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September 7, 2001/Elul 19, 5761, Vol. 53, No.48
Local Web site designer explores technical writing
JESSICA BARBER
Editorial intern
Local freelance Web site designer Jennifer Kettell never planned on becoming a textbook author. She started her career with a bachelor's degree in psychology from Boston University but ended up discovering the world of technology. Now, she is listed as a contributing author to several works and has recently had her own book published.
Kettell's book, "Dreamweaver 4: The Complete Reference," was published by Osbourne/McGraw Hill in May. The book instructs designers on how to use Dreamweaver software to create, design and develop Web sites.
"The book helps make Web development easier," says Kettell. "Instead of coding by hand, this takes some of the grunt work out of it."
Kettell also wrote four chapters covering Web page design for the fifth and sixth editions of "Special Edition Using HTML 4," and is listed as a contributing author to Molly Holzschalg, principal author of the book.
In all, she has contributed to six technological books.
Her next book, "FrontPage 2002, Tips and Techniques," is scheduled for publication early next year, according to Kettell.
"It is an intermediate to advanced book on using FrontPage software, another Web design package," she says.
Kettell made the jump from psychology to technology through her life-long interest in writing. She began writing fiction and romance novels and became involved in online communities with other fiction writers.
"If you went into an online community and mentioned the word romance, everyone would laugh at your pink fluffy slippers and think of a bored housewife," Kettell says.
Fed up with jokes, Kettell e-mailed Genie, her online service at the time, and suggested an online chat-room for romance writers to talk without being harassed.
"They said, 'that sounds great - you run it,' " says Kettell. "So, I did."
Kettell worked her way from community manager to a senior management position with Genie. She also served as associate producer for online communities with MSN and eventually became product manager for Delsai.
After several years of corporate experience, Kettell is her own boss.
"I'm an author and a Web designer," she says. "I never planned this particular turn in the road with textbooks, but I've always wanted to be a writer."
Kettell also volunteers at local schools, providing everything from classroom talks about the fundamentals of a good story to discussing writing jobs with students on career day.
Kettell and her husband, Greg, reside in Peoria with their 5-year-old twins, Amanda and Zachary.
She is on the board of trustees at her synagogue, Temple Gan Elohim, as well as chairwoman of the Religious Practices Committee and previous administrative vice president for the Northwest Valley Jewish Family Alliance. Kettell also writes the newsletter for Temple Gan Elohim.
Kettell stresses the importance of a Jewish role for her family.
"I want them to have a sense of Jewish community," she says. "It's important for my kids to have a Jewish identity."
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