Hi Reader, A few months ago, I threatened you all with a good time—and now I’m making good on the promise. Grab your pom-poms and make your best “Go, Judi!” sign—I’ve got some news! I’m excited to share that I’ll be speaking on a panel at UMass Boston called "Beyond the English Major: Conversations with Alums." I’d love for you to save the date! Oh, and you know, show up. 📅 Date: April 9, 2025 ⏰ Time: 5:00 PM ET 📍 Location: UMass Boston Campus Center 3545 & Zoom We have a fantastic lineup of...
5 days ago • 1 min read
Hi Reader, You know when you meet someone and think, damn, they are a FORCE—and then you see their website and think… huh? Yeah. That’s precisely what happened when Dr. Lauran Star first came to me. She said, “Judi, my website doesn’t sound like me. I need it to be bolder, stronger, more… Lauran.” Well, mission accomplished. This was a trifecta of brilliance: 🔥 Messaging & Brand Voice: Every word packs a punch. Lauran is a powerhouse, and her website needs to reflect that. 🔥 Web Design &...
8 days ago • 1 min read
Hi Reader, I was going to save this email for Mother’s Day, but I simply couldn’t wait because the message is that important. First, let me ask: Does your mom know what you do for work? I can tell you unequivocally that my mom did not. When I worked at a data distribution company, she thought I was an accountant. Then she said I worked at a bank—when, in reality, I was a real estate paralegal. And when I worked at a bank—no less than Bank of New York Mellon—she told everyone I was the...
10 days ago • 2 min read
Dear Reader, Last week, I shared some thoughts on the art of editing, focusing on the pillars of storytelling—event, backstory, and consequence—and how these elements can elevate any narrative, regardless of the genre. Here’s the twist: the very next day, I had the perfect opportunity to put what I learned into practice during a writing coaching session. For the past few months, I’ve been helping a coach develop some articles for her LinkedIn newsletter. These articles are rich in insights...
17 days ago • 1 min read
Hello, Reader, my fellow word lover, We’ve all heard the saying, “If you’re the smartest person in the room, it’s time to find a different room.” If you know me, you’ve likely heard me say it more than once—it’s one of my mantras. When I start feeling too wise for my own good (or, as I like to joke, putting the “ass” in “wiseass”), I grab my metaphorical backpack and seek out new adventures. After all, who wants to be the smartest one when there’s so much more to learn? One of the smarter...
24 days ago • 2 min read
Hello Reader, Young Padawan, Thanks to the magic of scheduling emails, when you read this, I’ll be soaking up the sun on the sandy beaches of Aruba with a good book in hand! I mean, is there any better way to kick off National Reading Month? I’d love to hear what you’re diving into these days. Recently, I’ve enjoyed The Midnight Library, a tremendous feat of the imagination that depicts a breathtaking version of the afterlife. I’ve also enjoyed The Art Forger and The Lioness of Boston. The...
about 1 month ago • 1 min read
Hey there, March 2nd is Dr. Seuss’s birthday, and in my world, that means it’s also a day to remember my late mother, who—without fail—dressed as the Cat in the Hat on Dr. Seuss’ birthday. Listen, we all have our hobbies. This was hers. And she wore that striped hat with gusto. Dr. Seuss gave us plenty of whimsical rhymes and wacky characters, but he also imparted lessons in empathy. "Horton Hears a Who" reminds us that a person’s a person, no matter how small. "The Sneetches" tells us that...
about 1 month ago • 1 min read
Hey there, Lately, I’ve been knee-deep in writing websites (showcases coming soon!), which has me thinking about a common misconception: Once your website is done, your job is finished. Let’s be clear—your website is not a crockpot. You can’t just “set it and forget it.” Because when you do, it’s bound to go stale. Your business evolves. Your offers change. The way people search for and engage with businesses shifts. If your website isn’t keeping up, you’re leaving opportunities (and money)...
about 1 month ago • 1 min read
Hello, fabulous reader, Let me start with a confession: I don’t like candles. At all. There’s probably some deep-seated past-life trauma at play here—burned at the stake, maybe? I’m sure you already thought that, so I’m simply putting it out there. The real kicker for me is birthday cakes. Let me tell you, you’ve never heard Happy Birthday sung faster than when I’m in the room with a cake ablaze. It’s less a serenade and more an auctioneer chant: “happybirthdaytoyougoingoncegoingtwicesold!”...
about 1 month ago • 1 min read
