Jaycee Shindler

Jaycee Shindler is a narrative writing coach, writer, and former film executive who helps storytellers uncover their narratives, refine their voices, and create stories that resonate on both emotional and structural levels.

She works one-on-one with writers to strengthen both the story and the storyteller — helping them move from stuck to steady progress, deepen their craft, and create work that feels true to their voice and vision.

Before founding Brave Messy Words, Jaycee spent over a decade in film development, collaborating with writers at every stage, from students to New York Times bestselling authors and Academy Award–nominated screenwriters. Her background gives her a unique ability to bridge creative intuition with professional-level storytelling craft.

Jaycee’s approach is grounded, collaborative, and emotionally attuned. She believes the best writing emerges when the writer feels supported, seen, and confident in their creative process.

🧭 What She Brings to Uptales

• Experience across fiction, memoir, and screenwriting at all stages of development
• Deep expertise in character development, story structure, and emotional continuity
• A grounded approach that balances craft precision with creative intuition
• Thoughtful, personalized feedback that strengthens both the work and the writer
• A process rooted in clarity, collaboration, and sustainable creative growth

💡 Jaycee’s Philosophy

“The writer matters as much as the writing.
My work supports both.”

✅ Work With Jaycee On

• Deepening character motivation and emotional arcs
• Strengthening narrative flow and scene cohesion
• Clarifying voice, tone, and pacing
• Translating ideas into outlines, revisions, or finished drafts
• Moving from creative block → consistent, sustainable momentum

🛠 Background & Experience Before launching Brave Messy Words, Jaycee spent over a decade in film development, working closely with writers to shape concepts, characters, and plot arcs for the screen. She’s collaborated with storytellers at every level — from emerging voices to industry professionals — and brings the same mix of industry insight and compassion to her coaching practice.

Jaycee graduated summa cum laude from the University of Pennsylvania, where she was awarded Best Screenplay and taught as a screenwriting TA. Now based in New York City, she works with writers worldwide while raising a toddler (and a sassy dog).

When she’s not coaching, Jaycee’s writing her own novel, rewatching early-2000s sitcoms (Parks and Rec, The Office, etc), or lost in a good thriller.