Samantha J Harrison:Staffordshire Poet

Samantha J Harrison, from Stone in Staffordshire is a published Poet and Freelance Creative Writer specialising in free verse poetry.

I draw my poetry inspiration from the highs and low of my own life, using past experiences, joys and difficulties to develop my poetic verses.

We caught up with Samantha to get some better insight into her work and passion for poetry

How did you get into what you do?

I have always been quiet, preferring to sit with my own thoughts and listen to the people around me, rather than to speaking up and shouting out loud!

I first started writing my thoughts down in journals over 10 years ago and found that my ability to articulate my thoughts and feelings was much easier through the written word, and thus my passion for poetry was borne.

When asked, I have often summed up my poetry as “My heart speaks, and the words flow”.

Tell us about the sort of things you have done?

I have been published in many local and national poetry collections and magazines and also have numerous publications with online poetry sites.

I have been working on writing my first poetry book collection for several months now, finally finishing and publishing my first digital book recently.

Like most poets, I enter countless poetry competitions and am honoured to have been featured and highly praised on many occasions, which is the fuel in the engine of any creative writer.

What are you up to currently?

My biggest project thus far has just been realised with the publication of my first digital poetry book. Developed for Kindle and eBook readers, I have created a collection of my favourite poems and published them in “Through the Window”, which is now available to purchase on Amazon.

I am hoping to expand on this latest publication by creating a paperback version with a publishing house, which will see my greatest dream come true.

Who do you admire? Who influences or inspires you and why?

I am inspired by great poets such as Maya Angelou and E.E. Cummings. I find that their approach to life and poetry comes from the heart, not the head and their words speak to me on a deeper level.

I am also influenced and inspired by any poet, writer or artist who is able to draw on their own experiences and create a bridge of healing and understanding for those going through similar situations and circumstances.

What’s coming up for you? Any big plans, projects news for the future?

The future for me hopefully holds in it a fully published collection of my works in paper and hard back that will adorn many a bookshelf in the homes of poetry lovers everywhere.

For me, writing is a cathartic process and something that I do for the joy and passion of it, so I am sure that my future holds many more poems and possibly a poetry tour in the coming years.

How can people get to experience what you do?

Many of my poems can be found on my blog page and I am in the process of having my poetry & art website created, details of which will be published on my blog and Facebook page once launched.