Bio
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Jessica S Hinds is an award winning writer, teacher and creator of Meditative Writing © . She began her career as a published poet at the age of 12. She wrote the award winning film “Stranger at Home”, and best screenplay winner "The Mending Wall" (Stonefair International Film Festival, Oregon Film Awards Gold Winner). She has been a finalist in over a dozen major competitions and festivals including the Austin Film Festival, O’Neill Conference, Made In NY Writers Room, The Van Gogh Award and The Heidman Award. Her plays have been developed and produced at theaters across the country including La MaMa, Cherry Lane, Rattlestick Playwright's Theater, Primary Stages, The Amoralists, The Flea, The Claque, and the New York Artists' Community. She received her MFA in Dramatic Writing from the New School for Drama.
As a teacher Jessica has mentored thousands of writers including Sundance Award-winning filmmakers, Emmy Award-winning writers & producers, Tony Award winners, best-selling authors, professional musicians, TV showrunners, reality TV stars, published poets, and emerging artists in the fields of screenwriting, playwriting, novel writing, TV writing, memoir writing, poetry, journalism, and music. Jessica has been a guest teacher & speaker at the Columbia University Teachers Conference, The Breakk with Karen Kirkland, The NYC Women Filmmakers, Stage32 house @ Sundance, The New School for Drama, NYU, The Writers Digest Conference, ITV Fest, The English Writers of Buenos Aires Collective, The Curious About Screenwriting Podcast, and a dozen other schools, festivals, and conferences around the world from California to Indonesia. Most recent engagements include The Napa Valley Film Festival, Imagine This Film Festival, the Mystic Film Festival, and the Austin Film Festival. She is the founder of Meditative Writing, and The Science and Art of Writing, and is currently building curriculum for the Jnana Yoga School of New York. Jessica has built programming for various theatre companies and schools including Playwrights Horizons, The Jacob Krueger Studio, The Einhorn School of Performing Arts, and The New York Artists Collective. She has been a guest teacher & speaker at the Columbia University Teachers Conference, The Breakk with Karen Kirkland, The NYC Women Filmmakers, Stage32 house @ Sundance, The New School for Drama, NYU, Columbia, The Writers Digest Conference, ITV Fest, The English Writers of Buenos Aires Collective, The Curious About Screenwriting Podcast, and a dozen other schools, festivals, and conferences around the world from California to Indonesia. Most recent engagements include The Napa Valley Film Festival, Imagine This Film Festival, the Mystic Film Festival, and the Austin Film Festival. Her current research involves the neuroscience of visual storytelling and the use of popular media to combat unconscious biases. |
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What is meditative writing ©
The goal of meditative writing is to use guided visual meditation and the psychology of creativity to connect writers to their deepest artistry. To use emotional truth to create stories that reach the writers' greatest potential and beyond. Resulting in high-quality projects with the greatest visceral experience for readers and/or an audience. To suffer less and write more. And write more creatively.
Every workshop is built around the specific needs of those in the class - be it building stronger writing habits, discovering complex structure, eliminating procrastination, dismantling writers block, overcoming self doubt, unlocking the root of your blocks, inspiration on demand, universal storytelling, enhancing creativity, eliminating distractions, authentic dialogue, character psychology, or any other area you need guidance with.
Meditative Writing has helped thousands of writers including Sundance Award Winning Filmmakers, TV stars, Emmy Award Winning Writers & Producers, Tony Award Winners, Best Selling Authors, Professional Musicians & Record Label Owners, TV Showrunners, Reality TV Personalities, Published Poets, and Emerging Artists in the fields of screenwriting, playwriting, novel writing, TV writing, memoir, poetry, journalism, and music.
Discover how your deepest wounds can be transformed into your greatest strengths.
Every workshop is built around the specific needs of those in the class - be it building stronger writing habits, discovering complex structure, eliminating procrastination, dismantling writers block, overcoming self doubt, unlocking the root of your blocks, inspiration on demand, universal storytelling, enhancing creativity, eliminating distractions, authentic dialogue, character psychology, or any other area you need guidance with.
Meditative Writing has helped thousands of writers including Sundance Award Winning Filmmakers, TV stars, Emmy Award Winning Writers & Producers, Tony Award Winners, Best Selling Authors, Professional Musicians & Record Label Owners, TV Showrunners, Reality TV Personalities, Published Poets, and Emerging Artists in the fields of screenwriting, playwriting, novel writing, TV writing, memoir, poetry, journalism, and music.
Discover how your deepest wounds can be transformed into your greatest strengths.
TEACHING PHILOSOPHY
Teaching is not simple providing information or the passing on of a skill. It is the art of discovering the psychological and cognitive makeup of a writer in order to create the most effective path toward comprehension and application of a given subject matter. True education focuses on student learning, never on the ego of the teacher teaching. Every student should be approached individually and taught according to their unique goals, natural strengths, and current circumstances. Unconscious biases should be tested regularly with cognitive readjusting to ensure diversity is encouraged and all students receive equal opportunities. To be a teacher is to be in a constant state of presence and evolution. For me, teaching is an art form that should be approached with compassion, gratitude, and humility.
I teach because I love the complexity of the human mind and heart. Every writer is a new planet, emotionally wired according to their unique upbringing, trauma, and triumph. Every script is a journey into the unconscious paradoxes of that being and I get assist in that self discovery and then help shape it into a piece of art that has the emotional truth and power to resonate with a universal audience.
Jess
I teach because I love the complexity of the human mind and heart. Every writer is a new planet, emotionally wired according to their unique upbringing, trauma, and triumph. Every script is a journey into the unconscious paradoxes of that being and I get assist in that self discovery and then help shape it into a piece of art that has the emotional truth and power to resonate with a universal audience.
Jess
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From miserable to mindful
Jessica Hinds was born the youngest of six girls in Contra Costa County California. After a complicated childhood filled with bow hunting, religious exhaustion, animal rearing, electrocution and poetry, Jess made her way to New York City on September 9th 2001. On her way to the World Trade Center the morning of September 11th 2001 a numbness set in that a year later thrust her into a decade long depression of insomnia, self-destruction, isolation and mental instability. Awful to herself and to most of those around her (after all "Hurt people hurt people"), the desire to become a professional writer was the only thing driving her forward.
After a second failed suicide attempt (she couldn't even do THAT right) she sat down and asked herself the following questions...
Q: What do I need to be happy? To keep from ending my life?
A: To become a professional writer.
Q: What would that give me?
A: Daily creativity, connection to others, a chance to share my unique view of this world with others, the possibility of making a difference.
She then realized she could have all these things without being a professional writer. She could do each of these things every day without other people having to say "yes."
So she began her research and exploration of Meditation, Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, Neuro-Linguistics, Jungian Psychology, Behavioral Economics, Neuroscience and Yoga. She developed a style of meditation that has had incredible results.
Suddenly she didn't need her social anxiety medications, she stopped having panic attacks, sleep came regularly, her depression disappeared along with the ruminating negative voices that used to plague her daily. She became excited about life. A life, where she didn't even need to be a professional writer.
Ironically, six months later she sold her first screenplay and made more money in two months than she had in the past three years. Damn.
She didn't need to become a different or "better" person, she just needed to take off all the crap that her family, old teachers, the world had placed on her, and honor her true self. When we are authentic, others want to be around us, to work with us, even if you are a foul-mouthed queer non-hippie yogi with a love of B-list horror movies. She further developed her process and created Meditative Writing ©.
Now she has helped thousands of others do the same thing through her Meditative Writing class. Nothing delights her more than reaching into the mind, the inner world of another and assisting them in the discovery of their true self.
From memoir and poetry to TV series outlines to feature films, Meditative Writing has created a pathway for artists (tortured or not) to create universal yet novel stories.
After a second failed suicide attempt (she couldn't even do THAT right) she sat down and asked herself the following questions...
Q: What do I need to be happy? To keep from ending my life?
A: To become a professional writer.
Q: What would that give me?
A: Daily creativity, connection to others, a chance to share my unique view of this world with others, the possibility of making a difference.
She then realized she could have all these things without being a professional writer. She could do each of these things every day without other people having to say "yes."
So she began her research and exploration of Meditation, Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, Neuro-Linguistics, Jungian Psychology, Behavioral Economics, Neuroscience and Yoga. She developed a style of meditation that has had incredible results.
Suddenly she didn't need her social anxiety medications, she stopped having panic attacks, sleep came regularly, her depression disappeared along with the ruminating negative voices that used to plague her daily. She became excited about life. A life, where she didn't even need to be a professional writer.
Ironically, six months later she sold her first screenplay and made more money in two months than she had in the past three years. Damn.
She didn't need to become a different or "better" person, she just needed to take off all the crap that her family, old teachers, the world had placed on her, and honor her true self. When we are authentic, others want to be around us, to work with us, even if you are a foul-mouthed queer non-hippie yogi with a love of B-list horror movies. She further developed her process and created Meditative Writing ©.
Now she has helped thousands of others do the same thing through her Meditative Writing class. Nothing delights her more than reaching into the mind, the inner world of another and assisting them in the discovery of their true self.
From memoir and poetry to TV series outlines to feature films, Meditative Writing has created a pathway for artists (tortured or not) to create universal yet novel stories.
MEDITATIVE WRITING © Jessica Hinds 2017-2020. This method and all meditations are protected under copyright law and cannot be reproduced or taught without permission.
What Writers Are Saying About Jess Hinds & Meditative Writing©
“Meditative Writing truly is “assisted self-discovery.” For the same reason writers should take acting classes, Meditative Writing helps you get down into your body, to work a scene or character from the inside out. The practice has applications even beyond writing, into directing, pitching, and just being in the world. This class and subsequent practice has been extremely helpful to me in my work.”
– Christine Boylan, Writer/Producer at Marvel/Netflix
"Jess's classes and meditations have gotten me through some very severe blocks. These are professional-grade tools that short circuit the fear, imposter syndrome, and perfectionism that stands in the way of you doing your best work. I rely on them regularly! "
- Carly Wray, Writer/Producer - MADMEN, MINDHUNTER, WESTWORLD
“Jessica is the real deal… she understands writing and writers and does not mess around. She has the special ability to get to the truth of a character and a scene, and she is brilliant at crafting story. Working with her certainly made me a better writer.”
– Brendan Clifford, Writer/Producer “After Lately”, “The Comedy Get Down”, “Little Bush”
“Some writing that came out of Meditative Writing class has landed me a pitch opportunity for an indie feature. I’m excited and grateful to Jess!”
– Mark Grenier, Writer & Filmmaker
“With [Jess] I’ve always felt the deep pleasure of collaborating with someone of genuine seriousness and dedication. Actors find her work challenging and emotionally nurturing and her colleagues appreciate her deep commitment to the truth.”
– Christopher Shinn, Pulitzer Prize Nominated Playwright
“One of Jessica’s greatest strengths is her exceptional understanding of the craft of storytelling; her ability to utilize structure, character, and the word with such grace and ease.”
-Elizabeth Carlson, Artistic Director of Naked Angels Theater Company
“An artist of unusual skill, sensitivity and motivation. In her writing, Jessica has consistently challenged herself to probe the most difficult and complex aspects of the lives of her characters. She is also an excellent collaborator, who holds her fellow artists in high regard – she is both inspired by and inspiring to directors and actors.”
-Pippin Parker, Director of The New School for Drama
“Jessica is a stunningly talented, incredibly driven writer whose work examines a broad range of themes. She is prolific, professional, and proactive in getting her work off the page and into production. She’s an absolute pleasure to work with and learn from, and is, in a word, inspiring.”
– Will Trichon, Writer/Performer
“Jessica is a wonderful colleague: specific in her notes, thoughtful in her assessment, and genuine in her desire to understand what the work is striving to be before offering feedback. Jessica is a truly exciting writer, and great to work with – collaborative, passionate and rigorous.”
– Tamara Fisch, Director
“As a filmmaker, I had the great pleasure to work with Jessica Hinds… for [her] talent not only as a screenwriter, but also as a dialoguist… [and the] imagination and culture which [she] brings out in her work and the project we worked on… I so strongly recommend her for ambitious artistical projects.”
– Morgan Cini, Réalisateur (Film Director)
“Jessica asks a tremendous amount of those around her but never more than she herself offers. Jessica is a complete artist who has never been afraid to work outside her comfort zone.”
-John Hurley, Director/Actor
Jess’s Meditative Writing class made me feel like I was back in college enjoying a science/psychology class combined with a joint writing lab. And she is that professor who explains concept and theory so well that when it comes time to do her writing exercises, you are able to throw yourself into them entirely because you understand WHY everything works.
Lindsay – June 28, 2019
meditative writing with Jessica Hinds has turned my writing life inside out, upside down, and diagonal! this is the next wave of teaching and writing. with Jess’ innovative approach, i’m now confident to tell the truth, own my voice, and keep on writing! many thanks to you Jess.
andrea mays – June 8, 2014
In just 35 minutes Jess did more for my relationship with my artistry and writing than 7 years of therapy.
Hanna - November 2017
This approach has totally changed the way I write – thank god! I feel successful all the time. I am happier. No more depressed writer for me. I’m working on my script every single day and the screenplay is practically writing itself. My writing is better than it has ever been, and I now understand my true value in the industry — so pitching has become easy. I will continue to take this class over and over again, it’s a great practice that keeps you on the right track, the successful one.
Adam – July 14, 2014
Jessica has a transparency and authenticity that is very reassuring. Her advice comes from the heart and really helps me to dig deep within myself as a writer. She helped me to look at things differently, making writing less of a chore and instead turning it into something I can’t wait to do!
Danielle – September 30, 2014
Jess talked about how to connect with our writing via our feelings. She helped us to connect physically/emotionally/spiritually, using her unique style and genuine approach.
Elaine M – September 30, 2014
Jess gave us attainable goals that really took the pressure off. She was very engaging and gave me permission to not be perfect.
Terri B – September 30, 2014
Jessica is amazing! She encouraged me to keep writing, instead of stopping to think in an outline or draft she pushed me to write through it.
Rayna W – September 30, 2014
Jessica opens the gates to limitlessness! She gives such freedom, it’s wonderful to live in a world without bounds, she is the best thing that ever happened to me!
Emma B – September 30, 2014
Jess got me writing! I’m 22 pages into my script now! She helped bring emotional needs into a tangible want which was a big hurdle for me.
Anneke S – September 30, 2014
Thanks to Jess I’m nearly competed my first draft along with my character bios! She teaches how to think in a new way.
Matt B – November 19, 2014
It helped me move past the fear of putting things on the page. Jessica was very helpful in guiding through the exercises and providing insight on how to break through barriers.
Michael Castro – December 11, 2014
First of all, it is SO great to be around writers! I am so tired of living in the world of my corporate day job. It is fun, a great release, worth while.
Sarah Congress – December 11, 2014
It gave me a new perspective-a new place to pull ideas from.
Janell – December 11, 2014
Between the writing itself and the motivational tools, Jessica has made me a better writer by writing in every class!
Robi M – July 23, 2015
I was actually surprised by this as for most of my life I’ve viewed my body as just this thing to carry my brain around, and it was interesting to learn that the captain is the sub-conscious.
Debbie K – July 23, 2015
Thank you for helping me explore another option to help me honestly and constructively connect with my creative self.
Beckley – July 23, 2015
This class helped my writing by allowing me to feel as if the focus were on me. The intimate setting felt as if it were actually one-on-one.
Sheldon M – July 23, 2015
The writing exercises and assignments helped me to get unstuck by finding out what is exciting rather than what is intellectual or ‘right’.
Katie B – July 23, 2015
This class is inspiring! It helped clear up how I write.
Daryl – June 4, 2016
The clarity of presentation and supportiveness of the instructor were evident throughout.
Rumena – June 4, 2016
Jess’ look at life makes writing fun and magical!
Jennifer – June 4, 2016
Jess’s class has made me love writing again! The trips into my imagination inform my writing more each class!
Stephanie V – June 18, 2016
This class will give you tons of ideas that may be new but will definitely help!
Anon – June 18, 2016
Jess has such great energy! I will definitely take more of her classes!
Stephanie P – June 18, 2016
– Christine Boylan, Writer/Producer at Marvel/Netflix
"Jess's classes and meditations have gotten me through some very severe blocks. These are professional-grade tools that short circuit the fear, imposter syndrome, and perfectionism that stands in the way of you doing your best work. I rely on them regularly! "
- Carly Wray, Writer/Producer - MADMEN, MINDHUNTER, WESTWORLD
“Jessica is the real deal… she understands writing and writers and does not mess around. She has the special ability to get to the truth of a character and a scene, and she is brilliant at crafting story. Working with her certainly made me a better writer.”
– Brendan Clifford, Writer/Producer “After Lately”, “The Comedy Get Down”, “Little Bush”
“Some writing that came out of Meditative Writing class has landed me a pitch opportunity for an indie feature. I’m excited and grateful to Jess!”
– Mark Grenier, Writer & Filmmaker
“With [Jess] I’ve always felt the deep pleasure of collaborating with someone of genuine seriousness and dedication. Actors find her work challenging and emotionally nurturing and her colleagues appreciate her deep commitment to the truth.”
– Christopher Shinn, Pulitzer Prize Nominated Playwright
“One of Jessica’s greatest strengths is her exceptional understanding of the craft of storytelling; her ability to utilize structure, character, and the word with such grace and ease.”
-Elizabeth Carlson, Artistic Director of Naked Angels Theater Company
“An artist of unusual skill, sensitivity and motivation. In her writing, Jessica has consistently challenged herself to probe the most difficult and complex aspects of the lives of her characters. She is also an excellent collaborator, who holds her fellow artists in high regard – she is both inspired by and inspiring to directors and actors.”
-Pippin Parker, Director of The New School for Drama
“Jessica is a stunningly talented, incredibly driven writer whose work examines a broad range of themes. She is prolific, professional, and proactive in getting her work off the page and into production. She’s an absolute pleasure to work with and learn from, and is, in a word, inspiring.”
– Will Trichon, Writer/Performer
“Jessica is a wonderful colleague: specific in her notes, thoughtful in her assessment, and genuine in her desire to understand what the work is striving to be before offering feedback. Jessica is a truly exciting writer, and great to work with – collaborative, passionate and rigorous.”
– Tamara Fisch, Director
“As a filmmaker, I had the great pleasure to work with Jessica Hinds… for [her] talent not only as a screenwriter, but also as a dialoguist… [and the] imagination and culture which [she] brings out in her work and the project we worked on… I so strongly recommend her for ambitious artistical projects.”
– Morgan Cini, Réalisateur (Film Director)
“Jessica asks a tremendous amount of those around her but never more than she herself offers. Jessica is a complete artist who has never been afraid to work outside her comfort zone.”
-John Hurley, Director/Actor
Jess’s Meditative Writing class made me feel like I was back in college enjoying a science/psychology class combined with a joint writing lab. And she is that professor who explains concept and theory so well that when it comes time to do her writing exercises, you are able to throw yourself into them entirely because you understand WHY everything works.
Lindsay – June 28, 2019
meditative writing with Jessica Hinds has turned my writing life inside out, upside down, and diagonal! this is the next wave of teaching and writing. with Jess’ innovative approach, i’m now confident to tell the truth, own my voice, and keep on writing! many thanks to you Jess.
andrea mays – June 8, 2014
In just 35 minutes Jess did more for my relationship with my artistry and writing than 7 years of therapy.
Hanna - November 2017
This approach has totally changed the way I write – thank god! I feel successful all the time. I am happier. No more depressed writer for me. I’m working on my script every single day and the screenplay is practically writing itself. My writing is better than it has ever been, and I now understand my true value in the industry — so pitching has become easy. I will continue to take this class over and over again, it’s a great practice that keeps you on the right track, the successful one.
Adam – July 14, 2014
Jessica has a transparency and authenticity that is very reassuring. Her advice comes from the heart and really helps me to dig deep within myself as a writer. She helped me to look at things differently, making writing less of a chore and instead turning it into something I can’t wait to do!
Danielle – September 30, 2014
Jess talked about how to connect with our writing via our feelings. She helped us to connect physically/emotionally/spiritually, using her unique style and genuine approach.
Elaine M – September 30, 2014
Jess gave us attainable goals that really took the pressure off. She was very engaging and gave me permission to not be perfect.
Terri B – September 30, 2014
Jessica is amazing! She encouraged me to keep writing, instead of stopping to think in an outline or draft she pushed me to write through it.
Rayna W – September 30, 2014
Jessica opens the gates to limitlessness! She gives such freedom, it’s wonderful to live in a world without bounds, she is the best thing that ever happened to me!
Emma B – September 30, 2014
Jess got me writing! I’m 22 pages into my script now! She helped bring emotional needs into a tangible want which was a big hurdle for me.
Anneke S – September 30, 2014
Thanks to Jess I’m nearly competed my first draft along with my character bios! She teaches how to think in a new way.
Matt B – November 19, 2014
It helped me move past the fear of putting things on the page. Jessica was very helpful in guiding through the exercises and providing insight on how to break through barriers.
Michael Castro – December 11, 2014
First of all, it is SO great to be around writers! I am so tired of living in the world of my corporate day job. It is fun, a great release, worth while.
Sarah Congress – December 11, 2014
It gave me a new perspective-a new place to pull ideas from.
Janell – December 11, 2014
Between the writing itself and the motivational tools, Jessica has made me a better writer by writing in every class!
Robi M – July 23, 2015
I was actually surprised by this as for most of my life I’ve viewed my body as just this thing to carry my brain around, and it was interesting to learn that the captain is the sub-conscious.
Debbie K – July 23, 2015
Thank you for helping me explore another option to help me honestly and constructively connect with my creative self.
Beckley – July 23, 2015
This class helped my writing by allowing me to feel as if the focus were on me. The intimate setting felt as if it were actually one-on-one.
Sheldon M – July 23, 2015
The writing exercises and assignments helped me to get unstuck by finding out what is exciting rather than what is intellectual or ‘right’.
Katie B – July 23, 2015
This class is inspiring! It helped clear up how I write.
Daryl – June 4, 2016
The clarity of presentation and supportiveness of the instructor were evident throughout.
Rumena – June 4, 2016
Jess’ look at life makes writing fun and magical!
Jennifer – June 4, 2016
Jess’s class has made me love writing again! The trips into my imagination inform my writing more each class!
Stephanie V – June 18, 2016
This class will give you tons of ideas that may be new but will definitely help!
Anon – June 18, 2016
Jess has such great energy! I will definitely take more of her classes!
Stephanie P – June 18, 2016