Sara Letourneau's Blog

A remarkable thing happened last week: One of my poems won a writing contest!

“Lament of the North Atlantic Right Whale” received first place in the Poetry category for the Blue Institute‘s 2020 Words on Water Writing Contest. The main criteria for this contest, which also has categories for prose and playwriting, is that the entered pieces should involve water, since Blue Institute’s mission is clean water and ocean conservation. You can read “Lament,” as well as the other winning pieces, now at BI’s 2020 Words on Water results page. (Once the page loads, “Lament” is the first piece below the contest logo.)

About the poem: I got the idea for “Lament” after reading a news article about North Atlantic right whales in late 2018. There had been no confirmed sightings of new calfs that year – a finding that deeply worried conservationists. As of 2018, the North Atlantic right whale population was hovering around 400. And when a critically endangered animal species like these beautiful, gentle giants goes a full year without new births, it brings us all one year closer to losing that species forever. (Scientists believe that, at the current rate of decline, the North Atlantic right whales will be extinct in about 20 years.) Reading that article saddened me so much that I knew I needed to write a poem about the whales. So I did some research, then wrote about the species’ threat of extinction from the perspective of one of their own. I think that approach allows the poem’s message to hit home in ways that wouldn’t have been possible if I used a human narrator.

If I sound calm right now, it’s because I’m still in disbelief about the news. Yes, I’m SCREAMING and CELEBRATING inside. But I’m also thinking, “Wow. Did that just happen?” It probably won’t sink in for sure until the prizes are fulfilled (a bookstore gift certificate, plus the opportunity to read “Lament” at Blue Institute’s upcoming World Oceans Day Interdisciplinary Festival, which will be held virtually in June). But what matters more is that this poem is now out in the world, and I hope it helps Blue Institute’s mission as well as the survival of the North Atlantic right whales.

This was such a fun interview! I recently spoke with Rachael Dubinsky on her Wicked Writers podcast, which features a wide range of Massachusetts-based writers and explores why they love what they do. We talked about poetry, my work as an editor and writing coach, and the importance of finding inspiration everywhere. Plus, I share one of my favorite tips for writers and read “Origin Story,” one of my poems.

Click here to listen to my interview on Wicked Writers. Hope you enjoy it!

Happy February, friends! Today I’m thrilled to share that the latest issue of Constellations is out, and it features two new poems from me: “2:00 a.m.” and “An Ode to a Tibetan Singing Bowl.” It’s a huge honor to be a part of this local print-only journal (Constellations is based in my home state of Massachusetts), and I’m pleased (and a little nervous) that the editor chose two poems that are completely different from each other in topic and tone.

Here’s my recent Instagram post where I showed my contributor’s copy. Don’t you love the space-themed cover art?

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A post shared by Sara Letourneau (@sara_heartofthestory)

Volume 10 of Constellations, which is titled “Synthesis,” is available for purchase via Amazon through their online stores in the United States, United Kingdom, France, Germany, Italy, Spain, and Japan. Visit Constellation’s website to learn more about how to purchase your own copy.

Today I’m happy to share that my poem “Moose Hill Street Lullaby” is featured in the Winter 2021 issue of Soul-Lit! This isn’t the first time my work has been published in this online journal of spiritual poetry (“Learning to Be” and “Elegy” have also been published there), so it’s wonderful to continue to be a part of their community of contributors.

“Moose Hill Street Lullaby” is particularly a special poem for me. I wrote it after a difficult time with anxiety and insomnia in 2019. During that period, I was still working part-time in an office setting, and I’d purposely avoid the highway traffic by taking a more scenic route. The road mentioned in the title was one of the roads on that soothing route. If you live near Sharon, Massachusetts, or ever have the chance to visit the Moose Hill Wildlife Sanctuary, take a few minutes to follow Moose Hill Street to its end. It’s quiet, winding, and lovely.

Click here to read “Moose Hill Street Lullaby” at Soul-Lit.

Happy New Year, friends! I hope you enjoyed your December holidays and are ready to start 2021 on the right foot. Last year was tough for everyone, though we also can’t lose sight of the positive or amazing things we experienced. The latter is something I definitely want to remember . . . which is why I’m excited to announce this special online journaling workshop! 

On Monday, January 18, I’m hosting Choose Your Words for 2021: A Journaling & Intention-Setting Workshop from 6:00 to 8:30 p.m. Eastern. This event, which will be via Zoom, is designed to be a fun and creative way to use journaling to set intentions and put your hopes for the year ahead into words.

During Choose Your Words for 2021, you won’t be making New Year’s resolutions. Instead, you’ll create affirmations for the qualities you want to practice, define your goals and dreams for 2021, and choose the words that align best with those hopes. You’ll also learn what a “word vision” board is (think the literary version of vision boards), why it’s important to write down your intentions, and how doing so can help you manifest those intentions and hopes in magical ways. 

Throughout the workshop, you’ll have the opportunity to share your affirmations, intentions, etc. and to support other writers in a safe, encouraging, and nurturing online space. If you sign up, plan to bring your favorite notebook or journal and a pen – and, if you have them, a sketch pad and pens or markers of different colors for the last activity. 

As I mentioned earlier, the workshop will be held on Monday, January 18, from 6:00 to 8:30 p.m. Eastern. Tickets are $35.00 USD each and on sale through Sunday, January 17, via EventBrite here. Space is limited to 12 writers – and some of the tickets have already sold! So if you want to attend, register today to reserve your spot.

Hope to see some of you there!

Hi, everyone! Today I’m thrilled to share that Amethyst Review has published another of my poems. “How to Color a Mandala” was inspired by one evening of revising a favorite creative self-care activity. But as you’ll find out, the poem is about much more than an adult coloring book.

Click here to read “How to Color a Mandala” at Amethyst Review.

Hi, everyone! 

I already shared this news on my mailing list and social media, but I thought I’d announce it here as well. This month, I’m running another holiday sale on book editing services! So if you want to work with an editor on your book next year, this is the perfect time to inquire about my offerings and save money on the editorial fee. (You can also review my offerings at the Editing page of the Heart of the Story website.)

Here’s how this works: Email me about your 2021 editing project by Thursday, December 31, and you’ll receive a 10% discount on the price estimate. This discount applies to all editing and critique projects, including bundle packages for multiple rounds of editing. And it doesn’t matter if your manuscript would be ready for editing in January or next December. So if you want to work with a freelance book editor next year, then this sale is for you.

Interested? Then send me a message at sara [at] heartofthestoryeditorial [dot] com with the title of your manuscript, a 2- or 3-sentence blurb about your project, the genre and target age range (YA, adult, etc.), the word and page counts, your projected timetable or deadline, the type(s) of editing desired, the holiday sale password (HOLIDAY2020), and where you found it (my blog). If you’d like a sample edit so you can see my editing style, you may attach a 6- to 10-page excerpt from the manuscript (MS Word only) to your email. This will also help me create an accurate pricing and timeline estimate for your project.

Don’t wait too long, though! The sale ends on Thursday, December 31. So if you want to take advantage of this, or if you have other questions about my editing services, email me at sara [at] heartofthestoryeditorial [dot] com so we can start the conversation.

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Hi, everyone. It’s been a while, hasn’t it?

Don’t worry. I’m doing well for the most part, and my loved ones and I have managed to stay healthy during the pandemic. This year has also been extremely busy, especially with growing my book editing and writing coaching business Heart of the Story. So as time has gone on, I’ve had to let blogging slide for various reasons.

I wish I could say that I’m going to resume blogging about writing, books, and other topics I used to write about regularly. But given my commitments to my work, my own creativity, my personal life, and my mental health, that’s just not possible. So for the time being, the most I’ll have time and energy for are occasional news updates about poetry, new service offerings through Heart of the Story, and so on. I hope that you understand this decision, my friends, and that you’ll continue to follow me no matter what. And if you’d like to interact with me more often, you can always find me on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, and Goodreads.

(NOTE: I’ve been on an off-and-on social media hiatus throughout the pandemic. I’m hoping to make a full comeback at some point, but I’m not putting a strict timetable on that. Again, I hope you understand.)

Now – poetry news! I’m thrilled to share today that Amethyst Review has published my poem “The Triptych and I.” This piece is one that I began submitting a few years ago and edited over and over with each rejection until deciding to temporarily “retire” it from submissions. Then, earlier this year, I discovered the names of both the photograph and its photographer, . . . and now, a smaller version of the triptych is hanging on my bedroom wall. After that, I thought it was time to bring the triptych poem “out of retirement,” polish it up again, and submit it for publication.

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Hey there, friends and writers. How are you and your loved ones doing? Hanging in there, I hope?

I want to let you know about a special online poetry event I’m hosting next week that I’m incredibly excited about. And here’s what’s neat about it:

You don’t have to write poetry to attend.

You simply have to love reading it.

On Thursday, May 21, I’m partnering with my friends at SheBreathes Balance & Wellness Studio for Poems That Heal the Soul: An Online Poetry Discussion. If you’ve been turning to poetry for comfort during the COVID-19 pandemic, then this virtual event will be a great opportunity to meet other poetry lovers and share some of your favorite poems that have helped you lately.

Here’s the official description of the event from SheBreathes:

Poetry is known for its ability to inspire, comfort, and encourage readers when it’s needed most. And with the recent pandemic, people have been turning to poetry for solace, wisdom, and healing more than ever. Join local poet, book editor, and writing coach Sara Letourneau for this special online event where participants will share at least one poem by another poet and how it has helped them through this challenging time. By reading and reflecting on each poem together, the entire group can support one another and deepen their appreciation of this powerful form of literature.

The event begins at 6:00 p.m. Eastern on Thursday, May 21. Depending on how many people sign up, you may be able to share multiple poems. So plan on bringing two or three. That way, you’ll also have alternate choices in case someone else brings the same poem.

Interested? Then sign up for Poems That Heal the Soul here! Since this is an online event using Zoom, make sure you register for the event in advance. That way, you’ll receive the Zoom link via email before the event begins. You can also check out the event on Facebook here.

And that’s it. All you have to bring to the event are a few soul-nourishing poems by your favorite poets, maybe a cup of tea or a glass of wine (or another beverage of choice), and your beautiful, poetry-loving self.

In the meantime, tell me: Have you been reading poetry more often recently? If so, which poems or poets? I’d love to know whose words have been a balm to your heart. Simply reply with a comment below, and let me know how poetry has made your life a little easier while you’ve been self-isolating.

And, of course, if Poems That Heal the Soul sounds like something you’d like to “Zoom” in on, then register for it today. I’m looking forward to seeing you on the 21st!

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What does your protagonist want? That’s a loaded question, right? But it’s the central idea of my latest Theme: A Story’s Soul at DIY MFA, and it’s one of the questions that you, as a writer, should consider for your story. As the article’s title reveals, your protagonist’s goals, desires, and other motivations don’t just influence the story’s plot. They also nurture some of the story’s literary themes! And in this article, you’ll learn how to do this with your writing with the help of examples from three books and four brainstorming exercises.

Want to try this with your WIP? Then click here to read “How Your Protagonist’s Motivations Influence Your Story’s Themes.”

What are your protagonist’s motivations? How does the story’s inciting incident awaken or threaten them? What themes emerge from the story as a result of those motivations? Share your thoughts below or at DIY MFA.