My friend and I decided to host a tea party for ourselves and our kids. She just texted to let me know she’ll have to change once she gets here because she can’t drive in a bustle. Today is, on all levels, delightful.
Jessica Richter
@jrichter.bsky.social
Writer. Former English and creative writing teacher. Mom. Coach. Lover of libraries, quirky TV, musical theater. Querying YA fantasy #Revpit 2025 shortlisted
My toilet broke today and I was dreading learning how to fix it with a 4yo helper. But you know what? Pretending to be a plumber with my boy was way more fun than I anticipated. 10/10 would do again.
4 keeps telling people he’s “going to a stakeout” but what he means is he’s going to a BBQ. Nobody tell him 😆
May was a great month for writing! I finished the first draft of my WIP, read several excellent books, and fiddled with some ideas for book 3 (will I try to write something for grown-ups? Eeek!). This despite my kids’ busy schedules and me suffering through a double ear infection. Big wins!
4: Mama? Why do you have bacon on your forehead? Me: *totally confused* What? 4: *draws squiggly lines in the air* You know! Bacon! Wrinkles. He was talking about my wrinkles.
I love when my husband and I are discussing weekend plans and 4 says in his adorable little voice, “Oh, I know! Papa can take us to the park and you can get your writing in, Mama!” I know he’s basically manipulating us so that he gets park time, but it’s so darn cute.
Feels pretty good! Going to let this one rest for a week before I get back to it.
My WIP’s finale is coming in hot! I’ve written at a feverish pace and logged over 4k in the last day. (Outlines! Who knew?!)
4 looked in his little wallet, the blue Velcro one with tractors all over it, then announced, “I am low on cash.” I love that he talks like an old man sometimes. But also, how does he even know that phrase?
April fools has always rubbed me the wrong way, but like why do people think it’s funny that our local aquatic center was pretending to paint their dull grey pool deck bright pink? I don’t want that to be a joke. I want to live in a world where pink pool decks are a thing!
In the past several days, I’ve received a full request from an absolute dream agent (!!), an incredibly kind and encouraging rejection on a full from another agent, and two personalized query rejections. Querying is mostly lonely. Then there are weeks like this where I feel seen! #amquerying
My little guy is always bursting with questions. Today he’d like to know “if they have tiny handcuffs for when tiny creatures get in trouble” and also “do airplanes have windshield wipers?”
Look! I made this #agentguide for the book I’m currently querying! If you, dear agent, are looking for a dual POV YA contemporary fantasy with some puzzle-solving and an attractive thief, I’d love to share more. Bonus: my manuscript was shortlisted twice in RevPit ‘25. #agentsguide #amquerying
Randomly ran into a person I coached nearly two decades ago in a grocery store far removed from that small town. Me:…. Her:… Me: OMG, is that… Her: Yes! I thought it was you too! So, anyway, apparently neither of us has changed and the world is a very small place.
Me: Basketball season is over and now I have extra time and brain space to be creative! My Brain: But what about all those adulting things you set aside for when you “have more time”?? 4 yr old: Mommy! I peed my pants! Again! So, anyway, extra time is a myth. I still got my writing in, though 💪💪
I was serenaded in Elvish by a lovely Scottish tenor at a social gathering for my new choir. Oh how I missed being part of a musical community ❤️❤️
It’s the last day of February and I officially hit 25k on the new manuscript. Goal = achieved!
I think I’m going to hit my February word count goal! This, despite kid illnesses, basketball coaching, and keeping up with the querying process. Feels gooooooood. Stay tuned for an official update on March 1!
This morning in those precious twilight moments between sleeping and waking I had thunderbolt of a brainwave that’s completely upending my WIP in the best possible way. I found my story’s third rail/thorn in the side/thing that’s keeping my MC’s life small. Or, rather, she found me.
Went to bed at 7:30 last night and woke up feeling so much better. Hey, 2026! Let’s gooooooooo!
Feeling a little better after an awesome nap (take that, head cold!) and managed to make this today. Happy new year, friends!
I don’t think I’ve ever been sick on NYE, but here I am in bed with a wicked head cold. No reflecting or bubbles or noon-year’s eve parties with the kiddos for me. But that’s okay. I’ll figure out something fun to do this weekend instead.
I’m writing on my laptop at my kid’s martial arts class. A random mom interrupts me to chit chat. RM: Oh shoot. I’m sorry. Is that something for your job? I hesitate, almost tell her ‘I’m just writing’ like it’s some dumb hobby. But then I sit a little taller. “Yes, I’m working.” Feels good 😁
For the first Christmas in many, many years, we had everything ready when the kids went to bed. Hubs: we should probably turn on a movie, make sure they’re really asleep. Me: Good idea. Then go to bed on time for once. Friends, it is way past our bedtime and we’re still invested in Die Hard.
I peopled too hard today. —everyone who rides that introvert/extrovert line during the holidays and needs a few hours of quiet introspection to recover.
I like cats. But after losing mine this year, I’ve decided I no longer want an indoor cat. And since I don’t like the idea of an outdoor cat in the city, I guess I’m just done with cats?
Apple Music can tell you my top song was “I’m Sill Standing” but it can’t show you my 3-now-4 yr old sitting at the piano saying he needs to be Johnny several times a week.