Julia HJ
@juliahj.bsky.social
Writer & managing editor of SJSU Magazine. Words in Berkeley Fiction Review, Tahoma Literary Review, Cutleaf, MAYDAY Magazine, The Racket, West Branch Wired and more. ➡️ juliahalprinjackson.com #amquerying
Pinned
Julia HJ
@juliahj.bsky.social
· Nov 17
Hello! 👋 lots of new pals here, so I’m reintroducing myself:
I’m a:
*writer and editor in Silicon Valley
*hopeful novelist writing a subversive coming of age story set in southern Spain
*parent to kids who keep me humble
*diehard progressive
*fan of RuPaul, Chappell Roan and espresso
☕️ 🤓💥
I’m a:
*writer and editor in Silicon Valley
*hopeful novelist writing a subversive coming of age story set in southern Spain
*parent to kids who keep me humble
*diehard progressive
*fan of RuPaul, Chappell Roan and espresso
☕️ 🤓💥
Reposted by Julia HJ
🎉We're baaacckk!!!🎉
RevPit's #10Queries October event opens for submissions October 10!
#amwriting #writersky #writersofbluesky
RevPit's #10Queries October event opens for submissions October 10!
#amwriting #writersky #writersofbluesky
September 12, 2025 at 4:04 PM
🎉We're baaacckk!!!🎉
RevPit's #10Queries October event opens for submissions October 10!
#amwriting #writersky #writersofbluesky
RevPit's #10Queries October event opens for submissions October 10!
#amwriting #writersky #writersofbluesky
Turns out Covid still sucks five years in
September 15, 2025 at 4:54 PM
Turns out Covid still sucks five years in
Reposted by Julia HJ
#BluePit is back for the summer! Creators in the #WritingCommunity, #GameDev & #IndieDev, #TTRPG, and #Comic communities get ready to pitch or promote your projects!
#BluePit will be taking place again on July 13th, 2025!
And #BluePitHype starts July 8th!
#WriteSky #Writers #AmAgenting #LitAgents
#BluePit will be taking place again on July 13th, 2025!
And #BluePitHype starts July 8th!
#WriteSky #Writers #AmAgenting #LitAgents
June 5, 2025 at 8:07 PM
#BluePit is back for the summer! Creators in the #WritingCommunity, #GameDev & #IndieDev, #TTRPG, and #Comic communities get ready to pitch or promote your projects!
#BluePit will be taking place again on July 13th, 2025!
And #BluePitHype starts July 8th!
#WriteSky #Writers #AmAgenting #LitAgents
#BluePit will be taking place again on July 13th, 2025!
And #BluePitHype starts July 8th!
#WriteSky #Writers #AmAgenting #LitAgents
Next time I feel small I’ll remember this
July 12, 2025 at 5:13 AM
Next time I feel small I’ll remember this
Thrilled to be attending @communityofwriters.bsky.social this week at beautiful Lake Tahoe! Any other writers out there en route? #communityofwriters #writingworkshops
July 6, 2025 at 10:28 PM
Thrilled to be attending @communityofwriters.bsky.social this week at beautiful Lake Tahoe! Any other writers out there en route? #communityofwriters #writingworkshops
Curious what other #amquerying writers advise:
*started querying a year ago
*got 5 full requests, and so far one pass
*sent brief and friendly check in emails with other 4 after six months
Now…more waiting? This feels like dating. What’s my move?
*started querying a year ago
*got 5 full requests, and so far one pass
*sent brief and friendly check in emails with other 4 after six months
Now…more waiting? This feels like dating. What’s my move?
June 24, 2025 at 8:14 PM
Curious what other #amquerying writers advise:
*started querying a year ago
*got 5 full requests, and so far one pass
*sent brief and friendly check in emails with other 4 after six months
Now…more waiting? This feels like dating. What’s my move?
*started querying a year ago
*got 5 full requests, and so far one pass
*sent brief and friendly check in emails with other 4 after six months
Now…more waiting? This feels like dating. What’s my move?
The news is shitty and terrifying
and
I got the latest @anniehartnett.bsky.social novel so that’s cool #booksky 📚💙
and
I got the latest @anniehartnett.bsky.social novel so that’s cool #booksky 📚💙
June 23, 2025 at 3:22 AM
The news is shitty and terrifying
and
I got the latest @anniehartnett.bsky.social novel so that’s cool #booksky 📚💙
and
I got the latest @anniehartnett.bsky.social novel so that’s cool #booksky 📚💙
Remember when we could have had a woman president
June 13, 2025 at 5:05 AM
Remember when we could have had a woman president
I’m participating in a Lit Nights reading this Friday in Berkeley! Looking forward to reading a short CNF piece and meeting other writers #momswritersclub
June 12, 2025 at 3:06 AM
I’m participating in a Lit Nights reading this Friday in Berkeley! Looking forward to reading a short CNF piece and meeting other writers #momswritersclub
Yes! In my first book (which I’m querying), the protagonist very much evolves into the antagonist. Or maybe she is all along, but it’s not immediately evident #momswritersclub
Q. 5 #momswritersclub Apparently when work started on
Frozen, they weren't sure if Elsa would be a heroine or a villain. Have you ever had a character who who started as an antagonist turn into a protagonist - in the same book or in a subsequent book?
Frozen, they weren't sure if Elsa would be a heroine or a villain. Have you ever had a character who who started as an antagonist turn into a protagonist - in the same book or in a subsequent book?
June 12, 2025 at 3:04 AM
Yes! In my first book (which I’m querying), the protagonist very much evolves into the antagonist. Or maybe she is all along, but it’s not immediately evident #momswritersclub
I don’t know if they’ve taken over the whole story, but they have taken over chapters or scenes. It has to be in service of the plot #momswritersclub
Q. 4 #momswritersclub Characters can surprise us. Has a supporting character ever taken over your story?
June 12, 2025 at 2:52 AM
I don’t know if they’ve taken over the whole story, but they have taken over chapters or scenes. It has to be in service of the plot #momswritersclub
All the time. I think about what’s on their nightstand or what they would order at a restaurant. I could write character sketches for days #momswritersclub
Q. 3 #momswritersclub Do you think about things about your characters that might never make it into the story? Hobbies, favorite food, etc...?
June 12, 2025 at 2:51 AM
All the time. I think about what’s on their nightstand or what they would order at a restaurant. I could write character sketches for days #momswritersclub
I always think I know them, but they surprise me in every chapter. I love that sense of discovery #momswritersclub
Q. 2 #momswritersclub Some writers do detailed bios before they write a scene, others jump into the story and get to know their characters. How well do your know your characters before you start drafting - not just the MCs but the supporting characters?
June 12, 2025 at 2:49 AM
I always think I know them, but they surprise me in every chapter. I love that sense of discovery #momswritersclub
Ooh. I find that once I create one character, it doesn’t take long to find their antagonist. I love writing characters who push each others’ buttons #momswritersclub
Q. 1 #momswritersclub Creating characters can be both fun and challenging. Do yo find it easier to create protagonists, antagonists, or supporting characters?
June 12, 2025 at 2:37 AM
Ooh. I find that once I create one character, it doesn’t take long to find their antagonist. I love writing characters who push each others’ buttons #momswritersclub
Hi! I’m Julia in San Jose, mom to a 9 yo 👧 and a 5 yo 👦. Currently working on a novel project that spans the eight nights of 🕎 and prepping for the Community of Writers conference in Tahoe 🏔️ #momswritersclub
Welcome to #momswritersclub! Chat goes 24 hours and more so join when you can. Introduce yourself and share where you're joining from and what you're working on.
June 12, 2025 at 2:35 AM
Hi! I’m Julia in San Jose, mom to a 9 yo 👧 and a 5 yo 👦. Currently working on a novel project that spans the eight nights of 🕎 and prepping for the Community of Writers conference in Tahoe 🏔️ #momswritersclub
Easier in the sense that my husband, who is a teacher, is more available to help with kids & home needs, but harder in that the overall routine is different #momswritersclub
Q. 7 #momswritersclub It's after Memorial Day - almost officially summer. Definitely a change in season. Do you find it easier or harder to write summer? Any hacks for making these months productive?
May 29, 2025 at 2:46 AM
Easier in the sense that my husband, who is a teacher, is more available to help with kids & home needs, but harder in that the overall routine is different #momswritersclub
I would let go of all the sentence level fussiness and focus first on conflict and character. I spent years working on sentences I loved but that didn’t answer major plot questions #momswritersclub
Q. 6 #momswritersclub What would you do differently if you wrote your first book now?
May 29, 2025 at 2:45 AM
I would let go of all the sentence level fussiness and focus first on conflict and character. I spent years working on sentences I loved but that didn’t answer major plot questions #momswritersclub
Ha! I’ve only written one completed manuscript and am on to #2. I do tend to fall in love with whatever the current project is, though #momswritersclub
Q. 5 #momswritersclub What's your favorite book you've written? (It could be the one you're writing now...)
May 29, 2025 at 2:44 AM
Ha! I’ve only written one completed manuscript and am on to #2. I do tend to fall in love with whatever the current project is, though #momswritersclub
I honestly can’t think of any, but I will say that reading picture books to my kids (9 & 5) sometimes has me scratching my head. Why is it Mama Bear in the Berenstain Bears is stuck with that stupid polka dotted cap? #momswritersclub
Q. 4 #momswritersclub No matter how carefully we try to track details, errors slip through. And they can be hilarious. What's the worst continuity error you've seen in a book, written by you or someone else?
May 29, 2025 at 2:42 AM
I honestly can’t think of any, but I will say that reading picture books to my kids (9 & 5) sometimes has me scratching my head. Why is it Mama Bear in the Berenstain Bears is stuck with that stupid polka dotted cap? #momswritersclub
One thing I did recently which was very helpful was to write a comprehensive timeline, not of chapters, but major events in character lives. This has helped me keep track of flashbacks and determine which ones are needed #momswritersclub
Q. 3 #momswritersclub Whether your write a series or standalones, the world of any book has a lot of details to track. How do you keep track of info about your characters and settings?
May 29, 2025 at 2:37 AM
One thing I did recently which was very helpful was to write a comprehensive timeline, not of chapters, but major events in character lives. This has helped me keep track of flashbacks and determine which ones are needed #momswritersclub
I like following my characters down various forking paths; letting them tell me who they are. #momswritersclub
Q. 2 #momswritersclub As I'm experiencing right now, the start of a new book is both exciting an nerve wracking. What's your favorite thing about starting a new book?
May 29, 2025 at 2:35 AM
I like following my characters down various forking paths; letting them tell me who they are. #momswritersclub
I wrote this today; part of a character sketch about a long lost crush who reappears in a woman’s life as her father dying. #momswritersclub
May 29, 2025 at 2:32 AM
I wrote this today; part of a character sketch about a long lost crush who reappears in a woman’s life as her father dying. #momswritersclub