Helloooo, fellow word junkies!

I’m Kristi Keller, and I spent years regretting the name of this website.

“Written by Kristi” is more generic than a no-name label. However, as time passed, I came to realize that generic is actually a superpower because I can write what I want, teach what I want, and specialize in whatever I want, and never have to rebrand.

As you can see, I’m a huge fan of real-life photos over highly-posed head shots. Hence, the mimosa on a Caribbean brunch patio.

I don’t know how to live a life that isn’t REAL.

This is my face without a mimosa in front of it.

But the tradeoff is my dog.

If you’ve arrived here without a clue who I am or why you came, that’s okay. You’re not supposed to know.

That’s why we toil over ABOUT pages and extend virtual handshakes like this.

In a nutshell:

For over a decade, I was exclusively recognized as an acclaimed destination writer. That identity assembled itself when I exchanged my Canadian corporate grind for the high life and trekked across Jamaica 36 times.

But then the universe threw us a virus-shaped PLOT TWIST and I shouted, “Alrighty then! There’s a new story here!”

After that, my writing became abundantly splattered all over the internet in genres I never dreamed I’d become friends with.

As a writer,

You’d have to interview me five days a week all month long to fully understand the school of a writer's life the way I’ve experienced it. Nobody has that kind of time. Hence, this website, which leads you down whichever of my pathways you wish to follow.

As a creator of highly engaged communities,

I believe the world is meant to be FELT and EXPERIENCED, rather than observed from the sidelines. Otherwise, what’s the point?

Whether readers, fellow writers, or students, my community breathes life into me! There’s no greater feeling than human connection (except dog hugs).

If we can’t physically reach a million humans, then sprinkling writer-dust around the internet is the next best thing.

What I know for sure is that writing changes lives, one keystroke at a time.

Who wouldn’t want to be part of that?

The REAL Kristi fits into all these boxes:

First and foremost, I’m a professional sweatpant-wearing dog mom who cleans up nicely when I have to present myself in public.
A total introvert. I have seriously considered leaving it all behind to go live Bunkie life on a lakefront somewhere in Canada.
World’s best tenant. Just ask my former landlord who used to send me a Poinsettia the size of a log cabin every Christmas for 7 years.
Oldest keepsake? The dance costume I wore in the opening ceremony at the 1988 Winter Olympics. It was -20 degrees that day. Only heroes were dumb enough to dance outside for free.
Coolest life event? Becoming a Canadian cubicle escapee and moving to Jamaica in 2011. Everyone should try recklessly abandoning one life for another. You’ve no idea what’s on the other side until you haphazardly find yourself there.
Most tragic life event? Shattering into a billion jagged pieces when the universe stole my son back without warning. Silver lining: I found a small dose of fulfillment in writing and helping others write through grief.