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Mariah Friend @mariahfriend.bsky.social · 2h

When your heart wants something you're not ready for...yet. 🦋

#WIPsnips #ThePatternShop #indieauthor #debut

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Mariah Friend @mariahfriend.bsky.social · 2h

Thank you! I'm hoping to publish in early December of this year! What genre do you write?

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Mariah Friend @mariahfriend.bsky.social · 2h

You said boomerang
But it was more like a ricochet
Ten years later
the ache
Still bounces around my heart
Like an old radiator
Clanging awake

-Mariah Friend

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Mariah Friend @mariahfriend.bsky.social · 17h

Yes! I'm self-publishing my first novel, THE PATTERN SHOP about a young nurse who can't save her family or her patients, so quits everything to go backpacking but repeating the same patterns she's trying to escape. 🦋

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Mariah Friend @mariahfriend.bsky.social · 18h

For all the creatives who've been told "consistency is the only thing that matters" only to realize it's actually harming their work.

#writersky #writingcommunity #creative #selfcare

thebarefootbeat.substack.com/p/why-consis...

Why consistency doesn't work for me

What a week of pink eye + solo parenting taught me about creativity

thebarefootbeat.substack.com

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Mariah Friend @mariahfriend.bsky.social · 23h

P.S. Here’s my playlist for the last chapter of THE PATTERN SHOP, my debut novel. This chapter is where Eleanorah finally decides to go to Ghana (despite her hesitation) before reuniting with her romantic interest, Lucas for the final time in France.

open.spotify.com/playlist/6pe...

Hope is Not Yet Finished

open.spotify.com

Mariah Friend @mariahfriend.bsky.social · 23h

How can you make your writing 3D?

Some ideas:

1. Create a playlist to go with your story
2. Make a “mood-board” to capture the vibe visually
3. Print out some of the pages into a mini zine

Have you ever tried this? I’d love to hear what resonates with you!

#writersky #indieauthors #creativity

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Mariah Friend @mariahfriend.bsky.social · 5d

I totally get it! It can add up quickly. Best of luck finding the right designer for you!

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Mariah Friend @mariahfriend.bsky.social · 5d

“It’s a minefield, Tom. You never know what’s good…It’s a minefield! It’s a goddam minefield! We may be sowing the seeds of our own destruction.” -Director of Forrest Gump

Today, walk through the minefield with courage and trust that what you're doing is important. 💗

#writersky #creativity

Mariah Friend @mariahfriend.bsky.social · 5d

I found a great cover designer on @reedsy.bsky.social! Super professional and collaborative.

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Mariah Friend @mariahfriend.bsky.social · 10d

A friend asked me what THE PATTERN SHOP (coming soon!) was about and I totally botched it. 😬

Here's my redo:

It's about a nurse who can't save her family or her patients, so she quits and backpacks around the world—but keeps making the same mistakes. 🦋

#writersky #literaryfiction #indieauthor

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Mariah Friend @mariahfriend.bsky.social · 10d

This is a cool project @sarahshotts.com is putting together! A picture book about autism.

shop.sarahshotts.com/product/how-...

How It Feels to Me (Preorder) Limited Edition Hardcover

This is a preorder. Books will be delivered after the editing and proofing process is complete. We will reach out to confirm addresses when the...

shop.sarahshotts.com

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Mariah Friend @mariahfriend.bsky.social · 11d

Writing a memoir turned fiction is like taking blocks of fabric (real events that happened) and re-arranging them into patterns, stitching them together and hoping it holds.

AND that it's beautiful. 🦋

#ThePatternShop #writersky #indieauthor #literaryfiction

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Mariah Friend @mariahfriend.bsky.social · 13d

When you're a solo female traveler and the advice is "never walk alone." 🫠🦋

#WIPSnips #writersky #indieauthor

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Mariah Friend @mariahfriend.bsky.social · 14d

A rainy day poem:

"You said boomerang
But it was more like a ricochet
Ten years later
the ache
Still bounces around my heart
Like an old radiator
Clanging awake"

-Mariah Friend

#poetry #writersky #writingcommunity

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Mariah Friend @mariahfriend.bsky.social · 18d

Thank you! I'm excited about it all coming together! 😊

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Mariah Friend @mariahfriend.bsky.social · 18d

Still honing my elevator pitch for The Pattern Shop (coming soon)! 🦋

"A young woman escapes her apocalyptic Midwestern upbringing to study nursing in Chicago, only to discover that you can’t outrun yourself, and that saving everyone else won’t save you."

What do you think?

#writersky #indieauthor

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Mariah Friend @mariahfriend.bsky.social · 18d

Hi Amanda, I queried for two years before deciding to self-publish, hang in there! I have a lovely writer's community over on Substack with a weekly chat where we check in and support each other. You're welcome to join us!

open.substack.com/chat/posts/0...

Mariah Friend in Heartbeats

✏️Weekly Writers Chat✏️ Hi lovelies! Today I've been thinking a lot about hope, resilience, and finding the glimmers--those fleeting, shimmery moments of joy, delight, or comfort we stubmle upon unex...

open.substack.com

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Reposted by Mariah Friend

Split Lip Magazine @splitlipthemag.bsky.social · 20d

🚨 Last call! 🚨 Today is the last day to apply for our volunteer Fiction & Flash reader roles. Get your applications in by tonight! buff.ly/X3932x5

Split Lip Magazine is looking for flash and fiction readers. Apply online September 24 through October 1. splitlip.submittable.com

8 15

Mariah Friend @mariahfriend.bsky.social · 18d

I got to talk about The Pattern Shop on my first podcast!

This book is for readers who love:

🦋Coming of age stories
🌎Immersive settings and travelogues
🌱Finding fragile hope in a chaotic world full of possibility

substack.com/home/post/p-...

#indieauthor #ThePatternShop #selfpub #writersky

The Pattern Shop with Writer, Mariah Friend

A journey of self discovery and belonging as we explore Mariah's upcoming book, The Pattern Shop.

substack.com

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Reposted by Mariah Friend

Grist @grist.org · 19d

"Every single one of you has that indomitable spirit. But so many people don’t let it out. They don’t realize the power they have to influence and change the world. And so I’m saying to you, let your indomitable spirit make a difference."
— Jane Goodall, March 30, 2024,

grist.org/looking-forw...

Jane Goodall’s legacy of empathy, curiosity, and courage

As the iconic scientist and activist celebrates her 90th birthday, her message for younger generations is one of hope — and not fearing the next adventure.

grist.org

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Mariah Friend @mariahfriend.bsky.social · 20d

When you grow up to become a nurse but still remember the childish innocence of your past. 🦋

#WIPSnips #writersky #ThePatternShop #writingcommunity

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Mariah Friend @mariahfriend.bsky.social · 24d

If you're a creative mama/caregiver, this letter is for you. 💗

thebarefootbeat.substack.com/p/a-star-is-...

#creativity #writersky #motherhood #writingcommunity

A star is born

On the inward pull of gravity, collapse, and finding light in the darkness

thebarefootbeat.substack.com

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Mariah Friend @mariahfriend.bsky.social · 25d

When you hear a song for the first time and can't stop playing it and then look up the lyrics and it's basically the theme of your whole book. 😂

open.spotify.com/track/2RJnW5...

#ThePatternShop #debutnovel #literaryfiction #writersky

Cursive (feat. Manchester Orchestra)

open.spotify.com

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Mariah Friend @mariahfriend.bsky.social · 27d

Anyone else write material so deeply personal and emotional that revising/editing it each time feels like re-living it all over again?

No? Just me for the last 10+ years working on The Pattern Shop?

Cool. Cool.🤦‍♀️😂

#debutauthor #writersky #writingcommunity

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