On the “pink carpet” with It Gets Better Project. #itgetsbetter
Hello, I’m Jennifer.
I’m a Hollywood screenwriter and TV producer currently at work on a couple novels in a cozy coastal cottage.
Throughout my career I have written stories about strong female characters coming into their own — stories about women of all ages chasing their dreams, overcoming inner demons, and stepping into their truest, most authentic selves.
These themes of empowerment, self-worth, and self-trust are deeply important to me on a personal level, too.
As someone who has struggled with learning disabilities and ADHD since childhood, I grew up hearing a lot of conflicting messages about my own worthiness and potential. And this profoundly impacted my confidence in ways I still work on to this day. On the bright side, I like to think these struggles have made me a better, more empathetic writer — and it is my truest hope that whenever you read my stories you come away feeling inspired, hopeful, and maybe even a little more confident.
My confidence obsession
When I’m not writing novels or developing film and TV projects, you can often find me traveling the country teaching at writers’ conferences and film festivals. My classes always seem to circle back to — yup, you guessed it — confidence.
With a practical, skill-building approach and a whole lot of encouragement, I try to make confidence feel less like a personality trait and more like something you can practice and make your own.
I teach writers and creative professionals how to pitch with more self-trust, strengthen their storytelling, and keep going through self-doubt. I’d be thrilled to see you at one of my upcoming events, btw.
Behind the scenes
Since this is the internet and I can’t pour you a glass of pink lemonade to welcome you, here are a few fun facts and photos instead…
- I grew up between a cemetery and a farm on the outskirts of Boston, Massachusetts.
- I dropped out of high school at age 16.
- I’ve bartended and waited tables everywhere from Texas honky tonks to Carly Simon’s nightclub on Martha’s Vineyard.
- My feet will never forgive me.
- I ran, wrote, and produced the USA Network show Eyewitness, which was the first-ever Norwegian program adapted for American television and won a GLAAD Award for Best Limited Series.
- If I could live off Reese’s Peanut Butter Cups, I would… That and thin-crust pepperoni pizza.
- My favorite quote from a TV show ever was uttered by Sutton Foster in a deep-cut episode of Bunheads… “My philosophy: controlling everything and putting cheese on stuff.”
- Damn, would I love to have Sutton Foster play one of my heroines someday.
- I am a recovering perfectionist.
- I often unwind with really, really bad reality dating shows at night. The trashier and more scandalous, the better.
- I’ve had offices on the Universal Lot, on film sets in the middle of nowhere, and inside some really swanky Beverly Hills buildings made of marble and glass, but most days lately you can find me writing in my home office nestled inside a Northern California forest just a few blocks away from the ocean.
- It should be noted that most days I also write with my dog curled up in my lap.
If you are a kindred spirit who has ever found solace in my characters and words, thank you for reading now and always. Please know that being a small part of your journey is one of the greatest honors of my life. xo, Jennifer
At home with my husband and our waggly dog, Claude.
A #GirlPower moment from the last day of Catherine Hardwicke’s block of EYEWITNESS. #womeninfilm #powerhousedirector
Seizing an epic photo op while shooting EYEWITNESS on location in Muskoka Lakes, Canada.
Fan art created by the inspiring and amazingly talented Ilana Kashi.