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Writer of #Fantasy / #FantasyRomance (still unpublished, for now)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

nprofile1qqsxxmxdm7zufq2w09msn4ng5h5f3ehruml0hxkqnfmuglr7r2h0tuspz4mhxue69uhhyetvv9ujumt0wd68ytnsw43q3c7u8q

Publishing to

relay.mostr.pub

Author Public Key

npub1vdkvmhu9cjq5u7thp8tx3f0gnrnw8eh7lwdvpxnhc378ux4w7heqyu525k

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Last Notes

2024-10-08 19:14:49

Edits are done with Mysteries of the Material! 🥳
Now to upload it to Vellum, format it all nice and pretty, and give it a read-through on my Kindle so I can find those pesky errors.
Once that's done, I'll be reaching out to a couple of folks for ARCs. If you've read The Way of the Wielder and want to be an advanced reader for book two (which is being published seven weeks from today), let me know!
#WritingCommunity #Writing #Editing #Publishing #Author

2024-08-26 12:23:20

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@npub1ggh…ykhp Thank you! You're so kind, to do a shout out for my book. ☺️ 🙏

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!

2024-07-27 11:18:23

#WordWeavers 27Jul-Do your MC's dreams change during the story?
There are 5 MCs in book 2. All of them have changeable dreams (not all on page).
Jaslan & Francis are processing (recovering from) what happens in book one. Their nightmares are unforgiving, understandably.
Other things cause Jaslan's dreams to change, although they're book 2 spoilers.
Jack's dreams are also shifty, for different (spoilery) reasons.
Serge & Yara have dreams relating to Jaslan & Francis. That's all I'll say. 🤐

2024-07-21 10:16:12

#WordWeavers 21Jul- What foods are considered fashionable in your world?
I've never thought of food this way!
Jaslan & Jack are high nobles, so they're exposed to more "fashionable" food than most. Things like duck and southern spices are fashionable where they're from (for the rarity).
In the south (near the kingdom's capital), warm climate fruits and exotic spices are fashionable. They're also more commonplace. It's not their existence, but how they're prepared, that makes them fashionable.

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.

2024-03-20 19:23:25

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@npub1k74…dmux Thank you—so much—for saying this. I feel like I'm on here more than I should be, and I often beat myself up over it. 🥺
But I rarely speak to anyone other than my husband and a couple of close friends in a group text message. Sometimes, I just need to "talk to" other people. Sometimes, I just want to interact with other writers, and not bore my husband/friends with details about characters and plots.
The struggle is real. So, thank you for the reminder. 💜

2024-03-20 11:57:06

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@npub16uc…k62q @npub1k74…dmux Does your MC have any pets? If so, what are they?

2024-02-29 19:25:10

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@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!

2024-02-24 12:57:06

#PennedPossibilities 234- What's your "kryptonite" as a writer?
Myself.
Most of the time I put on a good face, supporting others and trying to be confident in my abilities.
But the truth? The real, vulnerable truth?
Deep down, a part of me thinks I'm not good enough.
I love writing. And I *want* to be a good writer. So, I continue absorbing knowledge, continue seeking feedback, and continue trying. That's all I can do.
But sometimes, I don't think it will ever be enough. 🥺

2024-01-26 23:59:57

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@npub1k74…dmux Holy moly, how is it already almost February?! 😬 Thanks for putting these together!

2024-01-23 15:20:28

I just remembered—I published a new blog post last night!
Sometimes, the #WritersCoffeeClub and #WordWeavers prompts serve as good inspiration for a blog post. I hope that's okay with the hosts (if it's not, please let me know and I won't do this in the future).
Enjoy! ☺️
https://sarahjhoodlet.com/blog/whats-in-a-name/
#Writer #Blog #WritingCommunity

2023-12-14 10:03:32

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@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. 💚

2023-11-29 10:21:34

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@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! 💚

2023-11-26 21:02:28

I'm about to get feedback from my editor on The Way of the Wielder, and I'm *so* nervous! 😬
She's been emailing me updates regularly, saying how much she loves the story and characters, but I can't stop myself from expecting the worst.
It doesn't help that this is the first time I've ever paid for professional editing for my work. I have no idea what to expect, and that's terrifying to me!
#Writer #WritingCommunity #SelfPublishing #IndieAuthor

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.

2023-11-13 16:12:23

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@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!

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!

2023-10-01 10:16:32

#WritersCoffeeClub 1Oct- Shameless self-promo. What's your WIP? What's it about?
Hi there! I'm Sarah, a still unpublished fantasy romance writer. To date, I have completed 3 books across 2 series.
This month I'm working on editing book 2 in The Way of the Wielder series (book 1 is by the same name). This story follows Jaslan & Jack, whom I've talked about at length (ad nauseam?). A quick blurb is attached.
This story is my heart. I'm also focusing on it for #WordWeavers this month. 🙂
https://cdn.masto.host/writing/media_attachments/files/111/159/173/139/702/569/original/b7fb7caef2303e47.png

2023-09-30 12:51:43

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@npub1k74…dmux Haha, it's alright, I got the gist (could always blame the cats)! 😆

2023-09-27 15:34:23

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@npub10d5…vvxa @npub1vmn…r9uz Older witches are so undervalued in witch stories. I'd love to read a novel about a coven of older witches. And I don't mean witches who are 100+ and look 20, but *older looking witches*. Mysticism and badassery.

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).

2023-09-22 10:14:27

#WordWeavers 22Sep- Do you purposely use symbolism in your story?
Oh yes! I have lots of symbolism in my stories, especially in Jack & Jaslan's (for reasons).
When done right (and not overly done), I think symbolism adds depth and intrigue to a story.
As authors, it's another tool we can use to connect to our readers, and it allows us to add our own flair. How things are interpreted is so personal, which often lends to a more immersive experience.
And isn't that the goal?
(It's my goal.)

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...

2023-09-21 17:45:01

When an agent/agency is open to "women's fiction, fantasy, romance, and magical realism", but your MS (which fits into most of those categories) is rejected...
Do agents even know what they want? And why is it industry etiquette to say we've been rejected? That seems unnecessarily cruel.
Anyway, 2 rejections today (from queries I submitted yesterday), and the day's still young. I still have 11 queries out there. Hopefully I'll get a bite.
#WritingCommunity #AmQuerying

2023-09-17 18:42:40

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@npub1fgl…4jl4 You too! The Dolphins have come along way the last couple of years. The Pats... not so much. We'll need all the luck we can get!

2023-09-17 18:31:09

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@npub1fgl…4jl4 Do you get any other games? The Bills are playing the Raiders right now, it's a good game!
(Don't worry, NE is probably going to get schooled by MIA, so you won't miss much. Spoken as a NE fan. 😆)

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.

2023-09-13 09:25:47

#WritersCoffeeClub 13Sep- Do you derive joy from writing? In what way?
I absolutely do.
At first, writing was my constant companion. It helped me through depression, infertility, a stagnant career. It gave me an outlet—a way to process my experiences and emotions in a healthy manner.
I derive so much joy from writing that I (after some supportive prodding from @npub19v0…xvkg) left that stagnant career to do it full time. Over a year later, I'm so glad I took that leap. I've never been happier.

2023-09-12 13:02:44

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@npub10d5…vvxa Gorgeous! I bet the air was also nice and clean.

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

2023-08-11 10:05:24

#WritingWonders 11Aug- MC POV: If you had to give your closest friend one piece of advice, what would it be? Why?
As is often the case when Jack & Jaslan answer together, this is too long for a single toot. 😅 See attached for their responses!
https://cdn.masto.host/writing/media_attachments/files/110/870/394/998/748/057/original/47e7bd918271d3a1.png

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? 😕

2023-08-01 15:23:31

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@npub1fgl…4jl4 Every character I create has some of me in them (even the ones I’ve created based on people in my life). It’s hard not to put some of us in them - they’re in our heads, after all!

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! 😅

2023-07-25 13:26:02

#PennedPossibilities 20- MC POV: Describe your favorite photograph.
So, I read this question as "describe your favorite paragraph", and got *really* confused. 😆
Emery & Vince live in a world without cameras, so I've got nothing in that regard.
However, when Emery first visits the palace, Jameson's identifying people they see coming and going. Here's a short snippet that's somewhat related to the question.
(Note: They don't have art in the Cave Cities.)
https://cdn.masto.host/writing/media_attachments/files/110/774/923/052/666/162/original/f55b0eb7748bd938.png

2023-07-19 16:31:44

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@npub1fgl…4jl4 @npub10d5…vvxa Honestly, I thought I had my characters nailed down before I started my current WIP, and they changed as the story unfolded.
IMO, give them just enough to get started, and let the rest come alive as you go. Characters have a way of telling you what's needed for them, and for the story. Trust them (unless they're an antagonist... never trust the antagonist 😂).

2023-07-16 14:53:03

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@npub18jm…my9f @npub1vmn…r9uz I wrote a "first time" sex scene between Jack & Jaslan (Jaslan's a virgin). I thought it was really important to include, considering how Jaslan was treated before (assaulted). It's completely consensual and trusting, and while it's sex, it's also incredibly emotionally intimate.
It's the only time you see them have sex in that book. Everything else is the lead up to or after moments, which are *the best* to write (and read). 🥰

2023-07-04 08:11:46

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@npub18jm…my9f Yeah, my characters have a hard time fitting into one as well. I went with what fit best 😅
I’ve never done MB for them. I think I’d be too likely to answer for myself, and they’d all end up INFJ’s when most of them probably aren’t (Emery might be). 😂

2023-07-03 16:21:18

Today's #WritingWonders question has me thinking about where my MC's fall on the alignment chart.
At the beginning Jack's chaotic good, while Jaslan's lawful good. As their story develops, they dip a bit into the neutral row, but never into evil (which I save for antagonists).
The same is true of Emery and Vince, although their story is less developed, so we'll see how it goes.
Does anyone else use the alignment chart as a measure for their MC's?
#WritingCommunity
https://cdn.masto.host/writing/media_attachments/files/110/650/998/904/664/710/original/9c1de300d2744a7c.png

2023-06-30 11:04:57

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@npub18jm…my9f I stand by the opinion that Iris is one of the best songs ever written. Like, ever. Definitely a top 5 song of mine!

2023-06-30 09:02:33

#WritingWonders 30June- Do you have a playlist for your book or MCs that you’d like to share?
I can't listen to lyrics while writing, but there are songs that make me think about the story! Here are some, more or less in order of the story's progression.
(Yes there's lots of GGD... I grew up in the 90s, okay? Don't judge. 😂)
Iris – Goo Goo Dolls
Name – Goo Goo Dolls
Black Balloon – Goo Goo Dolls
Devour – Disturbed
Uprising – Muse
Lose Yourself – Eminem
Follow You, Follow Me – Genesis

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.

2023-05-27 19:32:49

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In light of today's #WritingWonders question, here's the music I'm currently listening to whilst I write. The scene is one where Emery and Vince are talking about their homes. Both fall quiet and deeply thoughtful as Vince plays his guitar.
The next few chapters will have this sort of melancholic tone, so this might be my music of choice for a week or so.
https://youtu.be/KblVKSxNr5Q

2023-05-27 12:38:14

#WritingWonders 27May- What genre of music fits best with your WIP?
I want to say instrumental Hawaiian / acoustic guitar music, since it's a fantasy world with dozens of tropical and sub-tropical island nations (current WIP focuses on just one), and Vince and his guitar 🥰.
However, because there's metal magic and the whole "Golds are bastards, and there's societal change afoot" thing, I want to say punk/alternative rock.
It can be both, right?
#WritingCommunity #fantasy