Meet JT “Jody” Morse: Writer/Editor/Photographer

We had the good fortune of connecting with JT “Jody” Morse and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi JT “Jody”, why did you decide to pursue a creative path?
I am at heart an artist. My pulsing core consists predominately of waves of art, clumps of creativity, and wisps of imagination. Yes, I am a mother, a wife, a friend, a woman, a writer, an American, a Houstonian, etc. But underneath all of those layering labels and roles, I am an artist. Expression, empathy, and connection are my why for living and my why for being a writer.

Can you open up a bit about your work and career? We’re big fans and we’d love for our community to learn more about your work.
I’ve always been a storyteller. As a child, my storytelling happened predominantly in the musical realm–playing violin, singing, and dancing. As a teen, I discovered photography and modeling–ways of telling stories without words or sound, via static images and visual cues alone. As a young woman, I fell in love with the theater and telling stories on the stage; that love affair lasted twenty years. And now, in my middle-aged years, I’ve found my voice as a writer. Quite literally, an on-the-nose storyteller.

If you had a friend visiting you, what are some of the local spots you’d want to take them around to?
Being a nature-lover, I’d plan for us to go camping in one of the Houston-area national parks for a few days. One of my favorites is the Double Lake Recreation Area in Sam Houston National Park. We’d rent a cabin or pitch a tent and hang out in hammocks reading by day and telling stories around the campfire at night. On a day when the weather might not be as outdoor accommodating, we’d visit the Cockrell Butterfly Center down in the city and grab lunch at the Hobbit Café–a must-go-to for any and all fiction writers and fans of Tolkien. If the weather were good and we had time, we’d also take a kayak or canoe trip down Buffalo Bayou and pop by the Mercer Arboretum for some exercise and enjoyment of being surrounded by nature. This would be an ideal week for me to share with friends and family in Houston. Shoutout is all about shouting out others who you feel deserve additional recognition and exposure. Who would you like to shoutout?
So many people, organizations, and platforms deserve credit for the success of JT Morse, Writer/Editor/Photographer! One of the biggest, though, is Writespace, a Houston-based literary organization that welcomed me into the writing community with open arms when I first launched into freelance writing. They helped me find my voice as a writer and provided me with low-cost opportunities to initially attend educational workshops then, when I was ready, gave me a place to teach them as well. In addition, over the years, the Writespace crew have introduced me to repeat clients like ArtHouston magazine, artist Gabriela Monterroso, Spider Road Press, and Interstellar Flight Press. I dedicate this shoutout to the Writespace volunteers and staff. Thank you!

Website: https://www.jtmorsewriter.com/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jtmorsewriter/
Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jtmorsewriter/
Twitter: https://twitter.com/jtmorsewriter
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/JTMorseWriter

Image Credits
JT Morse