Judy's class re-opened the door to my crazy fun imagination, no judgements, just shut up and write! Thank you. - Jane Whitinger

Judy introduced me to the support and encouragement of Redbird Studio's roundtables. - Lois Patton

Shut Up & Write gave me the confidence to say "Hey - I can really do this!" - Gregg Kuehn

My studio

When I completed SU&W Judy told me one of the most perceptive things I ever heard her say: "I think you've found your home." She was absolutely right! - Felicity Librie

The How to Get Published in 2010 workshop convinced me to ignore convention and publish and promote myself. - Elaine Bergstrom

Judy helped me gain skill as a writer and confidence in my ability to write at a time when I was just stepping onto a new path. Thank you, Judy, for being patient and sharing your wisdom generously. - Barb Bergen

Judy taught me to look at writing like climbing a mountain. Start at the foothills, train daily, pace yourself and go. You might reach the summit one day and in the process, there is much to discover. - Judy Illes

I had no clue if I should even be there. Shut Up & Write! gave me the confidence, tools and a lot of joy expressing myself in writing. Loved Judy and that class! - Jillian Bruss

When I met Judy "Mentor" Bridges, all I wanted to do was scoop her up and keep her all to myself! - Julie Nelson

Taught me how to "get over myself" and write from the heart. - Deb Karpek

I so enjoyed Shut Up & Write! that I recommended my husband, Dave, try the roundtables - - which in the five years since has given me free time to write while he heads off to Redbird. - Mary Jo Thome

Judy believed my stories would make a good book before I believed I could write a book and that motivated me to Shut Up and Write! - Maureen Kolb

Judy tells two determined amateur writers (one in his 80's with heart problems) with a good story to 'Shut up and write!' and a memoir, Patton's Lucky Scout, is published in his lifetime. - Nancy Martin

Working with Judy on Shut Up & Write! has been one of the highlights of my publishing career watching Judy carefully and thoughtfully struggle to find just the right word to complete a thought (sometimes taking up to eight attempts to do so!) has increased my appreciation of what goes into effective writing. - Susan Pittelman

I learned the value of Roundtable support to cheer me on, to affirm my best efforts, and to give me constructive criticism for revising the next draft. - Marjorie Pagel

Shut Up & Write! gave me the courage to say, I m a writer. Judy Bridges gave me the confidence to believe I could help other writers, too! - Kim Suhr

I used to write letters and occasional journal entries but now I write stories and poems and even a fairy tale. - Judy Bates

Just write she said! - Therese Guise

Judy taught me how to corral my stampede of ideas so that writing with focus and clarity was no longer overwhelming. - Linda Raether

Judy patiently waded through a slop of my prose, spotted 10 lines of good dialog and turned me into a successful playwright. - Jenny Najoom

Through all the bountiful tips so liberally sprinkled throughout Shut Up & Write! for us newbie writers, my favorite was discovering that bubbles are not just fun to blow but are essential in creating a plot and focusing on the heart of the story line. - Kathy Olsen

If Judy started a virtual Shut Up & Write, which, like the live version, included a virtual dry - erase board upon which writers used virtual dry - erase markers to cop to the total number of pages per day they had written (of the virtually - assigned three pages per day, just as in the live version), and had to do this in front of the virtual Queen of Encouragement, Judy (and ok, a virtual Alfred, too), I suspect that we all might, just might, have 1095 pages of workable material at the end of one year - - so, where do I sign up? - Sheila Hanrahan

Judy's approach to teaching legitimized the process of writing and made me feel like a successful writer. - Aline Mohr

Shut Up & Write! showed me that I already had my best writing in me - I didn't need an English Lit degree to be a really good writer. - Julia J. Meyer

Judy's Shut Up and Write! gave me some structure to work within and also taught me to be practical concerning any attempts to be published. I learned there is "help out there" within the circle of other writers and also dear friends. My goal is simply TO WRITE routinely during these winter months and then see what my muse brings me. - Judy Douglas

I can't shut up, but Judy, you helped me find my muse, thanks! - Ko shin, Bob Hanson

Judy is inspiring, and can nurture the inner creativity out of anyone. And she's a heck of a lot of fun to work with. - Annie Chase

Judy keeps it simple, "A great writer doesn't become successful if no one ever reads it". She has been an inspiration to my commitment. - Tara Nolan

Judy made it possible for something I dreamed about doing all of my life become a reality. - Carol Wobig

Today I'm a frequently published writer because Judy actually taught me how to sit down, shut up, and do it! - Jean Scherwenka

"Readers get antsy when I write too fancy!" - William Kozlowski

The alligator is my secret weapon; it's saved me from drowning due to class assignments, research papers, and work reports on countless occasions. - Katie Lance - Parsoud

Judy Bridges, with her supportive and laser - like critiques, was the best friend our new book, Through the Cabin Door, has had. - Richard E. Carter and Carolyn Kenney - Carter

Judy Bridges is the reason why I have sold over 80,000 books! - Stacey Kannenberg, Cedar Valley Publishing

Shut Up and Write! with Judy Bridges introduced me to my writing self and my favorite character (so far), Katya, as well as some lifelong friends, including Judy, Kim Suhr and Kris Jaeger. - Pam Parker

I wouldn't be a writer today without Judy's critiques and encouragement. - Steve Boehrer

Thankfully, Judy's pet Shut Up and Write! alligator crawls to my rescue when a writing or speaking challenge has seemed too daunting to begin. - Jean Harlan

Judy is a dreammaker. Her encouragement made it possible for me to do something I never thought I would be able to do, be a published writer. My undying thanks to her and Dave, and all the RedBird - RedOak staff and writers. - Carol Wobig

How about: "I'm having my first book signing this weekend." - Alan Schmitz

I shut up, wrote, and now think of myself as a writer. - Mary Fran Potts

My experience in Shut Up and Write! convinced me to go on to pursue a Master's Degree in Creative Writing. - Moira Sennett

Judy helped me to be open to the creative voice within, to see myself as a writer, and to 'pay it forward' by nurturing young writers at the beginning of their writing life. - Kristine Jaeger

Anyone who tells me I want to write, I send to Judy. - Dave Biemann

Judy, without you, I'd still be a person who talks about writing a book rather than an author who gets to sign them. - Jill J. Morin

It was Judy who fearlessly took on the task of delicately guiding this grieving mom through some of my most bitter hours by helping me realize that the art of writing is an invaluable tool in working through my grieving process following the unexpected death of my 19 - year - old son. THANK YOU JUDY!!! - Lynn Wagner Mehring

When Judy told me to SHUT UP & WRITE! I heeded her advice like no other: it's all I've been doing and look at me now!!!: I would never be, could never be this writer who I am without her council, smile, wisdom, advice, mentoring, concern, hugs (even through scents!), and yes, most importantly, laughter. - Robert Vaughan

She got me to keep writing! - Barb Manger

SU & W! isn't just for beginners, I took it as a roundtable veteran and still found it fresh and invigorating! - Laurel Landis

Shut Up and Write! turned my flood of incoherent thoughts into a cascade of damned good stories! Thanks Judy! - Mark Hummel

Thanks to Judy, I'm a published writer! - Karen Dahlman

Good writing is like packing for a long trip: Throw in everything you think you might need and then take most of it out, leaving what is truly essential. Judy could have expressed this more succinctly. I'm still working on this, but at least I try. Using the colon does make it count as 1 sentence, right? - Judy Beehler

Although I attended Judy's class years ago, I still recall the inspirational fires it lit in me, the embers of which still glow with a desire to write and a zest for life; and that inspiration was stronger than the temptation to look out the window at that beautiful scenery. - Wayne Mutza

damn. i'd LOVE to participate. but - i didn't take "shut up and write". i always wished i had. now i REALLY wish i had . . . . - c.

Writing, reading and chatting in the round, I found my ground safe and sound. - Colleen Heather Rogan

The irreverent title of Judy Bridge s class (and now the title of what I m sure is an awesome book!) appropriately sums up the most important lesson I took away from the experience: Overcoming the doubt, fears and other barriers to writing is really as simple (although not always easy) as sitting down and regularly keeping at it; and without the tools and lessons from Shut Up and Write! I surely would have given up long ago. - Brent Killackey

When I learned to shut up, my voice spoke through my pen. - Amy Lou Jenkins, Author, Every Natural Fact: Five Seasons of Open - Air Parenting

Wonder - worker Judy, because of your marvelous expertise (woo - HOO!) and spunky encouragement (Thank you!), I am right now in the throes of editing my very first book, Rescuing Regina: The Battle to Save a Friend from Deportation and Death! - Josephe Marie Flynn, SSND