~Formerly on mastodon.social~ Writer of #Fantasy / #FantasyRomance (still unpublished, for now) Lover of reading and tea Advocate for mental health Mom of two black cats 🐈⬛ New Hampshire, USA ~Toots delete after 30 days~ Alt text for photos Avatar: Portrait of a woman (me) standing in front a green wall, pointing at a frame holding a copyright for my first novel. Header: A silver keychain that says, "I'm a writer. I create universes."
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Profile Code
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npub1vdkvmhu9cjq5u7thp8tx3f0gnrnw8eh7lwdvpxnhc378ux4w7heqyu525k Show more details
Published at
2023-05-16T15:00:15+02:00 Event JSON
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Last Notes npub1vdkvmhu9cjq5u7thp8tx3f0gnrnw8eh7lwdvpxnhc378ux4w7heqyu525k Sarah J Hoodlet The Way of the Wielder has received its first 2-star rating on Goodreads. But... I think this person is a bot. They joined in Jan 2024, and while they've read 37 books, they've only rated 3 (2.67 average rating, no reviews). Their TBR has 49 books, and they're currently reading 18. It takes them 1-3 days to read a book, which seems...unlikely (my book is 515 paperback pages). Maybe they're not a bot. Who knows. If nothing else, the rating is more believable now (at 4.67). 🤷♀️ #WritingCommunity npub1vdkvmhu9cjq5u7thp8tx3f0gnrnw8eh7lwdvpxnhc378ux4w7heqyu525k Sarah J Hoodlet I'm so fucking sick & tired of seeing that orange twat's face on the news. I'm disgusted by his VP choice. I'm terrified that women of all ages will soon lose their bodily autonomy, and be subject to the whims of white men with too much power. I'm afraid for my LGBTQ+ friends and family, who may lose their rights as human beings. Truth be told, I'm terrified of that, and so much more. And besides my vote, I feel powerless in it all. (Just venting.) npub1vdkvmhu9cjq5u7thp8tx3f0gnrnw8eh7lwdvpxnhc378ux4w7heqyu525k Sarah J Hoodlet The #FridayKiss prompt for today is CURVE, and while I have an excerpt for this, it's...a bit spicy. Going to hold off—unless y'all want a bit of spice today. 😅 npub1vdkvmhu9cjq5u7thp8tx3f0gnrnw8eh7lwdvpxnhc378ux4w7heqyu525k Sarah J Hoodlet @npub1k24…26zw Thank you! They are quite beautiful. 🥰 And each has their own charm. npub1vdkvmhu9cjq5u7thp8tx3f0gnrnw8eh7lwdvpxnhc378ux4w7heqyu525k Sarah J Hoodlet I always strive to be kind to everyone. This world is hard enough, and you never know what someone is going through. But the truth is, this kindness never extends inward. It pains me to admit that I'm quite mean to myself—meaner than I've ever been to another person, ever. I'm working on it, but it's a hard habit to break. So I want to know: what's one simple thing you do to show yourself some kindness? #Kindness #BeKind #SelfLove #Compassion #MentalHealth npub1vdkvmhu9cjq5u7thp8tx3f0gnrnw8eh7lwdvpxnhc378ux4w7heqyu525k Sarah J Hoodlet @npub15wt…7rek Yeah, same with me. I'll watch 1-2 episodes of something to give my mind a break. After a long writing session, it's nice to let someone else do the creative thinking for a bit! 😆 npub1vdkvmhu9cjq5u7thp8tx3f0gnrnw8eh7lwdvpxnhc378ux4w7heqyu525k Sarah J Hoodlet #WordWeavers 17May- Have you ever written for other age groups? I currently write for adults. If I had to put a "targeted age group" on my work, I'd say "new age" (18-30), although older readers have also enjoyed it. I have never written for other age groups, but my nephew asked me to write a story for him. So I'll have to write something for 9-10 year olds soon. 😆 npub1vdkvmhu9cjq5u7thp8tx3f0gnrnw8eh7lwdvpxnhc378ux4w7heqyu525k Sarah J Hoodlet #WritersCoffeeClub 20Apr- What genres would your work fall into if you could make up new genres? Fun answers only. I'm not sure... I kind of wish there was a "cozy weather romantic fantasy" genre. You know, fantasy stories with tones of romance, that mostly take place during cozy weather (gentle storms, cool summer nights, etc). Yeah, I'd read the hell out of that genre. Rise of Iron could fall under that. As could "unnamed project" (Selene & Hugh's story). npub1vdkvmhu9cjq5u7thp8tx3f0gnrnw8eh7lwdvpxnhc378ux4w7heqyu525k Sarah J Hoodlet @npub10d5…vvxa Sounds like you've put so much thought into the series as a whole, which is great! I'm sure it will be an amazing series because of it. Looking forward to reading it someday! 🤗 npub1vdkvmhu9cjq5u7thp8tx3f0gnrnw8eh7lwdvpxnhc378ux4w7heqyu525k Sarah J Hoodlet #WordWeavers 11Apr- How powerful is your antagonist? Devin (I think that's his name) also has the rare affinity of being a botanist. He's not as rare as Selene, although he uses his good looks and manipulative charm to convince people he is. Even Selene, many years ago. And that, my fellow writers, is why he's the antagonist. npub1vdkvmhu9cjq5u7thp8tx3f0gnrnw8eh7lwdvpxnhc378ux4w7heqyu525k Sarah J Hoodlet I published The Way of the Wielder nearly two weeks ago. It was an exciting day, filled with lots of joy and pride, and support from all of you. But beside my excitement was a different phenomenon—one I didn’t expect, but I'm sure most of us have felt at the end of a creative endeavor. Read more about it in my latest blog post: https://sarahjhoodlet.com/blog/creative-grief/ #WritingCommunity #Writer #Writing #Blog #Reading npub1vdkvmhu9cjq5u7thp8tx3f0gnrnw8eh7lwdvpxnhc378ux4w7heqyu525k Sarah J Hoodlet #WritersCoffeeClub 7Apr- A poem that describes you as an author. In the author lies stories untold A treasure trove of magic, waiting to unfold. And while in these worlds, trouble often dwells, Lovers find each other, and pains are quelled. Fantasy and romance are not everyone's taste, But the author writes them anyway, craving the escape. And in her endeavors, the author will never cease, Because in these stories, she finds her peace. 🤷♀️ I'm no poet, but this came to me suddenly. npub1vdkvmhu9cjq5u7thp8tx3f0gnrnw8eh7lwdvpxnhc378ux4w7heqyu525k Sarah J Hoodlet #WritersCoffeeClub 6Apr- What have you learned from past projects that you're using in your WIP? This question makes me uncomfortable. To answer it directly, I'd say my writing style, and what I took from my 2nd editor's feedback. But my WIP is the 3rd book in a series. I'm intimidated by the pressure of it, and I'm worried I'm not skilled enough to do the story justice. So, while I've learned a lot from previous work, I don't know if I've learned *enough*. And that's terrifying. npub1vdkvmhu9cjq5u7thp8tx3f0gnrnw8eh7lwdvpxnhc378ux4w7heqyu525k Sarah J Hoodlet #WordWeavers 4Apr- Is there writing advice you used to follow but changed your mind? As a novice writer, I took to heart lots of advice that I either no longer follow or have adapted to fit my writing style. -Show don't tell: I show more, but still tell. -Kill your darlings: Many survive. -Chapter length should be consistent: Chapters are as long as they need to be. -Avoid adverbs: It would be easier to remove my heart. Advice is just one person's opinion on how to do something. You do you. 💚 npub1vdkvmhu9cjq5u7thp8tx3f0gnrnw8eh7lwdvpxnhc378ux4w7heqyu525k Sarah J Hoodlet @npub1e2u…gz5y Welcome back! Glad you've found your creative spark again. 🤗 npub1vdkvmhu9cjq5u7thp8tx3f0gnrnw8eh7lwdvpxnhc378ux4w7heqyu525k Sarah J Hoodlet Reminder: the Indie Author Project Annual Contest is now accepting books for recognition within libraries. Books must be indie published and be within in the following genres: -Mystery/Thrillers -Romance -SciFi/Fantasy -Historical Fiction -General/Contemporary Fiction -Memoir -Young Adult Books should also be geared towards an Adult or Young Adult audience. Find out more and submit at: https://indieauthorproject.librariesshare.com/iap/ #WritingCommunity #IndieAuthor #SelfPublishing npub1vdkvmhu9cjq5u7thp8tx3f0gnrnw8eh7lwdvpxnhc378ux4w7heqyu525k Sarah J Hoodlet #WritersCoffeeClub 2Apr- Do you keep a journal? I keep a quotes/reading journal, where I document excerpts from books I've read that speak to me. I jot down the quote, then write a few paragraphs on why the quote resonated with me at the time. The result is a journal, reflecting on my life using the words of others as prompts for thought. I've found it's quite introspective, and much easier to keep a journal in this way. npub1vdkvmhu9cjq5u7thp8tx3f0gnrnw8eh7lwdvpxnhc378ux4w7heqyu525k Sarah J Hoodlet #WordWeavers 1Apr- MC POV: Intro for Mastodon Hello. I'm Selene. I'm new here. I don't really like socializing, but I guess people want to know about me, so here it goes. 🌼 Botanist, specializing in the ecology & adaptation of moonflowers. (Yes, I'm aware of the irony. No, my parents had no premonitions while naming me.) 🔬 Been a botanist for 20+ years, and am one of the best in the kingdom (humble brag). 😒 Wary of affable male mentors 🌱 Plants > people 🐸 & 🦋 are my friends npub1vdkvmhu9cjq5u7thp8tx3f0gnrnw8eh7lwdvpxnhc378ux4w7heqyu525k Sarah J Hoodlet A form rejection on Rise of Iron after 201 days. You don't say? 😒 Fortunately, I marked it as "closed no response" 117 days ago, so I have no heartache. Just annoyance. Although, I'm sort of at the point now where I think to myself, "Their loss." Whatevs. Onward and upward! ✌️ #WritingCommunity #Writer #Writing npub1vdkvmhu9cjq5u7thp8tx3f0gnrnw8eh7lwdvpxnhc378ux4w7heqyu525k Sarah J Hoodlet @npub15wt…7rek This is the way. npub1vdkvmhu9cjq5u7thp8tx3f0gnrnw8eh7lwdvpxnhc378ux4w7heqyu525k Sarah J Hoodlet @npub16uc…k62q Yeah, it would definitely upset me. I was the target of bullying when I was young, and I'd rather not go through that again. 😬 😅 npub1vdkvmhu9cjq5u7thp8tx3f0gnrnw8eh7lwdvpxnhc378ux4w7heqyu525k Sarah J Hoodlet @npub1fgl…4jl4 I just read the book (it's a kids book, but I needed something whimsy), and Jiji is the best part about it. He's so sassy! 😂 npub1vdkvmhu9cjq5u7thp8tx3f0gnrnw8eh7lwdvpxnhc378ux4w7heqyu525k Sarah J Hoodlet @npub1fgl…4jl4 Kiki's Delivery Service is such a cute movie! One of my favorite Ghibli films (which isn't saying much, considering I love most of what I've seen). 🤗 npub1vdkvmhu9cjq5u7thp8tx3f0gnrnw8eh7lwdvpxnhc378ux4w7heqyu525k Sarah J Hoodlet #WordWeavers 29Mar- What sort of MC would you never write? A bully. I don't want to be in the mind of someone who feels it's okay to treat others that way. I leave characters like that for antagonists and villains. I want my MCs to be good people. Flawed? Yes. Angsty? Sure. But never mean for the sake of being mean. npub1vdkvmhu9cjq5u7thp8tx3f0gnrnw8eh7lwdvpxnhc378ux4w7heqyu525k Sarah J Hoodlet @npub1yse…jaay Oooooo! 🤯 npub1vdkvmhu9cjq5u7thp8tx3f0gnrnw8eh7lwdvpxnhc378ux4w7heqyu525k Sarah J Hoodlet I got so caught up in releasing my first book that I overlooked the fact that I hit 100k words on my fourth. 😅 #WritingCommunity #Writer #AmWriting npub1vdkvmhu9cjq5u7thp8tx3f0gnrnw8eh7lwdvpxnhc378ux4w7heqyu525k Sarah J Hoodlet @npub15wt…7rek Yeah, totally *not* expected at all, but I'll happily accept their kindness! npub1vdkvmhu9cjq5u7thp8tx3f0gnrnw8eh7lwdvpxnhc378ux4w7heqyu525k Sarah J Hoodlet So, the mail center where I mailed my books from yesterday emailed me tonight, asking to promote my book on their social media pages! They even gave me some language they want to use, which includes phrases like, "a very talented local author", and that the book is a "literary masterpiece." I'm not sure I'd go as far as the latter, but who am I to argue? Oh, and free marketing? Hells to the yes! 🤩 #WritingCommunity #SelfPublishing #IndieAuthor #Writer npub1vdkvmhu9cjq5u7thp8tx3f0gnrnw8eh7lwdvpxnhc378ux4w7heqyu525k Sarah J Hoodlet @npub10d5…vvxa That they do! 😹 npub1vdkvmhu9cjq5u7thp8tx3f0gnrnw8eh7lwdvpxnhc378ux4w7heqyu525k Sarah J Hoodlet @npub15wt…7rek Ooh, thank you! 🙏 I hope you like it, when you get to it! ☺️ npub1vdkvmhu9cjq5u7thp8tx3f0gnrnw8eh7lwdvpxnhc378ux4w7heqyu525k Sarah J Hoodlet @npub10d5…vvxa Thank you! 🤗 Admittedly, it's all a whirlwind. The cats must have sensed it too, since they had me up at 2:30am! 😅 npub1vdkvmhu9cjq5u7thp8tx3f0gnrnw8eh7lwdvpxnhc378ux4w7heqyu525k Sarah J Hoodlet @npub1yse…jaay Thank you! 🥰 (I hope for lots of readers, too, haha!) npub1vdkvmhu9cjq5u7thp8tx3f0gnrnw8eh7lwdvpxnhc378ux4w7heqyu525k Sarah J Hoodlet Went to mail a few copies of The Way of the Wielder today. As I was writing the personalized notes for each, the worker was eyeing the book's cover. "Is this *your* book?" she asked when I gave her my name for the mailing labels. "It is! It comes out tomorrow." She read the blurb. "Do you mind if I get a photo of it? I'm going to tell my daughter and nieces about it. They love romantic fantasy novels." No, good lady. No, I do not mind at all. 🤩 #WritingCommunity #Fantasy #Writer npub1vdkvmhu9cjq5u7thp8tx3f0gnrnw8eh7lwdvpxnhc378ux4w7heqyu525k Sarah J Hoodlet I've felt so many emotions as I get ready to release my debut novel on Tuesday, but the one I've been feeling for the last few hours is... melancholy? Is that odd? I've held these characters so close to my chest for the better part of four years, and I'm supposed to just... let them go? Yes, I know I have sequels with them (including my WIP), but I feel like I'm letting a piece of my heart go with this first novel. It's an odd feeling. #WritingCommunity #Writer npub1vdkvmhu9cjq5u7thp8tx3f0gnrnw8eh7lwdvpxnhc378ux4w7heqyu525k Sarah J Hoodlet @npub1yse…jaay @npub18kv…6pnx I'm part of team close 3rd person past tense! 🙌 That's my preferred writing style because it feels natural, both to me and my characters. It's also my preferred reading style, mostly because I don't (generally) like the speed of present tense. It makes me feel... anxious, I guess? Sometimes that's okay, but usually I want something where I can step away without feeling like I'm going to miss something. npub1vdkvmhu9cjq5u7thp8tx3f0gnrnw8eh7lwdvpxnhc378ux4w7heqyu525k Sarah J Hoodlet @npub1uzr…k9aj I’m glad to hear you’re feeling better, and I hope the treatment is going well (or is over). npub1vdkvmhu9cjq5u7thp8tx3f0gnrnw8eh7lwdvpxnhc378ux4w7heqyu525k Sarah J Hoodlet @npub1uzr…k9aj Congrats! 🥳 npub1vdkvmhu9cjq5u7thp8tx3f0gnrnw8eh7lwdvpxnhc378ux4w7heqyu525k Sarah J Hoodlet #WritersCoffeeClub 24Mar- What websites do you rely on most to help you with your writing? This one? I’ve learned so much about the craft of writing while interacting with people in these hashtags. And not just the technical craft, but the individual craft—the “artistic craft”, if you will. Other than Mastodon, probably various dictionary/thesaurus websites. I use other websites for research (as necessary), but I don’t have one go-to for everything. npub1vdkvmhu9cjq5u7thp8tx3f0gnrnw8eh7lwdvpxnhc378ux4w7heqyu525k Sarah J Hoodlet @npub15wt…7rek Hmm. I'll think about that! I didn't consider the info on the back cover being a bonus description (or, a shorter description). Thanks! npub1vdkvmhu9cjq5u7thp8tx3f0gnrnw8eh7lwdvpxnhc378ux4w7heqyu525k Sarah J Hoodlet @npub15wt…7rek That's true, but I can't do that as easily on the paperback copies. I'd have to work with my cover artist to have her update the wording. It's not impossible, but it certainly includes more steps. 😞 npub1vdkvmhu9cjq5u7thp8tx3f0gnrnw8eh7lwdvpxnhc378ux4w7heqyu525k Sarah J Hoodlet On today's episode of "What's making this debut author anxious?" we have: The Blurb. Is it enough? I'm so worried that's not... Sure, it mentions the major plot for both MCs. Jaslan comes into possession of a magical object, and researches it, discovering hidden/dangerous truths. Jack joins an organization with shady motives and is thrown into a life of espionage. But it doesn't mention her betrothal, or his struggles. *Is it enough?* Too late to change it, even if it's not. 😞 npub1vdkvmhu9cjq5u7thp8tx3f0gnrnw8eh7lwdvpxnhc378ux4w7heqyu525k Sarah J Hoodlet @npub10d5…vvxa Yes, I've done this as well. I may also change the color of the font, so that I don't miss it in future edits. npub1vdkvmhu9cjq5u7thp8tx3f0gnrnw8eh7lwdvpxnhc378ux4w7heqyu525k Sarah J Hoodlet @npub16uc…k62q Her dedication [in reading the manuscript] is one of the reasons I wanted to work with her. Usually, they just take the blurb or synopsis. And thank you again! 😊 npub1vdkvmhu9cjq5u7thp8tx3f0gnrnw8eh7lwdvpxnhc378ux4w7heqyu525k Sarah J Hoodlet @npub16uc…k62q Fortunately, the artist read the entire manuscript before even starting on the cover. So, not only does she know the industry (she's been making covers for 17+ years), she knows the story. A trustworthy combination! 😁 The blurb does help. It's not entirely dark, but there are dark undertones (which do get darker as the story unfolds). npub1vdkvmhu9cjq5u7thp8tx3f0gnrnw8eh7lwdvpxnhc378ux4w7heqyu525k Sarah J Hoodlet @npub16uc…k62q Thank you! I also love how magical it feels. Elemental magic can be very whimsy, and I love how she brought that to life! The story itself is a darker shade of fantasy with a heavy romantic subplot, and I think the colors show that really well! We'll see what future readers think! npub1vdkvmhu9cjq5u7thp8tx3f0gnrnw8eh7lwdvpxnhc378ux4w7heqyu525k Sarah J Hoodlet @npub10d5…vvxa Thank you! ☺️ npub1vdkvmhu9cjq5u7thp8tx3f0gnrnw8eh7lwdvpxnhc378ux4w7heqyu525k Sarah J Hoodlet #WritersCoffeeClub 13Mar- Do the hashtags inspire you? I think, rather than inspire, they provide me insights: WritersCoffeeClub offers insight into how others write, advice from those more experienced than me, and the publishing industry in general. -WordWeavers & PennedPossibilities encourage introspection (and thus, internalized insights) into my own stories, which makes them better. All three inspire me to be a better writer—just like everyone who partakes in them. 💜 1/2 npub1vdkvmhu9cjq5u7thp8tx3f0gnrnw8eh7lwdvpxnhc378ux4w7heqyu525k Sarah J Hoodlet @npub15wt…7rek Thank you!! 🥰 npub1vdkvmhu9cjq5u7thp8tx3f0gnrnw8eh7lwdvpxnhc378ux4w7heqyu525k Sarah J Hoodlet @npub1k24…26zw Aww, thank you! 💜 npub1vdkvmhu9cjq5u7thp8tx3f0gnrnw8eh7lwdvpxnhc378ux4w7heqyu525k Sarah J Hoodlet @npub1yse…jaay Thank you! I love all of the little details, too! ☺️ npub1vdkvmhu9cjq5u7thp8tx3f0gnrnw8eh7lwdvpxnhc378ux4w7heqyu525k Sarah J Hoodlet Friends, I've been holding this back for over a month, but I'm finally at the point where I'm comfortable sharing it... The cover of my debut novel, The Way of the Wielder! I'm seriously *so in love* with it. 🥰 Everything about it is just perfection. You can read more about the process, and the cover itself, on this morning's blog post. https://sarahjhoodlet.com/blog/cover-reveal/ #WritingCommunity #SelfPublishing #CoverReveal #Fantasy #Romance #Books #ComingSoon https://cdn.masto.host/writing/media_attachments/files/112/082/811/252/294/991/original/bea428dcf3ee0053.jpeg npub1vdkvmhu9cjq5u7thp8tx3f0gnrnw8eh7lwdvpxnhc378ux4w7heqyu525k Sarah J Hoodlet @npub1lyr…k7hs Unfortunately, I don't know any agents, independent or otherwise. You may want to search through Querytracker.net to see if you can find one that fits for you. I've personally never searched for publishers there (I always search for agents), but I know there are many publishers listed. Good luck in your search! npub1vdkvmhu9cjq5u7thp8tx3f0gnrnw8eh7lwdvpxnhc378ux4w7heqyu525k Sarah J Hoodlet @npub1lyr…k7hs Should be a good week for it! I saw a bunch of tap lines out around me today (I live in a fairly wooded part of southern NH). Good luck with the season! 🍁 npub1vdkvmhu9cjq5u7thp8tx3f0gnrnw8eh7lwdvpxnhc378ux4w7heqyu525k Sarah J Hoodlet @npub10n9…tjug I've always seen this "debate" as more of a spectrum. No one 100% plots or 100% pants—nor should they! If someone 100% plotted, there would be very little room for creativity. If someone 100% pantsed, they would have no structure for their creativity. The goal is to have something in the middle, but that sweet spot is different for everyone. npub1vdkvmhu9cjq5u7thp8tx3f0gnrnw8eh7lwdvpxnhc378ux4w7heqyu525k Sarah J Hoodlet @npub1cz0…wk5s @npub15wt…7rek It's so hard. I do what I can, but some days none of it seems to matter. Public transit isn't an option for me, but since I don't work, I only drive a couple of times a week to run errands. I rarely talk to people outside of Mastodon. Having children is something I couldn't do, which is its own heartache. Sorry. I'm forlorn today. The gloomy weather here isn't helping. Perhaps I shouldn't have tooted this. 😖 npub1vdkvmhu9cjq5u7thp8tx3f0gnrnw8eh7lwdvpxnhc378ux4w7heqyu525k Sarah J Hoodlet @npub15wt…7rek I think researching other planets is wonderful. Finding our place in the universe is so important for perspective, if nothing else. But colonizing any other planet with how humanity is right now... no other planet deserves that level of disrespect. npub1vdkvmhu9cjq5u7thp8tx3f0gnrnw8eh7lwdvpxnhc378ux4w7heqyu525k Sarah J Hoodlet People are dying in wars across the world. Fascism is the new US GOP platform. Texas thinks people seeking a better life are "invading" their border. We're executing people with nitrogen gas, which takes 25 *minutes* (no execution is good, but that is truly barbaric). The world's on fire. Nature is dying. Humanity is selling itself for greed. And I'm just here, wondering whatever happened to empathy. 💔🥺 https://youtu.be/9-NWi0LPo1w?si=X0sQ-HIw7D3MC3H_ npub1vdkvmhu9cjq5u7thp8tx3f0gnrnw8eh7lwdvpxnhc378ux4w7heqyu525k Sarah J Hoodlet @npub10d5…vvxa Dismissiveness is worse than negativity, but the combination? That's the worst. I'm with you—you don't need that in your life. I wish affirmations around the house worked for me, but most of the time they don't. Although my husband got me a nice affirming sign for Christmas, which I'll hang up and hope for the best. 🙂 npub1vdkvmhu9cjq5u7thp8tx3f0gnrnw8eh7lwdvpxnhc378ux4w7heqyu525k Sarah J Hoodlet #WritersCoffeeClub 23Dec- If you were to rewrite the nativity, what would you change? I want it from Mary's perspective. A 9 months pregnant woman was denied refuge and had to give birth in a damned barn. There are *emotions* there, and I want to read them. If Mary was special enough to give birth to the son of god, she should *at least* have the right to document it. But no, everything she went through is mansplained. Let her speak, I say! npub1vdkvmhu9cjq5u7thp8tx3f0gnrnw8eh7lwdvpxnhc378ux4w7heqyu525k Sarah J Hoodlet @npub1k24…26zw Thanks! It's so interesting how each writer has a unique story for getting into writing. 😊 npub1vdkvmhu9cjq5u7thp8tx3f0gnrnw8eh7lwdvpxnhc378ux4w7heqyu525k Sarah J Hoodlet #WordWeavers 22Dec- How did you decide you wanted to write a book? Honestly, it just kind of happened. I started writing in 2020 to give myself a creative, exploratory outlet during the pandemic. But what started as a fun exercise after our D&D sessions quickly turned into me imagining my own fantasy world, and well... The Way of the Wielder was born. I never thought I'd write a book. Never thought I'd measure up to the authors I idolize. Now, I can't imagine myself doing anything else. npub1vdkvmhu9cjq5u7thp8tx3f0gnrnw8eh7lwdvpxnhc378ux4w7heqyu525k Sarah J Hoodlet @npub10d5…vvxa Relatable. 😅 npub1vdkvmhu9cjq5u7thp8tx3f0gnrnw8eh7lwdvpxnhc378ux4w7heqyu525k Sarah J Hoodlet #WritersCoffeeClub 19Dec- If you could remove one rule of grammar, which would you choose? I'm of two minds here. First, grammar rules exist for us to effectively communicate. So, while I might not like some of the rules, they exist for a reason. Second, rules are meant to be broken. And I do so often. I broke two in that sentence above. And there's another. Let me begin my sentenced with 'and' or 'but', and let me end them with prepositions or adverbs! npub1vdkvmhu9cjq5u7thp8tx3f0gnrnw8eh7lwdvpxnhc378ux4w7heqyu525k Sarah J Hoodlet @npub1ek8…t2en Oh no! That's awful. 😫 Despite the damage, I hope that you're all safe. (At least it's not terribly cold outside—not yet, anyway.) npub1vdkvmhu9cjq5u7thp8tx3f0gnrnw8eh7lwdvpxnhc378ux4w7heqyu525k Sarah J Hoodlet @npub10d5…vvxa Agreed. Many holiday stories are too cliche or, quite frankly, boring. The only holiday I really let influence my reading is Halloween. There are lots of good spooky stories. npub1vdkvmhu9cjq5u7thp8tx3f0gnrnw8eh7lwdvpxnhc378ux4w7heqyu525k Sarah J Hoodlet @npub1k74…dmux @npub16uc…k62q I honestly can’t remember… 😅 npub1vdkvmhu9cjq5u7thp8tx3f0gnrnw8eh7lwdvpxnhc378ux4w7heqyu525k Sarah J Hoodlet @npub16uc…k62q @npub1k74…dmux If your MC was in our world, where would be their preferred vacation destination? npub1vdkvmhu9cjq5u7thp8tx3f0gnrnw8eh7lwdvpxnhc378ux4w7heqyu525k Sarah J Hoodlet @npub10d5…vvxa I really like this response. I've seen a lot of people saying they dislike "the chosen one" trope, which really disheartens me. My stories are takes on that trope, but I've done it in (I hope) an interesting way. npub1vdkvmhu9cjq5u7thp8tx3f0gnrnw8eh7lwdvpxnhc378ux4w7heqyu525k Sarah J Hoodlet #WritersCoffeeClub 16Dec- Any writing tropes you dislike, without insulting other club members? I'm not usually a fan of enemies to lovers (although I've seen it done decently a couple of times). Also, fridging. I don't understand it. I'm also not a fan of a woman needing to be a mother—or wife, I guess—to meet her potential. The former is personal to me. A woman is more than her ability to have children, and her inability (or lack of desire) doesn't make her weak or selfish. npub1vdkvmhu9cjq5u7thp8tx3f0gnrnw8eh7lwdvpxnhc378ux4w7heqyu525k Sarah J Hoodlet #WritersCoffeeClub 15Dec- Question for paperback writers. What trim sizes are you published in? Nothing published yet... But on February 27, 2024, The Way of the Wielder will be published in 5x8" paperback (the standard Vellum print option). I can't wait to have a physical copy of it in hand (pretty sure I'll cry)! 🥰 npub1vdkvmhu9cjq5u7thp8tx3f0gnrnw8eh7lwdvpxnhc378ux4w7heqyu525k Sarah J Hoodlet @npub1lyr…k7hs @npub19v0…xvkg Really? That's so weird. We bought a birdhouse specifically for blue birds, and they fight over it every spring! 😆 In fact, this year's broods keep fluttering about it, as if vying for who gets it next season. The like their houses at the edge of tree lines, between 6-10' off the ground. We have ours on a hickory tree, and we'll buy another soon and put it on a nearby oak tree. I kid you not, we've had as many as a dozen at any given time. I hope you get to see some soon! npub1vdkvmhu9cjq5u7thp8tx3f0gnrnw8eh7lwdvpxnhc378ux4w7heqyu525k Sarah J Hoodlet Took some photos of some Eastern Blue Birds today (yes, December 14). These are my favorites. 🥰 💙 #Birds #BlueBird #Ornithology #Photography #Woodlands #BirdFeeder #NewHampshire @npub19v0…xvkg https://cdn.masto.host/writing/media_attachments/files/111/580/266/658/630/563/original/916c671ad6cb7990.jpeg https://cdn.masto.host/writing/media_attachments/files/111/580/266/753/493/546/original/71a4166c90a35a50.jpeg https://cdn.masto.host/writing/media_attachments/files/111/580/266/718/898/013/original/5171d2f6eff19ac6.jpeg npub1vdkvmhu9cjq5u7thp8tx3f0gnrnw8eh7lwdvpxnhc378ux4w7heqyu525k Sarah J Hoodlet #WordWeavers 14Dec- Do you write characters with different sexual orientations and gender identities from your own? What guides your writing? Of course. It'd be rather boring if I didn't! Real life has so much diversity, and I try to include as much of that as possible in my stories and worlds. I sometimes worry I'm not doing justice to my LGBT+ characters, but I'm doing my best—and am open to feedback if something's not right. What guides my writing? Heart and soul. 💜 npub1vdkvmhu9cjq5u7thp8tx3f0gnrnw8eh7lwdvpxnhc378ux4w7heqyu525k Sarah J Hoodlet @npub1e2u…gz5y I understand, and empathize, with this. Rest is so important, but often what we do the least (I'm guilty of it myself). Take time for yourself this winter season. 💚 npub1vdkvmhu9cjq5u7thp8tx3f0gnrnw8eh7lwdvpxnhc378ux4w7heqyu525k Sarah J Hoodlet @npub10d5…vvxa Fortunately I still have over 2 months until The Way of the Wielder is published, and I'm sure (I hope) my stress levels will decline before then. Thick skin isn't something I have a lot of. 😅 I'll have to build it up again before I view any reviews of my book (either on Goodreads or Amazon). npub1vdkvmhu9cjq5u7thp8tx3f0gnrnw8eh7lwdvpxnhc378ux4w7heqyu525k Sarah J Hoodlet For the last few weeks, I've worked on so many things... -Formatting The Way of the Wielder in Vellum -Creating a map of the world -Working with a website designer to get that set up -Researching "next steps" (ISBNs, becoming an author on Amazon/Goodreads, etc.) -Sending out ARCs I'm trying to write between all of that, but I'm not tech savvy, and those things are mentally taxing to me. Not to mention, non-writing related things. 😓 I just want to write... but enough complaining, I guess. npub1vdkvmhu9cjq5u7thp8tx3f0gnrnw8eh7lwdvpxnhc378ux4w7heqyu525k Sarah J Hoodlet #WordWeavers 12Dec- Have you ever wanted to give up writing? I've only been writing since 2020, and who knows what the future holds. But right now, I don't think I could ever give up writing. What was initially a hobby has become a passion. A calling. A career—more than my former career ever was (even if it doesn't pay much). And I know this sounds dramatic, but I believe writing saved my life. It gave me a way to process and heal. I'd be a fool to give up on something with that much impact. npub1vdkvmhu9cjq5u7thp8tx3f0gnrnw8eh7lwdvpxnhc378ux4w7heqyu525k Sarah J Hoodlet #WordWeavers 8Dec- What are the most important changes your MCs undergo during the story? Oh gods. They go through so many. For Jaslan, I think it's summed up in this quote from her mother: "Don’t let who you think you *should* be get in the way of who you *want* to be." For Jack, the changes he goes through are too much of a spoiler, so I'll refrain from answering. Needless to say, he changes *a lot*. Maybe more than Jaslan, if the whole series is taken into consideration. npub1vdkvmhu9cjq5u7thp8tx3f0gnrnw8eh7lwdvpxnhc378ux4w7heqyu525k Sarah J Hoodlet #WritersCoffeeClub 8Dec- Do you write in the active voice, passive voice, or a mixture? Does it matter? A mixture. I try to keep it mostly active, but I can't deny I slip into passive more often than most authors (I assume). Does it matter? Most would say that active voice is better. I say do what works for you & your style. Edited... because I was today years old when I realized there's a difference between voice and tense. 🙁 Sigh. npub1vdkvmhu9cjq5u7thp8tx3f0gnrnw8eh7lwdvpxnhc378ux4w7heqyu525k Sarah J Hoodlet @npub10d5…vvxa Thank you! You’re very kind. 🥰 All I ask is that it’s reviewed by publishing (which isn’t until late Feb). When you get a moment (no rush), DM me your email address. I plan to have it properly formatted today or tomorrow, then I’ll send it over. npub1vdkvmhu9cjq5u7thp8tx3f0gnrnw8eh7lwdvpxnhc378ux4w7heqyu525k Sarah J Hoodlet Friends! I'm now looking for a few ARCs for The Way of the Wielder—book 1 of Jaslan & Jack's story. I've been talking about this book on #WordWeavers & #WritersCoffeeClub all year long. Attached is a quick blurb, and some other details are below. -Words: ~158k -Genre: Romantic fantasy (dark) -Antic. pub date: Feb 26, 2024 -CWs: swearing, sexual assault (close to, but not r*pe), sex, mental health (depression/PTSD), violence There's lots of love, too—I promise! 🥰 Interested? Let me know! https://cdn.masto.host/writing/media_attachments/files/111/518/114/320/464/588/original/d9c24d355fff6889.png npub1vdkvmhu9cjq5u7thp8tx3f0gnrnw8eh7lwdvpxnhc378ux4w7heqyu525k Sarah J Hoodlet @npub1k24…26zw Do what you can, but don't stress yourself by doing too much. The holidays are stressful enough! npub1vdkvmhu9cjq5u7thp8tx3f0gnrnw8eh7lwdvpxnhc378ux4w7heqyu525k Sarah J Hoodlet @npub1k24…26zw We've missed you, too (your stories and your kind words)! I hope all is well and that life isn't too chaotic. 💚 npub1vdkvmhu9cjq5u7thp8tx3f0gnrnw8eh7lwdvpxnhc378ux4w7heqyu525k Sarah J Hoodlet @npub10d5…vvxa It's so well done. I love all the images of your characters. They're stunning! And yes, Jack's a heartthrob. 🥰 I have an idea of what he looks like, even have a few Pinterest images saved, but no specific art. That's probably for the best. I'd ogle at it all day. 😂 npub1vdkvmhu9cjq5u7thp8tx3f0gnrnw8eh7lwdvpxnhc378ux4w7heqyu525k Sarah J Hoodlet @npub10d5…vvxa Gorgeous! 😍 (She has the same vivid blue eyes as my character, Jack.) npub1vdkvmhu9cjq5u7thp8tx3f0gnrnw8eh7lwdvpxnhc378ux4w7heqyu525k Sarah J Hoodlet @npub10d5…vvxa Her name is fabulous! 🤩 (As usual—you have some of the best names I've ever seen!) npub1vdkvmhu9cjq5u7thp8tx3f0gnrnw8eh7lwdvpxnhc378ux4w7heqyu525k Sarah J Hoodlet Today I reached out to the agent who requested the full on Rise of Iron (2 months ago). Apparently, she's working on getting her signed author's books on submission right now, and won't be seriously considering anymore authors until February. (That's understandable.) But she has started my book and is looking forward to diving into it at that time. That's a good sign, right? It's not a rejection (yet). I'm taking it as good sign. 😬 #KeepCalmAndWriteOn #AmQuerying #WritingCommunity npub1vdkvmhu9cjq5u7thp8tx3f0gnrnw8eh7lwdvpxnhc378ux4w7heqyu525k Sarah J Hoodlet @npub1fgl…4jl4 Yep, it happens to many of us, especially w/ longer works. I had no idea what I was doing when I started writing. I wrote in first person, it was sloppy, and it was directionless. It was fun, but looking back on it, it was awful. I scrapped all of it. 159,564 words, and not a single word of it made it to what I'm going to publish next year. That's part of the creative process. Let your mind wander. Take a break if you need to, but trust the process. You'll get there! 💚 npub1vdkvmhu9cjq5u7thp8tx3f0gnrnw8eh7lwdvpxnhc378ux4w7heqyu525k Sarah J Hoodlet @npub15wt…7rek It certainly keeps one humble! npub1vdkvmhu9cjq5u7thp8tx3f0gnrnw8eh7lwdvpxnhc378ux4w7heqyu525k Sarah J Hoodlet @npub15wt…7rek Perhaps I’m too dramatic - or too sensitive. Just keep calm, and keep trying, right? 😕 npub1vdkvmhu9cjq5u7thp8tx3f0gnrnw8eh7lwdvpxnhc378ux4w7heqyu525k Sarah J Hoodlet The kindest form rejections hurt the most. 😢 #AmQuerying npub1vdkvmhu9cjq5u7thp8tx3f0gnrnw8eh7lwdvpxnhc378ux4w7heqyu525k Sarah J Hoodlet @npub10d5…vvxa "The more it disappears from the society I live in, the more I write it." I love that. Happy Thanksgiving to you! npub1vdkvmhu9cjq5u7thp8tx3f0gnrnw8eh7lwdvpxnhc378ux4w7heqyu525k Sarah J Hoodlet I've done a lot (*a lot*) of yard work yesterday and today, so my word counts are lower than usual. Whomp whomp. On the plus side, look at who joined me today! 🧡 It got to 60 degrees here (unusual for November), so this little lady (or gentleman) was fluttering about, strutting their vibrant stuff. #Butterfly #Autumn #Nature #Woodlands #WritingCommunity #NaNoWriMo https://cdn.masto.host/writing/media_attachments/files/111/421/764/706/321/457/original/f9464ca11215ab69.jpeg npub1vdkvmhu9cjq5u7thp8tx3f0gnrnw8eh7lwdvpxnhc378ux4w7heqyu525k Sarah J Hoodlet @npub10d5…vvxa I can't say I'm surprised to find that the order in which you describe senses is nearly identical to mine. 😊 npub1vdkvmhu9cjq5u7thp8tx3f0gnrnw8eh7lwdvpxnhc378ux4w7heqyu525k Sarah J Hoodlet @npub15wt…7rek I first saw this term a couple of months ago, when I started querying Rise of Iron. I kind of dig it, since that's basically what I write, but most people don't know the term yet. And I don't know if it replaces either - I think it's just a slang term that agents made up to sell a genre that's becoming more and more popular. 🤷♀️ I could be wrong, though. npub1vdkvmhu9cjq5u7thp8tx3f0gnrnw8eh7lwdvpxnhc378ux4w7heqyu525k Sarah J Hoodlet @npub1fgl…4jl4 You are *killing it*! 41k+ words in about 10 days? Dude... To give you an idea, during NaNoWriMo, I've written 16.3k words. I consider this a success for me, since I aim for between 1-1.5k words per day. But word count aside, so long as you're enjoying it, that's what matters! npub1vdkvmhu9cjq5u7thp8tx3f0gnrnw8eh7lwdvpxnhc378ux4w7heqyu525k Sarah J Hoodlet @npub1fgl…4jl4 That's great progress! Not just in word count (which is amazing!), but that you're finding the free-style creative writing helpful. Don't worry about whether it's excessive or not. Write what you think is needed for the story (fanfic or not), then cull it back later. Good for you! I'm happy for you. 😊 npub1vdkvmhu9cjq5u7thp8tx3f0gnrnw8eh7lwdvpxnhc378ux4w7heqyu525k Sarah J Hoodlet #WritersCoffeeClub 8Nov-What does your most productive writing space look like? In my green office, with a tidy desk, instrumental music in the background, a cup of tea, and probably a cat nearby. That's where I write most days. But I can write almost anywhere, so long as I have minimal distractions. I'm sound sensitive, so I need relative quiet, or gentle background noise. Conversations distract me, so if my husband's on calls, I pop in my AirPods to drown him out. Noise canceling FTW. npub1vdkvmhu9cjq5u7thp8tx3f0gnrnw8eh7lwdvpxnhc378ux4w7heqyu525k Sarah J Hoodlet Oh, I've thought of another movie adaptation that was better than the book... The Muppet Christmas Carol! Don't laugh, you know it's true. 😆 #WritersCoffeeClub #SorryNotSorry npub1vdkvmhu9cjq5u7thp8tx3f0gnrnw8eh7lwdvpxnhc378ux4w7heqyu525k Sarah J Hoodlet #WritersCoffeeClub 4Nov- Have you ever seen a movie which was better than the book? Bladerunner - and I really enjoyed Do Androids Dream of Electric Sheep. But the movie gave the story a sort of noir feel, and I loved that. Could have just been Harrison Ford's charm, though.