Scarlet Mitchell
@scarletvmitchell.bsky.social
Writer in multiple genres (pen name of Kristine Page), eclectic pagan polytheist, anthropology nerd, Bowie fan, Aikidoka, recently took up guitar, she/her
Pinned
a cartoon girl is holding a rope and says `` okay , i can do this . ''
Alt: a cartoon girl is holding a rope and says `` okay , i can do this . ''
media.tenor.com
Thread of self-publishing advice-seeking from the #WritingCommunity!
As I prepare to release my debut novel this year, I am very naive about the process!
I’m looking for overall advice, cautions, and logistical suggestions.
How did you do it? What did and didn’t work well? What are my options?
As I prepare to release my debut novel this year, I am very naive about the process!
I’m looking for overall advice, cautions, and logistical suggestions.
How did you do it? What did and didn’t work well? What are my options?
Lol, the fucking AUDACITY of the beta who just quietly never finished beta-reading my smutty novellas after chapter 3 asking me to write smut for her own OCs.
What?
I mean, she is offering to pay, which is an interesting development, but, like, what?
I dont even know whats happening here.
What?
I mean, she is offering to pay, which is an interesting development, but, like, what?
I dont even know whats happening here.
a young boy is sitting on a couch making a funny face .
Alt: a young boy is sitting on a couch making a funny face . He looks confused
media.tenor.com
January 25, 2026 at 3:42 AM
Lol, the fucking AUDACITY of the beta who just quietly never finished beta-reading my smutty novellas after chapter 3 asking me to write smut for her own OCs.
What?
I mean, she is offering to pay, which is an interesting development, but, like, what?
I dont even know whats happening here.
What?
I mean, she is offering to pay, which is an interesting development, but, like, what?
I dont even know whats happening here.
Alt: cartoon of a man behind a desk “you want coal, we own the mines. You want oil, we own the wells, you want nuclear power, we own the uranium. You want solar power we… er… well solar power isnt feasable.”
January 25, 2026 at 3:27 AM
Alt: cartoon of a man behind a desk “you want coal, we own the mines. You want oil, we own the wells, you want nuclear power, we own the uranium. You want solar power we… er… well solar power isnt feasable.”
I think, in this vein, it was the TITLE of a song, not the song itself or its lyrics, that hit me at the right moment to inspire a novella.
TugboatWIP came from being introduced to this lovely song.
The song and story are deeply unrelated. 🤣🤷♀️
TugboatWIP came from being introduced to this lovely song.
The song and story are deeply unrelated. 🤣🤷♀️
January 25, 2026 at 3:17 AM
I think, in this vein, it was the TITLE of a song, not the song itself or its lyrics, that hit me at the right moment to inspire a novella.
TugboatWIP came from being introduced to this lovely song.
The song and story are deeply unrelated. 🤣🤷♀️
TugboatWIP came from being introduced to this lovely song.
The song and story are deeply unrelated. 🤣🤷♀️
#PretendPanel
It was a two-birds situation. I hated my first draft MC. I also has a villain problem (I hated the darkness v light framing).
When I decided darkness wasn’t the source of evil, I quickly realized that MC was a cute goth-girl and it really changed her so much! It was an exciting day!
It was a two-birds situation. I hated my first draft MC. I also has a villain problem (I hated the darkness v light framing).
When I decided darkness wasn’t the source of evil, I quickly realized that MC was a cute goth-girl and it really changed her so much! It was an exciting day!
#pretendpanel, once again, cannot wait to hear your answers to this one...
January 24th: Is there a significant change you can remember that was like a huge revelation for you? (whether in your process, or between drafts, whatever)
#WritingCommunity #Writers #Authors #WritingPrompts
January 24th: Is there a significant change you can remember that was like a huge revelation for you? (whether in your process, or between drafts, whatever)
#WritingCommunity #Writers #Authors #WritingPrompts
January 25, 2026 at 3:12 AM
#PretendPanel
It was a two-birds situation. I hated my first draft MC. I also has a villain problem (I hated the darkness v light framing).
When I decided darkness wasn’t the source of evil, I quickly realized that MC was a cute goth-girl and it really changed her so much! It was an exciting day!
It was a two-birds situation. I hated my first draft MC. I also has a villain problem (I hated the darkness v light framing).
When I decided darkness wasn’t the source of evil, I quickly realized that MC was a cute goth-girl and it really changed her so much! It was an exciting day!
Helena is getting a lecture on the creation of Hell. Lucifer can be a bit of a complicated character, but I think, here, we really see what initially drove him and why he continues to defend his realm.
January 25, 2026 at 2:56 AM
Helena is getting a lecture on the creation of Hell. Lucifer can be a bit of a complicated character, but I think, here, we really see what initially drove him and why he continues to defend his realm.
Reposted by Scarlet Mitchell
I took a walk to the park last night and found this message. It feels like the right moment to share this.
💛 And I mean it.
💛 And I mean it.
January 25, 2026 at 1:34 AM
I took a walk to the park last night and found this message. It feels like the right moment to share this.
💛 And I mean it.
💛 And I mean it.
WATER!
My pipes thawed! I came home from dinner to a sink full of water and all my faucets running! None overflowed!
I checked the crawlspace and everything initially looks dry from what I can see!
Im so relieved!
I hope the luck holds out and there was no damage!
My pipes thawed! I came home from dinner to a sink full of water and all my faucets running! None overflowed!
I checked the crawlspace and everything initially looks dry from what I can see!
Im so relieved!
I hope the luck holds out and there was no damage!
January 25, 2026 at 1:52 AM
WATER!
My pipes thawed! I came home from dinner to a sink full of water and all my faucets running! None overflowed!
I checked the crawlspace and everything initially looks dry from what I can see!
Im so relieved!
I hope the luck holds out and there was no damage!
My pipes thawed! I came home from dinner to a sink full of water and all my faucets running! None overflowed!
I checked the crawlspace and everything initially looks dry from what I can see!
Im so relieved!
I hope the luck holds out and there was no damage!
Oh good one!
Maybe styling myself in the morning; picking out what of my skirt collection and funky jewelry to sport.
Maybe listening to my favorite music, especially the less popular genres, like ambient.
Also, the way I get giggly and happy at a good aikido class.
Maybe styling myself in the morning; picking out what of my skirt collection and funky jewelry to sport.
Maybe listening to my favorite music, especially the less popular genres, like ambient.
Also, the way I get giggly and happy at a good aikido class.
Everything sucks, so what little things do you do that make you feel the most YOU?
January 25, 2026 at 1:17 AM
Oh good one!
Maybe styling myself in the morning; picking out what of my skirt collection and funky jewelry to sport.
Maybe listening to my favorite music, especially the less popular genres, like ambient.
Also, the way I get giggly and happy at a good aikido class.
Maybe styling myself in the morning; picking out what of my skirt collection and funky jewelry to sport.
Maybe listening to my favorite music, especially the less popular genres, like ambient.
Also, the way I get giggly and happy at a good aikido class.
#AwesomeCharacters
Leviathan- 🐍🏔🤤🥺🌏
Mr. Boothe- 😈🤑🍆😤
Michael- 🥰🩺☠️😈🔥🦿
(I didnt use one of the five for Boothe, so I gave Michael his spare 🤣)
Leviathan- 🐍🏔🤤🥺🌏
Mr. Boothe- 😈🤑🍆😤
Michael- 🥰🩺☠️😈🔥🦿
(I didnt use one of the five for Boothe, so I gave Michael his spare 🤣)
Tell me more about your #AwesomeCharacters
We did this once for main characters, but today let's do it for our antagonists!
Using 5 emojis or less, tell me about your antagonists! Capture their personality and/or role in the story!
#WriteSky #WritingCommunity #WritingPrompts
We did this once for main characters, but today let's do it for our antagonists!
Using 5 emojis or less, tell me about your antagonists! Capture their personality and/or role in the story!
#WriteSky #WritingCommunity #WritingPrompts
January 25, 2026 at 12:07 AM
#AwesomeCharacters
Leviathan- 🐍🏔🤤🥺🌏
Mr. Boothe- 😈🤑🍆😤
Michael- 🥰🩺☠️😈🔥🦿
(I didnt use one of the five for Boothe, so I gave Michael his spare 🤣)
Leviathan- 🐍🏔🤤🥺🌏
Mr. Boothe- 😈🤑🍆😤
Michael- 🥰🩺☠️😈🔥🦿
(I didnt use one of the five for Boothe, so I gave Michael his spare 🤣)
I do this frequently when imagining scenes.
I can be having the time of my life picturing my characters arguing and someone asks me what Im mad about. 😅
I can be having the time of my life picturing my characters arguing and someone asks me what Im mad about. 😅
#BookSky #WriterSky do you ever catch yourself making the sounds and facial gestures of your characters you write/read to get more into your book?
January 24, 2026 at 9:22 PM
I do this frequently when imagining scenes.
I can be having the time of my life picturing my characters arguing and someone asks me what Im mad about. 😅
I can be having the time of my life picturing my characters arguing and someone asks me what Im mad about. 😅
Baked ziti. Homemade.
Ive discovered that baked ziti is (controversial personal opinion) better than lasagna.
It carries almost the same flavor profile, but, when frozen, the ziti is much easier to reheat evenly, holds the al-dente texture better, and is a creamier/cheesier leftover.
🥰
Ive discovered that baked ziti is (controversial personal opinion) better than lasagna.
It carries almost the same flavor profile, but, when frozen, the ziti is much easier to reheat evenly, holds the al-dente texture better, and is a creamier/cheesier leftover.
🥰
It's hard to want to post creative things or thoughts right now because it all feels meaningless (it's not), so what's your favorite meal you've had recently?
January 24, 2026 at 7:05 PM
Baked ziti. Homemade.
Ive discovered that baked ziti is (controversial personal opinion) better than lasagna.
It carries almost the same flavor profile, but, when frozen, the ziti is much easier to reheat evenly, holds the al-dente texture better, and is a creamier/cheesier leftover.
🥰
Ive discovered that baked ziti is (controversial personal opinion) better than lasagna.
It carries almost the same flavor profile, but, when frozen, the ziti is much easier to reheat evenly, holds the al-dente texture better, and is a creamier/cheesier leftover.
🥰
Reposted by Scarlet Mitchell
#Critterary
I love ferrets.🥰
But I did make my ferrets evil. (They would have wanted it that way!🥰)
We'll, little ermines anyhow.
They first appear as ball-lightening, but we later see they are nasty, vicious little demon weasels.🥰
I love ferrets.🥰
But I did make my ferrets evil. (They would have wanted it that way!🥰)
We'll, little ermines anyhow.
They first appear as ball-lightening, but we later see they are nasty, vicious little demon weasels.🥰
Day 24
Back to mammals and exploring all the smol guys we haven't touched on yet (saving the big guys for later!) How small is small? Uhhh like, dog-sized and under I guess? I'm terrible with these, so I'll let you all gauge it 😁
#Writing #WritingPrompts #Critterary
Back to mammals and exploring all the smol guys we haven't touched on yet (saving the big guys for later!) How small is small? Uhhh like, dog-sized and under I guess? I'm terrible with these, so I'll let you all gauge it 😁
#Writing #WritingPrompts #Critterary
January 24, 2026 at 3:01 PM
#Critterary
I love ferrets.🥰
But I did make my ferrets evil. (They would have wanted it that way!🥰)
We'll, little ermines anyhow.
They first appear as ball-lightening, but we later see they are nasty, vicious little demon weasels.🥰
I love ferrets.🥰
But I did make my ferrets evil. (They would have wanted it that way!🥰)
We'll, little ermines anyhow.
They first appear as ball-lightening, but we later see they are nasty, vicious little demon weasels.🥰
#JanuaryWorldbuilders
Ill use this to talk about Akasathe, the pale rainbow angel with multicolored leather wings, the clawed feet of an eagle, and feirce eyes. Lucifer's right-hand woman and the general of his army.
I based her on Lilith, but chose to rename her to avoid problematic issues.
Ill use this to talk about Akasathe, the pale rainbow angel with multicolored leather wings, the clawed feet of an eagle, and feirce eyes. Lucifer's right-hand woman and the general of his army.
I based her on Lilith, but chose to rename her to avoid problematic issues.
Hello, #JanuaryWorldbuilders! We're doing military/warfare week in our fictional worlds. Do any of your armies have a notable general or commander? Who are they and what are they like? Are they well-respected or feared by their soldiers? How strategic are they?
January 24, 2026 at 2:57 PM
#JanuaryWorldbuilders
Ill use this to talk about Akasathe, the pale rainbow angel with multicolored leather wings, the clawed feet of an eagle, and feirce eyes. Lucifer's right-hand woman and the general of his army.
I based her on Lilith, but chose to rename her to avoid problematic issues.
Ill use this to talk about Akasathe, the pale rainbow angel with multicolored leather wings, the clawed feet of an eagle, and feirce eyes. Lucifer's right-hand woman and the general of his army.
I based her on Lilith, but chose to rename her to avoid problematic issues.
In my contemporary fic, I do use real places. I try to err on the side of places Ive at least been, but sometimes Google Maps Street View is my friend.
For sci-fi and fantasy, its all made up, but often there is a "this is kinda Space St. Louis" or "Here we have Planet New Orleans." Ish.🤷♀️
For sci-fi and fantasy, its all made up, but often there is a "this is kinda Space St. Louis" or "Here we have Planet New Orleans." Ish.🤷♀️
Do you use fictional towns in your work or incorporate towns you know well? Is it a mix of both?
For me: it's a little of both (sci-fi on a different world vs. sci-fi here) #amwriting #writingcommunity #WritingQ #writer
For me: it's a little of both (sci-fi on a different world vs. sci-fi here) #amwriting #writingcommunity #WritingQ #writer
January 24, 2026 at 2:54 PM
In my contemporary fic, I do use real places. I try to err on the side of places Ive at least been, but sometimes Google Maps Street View is my friend.
For sci-fi and fantasy, its all made up, but often there is a "this is kinda Space St. Louis" or "Here we have Planet New Orleans." Ish.🤷♀️
For sci-fi and fantasy, its all made up, but often there is a "this is kinda Space St. Louis" or "Here we have Planet New Orleans." Ish.🤷♀️
#WIPSnips
CW: minor gore
If you saw my hump-day snippet of my archeologist Talia stumbling across something shocking, this continues on from that moment and I almost shared it then.
CW: minor gore
If you saw my hump-day snippet of my archeologist Talia stumbling across something shocking, this continues on from that moment and I almost shared it then.
January 24, 2026 at 2:00 PM
#WIPSnips
CW: minor gore
If you saw my hump-day snippet of my archeologist Talia stumbling across something shocking, this continues on from that moment and I almost shared it then.
CW: minor gore
If you saw my hump-day snippet of my archeologist Talia stumbling across something shocking, this continues on from that moment and I almost shared it then.
Was already in a bad mood all afternoon. Hoped a workout would cheer me up, but now this. And cant workout cuz showertime will be tricky.
☹️☹️☹️☹️☹️☹️☹️☹️☹️☹️☹️☹️☹️☹️☹️☹️🥶
☹️☹️☹️☹️☹️☹️☹️☹️☹️☹️☹️☹️☹️☹️☹️☹️🥶
Evening plans scarpered by frozen pipes. I bumped the heat up in the house today hoping it would keep the crawlspace warm enough, but nope. Cant get cold water to come. Just had a plumber here Wednesday for something else. This shit ain’t cheap.
January 24, 2026 at 12:57 AM
Was already in a bad mood all afternoon. Hoped a workout would cheer me up, but now this. And cant workout cuz showertime will be tricky.
☹️☹️☹️☹️☹️☹️☹️☹️☹️☹️☹️☹️☹️☹️☹️☹️🥶
☹️☹️☹️☹️☹️☹️☹️☹️☹️☹️☹️☹️☹️☹️☹️☹️🥶
Jack wears symbolic jewelry all the time. Various necklaces, charms, bracelets and beads are usually hidden under his clothes for magical purposes.
He also wears a few rings usually, some for magic, some to symbolize membership in a group, and some just for his own aesthetic.
Helena has...
🧵
1/2
He also wears a few rings usually, some for magic, some to symbolize membership in a group, and some just for his own aesthetic.
Helena has...
🧵
1/2
Does your character wear jewellery?
What kinds? Does it serve a symbolic function in their culture or have hidden compartments for pictures or poisons?
#writesky #writingcommunity #OCsouls #Booksky
What kinds? Does it serve a symbolic function in their culture or have hidden compartments for pictures or poisons?
#writesky #writingcommunity #OCsouls #Booksky
January 24, 2026 at 12:14 AM
Jack wears symbolic jewelry all the time. Various necklaces, charms, bracelets and beads are usually hidden under his clothes for magical purposes.
He also wears a few rings usually, some for magic, some to symbolize membership in a group, and some just for his own aesthetic.
Helena has...
🧵
1/2
He also wears a few rings usually, some for magic, some to symbolize membership in a group, and some just for his own aesthetic.
Helena has...
🧵
1/2
Jack is very careful about his home being just-so.
Charlie gives a rats ass. A nest is a nest, as long as it's convenient, its fine.
Helena does to an extent. Not much she can do with a cramp dorm room.
Talia almost might if she could afford to.
🧵
1/2
Charlie gives a rats ass. A nest is a nest, as long as it's convenient, its fine.
Helena does to an extent. Not much she can do with a cramp dorm room.
Talia almost might if she could afford to.
🧵
1/2
Does your character care about interior design?
Or would they like to but don't have the budget? Or does their space just tend toward chaos?
#writesky #writingcommunity #OCsouls #booksky
Or would they like to but don't have the budget? Or does their space just tend toward chaos?
#writesky #writingcommunity #OCsouls #booksky
January 24, 2026 at 12:09 AM
Jack is very careful about his home being just-so.
Charlie gives a rats ass. A nest is a nest, as long as it's convenient, its fine.
Helena does to an extent. Not much she can do with a cramp dorm room.
Talia almost might if she could afford to.
🧵
1/2
Charlie gives a rats ass. A nest is a nest, as long as it's convenient, its fine.
Helena does to an extent. Not much she can do with a cramp dorm room.
Talia almost might if she could afford to.
🧵
1/2
Evening plans scarpered by frozen pipes. I bumped the heat up in the house today hoping it would keep the crawlspace warm enough, but nope. Cant get cold water to come. Just had a plumber here Wednesday for something else. This shit ain’t cheap.
January 23, 2026 at 11:51 PM
Evening plans scarpered by frozen pipes. I bumped the heat up in the house today hoping it would keep the crawlspace warm enough, but nope. Cant get cold water to come. Just had a plumber here Wednesday for something else. This shit ain’t cheap.
This one's a harder #AwesomeCharacter question, cuz its harder to see what's not there, plus, never say never, right?
My favorite way Ive done this, though, is that Nora in the romance never smiles or laughs. It's a notable unique trait. She gets close maybe, but never fully expresses...
🧵
1/2
My favorite way Ive done this, though, is that Nora in the romance never smiles or laughs. It's a notable unique trait. She gets close maybe, but never fully expresses...
🧵
1/2
Tell me more about your #AwesomeCharacters
I've asked about mannerisms you only use for one character, today let's flip it!
Are there any words, actions, or descriptors your character notably never uses? Do they never smile, cry, curse, etc?
Why not?
#WriteSky #WritingCommunity #WritingPrompts
I've asked about mannerisms you only use for one character, today let's flip it!
Are there any words, actions, or descriptors your character notably never uses? Do they never smile, cry, curse, etc?
Why not?
#WriteSky #WritingCommunity #WritingPrompts
January 23, 2026 at 11:16 PM
This one's a harder #AwesomeCharacter question, cuz its harder to see what's not there, plus, never say never, right?
My favorite way Ive done this, though, is that Nora in the romance never smiles or laughs. It's a notable unique trait. She gets close maybe, but never fully expresses...
🧵
1/2
My favorite way Ive done this, though, is that Nora in the romance never smiles or laughs. It's a notable unique trait. She gets close maybe, but never fully expresses...
🧵
1/2
Event listing:
Antiques and collectibles seasonal market!
Me: 😃😍
Listing: Nothing is priced! We like to haggle and negotiate!
Me:
Antiques and collectibles seasonal market!
Me: 😃😍
Listing: Nothing is priced! We like to haggle and negotiate!
Me:
an older man in a suit and tie is making a funny face
Alt: an older man in a suit and tie is making a funny face. He leaves the room in distain.
media.tenor.com
January 23, 2026 at 9:49 PM
Event listing:
Antiques and collectibles seasonal market!
Me: 😃😍
Listing: Nothing is priced! We like to haggle and negotiate!
Me:
Antiques and collectibles seasonal market!
Me: 😃😍
Listing: Nothing is priced! We like to haggle and negotiate!
Me:
I give minimal detail about poverty character. Just enough so they don't feel blind about their appearance, but not enough that they could all draw the same picture of them.
Mostly just the stuff thats important to tell us about their personalities and history.
I hate describing pov characters...🧵
Mostly just the stuff thats important to tell us about their personalities and history.
I hate describing pov characters...🧵
Do you describe what your characters look like in detail or do you leave the idea of them up to the reader? I always describe; however, I expect that readers still imagine what they want to #writingq #WritingCommunity
January 23, 2026 at 9:03 PM
I give minimal detail about poverty character. Just enough so they don't feel blind about their appearance, but not enough that they could all draw the same picture of them.
Mostly just the stuff thats important to tell us about their personalities and history.
I hate describing pov characters...🧵
Mostly just the stuff thats important to tell us about their personalities and history.
I hate describing pov characters...🧵
#QuestPit
Oops, Ive been doing my WIP, not my querying stories, but ah well.
In HermitageWIP, Nora lives on a world with 4 seasons. Winter sort of bookends to story, and a climactic scene takes place in the winter.
Oops, Ive been doing my WIP, not my querying stories, but ah well.
In HermitageWIP, Nora lives on a world with 4 seasons. Winter sort of bookends to story, and a climactic scene takes place in the winter.
Last one of the day!!
#questpit question number 3:
Is winter prevalent in your story? If not, how would it impact your story? (and if so explain a little :))
#questpit question number 3:
Is winter prevalent in your story? If not, how would it impact your story? (and if so explain a little :))
January 23, 2026 at 8:32 PM
#QuestPit
Oops, Ive been doing my WIP, not my querying stories, but ah well.
In HermitageWIP, Nora lives on a world with 4 seasons. Winter sort of bookends to story, and a climactic scene takes place in the winter.
Oops, Ive been doing my WIP, not my querying stories, but ah well.
In HermitageWIP, Nora lives on a world with 4 seasons. Winter sort of bookends to story, and a climactic scene takes place in the winter.