Tag Archive for: becoming an author

New Character Unlocked

Meet: Coach

A cartoon cheese-string stands in a sporty pose with a whistle around his neck, smart watch, runners and a kind grin on his face.

This part of the process truly illuminates my soul!

Coach is the newest addition to the “Pop Out Loud” character ensemble, making his debut in “Pop Out Loud, First Day of Soccer“! Between the lines, Coach is a young adult with his own experiences of once being a highly sensitive child. On the field, he is a confident, cool yet genuine (organic, if you will💁‍♀️) cheese-string fully of empathy, openness and understanding. I hope every child growing up today gets to experience leadership through someone like Coach.

A, B or C?

After a large brainstorm, my illustrator Aline presented three character sketches of Coach for me to review and make note of necessary alterations or do-overs.

Three options of a cartoon cheese-string are posing, for the author Sarita Fichtner, to choose between. Coach will be a new character in Sarita's second book, "Pop Out Loud, First Day of Soccer"

A: Bang on, exactly how I have been dreaming of Coach – LOVE the shoes! His expression depicts a real life source of inspiration from my son’s world that was behind the creation of this storyline which is very cool. Stance, accessories and features are all very relevant. He looks masculine but offers a balance by encapsulating emotion and empathy. His “hair” is also my favourite of the three.

B: He has great confidence, he also reminds me more of the stereotypical coach/authority figure type, who have existed in my real life (this might be because there is a little less warmth to him than A).

C: SO inviting and adorable, almost like a distant cousin of Jimmy’s…I want to be his best friend. Jacket is a fantastic feature.

In Conclusion…

Book Colour Palette for "Pop Out Loud, First Day of Soccer" Sampled Colours for new character, Coach.
A cartoon cheese-string is posing as a Coach with a whistle, runners, smart watch and kind grin on his face. He is coloured yellow and placed beside square swatches of yellow, turquoise, navy blue, grey, bright red and dark red, to make his own colouring stand out.

Choosing Coach A was a quick and easy choice, and there was only one subtle adjustment required as Aline captured my vision on the first try – the beauty of having an established vision and long term author-illustrator partnership!


Next, we embark on the design layout!

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Post-Book Launch Feels & Comfort Zone Controversy

Children's Book Author, Sarita Fichtner, reads her book "Pop Out Loud, First Day of School" aloud at a local story time at Gather Bookshop in Squamish, British Columbia

“Pop Out Loud” has now been out in the real world for over one month! I am a children’s book author🥳! Pinch me. Over the launch weekend, I experienced magical highly sensitive highs of my loved ones coming together to celebrate, selling more books than I anticipated in a three day period, and reaching a number one best seller rank on Amazon! While I am still physically bursting with gratitude, ironically, this was a period in time where my own mental health, physical health and sensitivity were forced to take a backseat.

Two days before that launch began, there was a glitch on my Amazon book account, causing the listing to be in jeopardy. Due to exhaustion, I let this get the best of me emotionally, and it did take away from me fully committing to celebratory-mode over the weekend. Two days later – on Saturday – my parents hosted a beautiful celebration filled with family and friends – and I secretly wished it ended there. On Sunday, I held a storytime at our picturesque local, independent bookshop. While the bookstore was simply filled with a small, loving group of humans, the entire scenario ate me alive! No matter what tools I tried to tap into, I wasn’t able to ground myself enough to feel present or confident (or stable for that matter). And honestly, it feels good to say that out loud as opposed to sugar coating it. After a tastefully emotional reading, I didn’t walk away feeling proud…just rattled and tired. Come Monday, my book and website launched online – definitely in my zone of creativity and comfort – but I was almost too exhausted from the aforementioned to soak it in! Still, I really couldn’t have been more grateful for every single human who showed up for me and my very first book.

This has been a good reminder that juxtaposing feelings can coexist at once – such as feeling immense gratitude and success, as well as burnout and instability. However, I’ve reached a point in my life where I believe nothing is worth compromising my mental health, physical health and sensitivity (unless for the sake of my children’s wellbeing). It took me four weeks to realize that I chose to push my own wellbeing aside because I thought stepping outside of my comfort zone was a key part in launching a book and claiming this next expansive chapter of life. It’s frustrating as I write this out because if you listen to my podcast on Good in Motion, I passionately discuss exactly how HSPs grow and thrive best within their comfort zones – while expanding them – as opposed to stepping outside of them. This western world is not designed for highly sensitive people. Therefore, HSPs spend the majority of their days stepping (being thrown) far out of our comfort zones multiple times a day within a range of settings from grocery stores and workplaces to driving in the city or turning on the news. One crystal clear example – an eleventh grade highschool memory – a teacher continuously calling on me with intense energy, to answer his questions on the spot in front of 50 students (cue flashbacks to “Large Group”). This would create so much panic and stress within me, not only would I freeze, I would leave feeling attacked, with a hatred for the class and in turn its subject matter.

As a highly sensitive person, when I am comfy, I can get curious, confident and inspired. When I am comfortable, I can tune out what doesn’t matter and my energy invites an inward expansion. Interestingly enough, I sold the most books within the spaces that felt most comfortable to me. So why did I plan such a non-HSP friendly launch weekend? Partly because I didn’t realize how consuming the last minute rush behind the scenes would be! But largely because I felt like I was supposed to, by society’s standards (something I thought I was too aware of to be swayed by!). I remember speaking with a fellow author-to-be. She was gearing up to launch her novel. I asked if she was doing any launch events, and she said no – she was highly sensitive and confident in her plan to spend a day at the ocean while her book launched online. I was so jealous (an emotion you don’t typically experience when you’re consciously creating your own reality). I have begun to realize: while I have very much found myself in this journey – more so than ever before – a part of me had been seeking out society’s definition of success. While it has taken a month to recover from birthing this book baby, I have found myself overwhelmed with gratitude for the support I received at my book launch and every day since. And, I am equally as grateful to be in a place where I can examine everything from a rested, clear perspective and remember exactly why I set out to do this in the first place: to design a life on my terms, as highly sensitive person. I look forward to investing in the success of this book by honouring my sensitivity and seeing how far that will take me.

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Pre-Book Launch Feels

In July, I committed unnervingly, to in-person book launch events. I spent the month of August almost paralyzed, sitting in pure discomfort that I had done so. Come September, I watched my child gracefully handle the rocky transition to kindergarten and coexist with nerves daily, all while never holding back from his authentic self expression. I told him I needed help and asked him, how do you do something that makes you feel SO nervous? His response: “Well…just go for it”. I took a quick moment to grieve predictable, stable, quiet days and chose to embrace the book launch and the emotional extension of it. I became mindful of slowing down my actions and thoughts. And anytime I backtracked, I quickly made the conscious choice to choose again. And again. (This is the essence of the Choose Again Method by Dr. Joe Dispenza, and the foundation behind rewiring your brain).

Due to those big feels, I was a little behind on the logistical to-dos of the book launch weekend + online launch day. Managing this while organizing a 5th birthday party, working on a website (with a lot of help from the best in the biz!), and entering the era of elementary school for the first time, truly broke me down as a highly sensitive human. I think once motherhood begins – there is no answer to a balanced life, and when you’re in the thick of a heightened ebb, the flow is simply far out of reach until it’s not. I started thinking back to all of the HSP-specific tools I acquired from self-development, I began to let go, and very quickly an abundance of intuitive signs started showing up in my life. This allowed me to remember not only am I on the right path, but the human experience is meant to be so much more than peaceful. Yes, it’s okay to be uncomfortable. Yes, the level of discomfort that HSPs experience is intensified. But thanks to my experiences birthing humans and the electrifying newborn phase, I found the ability to trust in this being a passing season and not an eternal fate.

At the end of September, the mental hurdles I had of showing up to book launches were (almost) fully replaced with logistical hurdles. I think this was a good lesson in showing me it was not necessary for those (monster-sized) original nerves to occupy so much space. With one week to go, I sent out books to influencers, got slapped in the face with unexpected shipping logistics (burst into tears at the front counter…POP!), attempted to understand the backend of Amazon and Ingram Sparks(🥵) , tested out my Shopify shop, made multiple last minute price adjustments, hustled to meet signage-printer deadlines, wrote newsletters, blogs, (tried to be a mom *hello mom-guilt*!), and somewhat casually waited on a shipment of hundreds of hardcover copies that was 10 days late and unable to be located (though I did have a few copies on hand). The quality of these copies in that shipment is exquisite and – selling and promoting those would best support me directly – so I was SO hopeful that they’d show up. And they did! With four days to spare.

In the few moments of spare time I had, I would wonder…Is this the time or the place for a book launch about emotional snacks? The world is burning. As an HSP, global tragedies used to debilitate me in a pit of despair and keep me from functioning in my own life. But the answer to my own question was always yes. Not only does the world need more softness and sensitivity, I know now that I am able to consciously and effectively do my part when I lead with my heart.

In sum: this launch lead-up was very cool, exciting, and far more draining than I could have imagined.

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HSP Serendipity

Highly Sensitive Person, Career Related Blog.




I experienced my last “rock bottom” surrounding that lack of career-focused purpose in 2015. I felt fully stagnant – I had no where to direct the extreme passion or creative energy that was about to implode within. That night, my husband appeared with a whiteboard and marker in his hands and told me it was time to let go of all external beliefs, all societal pressures, and go after whatever it was that I wanted.

During that night with the whiteboard, we brainstormed what I loved was obsessed with (at age 25) with no judgement:

• popcorn

• cats

• Walt Disney’s imaginative creativity

It was so simple (too simple?), and a little anti-climatic, but I rolled with it. These all happened to be things that consumed my life as a child, as my best friend growing up was my black cat Larry; I was always stealing my sister’s popcorn on family movie night (where we’d watch a Disney movie 95% of the time); and I was always engrossed in my own imagination, journaling my emotions or producing stories and songs on little construction paper booklets.

On that fateful whiteboard night, my first small business – a handcrafted popcorn(✔️) company – The Popcorn Bar, was born. I truly believe the depths of my soul was meant for entrepreneurship all along – as many highly sensitive people are – due to the level of passion and self-motivation HSP’s exude when they are in an environment that is both supportive and meaningful. But at this time I was not quite ready. Though this company I created attracted a great deal of positive interest in a fairly short time, the universe wanted to equip me with some very specific tools and lessons before launching me into the world as a heart-driven business woman. As my heart was not madly passionate about running a food based company (the creativity behind the marketing was my favourite part of all), I quite literally stumbled upon a job posting at meowbox – an ecommerce start-up (turned success story) – a subscription box for cats. Check✔️. The founder was so excited about my Popcorn Bar stint, a major factor in hiring me. There, I learned a wealth of knowledge on running and scaling a business, social media marketing, customer service, event planning, creative writing, website building, product management, working directly with cat toy designers (oddly, so many similarities to working with an illustrator), shipping and logistics, sourcing materials, and writing personalized messages with jiffy markers (not unlike the book signings I just did). I finally felt comfortable enough to get curious and really learn. This experience was crucial to finding my footing as a self published children’s book author. For the first time, I was not just able to show up for work – I was in love with my job! I thought I would work there for the rest of my life.

As I’ve said many times before, becoming a mother will change you…and, is what inspired me to go all in on my imagination (✔️). However, the fact that I decided to leave my beloved job – after everything I had been through to get there – and, when life was flowing at a great pace, seemed to make that move so much more powerful. You don’t have to wait for things to get bad to go after something better. I seemingly had it all, and decided to go for more – and now I know why: when your heart soars, you elevate the ability to give back to your loved ones, your community, and yourself.

There is no way I would currently be a published author if I had suppressed my big feelings. Finally feeling free in authentic expression and creation elevated my self worth and quickly drew in success on multiple levels. Looking back, there were many little “winks” or synchronicities along the way, and each deep struggle and emotional reaction seemed to be guiding me on a very specific, resourceful, path that feels tailored to my heart.

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Meet My Illustrator!

There are so many incredible artists in the world that are all instantly accessible thanks to social media. However, the thought of sifting through an entire planet’s worth of illustrators was daunting to me. There are so many factors to consider: style, timeline, cost, professionalism and reliability, working approach, that overall necessary *vibe*, etc. That’s why I am extraordinarily grateful that my illustrator, Aline Monjardim (Ah-Lee-Nie//also goes by Ah-Leen), who also identifies as a highly sensitive creative, was introduced to me through my team at The Self Publishing Agency. We have been working closely since September 1st, 2023, and after a few in-depth, creative discussions, Aline began interpreting my thoughts of the four main characters of Pop Out Loud into visuals.  In mid-November, Aline presented the first drafts of these characters to me and in turn I sent her detailed notes on which parts matched my vision and what needed tweaking. When I received the first round of edits, I popped right out of my seat – it was clear that the characters of my book had officially been birthed!

It is my pleasure to introduce you to Jimmy, the star of Pop Out Loud, along with his appetizing crew!  Jimmy is a sensitive kernel, whose emotions and thought process are often deeper than those around him, in seemingly “normal” settings.  He pops into a popcorn when he experiences these big feelings.  

Pictured below are the official sketches of the most prominent characters in my book.  

Throughout each creative meeting, Aline and I went far beyond the pages and deep through the backstory, emotions and hopes of each character and feature elements through every picture spread.

Q&A with Aline!

S: What is your favourite food?

A: My favourite food is rice and beans, as is traditional in my country of Brazil . My favourite snack though would have to be popcorn!—I’m not even kidding.

S: What (or who) inspires your personal style?

A: Storytelling is at the epicenter of my inspiration. When I hear a story no matter in which context, I can’t help but start picturing the characters in my mind—their emotions, actions, message. It’s just a very rich image that pops into my head! Other than that, I also find inspiration in nature, art, design, illustration, and animation! (I’m obsessed with Pixar animation movies!)

S: What is your favourite part about this project, Pop Out Loud?

A: My favourite part is to collaborate with Sarita and the TSPA team in what will be my debut picture book. There is a lot of care and meaning being put into this work, and I feel so thankful for the opportunity to bring such a relatable story to life in the hopes it will help a generation of kids out there who feel deeply like I also do. It just feels like the right team!

S: Are there any challenges that come with this project?

A: To me in particular, the main challenge is to give life to personified snack-themed characters. Finger foods are delicious but without obvious human-like features, we need to get creative. That also happens to be the most exciting part for me, because as an adventurer I love challenges.

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The Truth That Would Have Stopped Me

Jimmy the popcorn is scratching his head with overwhelm.

I wouldn’t have become an author if I had only known sooner.


It’s no secret that in the past I struggled deeply with the sense (or lack of) career driven purpose. I decided to become a children’s book author because for the first time, I was ready to honour that inner pull toward imagination and writing, and I thought this would be the most fitting job for the creative, introverted, highly sensitive parts of me.

But I didn’t realize one major component of becoming an author: the comfort zone I once knew was about to pop faster than a kernel. Ever since plunging into self development and learning about rewiring the brain, I have subconsciously constructed a big vision that is now earnestly rooted in me. That vision includes walking through nerves. Reframing failure. Connecting with others who have trekked a similar path (one of my favourite feeling). Spreading a message to help others. Connecting with others who can help me spread that message even further. Showing up with passion every day (one of my favourite parts as an HSP).

I was working with an intuitive healer about a year ago who told me, “The only thing stopping this from becoming a major success, is you”. I didn’t fully understand what he meant, because after finally arriving into a space of mental stability, I thought I would never get in my own way! My way, for the first time, felt safe and cozy. Why would I choose to mess with that after everything I had been through!? But now, with the book launch fast approaching, I get it. One year ago, I had zero plans to show up for any in-person launches, signings and ESPECIALLY NOT READINGS. But, Sarita 2.0 had other plans. And if you had told me that I would be in fact going in public, to a bookstore, to show my face, with the potential of zero people showing up/with the potential of 30 people showing up, to sign books and read my story in front of children(!) and their parents…I would have stopped in my tracks and quit on the spot.

I have been unaware of the depth of my vision and how much the daily practices of self-love and self-development were actually working. And I’m so glad I was unaware. Because letting myself stop me from being where I am now, and from what’s to come, would be a genuine tragedy. Today, I choose to take action that aligns with my vision, and – I am genuinely excited to be planning a weekend of *in-person* launches to celebrate the story, the art, and the message that is “Pop Out Loud, First Day of School” – this book deserves it!

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