'Love Letters' writer has a helpful heart

The timing was serendipitous for the release of Paulette Dahl's book, “Love Letters: Extraordinary Loving for Everyday Living.”

The Sudbury resident and life coach will host a soft launch of the book on Feb. 11 at Heal Sudbury in the Rainbow Centre, and a formal launch on Feb. 19 at the same location.

With a release near Valentine's Day, the theme of love that is present throughout the book is a fitting, but Dahl was also able to tie into Heart Month, which runs throughout February.

“I knew I wanted to launch during Heart Month and I got in touch with the Heart & Stroke Foundation and $3 from each book sale will be donated to the foundation,” said Dahl.

The book is written as a series of love letters that cover 16 different “bring you down” emotions and are countered with “lift you up emotions”.

“They're paired in the book, so if you have loneliness it would be followed with a message about belonging,” said Dahl. “These are the messages and love underpins all of them.”

Though Dahl penned the letters, she is adament that she is not a guru and that the letters are not written in her voice, but rather through the voice of the emotions that are covered, and what they would have to say in a love letter to the reader (recipient).

“It's not the author who is speaking to the reader necessarily,” said Dahl. “It's interesting because the emotions that are covered like loneliness, and depression and guilt, they (the letters) tend to be coming from those places and they're not always easy or pleasant things to look at, but when we see it with love, we can at least get a sense that we're not alone in that.”

Paulette has been published before in a poetry anthology, but this will be her first foray into the world of having her own work published as a standalone, and she is excited about the chance to share the book with those who may be looking for a boost in their lives.

“Because this is non-fiction it's closer to me and I don't feel that sense of disconnect (with the reader) and there isn't that step back that you get with fiction where people don't really see the writer,” said Dahl.

“I'm excited to share the possibilities for people to find something to give them a little boost.”

Dahl is hoping to raise at least $600 for the Heart and Stroke Foundation through her book sales. Copies will be available at Heal Sudbury on both Feb. 11 (6:30 p.m.) and Feb. 19 (noon – 5 p.m.).

For more information, contact Paulette by email.