open mic nights

What’s Making Me Happy: February and March 2019 (Plus, I’m on a Semi-Hiatus Until May)

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OMG! By the time you read this post, I’ll be back at the Iceland Writers Retreat!! 😀

I have to admit, though: The past two months have been a whirlwind. A big part of that was launching my business Heart of the Story Editorial & Coaching Services in February. Since then, life has been a juggling act between that, the day job, preparing for the Iceland trip, preparing for the ACES Conference (more on that shortly), and some unexpected things in my offline life, including a relative’s health emergency. And I’m aware that while I’m keeping up with my blogging schedule, I’ve fallen behind in just about every other area of this part of my life. 😦

In a way, I knew this was coming… and once I’m back from Iceland, it might be time to slow things down here and finally get the Heart of the Story blog up and running. But for now, let’s focus on the good that’s happened since the previous edition of What’s Making Me Happy. And as always, feel free to share the things that have made you smile recently in your comments on this post!

Let’s begin with…

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Reflections on 2018 and My Keyword for 2019

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The end of December and beginning of January is a thoughtful time of year for me. I think back on the previous year, the highlights and achievements, the setbacks and lessons learned. Then I turn to the year that’s beginning to unfold. I ask myself, “What can I accomplish by the end of the year? What do I want to do? How can I continue to embrace the projects and ideals that matter most to me?”

This year, I’m taking that goal-setting to a new level by trying a New Year’s ritual that my friend Leanne Sowul practices. Every January, she chooses a word to guide her decisions, intentions, and actions for the next 12 months. In that way, it becomes a sort of theme for her year. And knowing what I’ll be up to in the near future, I’ve chosen my own word to be my touchstone for 2019.

Before I share that word, let’s put 2018 into perspective.

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New at DIY MFA: #5onFri on Rocking Your Next Open Mic Reading

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DiyMFA

I’m so excited to have a new #5onFri post for DIY MFA! It’s been a while since the last time I did one, and these are always fun to write. 🙂

In this #5onFri post, which went live last week, I share five tips for writers on “performing” at an open mic night or public reading. So if you’re unsure of how to prepare for the event or feeling nervous right before going onstage, these suggestions will help you feel calmer and more confident regardless of whether you’re planning to read poetry, flash fiction, or a short essay.

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What’s Making Me Happy: August and September 2018

/ saraletourneau / 13 Comments

Does anyone else think the past two months have flown by? They have on my end. Life offline was especially busy in mid / late September, so all I remember of August now was that it was quiet and calm. (Unless I’m missing something! *lol*) This also means that while I’ve found time to write blog posts lately, it’s been a challenge to stay on top of comments or friends’ blogs. Hopefully this is only temporary, and I apologize for any delays in responding or returning the favor.

So, what are some of the fun events and “little things” that have brought me joy recently? I’ll share them below the jump. And as always, I love hearing what you’ve been up to and what’s been making you happy as well. So feel free to share that in your comments. 🙂

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What’s Making Me Happy: December 2017 & January 2018

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I’m sort of glad now that I decreased my blogging schedule again. Because January was a blur, and not a fun kind of blur. I was buried with work at my day job for most of the month, which cramped my free time to a minimum and zapped my blogging time to… well, zero. :/ But some good things happened in January, too, and I can’t forget or discount any of that goodness.

That’s why I’m grateful for this series. What’s Making Me Happy reminds me of the highlights, fun events, and other recent joys – and after a month that drags you down in some ways, it’s a nourishing perspective to have. This month’s Happy post is twice as delightful, too: I’m covering both December and January, with three joys from each month. And with my slower blogging schedule, this bimonthly format might be the way to go from now on. What do you think?

Let’s start with…

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What’s Making Me Happy: November 2017

/ saraletourneau / 28 Comments

Does anyone else feel like November zoomed by? Again? It feels that way every year, first with Thanksgiving and now Christmas approaching fast. And while November was relatively stress-free, I’ve been struggling to keep up with blogging because of changes in my work circumstances. I’m not sure how this impact the blog in the long term. But since I’m planning to take an annual holiday hiatus from blogging soon, the time-off might be a good chance to think about what changes, if any, might be needed for 2018.

But I shouldn’t get too ahead of myself, shouldn’t I? 🙂 So let’s turn our attention away from what may be ahead to what we can already be thankful for. As always, feel free to share your joys of the past month in your comments. But for now, I’ll share with you the things that made me happy this November!

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Open Mic Announcement for October 2013

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I just realized this is happening next week, and I haven’t announced it yet. Oops! Here’s an Open Mic Night I plan to attend later this month:

Saturday, October 19th
Curry College
Milton, MA
7:00 – 9:00 p.m.

Curry College, my alma mater, is celebrating the 40th anniversary of its student literary magazine, The Curry Arts Journal. The CAJ staff have planned two events for this occasion on Saturday, October 19th. In the morning, a CAJ Panel featuring previous student editors of the lit mag will discuss their creative endeavors during and since college, as well as the importance of CAJ to Curry’s history and culture. Later that evening, alumni will be reading selected works from the upcoming 40th anniversary CAJ issue, which will feature new work as well as republished favorites. I will have one old piece (“Writer’s Block”) and three new pieces (“Eve of Spring,” “Nightmusic,” and “The Critic and the Muse”) in the 40th anniversary issue.

The Open Mic Night will be held in the Large Meeting Room at Curry’s Student Center from 7:00 to 9:00 p.m. Hope you can make it!

Coming Soon: My review of The Mariana Hollow’s new EP Scars, Not Wounds will be online at Sonic Cathedral soon. Also,  I should pass the 25,000-word mark on my novel-in-progress this coming weekend! And if you’ve been following my “Chronicling The Craft” series so far, you’ll know what that means!  😉

September Open Mic Nights Update

/ saraletourneau / 1 Comment

Hi everyone,

Unfortunately next Friday’s Open Mic Night at Studio East in Walpole has been cancelled.  However, you can still catch me at next Saturday’s Open Mic Night at the Catbird Cafe / New England Wildlife Center. I’m planning to read “Elegy” for the first time there, as well as one or two other poems I haven’t chosen yet.

Here are the details, in case you’re interested in attending:

Open Mic Night at the Catbird Cafe
Saturday, September 28th, starting at 5 p.m.
New England Wildlife Center
Weymouth, MA

Hope to see you there!

Mark Your Calendars: Open Mic Nights in September

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Finally fitting in time to return to the open mic stage! Here’s where and when you can find me reading my poetry.

Open Mic Night at Studio East
Friday, September 27th, starting at 8 p.m.
Studio East
Walpole, MA

Open Mic Night at the Catbird Café
Saturday, September 28th, starting at 5 p.m.
New England Wildlife Center
Weymouth, MA

Hope to see you there!

Coming Soon: My review of Hydria’s Freakshow should be online at Sonic Cathedral tomorrow!

Mark Your Calendars: Open Mic Nights in July

/ saraletourneau

I’ve been neglectful in the past of updating my website with events or open mic nights I plan on attending. This will change going forward. I’ve also been looking for a calendar widget to add to my sidebar, but it doesn’t look like WordPress has such a thing yet…?

Anyway, here are two upcoming open mic nights where you can catch me reading some of my poems:

Open Mic / Potluck Extravaganza*
Friday, July 12th
Grub Street Headquarters
Boston, MA
* Attendance for this event is limited to participants who RSVP in advance.

Open Mic Night at the Catbird Café
Saturday, July 20th
New England Wildlife Center
Weymouth, MA

Catbird Café’s Open Mic Night on July 20th is also Bellydance Night. So, in addition to musicians and poets, local bellydancers will perform that night. I’ve attended one Bellydance Night previously, and it adds a unique spark to an already creative evening.

I hope to see some of you at either event!