Jessica Richter
@jrichter.bsky.social
250 followers 200 following 220 posts
Writer. Former English and creative writing teacher. Mom. Coach. Lover of libraries, quirky TV, musical theater. Querying YA fantasy #Revpit 2025 shortlisted
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Hi friends! I’m spending more time here, thought I’d re-introduce myself:

I’m a YA writer, former English and creative writing teacher, and mom of 2. If you’re into quirky characters, solving mysteries, and stories with a wee bit of magic, I’m your girl!

Also, I post funny things my toddler says.
Yay! Let’s do this thing 💪💪
Why is querying such a sweaty business?

I just jumped back in and, man, my palms are gross and my heart is beating fast. I keep telling myself I’m just typing my name into an online form, but my body is pretty sure I’m about to step on stage to perform an intricate Italian aria.
Sometimes I feel bad that my kids know next to nothing about pop music. But then they request Danse Macabre on the way to school because they want to hear the skeletons dance and I think, maybe, I’m doing something right.
They have such big hearts 😭
Thank you, friend! It actually happened a couple months ago and I think the dog is still worried. Or maybe sad? They were close.
Ever since my cat died, my dog has been extra concerned about my well-being. Like now. I’m just laying next to my 4yo, trying to get him to sleep. Suddenly, I hear the tap-tap-tappity of doggie paws as he walks up the door, pauses, then tap-tap-taps back to his pillow.

The sweetest boy.
4: I know naughty words.

Me: You do? Like what?

4 (whispering): Like “I don’t love you” and “that’s dumb”
We’re driving through my old college campus:

Me: …And in those buildings they do science and math…

4: Do they build evil robots there?

Me: If they’re building evil robots anywhere on campus, that’d be the place.

4: I want to go there.
We’re deep into Great British Bake Off over here. Can relate!
Something I’m realizing about my writer self is this: when a chapter that isn’t working, it’s almost always because my character lacks agency. Things are happening to her; she’s not making things happen.

The best part about these revisions? They’re FUN. Get after it, darlings.
Right?? I tried really hard not to laugh.
4 and 9 have been discussing what 4’s voice will sound like when it eventually changes.

Right now, their money is on him spontaneously developing a British accent.
I’m not saying uninterrupted writing time is nessary, but I am saying I just made major edits on 10k words in two hours because those ideas have been sitting in my brain for weeks, just waiting for school to start.
It makes a lot of sense!
Thanks! I’m starting to think it’s preschool nerves!
4: Mommy? It feels like there’s a porcupine in my tummy.

Me: Like it hurts?

4: Yeah.

Oh no.
I feel like not enough people in this country know basic scientific facts like you can’t fight infectious diseases with guns.
9 started karate this year, so we obviously had to show her. I enjoyed the rewatch!
Me: making small talk at a kid’s party with a mom who also coached softball.

Other mom: You really need to have a man on your staff if you want to be taken seriously as a coach.

Excuse me? I don’t need a man for anything, let alone to legitimize the choices I make or the leaderahip roles I assume.
Oof. I think of this movie fondly but haven’t watched it in forever. Sounds like it’s better left in the 90s.
At 5’10” I rarely feel short around other women.

Then 9 started volleyball camp. I honestly didn’t know there were so many tall moms in one small-ish geographic area, let alone a whole bunch of them with several inches on me.
Spent the last several days camping. No internet. No phone service. Just me and my family, some bikes, a campfire, sand and dirt and crows. I’ve been waiting for this for years, waiting for my kids to be ready. Now I can’t wait to get back out there again.