Meet Sara Triana | Poet, Picture Book Author & Podcaster

We had the good fortune of connecting with Sara Triana and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Sara, is there something that you feel is most responsible for your success?
Although my audience or network may seem small to some, it is solid. My readers trust that I speak truthfully about both hope and pain. Authenticity is why even people who disagree with me trust me. When I say what is hard or what is wonderful about my experience of motherhood or about existing in our polarized modern society, that truth resonates with people even if their experience of the world is completely different.

Alright, so let’s move onto what keeps you busy professionally?
When the shutdown began in March, I used the time to create a chapbook, a small handmade book, of some of my recent poetry. It was my intention that the collection would bring a little seed of hope to anyone who read it. The title is “Poppy Seeds.” I have been writing poetry almost daily throughout the pandemic. It helps to have this outlet where I can process the political unrest, all of the loss associated with the virus and the shutdown, our polarized climate, the protests, and the feelings of both hope and anxiety about the upcoming election. I have had a lot of fun with my poetry lately, using it as a way to dialogue with other poetry, art, and current events. Being “stuck” at home has been a great opportunity to really get to know the plants, animals, and insects around me. I love including a lot of natural details to situate my work in the place and time in which I am writing. Before the pandemic, I published my second picture book. “Every Day is Making Day” is a creative anthem for little makers that declares “today is the day to make THE THING!” My book tour events were cancelled, but I loved reading to classrooms over Zoom in the spring. I really miss doing storytime and making art with kids. I can’t wait to do them again once it’s safe to be together. It’s my favorite thing to tell little humans that the things they make are important and that they should absolutely keep making them.

If you had a friend visiting you, what are some of the local spots you’d want to take them around to?
I would love to take a friend to meditate at the Rothko Chapel, walk around Centennial Gardens, and grab dinner and a beer at Rice Box. If we had two days, I would see what chef Jane Wild is cooking up at Golden Bagels & Coffee in the Heights and pop in to the MFAH before heading down to catch the sunset on the beach in Galveston.

Shoutout is all about shouting out others who you feel deserve additional recognition and exposure. Who would you like to shoutout?
The Holy Family Artist Collective, and in particular the collective’s leader, artist Lanecia Rouse Tinsley, has really encouraged my creative practice in the last two years.

Website: saratrianamitchell.com
Instagram: @saratrianamitchell
Other: whatsmore.simplecast.com