

  • Teacher’s Pet: A Tarot Writing Prompt

    In this week’s blog post I will provide you with a Tarot writing prompt. IN TAROT CIRCLES, the Hierophant, also known as the Pope, can get a bad rap—for being an uber-conservative, repressive, by-the-book sort of guy. But, really, he might just represent any clergy person, mentor, or teacher—however rule-bound… Read more… 

  • Writing Prompt: Thankful

    Today’s writing prompt: Thankful IT’S BEEN A TOUGH YEAR. You’ve probably heard that at least a thousand times. But it’s true. And that toughness can lend a dark and uneasy tone to our lives. That’s why today, our writing prompt is “thankful.” Of course, here comes Thanksgiving to remind us… Read more… 

  • Writing Sprints and SFDs

    WRITING SPRINTS AND SFDS by Tia Levings I’LL NEVER FORGET WHERE I was the day I learned about SFDs (shitty first drafts). The phrase alone got my attention, so bold and borderline-crass in a sea of serious approaches to “craft.” I bought BIRD BY BIRD because I was familiar with… Read more… 

  • RIP Beverly Cleary: I Think Ramona Grew Up To Be a Writer

    Yes I think Ramona Grew Up to Be a Writer By Tia Levings When Beverly Cleary died in March, at 104, the little girl who still lives inside me cried her heart out.  Cleary’s books, along with Judy Blume’s TALES OF A FOURTH GRADE NOTHING and SUPER FUDGE, were the… Read more… 

  • Writer’s Block: How One Writer Beats It!

    How one writer beats writer’s block I ASKED MY GOOD WRITER PAL MK SWANSON to share her magic. You see, MK writes consistently, creatively, and to completion without writer’s block. Currently, she’s preparing two novels for publication (watch this space!). But whether she’s got a book launch in mind or… Read more… 

  • Literary Quotes for Writers: A Writing Coach Takes a Journey Through 10 Literary Quotes

    Do you have a favorite literary quote? Here are 10 literary quotes to inspire writers 1. EVERY STORY IS A STORY OF SUSPENSE. I wish I could recall where I heard this. It’s been invaluable as I help writers get the most power from their stories. Whether you’re writing a… Read more… 

  • Tip for Writing: The Flip Side of Writing

    As a writing coach, I often share this tip with aspiring authors: READING is the flip side of writing. Every author, teacher, or writing coach worth their salt will suggest you read widely in your genre if you want to publish—Stephen King* not least among them! We’ll repeat this tip… Read more… 

  • Story Ideas for Writers

    Used to be, I’d have to hunt for great story ideas. Sometimes, I’d dig out an idea for a story from the newspaper or a conversation I heard at Starbucks. Recently, though, I haven’t even had to get out of bed to gather inspirational goodness. That’s because a couple of… Read more… 

  • Publish Your Writing Now: Whisper, Shout, Hit Send!

    PUBLISH YOUR WRITING!  WHILE WRITING CAN BE A FORM OF SELF-EXPLORATION, it is also a way to communicate our thoughts and stories with others. That’s why it’s important to publish your writing. About this, my novelist pal MK Swanson says, There is no writer without a reader. Writing is a… Read more… 

  • Sometimes, We’re Mute, We Writers (with Writing Resources for Writers who Dream)

    Not all Writers Look Alike; and Neither do the Writing Resources We Need SOMETIMES, WE’RE MUTE, we writers. Sometimes, we drift, dream, words floating above us, like sunset clouds in fantastical shifting shapes—now a ship, now a sheep, now a swan and his wife. Sometimes, it’s twilight, and we’re quiet,… Read more… 

  • Writing Prompts: Words + Pictures = Magic!

    3 Writing Prompts to Spark Your Writing WE WRITERS CAN BE AS VISUAL AS WE ARE VERBAL. Each of the following writing prompts capitalizes on this by inviting you to start with images and find words to accompany them. Use these exercises to spark a new story or poem—or to… Read more… 

  • Jamie Morris Writing Coach Welcomes New Writers!

    I’m Jamie Morris, and I’m a writing coach. WHEN YOU VISIT MY SITE FOR THE FIRST TIME, I want you to feel welcomed. Also, because you’ve likely come to find out if a writing coach can help you achieve your writing goals, I want to introduce myself and explain the… Read more… 

  • Cats and Writers: Purr-spective (Sorry!) of a Writing Coach

    From the desk of a writing coach: What is the connection between writers and their cats? MAYBE YOU’RE NOT A CAT LOVER. If that’s the case, you might not understand the enduring connection between cats and writers. Here are some thoughts on the matter from a professional writing coach: Cats… 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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