Sarah J Hoodlet

~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Writer of #Fantasy / #FantasyRomance (still unpublished, for now)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."

Public Key

npub1vdkvmhu9cjq5u7thp8tx3f0gnrnw8eh7lwdvpxnhc378ux4w7heqyu525k

NIP-05 Address

SJHoodlet_at_writing.exchange@mostr.pub

Profile Code

nprofile1qqsxxmxdm7zufq2w09msn4ng5h5f3ehruml0hxkqnfmuglr7r2h0tusprpmhxue69uhhyetvv9ujumn0wdmksetjv5hxxmmdqyt8wumn8ghj7un9d3shjtnwdaehgu3wvfskueqv34zn7

Publishing to

relay.noswhere.com

relay.nostr.band

relay.mostr.pub

Author Public Key

npub1vdkvmhu9cjq5u7thp8tx3f0gnrnw8eh7lwdvpxnhc378ux4w7heqyu525k

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Last Notes

2024-07-31 09:03:15

#WordWeavers 31Jul—Which of your characters would be the last survivor in a horror movie?
All of the MCs would survive. That's just how I roll.
(I hate seeing characters I like die. This is the reason why I don't watch horror movies, or read horror novels—well, that, and I don't enjoy being scared.)

2024-07-27 12:10:17

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@npub1k24…26zw Haha, caught that, did you? 😆
You can probably guess who they are, but I’ll say nothing!

2024-06-16 14:32:20

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

2024-05-17 12:18:02

#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. 😆

2024-03-29 18:00:08

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@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. 😬 😅

2024-03-29 16:46:51

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@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). 🤗

2024-03-29 12:20:42

#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.

2023-11-15 12:03:52

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@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.

2023-10-20 12:29:29

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@npub1psd…9sr7 @npub1k4e…4d28 Considering how hard it is to break into the traditional market, I find this comment disheartening. 😔

2023-10-03 15:06:22

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@npub10d5…vvxa I, for one, welcome our evil adverb overlords. 😆
I know they shouldn't be overused, but a well placed adverb can add so much feeling to a scene! I'll never stop using them—Stephen King can go pound sand. (I said what I said.)

2023-10-03 08:39:31

#WordWeavers 3Oct- How do you convey your characters’ emotions?
Often, and with many adverbs. 😆
In all seriousness, it's a combination of dialogue, inner thought, and body language. There's no specific equation, it's whatever the character or scene requires. The most important thing is that the reader feels it.
As an empathetic person (and a HSP), emotions are one of my favorite things to write (and read). And if I'm allowed to pride myself on one thing, it's how I convey them in my stories.

2023-10-02 11:02:34

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@npub1cz0…wk5s Definitely! Doing what you enjoy is so important to overall mental (and physical) health.
I spent way too long being taken advantage of by leadership who refused to promote me because I was too good at my job (promoting me would mean I had less time to work on capital projects).
I'll be so happy if I never have to work with "leadership" like that again. But if I do, at least now I know my self-worth. That's half the battle.

2023-10-02 09:49:02

#WritersCoffeeClub 2Oct- How often do you write in a typical week?
I'm very fortunate to have a spouse who encouraged me to [leave my soul-sucking, depression-inducing, "going nowhere" job and] pursue writing FT.
For the last 16 months, I've been writing (or editing) almost every day. Definitely more than a FT job. 😅
When I was working, I made time to write, mostly before/after work and weekends. In hindsight, I quiet quit that job to write, and I regret nothing (except not leaving sooner).

2023-10-01 14:09:13

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@npub10d5…vvxa Thank you! ☺️ I had something similar for my pitch when I queried it last fall. It went nowhere, but I guess I should keep this for when I need a blurb in the future!

2023-09-22 14:21:39

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@npub10d5…vvxa I like that analogy. 🙂 Not that there's anything inherently wrong with white bread and water. Sometimes that's all we need or want.
But I usually want complexity. Give me filet mignon with caramelized onions, roasted herb veggies, and a glass of Cabernet Sauvignon. 😋

2023-09-22 10:35:39

#WritersCoffeeClub 22Sep- Would you consider collaborating on a book?
Honestly? Probably not.
I find writing to be very personal. I've processed some difficult things through my stories, and I'm not sure if collaborating would give me that same sense of fulfillment.
I know that sounds so selfish. 😔
I'm not against discussing ideas, though. The Way of the Wielder started as backstory to Jaslan's D&D character, so there was collaboration there (at first, anyway—the story's so much more now).

2023-09-21 21:54:39

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@npub1cz0…wk5s I'm sure that kind of experience will not only make querying easier (as far as the process), but also hardening you for rejection (as horrible as that sounds).
I think it could be different because it's something you personally wrote, but maybe not.
And thanks! I've queried 16 agents. If I don't get a bite from any, I'll reassess and—most likely—self-publish that as well. We'll see...

2023-09-16 13:45:36

#WordWeavers 16Sep- How are people like your antagonist viewed?
Higher classes either approve of the High Chancellor or tolerate her. They see her acting in their best interest, and believe the rest of society should act accordingly.
Lower classes (the majority) hate her. The atrocities they experience on a daily basis have bred angst and unrest, and the High Chancellor is responsible for letting those experiences continue.
Let's just say, society is ripe for a change in leadership...

2023-09-14 12:38:41

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@npub10d5…vvxa Thats a good rule, and in general, I’m the same way.
However, with the antagonist in Rise of Iron (the High Chancellor), I based her off my former manager - but I didn’t know her outside of work. I knew she was a mother, and that she was well educated, but nothing other than that.
In that way, it feels less like I used her as a person, and more like the idea of her. That is, of what bad *leadership* is, not what a bad *person* is. If that makes sense.

2023-09-11 10:23:22

#WordWeavers 11Sep- What would you do if you met your antagonist?
I *have* met my antagonist. At least, who she's based on. So, what did I do?
I left my job to pursue writing full time — then wrote a story about how power-hungry leadership is a stain on society. I wrote about the downfall of her empire, and the rising of those she tried to keep down.
I'm not usually that vindictive or resentful, but I won't deny the premise makes for a great story. And hot damn, was it cathartic.

2023-09-11 09:53:47

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@npub1cz0…wk5s I read one of my shitty first drafts recently. Yikes. 😂

2023-09-10 19:21:14

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@npub1fgl…4jl4 The Niners are a fairly good team. The Steelers haven't been good since Roethlisburger left (IMO).

2023-09-10 15:28:57

One thing I bought for myself at the Ren Faire were three energy stones (chakra in parentheses).
-Tiger's Eye (root, sacral, and solar plexus) - prosperity, creativity, strength
-Ocean Jasper (solar plexus, heart, throat) - communication, self-confidence, balance
-Iolite (throat) - vision, imagination, wisdom
I've always been fascinated by the #energy / #chakra in stones. I like to think they work, but even if they don't they're pretty meditation stones.
Do you believe that rocks have energy?
https://cdn.masto.host/writing/media_attachments/files/111/041/486/749/198/928/original/eec748fabaee041d.jpeg

2023-08-09 11:10:05

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And I don't mean to imply that there aren't romances that end this way, but it seems like a majority of them *do* end with MCs having babies. Why can't it be that they're just two adults in love, and happy, doing their own thing?
I'll explore this more with Rise of Iron (for reasons that are spoilers), because I think it's really important for adults to be portrayed as being happy while childless.

2023-08-09 11:03:58

#WritingWonders 9Aug- Does your MC have / do they want children?
None of my MCs have children. Jaslan & Jack want kids, Emery's impartial, and Vince... it's complicated.
On a personal note, suffering through infertility for years makes this difficult for me. I'll likely gloss over MCs having babies in the future because I can't put myself in their shoes, and that hurts.
I wish more romances had HEAs w/o MCs having babies. Just have them be happy together, you know? 😕

2023-07-25 18:02:03

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@npub1k24…26zw I suppose that's good, though. It's nice to enjoy your own work so much that you can't choose a favorite! 😊

2023-07-25 17:51:28

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@npub1k24…26zw Oh jeez! I think I do, but it depends on my mood.
I personally think I'm really good at describing emotions. I have beautifully worded paragraphs about Vince supporting Emery through a depressive episode. And their feelings for each other growing stronger. And Emery finding her confidence and strength.
My world building isn't too bad, either. The Midnight Sea. A waterfall. The meadow. An orchard.
Now that I'm thinking about it, I don't know if I could pick just one! 😅

2023-05-27 19:49:31

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@npub10d5…vvxa Yeah... there's a lot of heartache in them (separately) at the beginning. I saved this to my writing playlist on YouTube... I have a feeling I'll be going back to it a lot for book 1.