I grew up in a well-to-do suburb of Boston. As befit my status as the middle child of three girls, I was an under-achiever prone to testing the limits. Despite my best attempts to disgrace my parents, I ended up graduating from Brandeis University, not with the degree in theater that I went in for, but with a degree nonetheless.
My early working years were exciting. I put in time at a radio station, a record company, and a cable television station. I was awarded a gold record for REO Speedwagon’s, Keep On Loving You; saw lots of rock concerts from back stage; hosted a local access cable television show called Absolutely Animals about, you guessed it, animals; and was introduced to computers when a friend bought a Commodore 64.
At some point I answered a classified ad in the newspaper (that’s how people used to find jobs and get news before the Internet) that said “we’ll teach you personal computers so you can help our customers.” I got the job and after a brief stint doing technical support I moved into marketing in high tech where, professionally speaking, I’ve been ever since.
I had made a good friend at the cable station who drafted me to be a host for a show that interviewed touring authors. Over the course of several years in the ‘90s, I interviewed many popular writers (Joyce Carol Oates, Elmore Leonard, and Donald Westlake to name a few) and many brand-new authors who would subsequently disappear into obscurity (not, of course, due to anything I may have said). However, some of those new authors went on to bigger and better things. I interviewed Barack Obama when his first book, Dreams from My Father, came out. He was not even a Senator at the time, but at the end of our half-hour interview I said, “I expect we’ll be hearing great things about you.” Really. I kid you not.
According to an article I read in The New Yorker, some creative people don’t hit their stride until quite late. Cezanne, for instance, was in his 60’s before he had any success. I am no longer a spring chicken, and 60 will be in my rear-view mirror soon, but I still dream of being a creative success. I write as-yet-unpublished-novels for Young Adults and younger readers, which I expect, in due time, to be invited to discuss on the local cable access channel. Stay tuned.
Everywhere I Go 
good start
I can remember your “What, can you do me greater harm than hate?” as if it were yesterday!
Creativity is a muscle that needs to be exercised. Looks like a great workout going on here.
Go Judy! It’s great to read your work again. I still miss our writers’ group, but this will help with my withdrawal pains.
Hope to wake up to your spot on acid wit regularly! what year Brandeis? I was 71 Harvard, so I’m thinking we’re at least 10 years apart, but in spirit, twins. So many war stories to share about my years in Hollywood: love your blog post about the elevator pitch….I was the top of my movie team, because I could sell the most artsy film to Fred Silverman at NBC in 30 seconds, making him think it was the sequel to The A-Team…. Tell us about your YA….
Hi Judy – the former Mike McKenna here.
Got connected via linkedin – and just SO delighted. I was actually thinking about you in the past week (in a mental review of the delightful VOLATILES I’ve known in my life). That I was also thinking about a 22 y.o. ski daredevil with unbelievable tats is purely a coincidence.
LOVED your blog.
Husband. Daughter. So absolutely PERFECT I can barely stand it. Good for y’all.
Warmest regards
While I’ve read many of your posts, never stopped to read the bio. Very nice. So glad our paths crossed. And your blog is a nice way for me to revisit your wit and creativity.
Shucks. Back at ‘ya.
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Judy,
Great to meet you at Trio’s in Jackson Hole. Your family is darling. I enjoyed reading your blog.
Are you serious about helping me find someone to complete my book on American Female Series Detective Fiction? I could use your help. If you are serious, please email me back and I can send you much information.
Did you see my website, http://www.dlotutor.com ?
I think our meeting wqas serendipitous.
Thanks, Jane
HAPPY BELATED BIRTHDAY!!!
Bet you never expected.to hear from a Luddite like me on such modern media – a smartphone no less.
Talk soon? Love to Andrew
Nancy
PS. Great writing, as always.
Wow! What a wonderful surprise! Hope you’re well. Yes, let’s speak soon.
I’ll be looking forward to that cable interview 😉 All the best on your YA novel!
I’m lucky to have known you
And I, you!
Smile wavering wings, above rains pour,
While hopefully sings, love of shorn shore,
Shore shorn of love, sings hopefully while,
Pour rains above, wings wavering smile.
– Walk Kelly (of course)