72 ratings | 6 reviews | avg rating:4.68

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Judy Kelly

Goodreads Author

Born

The United States

Website

http://www.judycar.com

Twitter

@jckelly100

Genre

Fiction, Christian, Mystery

Member Since

December 2012

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Judy Kelly presently is an adjunt professor at Montgomery College in Maryland. She has been an elementary school teacher and a high school teacher in Fairfax, Virginia. She is an avid bicyclist, running enthusiast, enjoys playing the piano and an active member of her church. She lives in Maryland. That Ever Died So Young is her first published work of fiction.

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Popular Answered Questions

How do you deal with writer’s block?

Judy Kelly Writer's block. When I find that I can't go any further with a character or topic, I first look at the topic. If my character is to make a banking mis…moreWriter's block. When I find that I can't go any further with a character or topic, I first look at the topic. If my character is to make a banking mistake with a customer, for example, and I am blocked on it, I go to the bank and while in line or pretending to fill out a form, try to see how what I want to happen can happen. I think things through step by step while in the bank (having it act out in my mind), and when I get home, I draw a diagram of what I want to happen. If it still doesn't work, then I toss it and try something else. In my first novel, I wanted my main character to go down a street in Alexandra, Italy. I got books, went on the internet to see how he could walk one block. I wanted the flavor of Italy and that was the only way I could do that. I also found out so many other things that I used in the novel as well. If I'm stuck on what a character would do or say, then I go back to my character sketch to determine whether or not my character would do or say what I want. If not, using my character sketch, I change things to what they would do or say under the story's circumstances.
What I'm saying is that I work my way out of writer's block. I find that I'm blocked when I don't know enough about something or that I'm having my characters act against who they are. I also take my time, put the work down and go back the next day or the day after.
I don't let terminology stop me from writing my story. I really don't think I know what writer's block is or believe that there is a writer's block.(less)

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What’s your advice for aspiring writers?

Judy Kelly For aspiring writers I suggest that you learn all you can about writing and the writing process. Read all you can, good books and not so good books. Y…moreFor aspiring writers I suggest that you learn all you can about writing and the writing process. Read all you can, good books and not so good books. You need to be able to see the difference. Read across genres. Know your craft and be well versed. Know the genre you write. Don't tell people you write mystery when you open with a crime scene and police officers are everywhere. Know how to write your genre. While trying to get published, it is important to follow the rules of the agency and of your genre. If you want an agent or editor to invest in you, then show them you are worthy of their time and effort by following the rules of your genre and sending them what they say they want. Learn to accept suggestions, but from your writing group members, an agent, an editor. When you submit your work to your writing group, you know that the work needs help, so teach yourself to accept what people say about your work. Some comments will not be well thought out, but also learn that that happens and you must sort our the comments. Accept those comments that help you improve your work. Most importantly, don't give up. Good writing takes time, lots of it and lots of effort. Be determined and dedicated to your craft.(less)

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Combine Editions
Judy Kelly’s books

Average rating: 4.39 · 46 ratings · 27 reviews · 3 distinct works • Similar authors

	Blessings and Curses 4.44 avg rating — 25 ratings — published 2018 — 2 editions	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
	That Ever Died So Young 4.45 avg rating — 11 ratings — published 2014	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
	The Attractiveness of Wisdom 4.20 avg rating — 10 ratings — published 2021 — 3 editions	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars

* Note: these are all the books on Goodreads for this author. To add more, click here.

83 posts
Judy Kelly's Blog

Love a Good Story

I just Love a Good Story. Don’t you just Love a Good Story?

Well, here is another good story.

Who is Your Neighbor?

How would you describe your relationship with your next-door neighbor(s)? Do you know the person or family? How long have you lived next door to your neighbor(s)? Do you speak or engage in small talk as you both are coming and going? Do you just say “Hello?” Do you look

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Judy Kelly entered a giveaway The Wedding People by Alison Espach	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
Aug 14, 2025 10:28AM · like · see giveaway · preview book See a Problem? We’d love your help. Let us know what’s wrong with this preview of The Wedding People by Alison Espach. Problem: Details (if other): Thanks for telling us about the problem. Not the book you’re looking for? Preview — The Wedding People by Alison Espach <iframe sandbox id="wrongBookKindlePreviewScreen">
Judy Kelly and 221 other people liked a Goodreads News & Interviews post: Introducing Our New Logo, and More Ways We Continue to Improve Goodreads “As part of our commitment to updating Goodreads for readers, authors, and publishers, we have been hard at work on improvements, both public-facing and ‘under the hood.’ Here are some of the changes we’ve been working on, including our new logo wh...” Read more of this blog post »
Aug 12, 2025 07:53AM
Judy Kelly wants to read Funny Story by Emily Henry (Goodreads Author) Goodreads Choice Awards Nominee in Readers' Favorite Romance, Readers' Favorite Audiobook	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
Jul 30, 2025 01:23PM · like · preview book See a Problem? We’d love your help. Let us know what’s wrong with this preview of Funny Story by Emily Henry. Problem: Details (if other): Thanks for telling us about the problem. Not the book you’re looking for? Preview — Funny Story by Emily Henry <iframe sandbox id="wrongBookKindlePreviewScreen">
Judy Kelly wants to read The God of the Woods by Liz Moore (Goodreads Author) Goodreads Choice Awards Nominee in Readers' Favorite Mystery & Thriller	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
Jul 30, 2025 01:21PM · like · preview book See a Problem? We’d love your help. Let us know what’s wrong with this preview of The God of the Woods by Liz Moore. Problem: Details (if other): Thanks for telling us about the problem. Not the book you’re looking for? Preview — The God of the Woods by Liz Moore <iframe sandbox id="wrongBookKindlePreviewScreen">
Judy Kelly wants to read The Women by Kristin Hannah (Goodreads Author) Goodreads Choice Awards Nominee in Readers' Favorite Historical Fiction, Readers' Favorite Audiobook	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
Jul 30, 2025 01:21PM · like · preview book See a Problem? We’d love your help. Let us know what’s wrong with this preview of The Women by Kristin Hannah. Problem: Details (if other): Thanks for telling us about the problem. Not the book you’re looking for? Preview — The Women by Kristin Hannah <iframe sandbox id="wrongBookKindlePreviewScreen">
Judy Kelly entered a giveaway The Wedding People by Alison Espach	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
Jul 30, 2025 01:12PM · like · see giveaway · preview book See a Problem? We’d love your help. Let us know what’s wrong with this preview of The Wedding People by Alison Espach. Problem: Details (if other): Thanks for telling us about the problem. Not the book you’re looking for? Preview — The Wedding People by Alison Espach <iframe sandbox id="wrongBookKindlePreviewScreen">
Jul 26, 2025 07:28AM · like
Judy Kelly rated a book really liked it The Old Man and the Sea by Ernest Hemingway	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
Jul 21, 2025 09:17AM · like
Judy Kelly rated a book it was amazing And Then There Were None by Agatha Christie	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
Jul 21, 2025 09:17AM · like
Judy Kelly rated a book it was amazing A Tree Grows in Brooklyn by Betty Smith	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
Jul 21, 2025 09:17AM · like · preview book See a Problem? We’d love your help. Let us know what’s wrong with this preview of A Tree Grows in Brooklyn by Betty Smith. Problem: Details (if other): Thanks for telling us about the problem. Not the book you’re looking for? Preview — A Tree Grows in Brooklyn by Betty Smith <iframe sandbox id="wrongBookKindlePreviewScreen">

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Judy’s Quotes

“I hope she'll be a fool -- that's the best thing a girl can be in this world, a beautiful little fool.”
― F. Scott Fitzgerald, The Great Gatsby

tags: inspirational, women

10644 likes

“When someone you love disappears, it's like the light goes dim, and you're in the shadows. You try to do what people tell you: put one foot in front of the other; keep looking up; give yourself over to the seconds and minutes and hours. But always there's taht glimmer of light-that way of living you once knew-sort of faded and smoky like the crescent moon on a winter's night when the air is full of ice and clouds, but still there, hanging just over your head. You think it's not far. Your think at any moment you can reach out and grab it.”
― Lee Martin, The Bright Forever

12 likes

“Character is what we are in the dark”
― Lee K. Abbott

2 likes

Judy Kelly’s Followers (27)

Judy’s Bookshelves

Judy’s Friends (129)

Judy Kelly

Goodreads Author

Learn more
Ask the Author

Popular Answered Questions

Combine Editions
Judy Kelly’s books

83 posts
Judy Kelly's Blog

Love a Good Story

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Judy Kelly’s Followers (27)

Judy Kelly

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See a Problem?

Preview — The Wedding People by Alison Espach

See a Problem?

Preview — Funny Story by Emily Henry

See a Problem?

Preview — The God of the Woods by Liz Moore

See a Problem?

Preview — The Women by Kristin Hannah

See a Problem?

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See a Problem?

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