My Beach Bag Is Full (Of Books, Obviously)

I’m writing to you from the salty shores of Ogunquit, Maine, where the air smells like lobster rolls and sunscreen, and the biggest decisions are: beach towel or sand chair? One more swim or one more chapter? (Spoiler: it’s usually both.)

This week, I’m revisiting Tales of the City by Armistead Maupin—a series of books I fell in love with back in college. It began as a newspaper column in the San Francisco Chronicle in the 1970s, then evolved into a novel, a series, and ultimately a TV show. Proof that great writing doesn’t have to start perfectly—it just has to start.

My own book began as a blog, and now the next one is slowly taking shape over on Substack.

If you’re looking for writing inspiration, visit me at
📚 Write Like You Mean It

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So… what’s in your beach bag these days? Let me know by emailing me at judi@judi411.com.