My name is J.R.

I’m a writer whose story has been shaped by more than one place.

I immigrated to the United States as a child and grew up moving between coasts, shaped by distance, connection, and the experience of living between places. That rhythm continued through high school, college, and into adulthood, forming a way of navigating the world that has remained constant.

Growing up this way fostered an equal devotion to independence and connection. It became a lifelong practice of holding opposites at once: road and home, whimsy and method, change and foundation.

I’ve found that the space between the familiar and the new is where I like to live and work.

A Few Things I Carry With Me

My first language was English.
My mother had a gift for language and a rare, unforgettable guffaw.
My father spent many years in broadcast journalism.
Later in life, my stepfather chose to see the world on his own terms.