Testimonials from the students of the Just Write It class

I first started taking the Just Write It Class during the summer of 1998 and that was one of the best decisions I have ever made. Before taking the course, I had an interest in writing, but I had neither a focus nor a guide. T.M. Murphy changed that. He gave my fellow classmates and me direction and showed us how even the littlest things can inspire us. As the years passed, Ted recognized each student's strengths and weaknesses, and he encouraged us to find our own voices. We all became good friends, able to encourage one another in our unique writing styles.

In terms of school, this course was an incredible aid in writing scholastic papers as well as application essays for colleges and graduate schools. Throughout high school and college, I have seen how strong of a writer I have become, and I know this is due to the education I received from Just Write It. Ted taught us how to take constructive criticisms in our writing, meaning that I am now very comfortable asking for help and taking advice from others. I have found my own voice through this experience and have made wonderful, life-long friends.

Ashley Yoerger, Brandeis University, Class of 2009

When I first saw Ted's flyer for his "Just Write It" class hanging on the bulletin board of the Gus Canty Recreation Center, I was 11 years old and all I knew was I liked to tell stories. What I learned from Ted is how to tell them with a pen and paper. My writing changed so much over what is now almost a decade! I started out writing simple stories about animals and my daily life, but with Ted's experience, knowledge, and guidance my writing became more complex. The atmosphere of the class was always welcoming and it helped me learn how to share my writing with others. Everyone always said something nice that they liked about the story before offering a constructive criticism, which has really helped me with feedback on my writing.

My experiences with Ted and "Just Write It" have helped me so much at Boston College. I wrote my college essay about the class and the wonderful times I had in it. Now I am a Communications and English double major, so all of Ted's writing advice is relevant to my classes and schoolwork. Within the English major at BC I am specifically a Creative Writing Concentrator. I had to apply to be admitted to the competitive program and was selected out of many applicants to be one of the five chosen in my class level. Now I enjoy taking writing workshops as classes, and I know I wouldn't be able to have all of these unique, rewarding experiences without taking my first steps into writing through Ted and his class.

Casey Guerin, Boston College, Class of 2010

From the summer following my fourth grade year through my freshman year in college, I was a student in one of Ted's Just Write It classes, and that experience truly shaped the writer, and the person, I am today. What I loved most was Ted's approach to teaching writing: he inspires both creativity and confidence in young writers by placing emphasis on characters, psychology, and story, not stifling self-editing. Ted's prompts always stretched our imaginations, and the workshop process cultivated both confidence and humility in all of us. We learned to give and take criticism gracefully and push ourselves creatively; most of all, though, class was just plain fun.

My writing ability, in terms of both fiction and nonfiction, grew tremendously due to the classes. I am currently a junior at Boston University, where I am lucky enough to have a full tuition academic scholarship. I won this award, I'm sure, largely based on my writing ability and my scholarship essay. I've also been a contributing writer for the Cape Cod Times for several years, and I've published many inches of feature stories. Now, I also write for NewEnglandFilm.com. As I continue taking classes in screenwriting and creative writing at BU, I am reminded of how much I learned in Ted's classes, and I know that writing fiction will always be a part of my life. Thanks to Ted and the Just Write It class, I will pursue this passion for years to come.

Julia Cox, Boston University Class of 2010

When I first took Ted’s “Just Write It” class, I was a fifth grader who loved writing and telling stories—you could never get me to stop talking. The Just Write It Class gave me the perfect outlet for my creativity. Through a variety of “trigger” activities that made us put our imaginations to work, we learned how to take an idea and turn it into a story. Ted is an understanding teacher who has taught me how to look at my work critically and to accept the criticism of others. Through the supportive atmosphere that he created, I learned how to be comfortable sharing my ideas and stories with classmates.

From fifth grade through my freshman year at Boston University, writing class helped me grow as a writer. With Ted’s help, I have learned how to express complex ideas while telling an interesting story. Academically, my writing skills have put me ahead of my peers, and I will always consider writing to be my strongest asset. As a Communications major, I am continually writing for my classes, and much of what I learned from Ted has helped me to perform well. More important than grades; however, are the wonderful memories that I have taken away from writing class. Before taking Ted’s class, creative writing was a hobby that I enjoyed, but during my years in the “Just Write It” class it became a passion that I will always pursue.

Christine Lindberg, Boston University Class of 2010

I first met Ted when I was in grade five, I was small, but that had never stopped me from carting books half my size. He was giving a talk about The Secrets of Belltown, and I remember two thoughts running through my head: one, I wanted to join his writing class, and second, planning my nom de plume for my first groundbreaking novel (alas, young ambition). While my novel was on hold, I spent the next few years scheming on how to get into Ted’s class. I pestered, hounded, and bribed with sweet confections, until I finally had enough wonderful allies on my side to make an appeal. To this day I am unsure of exactly what was said, but those brilliant girls wore down his will and he let me in on a trial basis.

It’s always nerve wracking to become the new girl, but I put on brave face, and sat down and read from the frayed pages of my notebook. The last word hung in the air for less than a moment, before someone smiled and began their critique. I had always been self-conscious of my writing, a common fear, because when you write what you know, it’s very easy to take criticism personally. However, I felt liberated, and it pushed me to try new styles, allowing me to embrace the vast territory of creativity. Ted, even with those truly horrid stories I cooked up, never outright dismissed something, there was always a lesson to be learned, a positive to be highlighted.

The times I spent in Ted’s class are some of my favorite memories, and the lessons I accumulated there still affect me in University. Just Write It is more than a class; it is an experience, one that nurtures more than your creative mind, but also you as a person. Ted pushed us to think beyond ourselves, to move beyond our comfort zone, to be flexible and inventive.

Anna Peterson, McGill University 2008

When I first started participating in the Just Write It class at the innocent age of 11, I was most excited about learning how to write and express myself freely. I wasn't sure what to expect. I thought it might be like school, just in a more relaxed setting. I even thought it might be boring. But I soon found out I was very wrong. We did have timed writing sessions, but it wasn't boring at all. I was surrounded by other kids my age (who I came to be great friends with over the years). We shared our stories at the end of class, and gave our praise and thoughts to everyone when they were finished.

Ted created this incredible environment that to this day I have not experienced anywhere else. I felt like I could really express myself there without holding anything back, and I would get helpful feedback and support along the way. Some of my best memories are from those summer "Shack" days, laughing with my friends and doing what made me happiest- writing.

I'm now in college (with a minor in English/Writing; thank you Ted!) ,and sometimes I still get jealous that I'm not around to be in Just Write It anymore. It truly was one of the best and most influential experiences of my life.

Tedra Noonan, Savannah College of Art and Design