values

New DIY MFA Article on the “Why” Behind Our Writing

/ saraletourneau / 2 Comments

DiyMFA

I took a new direction with my latest Theme: A Story’s Soul post for DIY MFA. Instead of digging into the craft of literary themes, I explore how our unique passions, curiosities, and values often emerge as themes in our work. It’s more personal than usual – especially for me, since I also share what inspired the post and how I found the “why” behind my own WIP. But I hope this article starts a thoughtful discussion on how the things that matter to us become part of our stories.

Click here to read “The ‘Why’ Behind Our Writing.”

Got any questions or suggestions for Theme: A Story’s Soul? Feel free to comment below or tweet me at @SaraL_Writer with the hashtag #DIYMFA or #AStorysSoul.

The Premio Dardos Award

/ saraletourneau / 26 Comments

I’m still in the process of catching up with several blog tags and awards that came my way over the summer. Today it’s the Premio Dardos Award, courtesy of Zezee With Books. (Thank you, Zezee!)

The Premio Dardos Award was brand new to me when Zezee nominated me back in July. And unlike most blog awards, it’s not given strictly out of goodwill or friendship. Instead, it recognizes bloggers for creative and original writing influenced by cultural, ethical, literary, and personal values. A very meaningful award, in other words; and I’m humbled and honored that someone would consider the work I do here to be worthy of this kind of recognition. 🙂

Here are the rules for the Premio Dardos Award, along with the graphic: Continue reading →

Beautiful People, Vol. 4: More About Eva

/ saraletourneau / 27 Comments

Beautiful People 1

Beautiful People is a monthly blog meme hosted by Cait @ Paper Fury and Sky @ Further Up and Further In. Every month they pose 10 questions for writers to answer about their writing and give readers the opportunity to learn more about the writer’s characters.

After focusing on supporting characters from The Keeper’s Curse for the past two Beautiful People posts, it’s time to return to the protagonist, Eva. In case you haven’t “met” her before, Eva is a 17-year-old Faerie and the chief navigator and translator for the Council of Selanaan (a group of commoner Faeries selected to be diplomats working on their king’s behalf).

So, here are the 10 questions Eva needs to answer this month. Or, rather, the questions I need to answer so you can get to know Eva better. 😉

Continue reading →