Poetry Interview Series: Sarah McAuley
In todays session of your interview series we meet Sarah McAuley, also known as “Sare”, a wonderfully gifted writer, yoga and meditation guide, Desire Map workshop facilitator and conservationist from Canada. Sare aims to protect our planet and inspire others to connect to their own hearts and nature to heal. She currently lives in BC, Canada where she writes, coordinates wildlife conservation projects, and focuses on living a heart-led life. She is 28 years old. See for the full interview below.
Where do you live and how does it influence your writing?
I live in Kamloops, British Columbia, Canada. I am constantly inspired by the mountains, forests, lakes and the Pacific ocean of BC. The power of these wild spaces definitely flows into my writing and I find most of my inspiration when I am taking time to appreciate this nature.
When did you first become passionate about poetry and what attracted you to it?
I started writing poetry in 2015 when I was living in South Africa. I always loved writing, but had never written poetry until this time. I was in a new relationship that was sort of “off” and also working closely with nature and wildlife. Both of these experiences started to inspire me to write in a different way, and to get my feelings out on paper so that I could understand them more.
What inspires you to write?
I have always viewed writing as a way of reconnecting myself and other people with their own selves, each other and our planet. I write to remind people that they are not alone, that their struggles have meaning, and that they are a part of nature’s beauty that is always around us and within us. My writing also helps me figure out my own struggles and experiences in a deeper way, and to use these lessons to help others through similar things.
Do you publish your Poetry on other channels but Instagram?
Other than my self-published books, I only publish my poetry on Instagram. To be honest, I find it a bit overwhelming to try to publish on multiple programs. I also find Instagram to be the most inspiring and creative way of sharing my poetry.
Who is your favorite Instapoet and why?
It’s too hard to pick just one! But, I will say that right now I am absolutely loving @vic.l.poetry – her flower backgrounds are absolutely stunning and her words often feel like they melt right into my heart.
I also want to mention @danielledoby. Her words were some of the first I saw on Instagram years ago, and they inspired me so, so much. I still find so much comfort and belonging in her words.
Can you tell us a little about your writing process? How do you come up with poems and how do you edit them?
I like it to be as natural and free-flowing as possible. I focus most of my attention on aligning and tuning into my heart through a morning routine, meditation, yoga, nature connection, reading and journaling. From here, I let any words that are coming through to come through. I always give myself space in the morning when I am most inspired to journal so that I can create poems. I don’t really see it as me coming up with them. Instead, they seem to come to me in moments that I am inspired. Sometimes, one line will pop into my head and I’ll instantly write it down and start playing with the bones of the entire poem. I write them down in my journal, re-read it, play around with the wording and edit it until it feels like it flows in the same way that it feels. Once I’m happy with that, I write them down in a note on my phone. When I’m ready to post a poem, I go to that note, choose a poem that resonates and create it with font and a background.
Do you support yourself through writing financially, or do you have a day job and what is it?
I receive some extra money through my published book but I also have a day job. I’m a Project Coordinator at BC Conservation Foundation. I help manage and coordinate conservation projects for different species and wildlife all over BC.
How many hours a day do you spend writing and what helps you to get into the writing mood?
It varies depending on how inspired I am and what my day looks like, but I always take time to journal and write in the morning. I never try to force it. It can vary from 15 minutes to a few hours.
To get in the writing mood I like to do yoga, meditate, read, sip coffee while journaling and reflecting or focus on my plants or something beautiful in nature. It also helps me to write in a space that feels nourishing and sacred (e.g. nature, with plants, a lit candle, sunlight pouring in, looking out at my mountain view, books surrounding me etc.).
And what’s the best moment you’ve had with your poetry so far?
Publishing my first book, FORESTS: poems to connect the wild self with wild spaces.
I had been working on this manuscript for four years and it was an idea that evolved over these years and through so many different experiences in my life (a relationship that ended in a lot of pain, moving from South Africa to Canada, finding inspiration again in Canadian wildlife, meeting my now partner and experiencing a new kind of love). Seeing my words on pages in a book, and in the hands of others, was so inspiring and revitalizing! It filled me with so much gratitude and reinvigorated my writing process for new poems even more.
How do you respond to writer’s block or not knowing what to write?
Like I mentioned, I never try to force it. I just focus on aligning and doing activities that bring me joy and inspiration. I’ll go for a walk, do an activity in nature, spend time with loved ones, do a yoga flow or meditation, read or journal about nothing in particular. Once I get into that space of inspiration and alignment, the words usually come.
What are you working on next?
I am creating a new book called Our Ocean Heart. It is a collection of poems that speak to the heart space and the power of connecting to our hearts in a deeper way. It is filled with themes of tuning into the wisdom of Mother Earth that exists around us and within us.
Where would you like to see yourself in three years time.
Spending my days writing, enjoying nature, spending time with those I love and doing work in the world that feels good and protects our planet.
Deeply connected to a community that is supportive and brings a lot of joy into my life. Enjoying the process of being a friend, mother, wife, daughter etc.
Continuing to help others and our planet through writing, yoga, meditation, workshops and nature connection. Earning abundance through this that enables me to generously give back to others and our planet.
Continuing to prioritize my joy and nourishment through activities I love every day.
What is your strategy you use to grow your audience?
I am definitely still learning this! I primarily use Instagram and the different tools I’ve stumbled on there (hashtags, connecting with poetry accounts and other poets). I don’t like to drive myself crazy with trying to grow, grow, grow and I struggle when I start to value my worth on likes or comments, so I try to do it as organically as possible and in a way that feels good and nurturing.
What advice would you give young poets just starting out?
Trust that your words are meant to be heard, and that they have meaning beyond what you know right now. Try not to get stuck in judging yourself harshly or diminishing the value of your words based on the amount of likes you get or the following you acquire. Rather than putting a lot of pressure on yourself, keep returning to the reason why you write, the purpose behind the words that come and focus on serving the healing of yourself and others through this. Trust in your gift, and keep pursuing and enjoying the process of creating. Take care of yourself and prioritize whatever it is that makes you feel good and inspired.
Do you think poetry has a greater purpose?
Absolutely!! It has the ability to remind us that we are not alone. That others experience the same feelings as we do and that we can grow within this. It reminds us that we belong, that it is okay to feel the things that we feel, and that there is beauty in the world even if we struggle to see it. It gives us deep hope and connection- things that humanity needs to cultivate more than ever.
Many thanks Sarah for this wonderful Interview. If you want to learn more about Sarah and her Poetry please follow her on Instagram, grab her book and bookmark her website.
Instagram: @sacredbysare
Book: https://www.amazon.com/dp/1693903024
Website: https://www.sacredbysare.com/
Desire Map Profile: https://www.thedesiremap.com/coaches-and-facilitators/sarah-mcauley