#ScribesAndMakers #TTMD @SJHoodlet
When writing the book for your nephew, how much of the story was what you thought he specifically would like, and how much was what you thought would be a good story? How difficult was it to shift to a genre you hadn't written before?

@KurtHohmann @SJHoodlet I missed that conversation, but it sounds fun!

#ScribesAndMakers #TTMD @SJHoodlet

Many months ago, likely as the result of a typo, "Way of the *Welder* " came into brief discussion here on Masto: Jaslan in a welding helmet with sparks flying from her work like fire wysps.

Do you ever write—or even just envision—your characters in such wildly different scenarios, either to better understand them or simply for fun?

@saposcat #ScribesAndMakers #TTMD
TWOTW originates from my D&D days. In 2020, I started playing a noble sorceress with a terrible sense of direction. She spoke to me, and I needed to know her backstory. So I wrote it.

At first, it was just fun backstory I wrote after gaming sessions. I didn't intend to write a book. But when I realized it COULD be a book, things changed. I rewrote it in close 3rd person, edited the hell out of it, and eventually published.

Total time: about 3.5 years.

#ScribesAndMakers #TTMD @SJHoodlet Where did the idea for Way of the Wielder come from? How long did it take to write?

@grahamefleming #ScribesAndMakers #TTMD
Good Qs.

Most positive effect: improved mental health. My PR job made me numb to everything, and it's taken me 3 years to really recover from it.

Advice: Make sure you have proper support. Writing full time is wonderful, but it can get lonely. It's also financially challenging. (I recognize that I'm very fortunate to be in the position I'm in.)

I still favor identifying as a writer, but when I've said author, I was so proud of myself (a rarity).

#ScribesAndMakers
#TTMD
Aug 9

@SJHoodlet

You've made the jump in life to become a full-time author, a change that can bring its own risks and rewards.

But what have been the most positive effects on your life as a result of making the decision? And what encouraging advice would you give to others contemplating the same move in life.

Also when was the first time you answered 'author' when someone asked you what you did for a living? How did it make you feel to make that 'say it out loud' moment?

@HeliaXyana #ScribesAndMakers #TTMD
You always ask the most fun questions! 💚

Hmm. Well, it should benefit lots of species, so I'll say some kind of flower. One that attracts pollinators but also has medicinal abilities.

I'm envisioning deep purple petals, fading to lavender at the tips. A golden center, wide enough for bees to nap. Tall as a sunflower, with soft leaves good for wrapping wounds. And thick stemmed, where insects can burrow for safety.

Basically, a giant purple sunflower. 🌻

#ScribesAndMakers #TTMD @SJHoodlet

Hello Sarah! I've already had a bit too much coffee, so here's an odd, magical, hypothetical question for you. 💚

During the night, you're visited by the goddess of botany dressed in large rose pedals, who has enjoyed your novels to such an extent, she offers you the ability to design or imagine a plant and make it reality as a token of gratitude. What sort of plant are you making? Trees to moss, anything goes.

@anderlandbooks #ScribesAndMakers #TTMD
I love this question!

When I finish book 4 of TWOTW, I'll move onto my next series, The Tredania Chronicles (TC). It's not the same world as TWOTW, but it IS part of the same universe.

The greater universe is revealed more in book 3 (as you know). The way I've designed my stories is for all of them to connect in some way. There's a hint about how TC connects to TWOTW in book 3. 😉

But I'll return to TWOTW someday, for novellas and SC stories.

#ScribesAndMakers Aug 9 #TTMD with @SJHoodlet

Hi Sarah! I know only one book is left for The Way of the Wielder. I'm sure you'll continue writing - but will this be in the same universe or will you create something different?

@Ink_Soul #ScribesAndMakers #TTMD
Great question, and yes! I haven't solidified anything yet, but I have a few ideas.

1. A system where the magic is in the plants themselves, and amplified when picked and/or used in some way (medicinal, cooking, etc).

2. A world where the air is filled with magic, and it infuses the plants as wind blows and rain falls.

3. A world where flowers affect people's appearances. Hair color, skin texture, things like that.

It's fun to think about!

#ScribesAndMakers #TTMD @SJHoodlet Hi! When I read The Way of the Wielder, I was captivated by how you described gardens, flowers, etc. A while ago, you also gave some tips for my half-plant species (thank you!). All this rambling to ask: with your love and knowledge of gardening, have you ever wanted/have in your plans to write a world where plants and flowers take more of a central stage, maybe a magic system based around them, your own plant-like species, or something like that?

@gahlearner You’re welcome! And I’m so happy to hear that! As much as I’ll be sad (SO sad) for TWOTW to be over, I’ll be excited to get back to Tredania. 😊

Oh hey, it's International Cat Day!

Here are recent photos of our two beauties. 🐈‍⬛ 😻 🐈‍⬛

@securingdev
#BlackCat #CatsOfMastodon #Cats #InternationalCatDay #HousePanther

@gahlearner #ScribesAndMakers #TTMD
Haha, I love the rhyme! 😆

Rise of Iron is the first book in my next series, The Tredania Chronicles. I'm not actively writing that series right now, since my focus is on finishing The Way of the Wielder.

However, Rise of Iron is fully drafted. I'll do another round of editing later this year, then begin outlining book two. That series will be eight books, although I anticipate each will be shorter than TWOTW books.

#WritersCoffeeClub 8. What's a work you won't write but you'd like to see another writer take on?

I got nuthin.

This question feels related to writing fan-fiction somehow (which I can't write). Which doesn't make sense, (either my reaction to the question or the fan-fiction allergy, considering I enjoy reading it) but there it is.

Coming a week from today.

https://books2read.com/TheNightPlummerAndTheMockemortician

#ScribesAndMakers #Bookstodon #SelfPublishing #SelfPromo #selfpromotion #WritingCommunity

Reminder! I’m the featured creator for #ScribesAndMakers tomorrow! 🥳

No question is off the table. Seriously!

It can be about anything: my stories, the creative process, mental health, gardening, photography, rocks, other creative outlets, or anything else you want to know.

Don’t know what to ask? Bop around my website to get you started: https://sarahjhoodlet.com

Please tag me @ SJHoodlet @ writing.exchange (no spaces), and use the SAM hashtag and #TTMD.

See you tomorrow! 🤗

Feel the Rhythm! Feel the Rhyme!
Get on Up, It's Sarah's Time.

Welcome to our #ScribesAndMakers bonus #TTMD with @SJHoodlet

As usual I'm telling everyone that it's past midnight where I live, which gives me an excuse to ask my question early.

Here it is: Rise of Iron is mentioned on your website. Are you already actively writing the new series?

As always, please tag, and don't just copy but type the 3 tags. The links don't copy.

Did anyone recognize the 'slightly' altered movie quote?