Samantha Bennett's Blog

Hello there, dear readers. I declare this a free writing day. For those interested, find a quiet place away from the world and grab a pen and journal. Write these words at the top of your page: "I breathed in the earthy scent and stepped into the forest..." Now let the words flow freely without censoring. If this is your first free write, then try to write for at least five minutes. If you have some free writing practice, then write for at least ten minutes. Enjoy!

"Stories are written and told by and for people who have been broken, but who have risen up, or will rise, if attention is paid to them." Anne Lamott

Why hello you stunning reader you. This Saturday, the amazing Axum Coffee is hosting a signing for Chasing Xaris from 10 to 11 am. So that's pretty great. If you're in the area, I would love to see you and talk Chandler! It's also a poem kind of day. But first, some beauty...

And now a poem:

I sit here, hopeful

Wanting to hold

Words from another land

But so often my arms are heavy logs

They are full

Brimming with worries and fears

Will we make it?

What if I hurt her?

What if they leave?

What if I’m discovered?

Yet you know me

You’ve plumed my depths

And still you come

Still you hold me

And whisper away my fears

So steady

Strong

You hear my questions

Every one

You hear my cries

Every cry

I spill them into your arms

Until my hands aren’t grasping

And you come close, so close

And you give, you give

You

To me

'Ello amazing people! So I have an idea to offer. It's a way to spend part of your morning on May 3rd. Come drink some delicious a chai latte (or coffee if you don't appreciate the wonder that is chai) and help me celebrate the release of my second book, Chasing Xaris. You can find all the info you'll need by clicking here!

Here's a little blurb about the book: A sixteen-year-old surfer still grieving the loss of her parents stumbles upon a hidden civilization, with supernatural and deadly consequences. Duh, duh, duh!

And now here is an extremely staged picture of me reading the book!

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Why 'ello there, beautiful readers! Today is a poem kind of day so here is one I'd love to share with you. It's called Bathed.

In the shadow world she lives,

A fallen, lonely place.

In the dark

She clutches a match and strikes light.

A thousand little fires on the countryside.

She scurries,

From pit to pit,

Wrestling to keep the fires in check.

The flames lick, stronger, brighter

Until their tangled light is her horizon.

She moves to flee,

To escape the flames of her hand.

She fights, stumbles,

Her charred skin howling.

Beyond the bend, she spots a seaside lit with stars.

Burns from the fire throb,

Reminders of her fallen world.

But under the jewel sky,

Light tastes so divine,

She tosses her match into the waves and lets the moonlight bathe her skin.

It's St. Patrick's Day. Which naturally means it's a great day for reading books with green in them. (Yes, I'm stretching here.) So, if you haven't read Penumbra or Chasing Xaris but you'd like to, you are in luck (pun noted). Both are free today through Wednesday in their ebook formats. Here is their little summaries with matching links:

PENUMBRA: Sent by a wicked king on a deadly quest, a slave girl and a disillusioned noble discover the long buried truth that has become treason in their land.

CHASING XARIS: A sixteen-year-old surfer still grieving the loss of her parents stumbles upon a hidden civilization, with supernatural and deadly consequences.

AND do you like contests? We do. Go to Tributaries Press to see how you can win a copy of four signed YA books (two written by me and two written by Joy Givens). Over and out!

Last week, I had the thrill and honor of speaking at the annual Kansas Author Dinner in Wichita--one of the greatest cities in America and, coincidentally, my hometown. The event is hosted by the Kappa Kappa Gamma Wichita Alumnae Association and invites three authors with Kansas roots to speak. So that's exactly what Marci Penner, Robert Rebein, and myself did. Some highlights for me...

*Sitting with my family at a fancy table eating fancy food.

*Meeting Marci and Robert. We're on a first-name basis now--although they might not know that.

*Sharing my story. Writing and I go back. Wayyyyyy back. I loved telling our history to a whole roomful of folks.

*Signing books to specific girls and hoping they find something in what I've written.

*Being present the whole evening. I was nervous, but I was still able to enjoy the dinner. And my-oh-my was it enjoyable.

Well this was a lovely Christmas present. Learned via twitter that the fabulous Nikki Bennett (no relation, promise) chose Penumbra as her 2013 YA book of the year! Whoo hoo! Thank you to Nikki and all you fabulous readers who have been Penumbra champions! Here is a link to the awards page. Over and out and happy post-Christmasing!

In the tune of Christmas merriment, both Chasing Xaris and Penumbra are FREE today in their techy Kindle versions. Huzzah and 'appy reading to you!

'Ello beautiful readers! Welcome to my new site. I'm oh-so glad you're here. So, in honor of Christmas time, I thought I'd share one of my favorite Christmas memories. For several years, I was in a play called Best Christmas Pageant Ever. And every year, during this particular season, I think about that play. I'd like to say it's because the theme of the play points to what matters to me. And that's part of it. But I loved all the peripheral stuff too. All the music, sparkly sweaters, backstage laughter, candy, the rush of the curtains opening, all that. I remember one performance in particular. It was a school performance (which meant I got to miss school and feel very old and accomplished) and it was snowing. Everything about that day felt so joyful.

These days came more naturally to me as a child, but they are available to me as an adult as well. I can choose to trust my Creator or I can give into fear, mistrust, and doubts about the future. My hope is to choose joy this Christmas season. In that vein, I'd like to wish you an oh-so-merry Christmas! And a fabulous transition into this New Year!