84 years in the making. 60homes. 18 schools and 3 husbands. Judy Bridges is the founder of Redbird Studio writing center and author of the well-loved writers' guide, Shut Up & Write! In her 80s now, she writes about a life full of change in It Didn't Start Out That Way . Dad is a hero and a heartbreaker. Gram shoots her favorite husband in the pocket. A pick-up teaches a street-smart lesson. In this collection of personal essays, Bridges puts it all on the table. She sees her life and her characters from all sides, up and down, and brings them to life in this wildly honest memoir. You can't help but laugh. And cry a little.