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Boston Massachusetts Author and Educator, near Concord MA, ACL tear rehabilitation, Lyme disease educator, tick-borne chronic illness, ski instructor, skiing, journalism, Boston journalist, creative writing, M.F.A. in Creative Writing, Emerson College, The Boston Globe, Published Authors near Boston MA, One Tick Stopped the Clock, Chronic Illness Advocate, weekly column for the Global Lyme Alliance, Senior Writer at Harvard Health Publishing, Patient experience representative for the Lyme Wellness Initiative, Grub Street Creative Writing Center near Boston MA, Author Coaching near Concord Massachusetts, Writing Courses near Boston, Writing to Heal, Immersive Programs, non-fiction classes, Walden Pond, Author, Identity Loss, Resilience, Health Journey, Lyme disease, Lyme Education, Lyme Information, Lyme Symptoms, Memoir, Knee Injury, Inspiration for those struggling with chronic illness, Boston Medicine
Jennifer Crystal Logo 3.png

We write to understand ourselves.
We share to understand each other.

Jennifer Crystal, Boston Massachusetts Author and Educator, near Concord MA, ACL tear rehabilitation, Lyme disease educator, tick-borne chronic illness, ski instructor, skiing, journalism, Boston journalist, creative writing, M.F.A. in Creative Writing, Emerson College, The Boston Globe, Published Authors near Boston MA, One Tick Stopped the Clock, Chronic Illness Advocate, weekly column for the Global Lyme Alliance, Senior Writer at Harvard Health Publishing, Patient experience representative for the Lyme Wellness Initiative, Grub Street Creative Writing Center near Boston MA, Author Coaching near Concord Massachusetts, Writing Courses near Boston, Writing to Heal, Immersive Programs, non-fiction classes, Walden Pond, Author, Identity Loss, Resilience, Health Journey, Lyme disease, Lyme Education, Lyme Information, Lyme Symptoms, Memoir, Knee Injury, Inspiration for those struggling with chronic illness, Boston Medicine
Welcome to Jennifer Crystals Website

Hello! I’m Jennifer. I’m an author, educator, and writing coach who is passionate about the transformative power of personal narrative. Writing has helped me make sense and art out of my experiences, and has enabled me to chart a meaningful life in the context of chronic illness.

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I have published essays, articles, and op-eds in local and national publications, and have shared my story as part of webinars, podcasts, broadcasts, and anthologies. My memoir One Tick Stopped the Clock was released by Legacy Book Press in September 2024.

 

I love empowering others with the tools to craft their own stories and share their voices with the world. I lead the Writing to Heal Program at Grub Street Creative Writing Center, offer individualized coaching for writers at any stage of the process, and run monthly creative writing meetups through my Substack.

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I look forward to connecting with you!

Explore Author and Educator Jennifer Crystals Website

My Story

Once a travel writer, my current work focuses on my experience with Lyme disease and other chronic illness. Learn about my book and make plans to join me on the tour, or peruse my other publications.

Your Story

Whether you’re looking to write through adversity or trauma, pen an op-ed or personal essay on any topic, or create a book proposal out of floating ideas, I can guide you with classes or one-on-one support.

Our Story

Are you looking to start or continue a writing practice, write with others, or get inspiration for your next piece? Join my "Write Your Life" Substack community.

Winner of the 2025 Independent Publishers of New England (IPNE) Silver Award in Creative Nonfiction

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Blending medical mystery with wit, sensitivity, and a sharp understanding of the human experience, One Tick Stopped the Clock offers hope and inspiration for anyone who can’t go back, but instead must move forward at a new pace. 

Bitten by a tick at age 19 but not diagnosed with Lyme disease and other chronic illness until her late twenties, Jennifer Crystal fell from the pinnacle of post-college momentum to the precipice of despair. Sidelined from her dream job as a ski instructor in the Rocky Mountains, Jennifer fought not only for her health but also for validation and support. She struggled with the identity loss that occurs when you can no longer fulfill expectations or do what you love. One Tick Stopped the Clock gives personal voice to the collective journey that millions of chronic illness patients experience. Through her narrative of resilience and perseverance, Jennifer demonstrates what it means to refocus broken dreams and create a new normal.

One Tick Stopped the Clock 2024, Jennifer Crystal, Boston Massachusetts Author and Educator, near Concord MA, ACL tear rehabilitation, Lyme disease educator, tick-borne chronic illness, ski instructor, skiing, journalism, Boston journalist, creative writing, M.F.A. in Creative Writing, Emerson College, The Boston Globe, Published Authors near Boston MA, One Tick Stopped the Clock, Chronic Illness Advocate, weekly column for the Global Lyme Alliance, Senior Writer at Harvard Health Publishing, Patient experience representative for the Lyme Wellness Initiative, Grub Street Creative Writing Center near Boston MA, Author Coaching near Concord Massachusetts, Writing Courses near Boston, Writing to Heal, Immersive Programs, non-fiction classes, Walden Pond, Author, Identity Loss, Resilience, Health Journey, Lyme disease, Lyme Education, Lyme Information, Lyme Symptoms, Memoir, Knee Injury, Inspiration for those struggling with chronic illness, Boston Medicine
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