Writer-Parent Spotlight: JT “Jody” Morse
Writer JT “Jody” Morse with her bright, big-hearted teenager (photo source: JTM)
Delighted to be back with the second installment of the Writer-Parent Spotlight interview series, which dives into the stories of talented writer-parents and aims to discover how they do that thing they do.
This time we’re featuring JT “Jody” Morse, a multigenre writer-parent who lives and writes with palpable passion.
I met Jody through Writespace, a Houston grassroots literary arts nonprofit. The first time I heard her read her work I thought, “Wow, this writer is feeling her words and sentences!” Many writers read their pages with a hint of stoicism, but Jody presents hers with fervor, vitality, and a welcome dash of fun.
I wasn’t surprised, then, to learn of her performance background and aerial and yoga skills, or that she’s a cheerleader for fellow writers and important social justice issues. Jody projects joy and confidence as an artist and human, something most of us would do well to emulate.
Read on for rich insights from Jody on writing, creativity, motherhood, and balance.
What do you write?
Poetry, Flash Fiction, Memoir, Creative Nonfiction, & Magazine/Newspaper Articles
How many kids, and what are their ages?
One kiddo who is seventeen.
Favorite snack to nibble while writing:
Almonds, cherries (when in season), and Lady Grey London Fogs.
Who is your literary character doppelgänger? (Not necessarily a physical doppelgänger!)
Rosie from Laurie Frankel's This Is How It Always Is. We're both fierce Mama Bears with huge hearts, especially when it comes to our queer kiddos.
Favorite place you’ve visited:
Waikiki Beach, Hawaii
Favorite place you’ve been with your kid:
Half Price Books is a favorite place of ours as well as any store with large candle sections—we're both aromatherapy addicts.
Describe your writing process in 10 words or fewer:
Dig Deep. Find the Pearls. Put Them on the Page.
Something about you that helps you as a writer:
A background in improv comedy and theater. I relish and thrive when thinking outside the box.
Favorite thing about parenting?
The connection. I never knew what unconditional love was until I became a mother. It shifted from a romantic, mythical notion to reality the moment I held her in my arms.
Worst thing about parenting?
Fear of losing her. She'll always be in my heart, but the fear of losing her physically, in this plane of existence, breaks my heart.
Favorite thing about writing?
Same as parenting. The connection...with self, with other people, with ideas, with joys and fears and wisdom from across space and time, with something greater than myself.
Worst thing about writing?
Living in a modern capitalist society that reveres and values money over artistic expression and philosophical exploration.
Has your writing changed since becoming a parent? If so, how?
I didn't really start writing—professionally and with true purpose and focus—until after becoming a mother. So, I don't really have much of a comparison to make.
What helps you when you’re feeling uninspired or stuck somewhere in the creative process?
Dancing. Kayaking. Doing aerial yoga. Getting out of my head and into my body.
What are three things you value most in a writing community?
Honesty delivered with care. Egos left at the door. Creative energy that flows like a wide open faucet.
Complete this sentence: To me, words are ____________.
Complicated vessels of creativity as well as vehicles for expression and connection...for better or worse.
What’s your go-to resource for advice about craft and/or the writing life?
Podcasts. I love podcasts like Manuscript Wishlist, Magic Lessons with Elizabeth Gilbert, Lore, LeVar Burton Reads, Beautiful Writers, Imaginary Worlds, and Nerdette. They spark story ideas, encourage me as a creator, offer the chance to hear from writers of various levels/genres, and give practical advice about navigating the publishing world. Plus, since I can listen to them in the car, time isn't taken away from my writing/reading time.
How do you empty your brain when it’s just too stuffed for comfort?
Hike along the creek in the woods on our 18-acre forest farmstead with our pack of rescue dogs, breathing in the fresh air and listening to the sounds of Mother Nature. I also enjoy a good cry sometimes to relieve the pressure.
Imagine you’re 92 and relaxing somewhere you love, surrounded by your books and photos of your grandkids (or granddogs or grandturtles, etc.).
Where is that place you love?
A bamboo beach hut in a hidden cove on a Hawaiian coast.
Which three books are within closest reach?
Eat Pray Love by Elizabeth Gilbert. Untamed by Glennon Doyle. Furiously Happy by Jenny Lawson. (Or books written by their children/progenies because I have no doubt their writings will be as heartfelt and hilarious as their mothers’?!?)
What wisdom do you wish you could’ve shared with your younger self to have helped your writer-parent life go a little more smoothly?
Strive for balance, not perfection.
Please share with The Write Parent community what you’re working on (or, if you can’t share that right now, what ideas are captivating you), how to find and read your work, and how to follow you/friend you/become an adoring fan.
I have two book-length memoirs and a novel about the wives of serial killers in the hopper at the moment. You can find my past published works and writing samples at jtmorsewriter.com. I'm also on Facebook and Instagram as JT Morse Writer.
Any question you wish I’d asked?
What book is your kid reading currently?
A Simple Favor by Darcy Bell. My daughter really enjoys reading books that have been adapted into movies. Preferring to read the book first though, of course. :-)
A heartfelt thanks to Jody for the wisdom she shared. Readers, let us know in the comments which of her many insights spoke to you!
Wishing you productive writing days ahead—and joyful times with your little human inspirations.