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Sarah J. Carlson

@sjcarlsonauthor.bsky.social

Young Adult author of EVERYTHINGโ€™S NOT FINE (Kirkus YA Best Books of 2020 About Finding Inner Strength) and ALL THE WALLS OF BELFAST. ๐Ÿ‡จ๐Ÿ‡ฆ๐Ÿ‡บ๐Ÿ‡ธ living in Atlantic Canada. Seeking new representation. https://sjcarlsonauthor.com

277 Followers  |  452 Following  |  72 Posts  |  Joined: 21.03.2025  |  2.5594

Latest posts by sjcarlsonauthor.bsky.social on Bluesky

Yes! So much more efficient than scrolling! Iโ€™ve also been using select all for chapter word counts a lot on revisions and itโ€™s so helpful. An editor showed me that trick years ago and not a writing session goes by where Iโ€™m not navigating with that!

07.04.2025 01:54 โ€” ๐Ÿ‘ 2    ๐Ÿ” 0    ๐Ÿ’ฌ 0    ๐Ÿ“Œ 0

#writinglifemonthly Day 06 Share a writing resource

Figuring out how to use "Outline" mode in Word to make chapter headings "Level 1" text. When I open "Find" or "Navigation," it brings up chapter headings that I can instantly navigate to. I can also, in this menu, "select all" for the whole ch.

07.04.2025 01:10 โ€” ๐Ÿ‘ 7    ๐Ÿ” 0    ๐Ÿ’ฌ 1    ๐Ÿ“Œ 1

Me too!

06.04.2025 19:55 โ€” ๐Ÿ‘ 2    ๐Ÿ” 0    ๐Ÿ’ฌ 0    ๐Ÿ“Œ 0

๐Ÿ™Œ๐Ÿ™Œ๐Ÿ™Œ

06.04.2025 10:48 โ€” ๐Ÿ‘ 1    ๐Ÿ” 0    ๐Ÿ’ฌ 0    ๐Ÿ“Œ 0

๐Ÿ™Œ๐Ÿ™Œ๐Ÿ™Œ

06.04.2025 10:48 โ€” ๐Ÿ‘ 1    ๐Ÿ” 0    ๐Ÿ’ฌ 0    ๐Ÿ“Œ 0

Had so much fun during #1stLinePit. It inspired me to make a bunch of promo material (which Iโ€™ve been putting off), and now I remember how much I enjoy creating visuals. Also so great to see all the writerly support. Iโ€™ve missed that! Thanks @1stlinepit.bsky.social! #amwriting #writingcommunity

06.04.2025 10:05 โ€” ๐Ÿ‘ 16    ๐Ÿ” 0    ๐Ÿ’ฌ 0    ๐Ÿ“Œ 0

๐Ÿ™Œ๐Ÿ™Œ Iโ€™ve loved making the connections as well! Iโ€™ve missed that about the old Twitter writing community days before Elon ruined it.

06.04.2025 09:59 โ€” ๐Ÿ‘ 0    ๐Ÿ” 0    ๐Ÿ’ฌ 0    ๐Ÿ“Œ 0
Video thumbnail

Iโ€™m terrified Iโ€™ve already become a fallen child starโ€”burnt out before my eighteenth birthday.

Until the call.

#AgentsGuide for PLAY TO MY HEART in reply to this post.

#1stLinePit #Q #YA #R #LF #CON #amquerying

05.04.2025 12:06 โ€” ๐Ÿ‘ 59    ๐Ÿ” 26    ๐Ÿ’ฌ 4    ๐Ÿ“Œ 1

Plus I made some good connections in the old YA Twitter community years ago from all over the world who went on to be crit partners and friends I met IRL. So I am trying to reconnect. 2/2

06.04.2025 09:49 โ€” ๐Ÿ‘ 1    ๐Ÿ” 0    ๐Ÿ’ฌ 0    ๐Ÿ“Œ 0

I actually started a writing group where I live now, which is great! But I live in a pretty rural area and thereโ€™s not other YA writers. Itโ€™s also easier to connect with others at the same point in the writing journey (writing, querying, subbing, promoting, etc). 1/2

06.04.2025 09:47 โ€” ๐Ÿ‘ 1    ๐Ÿ” 0    ๐Ÿ’ฌ 1    ๐Ÿ“Œ 0

๐Ÿ™Œ๐Ÿ™Œ๐Ÿ™Œ itโ€™ll get easier each time!

06.04.2025 02:05 โ€” ๐Ÿ‘ 1    ๐Ÿ” 0    ๐Ÿ’ฌ 0    ๐Ÿ“Œ 0
Yellow Background.

Top left picture is an orange flower and orange Butterflies. Top right pic is two little girls in cowgirl hats and dresses facing a sunset in a field. 

Title is orange cursive The Adventures of Marigold and Daisy

Middle left pic is a rock house in a forest. Middle right is a weeping willow tree. 

The rest of the title with the same font Beautiful Butterflies  and a monarch butterfly. 

Bottom left pic is an old woman in overalls by a wall of orange flowers. Bottom right pic is a field of flowers.

Yellow Background. Top left picture is an orange flower and orange Butterflies. Top right pic is two little girls in cowgirl hats and dresses facing a sunset in a field. Title is orange cursive The Adventures of Marigold and Daisy Middle left pic is a rock house in a forest. Middle right is a weeping willow tree. The rest of the title with the same font Beautiful Butterflies and a monarch butterfly. Bottom left pic is an old woman in overalls by a wall of orange flowers. Bottom right pic is a field of flowers.

Black background.

Title in blue cursive font Luna and the Golden Owl

First line of piture left to right: A great horned owl sitting on a stump in a forest with sunshine, a meadow with clover flowers and a sunset. A shadowed guy in front of a sunset. 

Middle pictures left to right: A hawk, an eagle and a crow. 

Bottom pictures left to right: Moon and stars, a shadowed woman with backing sunlight, a white owl on the ground.

Bottom quote in blue cursive font: "Spread the light of love to everyone around you so that the world will be filled with this, the greatest of blessings."

Black background. Title in blue cursive font Luna and the Golden Owl First line of piture left to right: A great horned owl sitting on a stump in a forest with sunshine, a meadow with clover flowers and a sunset. A shadowed guy in front of a sunset. Middle pictures left to right: A hawk, an eagle and a crow. Bottom pictures left to right: Moon and stars, a shadowed woman with backing sunlight, a white owl on the ground. Bottom quote in blue cursive font: "Spread the light of love to everyone around you so that the world will be filled with this, the greatest of blessings."

Black background

Top left picture is of the fence and two buildings in Aushwitz. 

The top right is of an Auschwitz building with fall dead trees in front of it. 

Then in white font with teal edging it says the title The Girl Within. 

The middle left picture us a tank in a field. 

The middle right is the front of a large boat and a smaller boat on water. 

Then there's a quote that says "I swore never to be silent whenever and wherever human beings endure suffering and humiliation. We must always take side." - Elle Wiesel

The bottom left picture is a blonde girl in a brown jacket and a black press vest that says press in white. She's standing in front of a tall brown building with lots of windows. 

The bottom right pic is a crowd of protesters in front of a building.

Black background Top left picture is of the fence and two buildings in Aushwitz. The top right is of an Auschwitz building with fall dead trees in front of it. Then in white font with teal edging it says the title The Girl Within. The middle left picture us a tank in a field. The middle right is the front of a large boat and a smaller boat on water. Then there's a quote that says "I swore never to be silent whenever and wherever human beings endure suffering and humiliation. We must always take side." - Elle Wiesel The bottom left picture is a blonde girl in a brown jacket and a black press vest that says press in white. She's standing in front of a tall brown building with lots of windows. The bottom right pic is a crowd of protesters in front of a building.

Black background

Top left photo is a group of students high school age in front of a school from behind. The words in black and orange We were Students. Below that a tank coming down a mountain hill onto a road with a forest behind it. Then below people running into a building. Then 3 pans cooking food over a fire on a grate.

Top right photo: people on a trip type bus with a quote in war everyone loses. This truth can be seen in the eyes of every soldier of every world. Below that 9 jets flying in the sky. Below that people camping in a forest. Below that people camping in an open area by hills and a waterfall.

Quotes down the middle: it takes minute effort to start a war but I er a million effort to restore peace. To know your enemy you must become your enemy. In the end we. Will remember not the words of our enemies but the silence of our friends. War doesn't determine who's right, war determines who remains. Attack him where he in unprepared, appear where you are not expected.

Black background Top left photo is a group of students high school age in front of a school from behind. The words in black and orange We were Students. Below that a tank coming down a mountain hill onto a road with a forest behind it. Then below people running into a building. Then 3 pans cooking food over a fire on a grate. Top right photo: people on a trip type bus with a quote in war everyone loses. This truth can be seen in the eyes of every soldier of every world. Below that 9 jets flying in the sky. Below that people camping in a forest. Below that people camping in an open area by hills and a waterfall. Quotes down the middle: it takes minute effort to start a war but I er a million effort to restore peace. To know your enemy you must become your enemy. In the end we. Will remember not the words of our enemies but the silence of our friends. War doesn't determine who's right, war determines who remains. Attack him where he in unprepared, appear where you are not expected.

Here is my list for #1stLinePit #CMe

1. We Were Students
2. The Girl Within
3. Rutello: Maya, Warrior Queen
4. Find Me
5. The Compass
6. The Adventures of Marigold and Daisy: Beautiful Butterflies
7. Luna and the Golden Owl
8. Ghosts of Our Past
9. Kingdom of Treasures

05.04.2025 17:56 โ€” ๐Ÿ‘ 24    ๐Ÿ” 9    ๐Ÿ’ฌ 1    ๐Ÿ“Œ 0

Oh... wow.... I don't love trampoline parks generally, but that is extra special. I'm imagining loud pop music as well. Glad you survived!

06.04.2025 00:52 โ€” ๐Ÿ‘ 0    ๐Ÿ” 0    ๐Ÿ’ฌ 0    ๐Ÿ“Œ 0

โค๏ธโค๏ธโค๏ธ awww thatโ€™s hard.

05.04.2025 23:11 โ€” ๐Ÿ‘ 1    ๐Ÿ” 0    ๐Ÿ’ฌ 0    ๐Ÿ“Œ 0

Thank you! Yours rocks as well! East Coast Canada FTW. Repping time zones most Americans donโ€™t know exist haha.

05.04.2025 23:09 โ€” ๐Ÿ‘ 1    ๐Ÿ” 0    ๐Ÿ’ฌ 0    ๐Ÿ“Œ 0

Thaaanks!!! Iโ€™m hoping it is! โค๏ธโค๏ธโค๏ธ

05.04.2025 22:10 โ€” ๐Ÿ‘ 0    ๐Ÿ” 0    ๐Ÿ’ฌ 0    ๐Ÿ“Œ 0
A moodboard for THE BOG PRINCE. It features 9 images with an eerie, gothic vibe. 
Top row, L to R:
A pair of dirty hands reaching out of the dirt, an ominous iron gate, a couple's legs lying next to each other on the forest floor.
Middle row:
A steam train emerging from the fog, a dark haired woman in an Edwardian-style dress regarding herself in a mirror, the ruins of a stone castle shrouded in mist.
Bottom row:
A long-haired man lying on his back in the dirt (it just happens to be Hozier, but shhh), a misty bog with rolling hills in the background, a couple's lips leaning towards one another for a kiss.

A moodboard for THE BOG PRINCE. It features 9 images with an eerie, gothic vibe. Top row, L to R: A pair of dirty hands reaching out of the dirt, an ominous iron gate, a couple's legs lying next to each other on the forest floor. Middle row: A steam train emerging from the fog, a dark haired woman in an Edwardian-style dress regarding herself in a mirror, the ruins of a stone castle shrouded in mist. Bottom row: A long-haired man lying on his back in the dirt (it just happens to be Hozier, but shhh), a misty bog with rolling hills in the background, a couple's lips leaning towards one another for a kiss.

A graphic of a green, cloth-bound book over a library backdrop. The text on the book reads: The Bog Prince. Everin unleashes dark necromancy magic when she reanimates the bog body of her kingdom's long-lost prince. To conceal her forbidden power and solve his murder, they'll need to work together to unearth centuries of rewritten history. 
But some secrets are better left buried...

A graphic of a green, cloth-bound book over a library backdrop. The text on the book reads: The Bog Prince. Everin unleashes dark necromancy magic when she reanimates the bog body of her kingdom's long-lost prince. To conceal her forbidden power and solve his murder, they'll need to work together to unearth centuries of rewritten history. But some secrets are better left buried...

A passage of text on a green, cloth-bound book background. An illustration of a rabbit with a jawbone around its neck sits at the bottom corner. The text reads: After my mother died, the smell of smoke clung to me for days. It was tradition in Doverum to burn the dead. It had been for longer than anyone could remember, stretching back through generations in a never-ending cycle of life and death, flame and ash. The smell was as familiar as the scent of violet perfume, or the sting of seawater in my nose. But something about it changed for me on the day we burned Ma. The smoke burrowed in my hair, my skin. It draped like a cloak of death around my shoulders, impossible to shrug off. Ever since, Iโ€™d seen it as a bad omen. A reminder that all things would one day go up in flame.

A passage of text on a green, cloth-bound book background. An illustration of a rabbit with a jawbone around its neck sits at the bottom corner. The text reads: After my mother died, the smell of smoke clung to me for days. It was tradition in Doverum to burn the dead. It had been for longer than anyone could remember, stretching back through generations in a never-ending cycle of life and death, flame and ash. The smell was as familiar as the scent of violet perfume, or the sting of seawater in my nose. But something about it changed for me on the day we burned Ma. The smoke burrowed in my hair, my skin. It draped like a cloak of death around my shoulders, impossible to shrug off. Ever since, Iโ€™d seen it as a bad omen. A reminder that all things would one day go up in flame.

#1stLinePit
After my mother died, the smell of smoke clung to me for days.
It was tradition in Doverum to burn the dead. It had been for longer than anyone could remember, stretching back through generations in a never-ending cycle of life and death, flame and ash.๐Ÿ–ค
#WIP #YA #RF

05.04.2025 12:12 โ€” ๐Ÿ‘ 51    ๐Ÿ” 24    ๐Ÿ’ฌ 11    ๐Ÿ“Œ 1

It really is. On so many levels. Which is why I approached my husbandโ€™s pleading for a puppy with great reticence lol.

05.04.2025 22:09 โ€” ๐Ÿ‘ 1    ๐Ÿ” 0    ๐Ÿ’ฌ 0    ๐Ÿ“Œ 0

๐Ÿคž๐Ÿคž Iโ€™m always afraid to say it out loud becauseโ€”never failsโ€”I then find yet another thing that needs doing as soon as I dare utter the words haha.

05.04.2025 21:32 โ€” ๐Ÿ‘ 1    ๐Ÿ” 0    ๐Ÿ’ฌ 1    ๐Ÿ“Œ 0

Hey, Iโ€™m doing #1stLinePit from Nova Scotia! YA Contemporary. Itโ€™s been a few years since Iโ€™ve dabbling in hashtag pitches. Iโ€™ve definitely missed the writing community that can grow around it!

05.04.2025 21:29 โ€” ๐Ÿ‘ 9    ๐Ÿ” 1    ๐Ÿ’ฌ 1    ๐Ÿ“Œ 0

โ€œYouโ€™ll be swell, youโ€™ll be great, gonna have the whole world on a plate,โ€ My brother Tommy screamed.

๐ŸŽญ I always loved musicals so I joined my school's production of Legally Blonde.
๐Ÿ‘ฉ๐Ÿปโ€๐Ÿซ Except the director is a nightmare
๐Ÿ‘ง๐Ÿป Who loves to degrade me

Find out in Undesired Spotlight!
#1stLinePit #YA #Con

05.04.2025 17:05 โ€” ๐Ÿ‘ 28    ๐Ÿ” 6    ๐Ÿ’ฌ 0    ๐Ÿ“Œ 0
Post image Post image Post image Post image

#Q #YA #RF #1stLinePit
We run through the forest; the full moon is the only light we need. We know where we are going. A small group of warriors ready to take down the would-be usurper and all who protect him.

(my 8am post that I didn't click post on ๐Ÿ˜…)

05.04.2025 13:24 โ€” ๐Ÿ‘ 38    ๐Ÿ” 16    ๐Ÿ’ฌ 1    ๐Ÿ“Œ 1

Well I made the great life choice of staying up till 2 am finishing my book trailer for #1stLinePit only to spend the today getting a puppy, helping my hockey boy get used to his new helmet at the rink, and getting my daughter to and from
an impromptu bday party ๐Ÿ˜… #writermomlife

05.04.2025 21:26 โ€” ๐Ÿ‘ 13    ๐Ÿ” 1    ๐Ÿ’ฌ 1    ๐Ÿ“Œ 0

Me too! ๐Ÿ™Œ๐Ÿ™Œ

05.04.2025 21:22 โ€” ๐Ÿ‘ 2    ๐Ÿ” 0    ๐Ÿ’ฌ 0    ๐Ÿ“Œ 0

I have done this as well! ๐Ÿ˜ฌ๐Ÿ˜ฌ๐Ÿ˜ฌ

05.04.2025 21:21 โ€” ๐Ÿ‘ 1    ๐Ÿ” 0    ๐Ÿ’ฌ 0    ๐Ÿ“Œ 0

Also, building a writing community online and in person for support on my writing journey. Iโ€™ve definitely been missing it! Things fizzled for me during COVID unfortunately.

05.04.2025 21:14 โ€” ๐Ÿ‘ 1    ๐Ÿ” 0    ๐Ÿ’ฌ 1    ๐Ÿ“Œ 0

Taking feedback and constructive criticism and using it to push me forward to improve my craft, rather than giving up or settling.

05.04.2025 21:12 โ€” ๐Ÿ‘ 1    ๐Ÿ” 0    ๐Ÿ’ฌ 0    ๐Ÿ“Œ 0

Itโ€™s not catastrophic, but for one of my novels, I had too many crit partners and people helping me with my query materials, which led to me doubting my own instincts and then taking things in wrong direction. That cost me months of rewrites.

05.04.2025 21:11 โ€” ๐Ÿ‘ 2    ๐Ÿ” 0    ๐Ÿ’ฌ 0    ๐Ÿ“Œ 0

Great graphics!

05.04.2025 20:09 โ€” ๐Ÿ‘ 1    ๐Ÿ” 0    ๐Ÿ’ฌ 1    ๐Ÿ“Œ 0

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