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S. D. Smith

New Stories with an Old Soul

S. D. Smith

Green Ember Memories and Writing “The End” Again

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This story goes back and back. It’s been around seven years since the first Green Ember book was first shared with the world, but the story—in its first iteration—was shared in my little world for many years before that. (Well before this innocuous FB post and it’s sweet little typo twelve years ago. The image of Sam Gamgee beneath was created years later.) It started on a porch in West … [Read more...] about Green Ember Memories and Writing “The End” Again

A Few Words Remembering Thomas McKenzie

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I love Thomas McKenzie. He died on Monday. I met Thomas years ago at The Rabbit Room’s conference. We hit it off immediately—for lots of reasons. We laughed so much, and connected easily over playful jibes and witty banter. He was funny. But there was much more to him than a great sense of humor. Thomas was perhaps the best storyteller I have ever heard in person. Hilarious, poignant, with … [Read more...] about A Few Words Remembering Thomas McKenzie

A Grateful Writer: Thanks, Walt

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“This is what shapers do for those who have neither universe, nor personhood, nor name: We weave the world around them.” – Walt Wangerin, Jr. I was sad to learn of the death of author Walt Wangerin, Jr. He died yesterday.  Walt's The Book of the Dunn Cow is phenomenal, and he's written many excellent books. But hearing him speak at the first ever Rabbit Room Hutchmoot in Nashville, many … [Read more...] about A Grateful Writer: Thanks, Walt

It’s a Great Day to Disbelieve Lies and Ignore Prompts to Outrage

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Today is a great day to ignore social media and traditional media prompts to hatred, envy, outrage, and despair. It's a good day to love real people we're in real community with and to try super hard to disbelieve the lies we tell ourselves about our story and the lies our families or tribes or idols demand we affirm. It’s a good day to turn to Jesus. It is also a good day for a cookie. … [Read more...] about It’s a Great Day to Disbelieve Lies and Ignore Prompts to Outrage

Don’t Stop at The Green Ember! Get The Follow-Up Book For FREE + GRAB a FREE Ember COLORING SHEET Here!)

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Have you stopped reading after reaching the end of The Green Ember? Don’t! Ember Falls is a thrilling adventure field-tested by thousands of other families. There are nearly 1,500 reviews on Amazon and they rate it 4.9 out of 5! Over 90% give it all five stars. ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ I am so grateful for the positive feedback! And always appreciate those who take the time to review! It helps so … [Read more...] about Don’t Stop at The Green Ember! Get The Follow-Up Book For FREE + GRAB a FREE Ember COLORING SHEET Here!)

What Are We Reading? What Are You Reading?

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What book are you loving now?💚📚💚📚💚📚💚 We Smiths are traveling and having a great time. ✈️🚐🌄🏊‍♀️🙏🏽I asked each member of our family to tell me what they are reading (or listening to) on the trip. 👇🏽Gina/Mom: The Scarlet Pimpernel by Baroness OrczySam/Dad: A Tale of Two Cities by Charles Dickens Anne: Anna Karenina by Leo Tolstoy Josiah: The Weight of Glory by C. S. LewisMicah: As Brave as You by … [Read more...] about What Are We Reading? What Are You Reading?

My Place BESIDE You…

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“My place beside you…” That’s the start of the sacred oath the characters recite in The Green Ember that resonated deeply with me when it first flowed from my fingers into the tale and has since moved so many readers. I don’t view my work as a platform to achieve “elite artist status” but as a magical-ordinary vocation where God has called me to be an ally in imagination to families who are … [Read more...] about My Place BESIDE You…

Be a Maker Not a Faker

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Be a maker not a faker. We are bonkers over fake endeavors. Fake war. (Fortnite, Call of Duty etc.) Fake love. (You know what I’m talking about.) Fake public service/citizenship. (Social media fights.) Fake. Fake. Fake. No. Be a real human. And really make things. Don’t fake it till you make it. Make it. Then you don’t have to fake it. Make. Make better. Make more. Zach Franzen told me that … [Read more...] about Be a Maker Not a Faker