Winner of The Lucky Leprechaun Giveaway and release of my children's book

And the winner of the Lucky Leprechaun Giveaway hop is...

Marlene Breakfield

 Congratulations Marlene! You just won a $15 dollar gift card to Barnes & Noble and choice of one of my children's books. Please email me nmcarlisle@ymail.com with your address and your book choice. :)

 

I just want to say thank you to everyone who participated in the Giveaway! Welcome to my blog! Hope you stick around and keep in touch. 

 

One more thing I would like to say... my newest children's book

"Home Is Where Your Heart Is" is now available for purchase on createspace.com and amazon.com. Percentage of proceeds will be donated to East Coast Paws N Claws rescue. It is currently available in paperback and will be available soon in kindle format as well.

 

 

:) Happy Saturday everyone! 

 

 

 

  
From March 15th through March 22nd, I'm participating in the Lucky Leprechaun Giveaway Hop hosted by I AM A Reader, Not A Writer and co-hosted by Books Complete Me & Author Cindy Thomas

 I'll be giving away a $15 dollar gift card to Barnes & Noble...

  
PLUS
 
 An autographed copy of one of my soon-to-be released children's books. 

  
 You will have a choice between these two titles:


          

Details:
$15 Barnes & Noble Gift Card to one winner of the Giveaway plus 
an autographed copy of my soon-to-be released children's book of your choice: 
Welcome Back, Jack or Home is Where Your Heart Is.
Open to US only.
Drawing for the Giveaway will be held on March 22,
and the winners will be announced on March 23.

To be eligible to enter the Giveaway, you must "Follow" this site then enter with this  
FORM. One entry per person please. Friend me on Facebook, Follow me on Twitter and/or Friend me on Goodreads for extra chances to win. Leave a comment "If you could be any animal what would you be and why?" and your URL and I'll follow you back!

 

Thanks for stopping by- I look forward to meeting you. 

The link to other participating blogs

A new email account

Hey everyone! For the past few months I have not been able to access my email account on my website. I keep trying but it isn't working so I went ahead and created a new email account so people can contact me if they would like with any writing questions, opinions of the book, anything. I enjoy getting mail from fans.
If you HAVE previously written me on my website and I HAVE NOT responded, I apologize. I should have informed you all sooner but I was hoping I would figure it out and be able to keep the original one. However, that didn't happen. So please, if you wrote me something but you haven't heard a peep from me, send it again to the following email address:

nmcarlisle@ymail.com


Thank you. You are all important to me and my writing, and I enjoy hearing from you.

Young Author Appreciation Day

Hey everyone! I've been super busy since Wednesday and I am finally getting the chance to share all the fun. Well at least my fun. Remember that guest reader/speaker thing I mentioned last blog? If not, pretty much I was asked to visit an elementary school this week for young author appreciation day. It was for a third grade class here locally in my state, and for just a small but meaningful time slot. I will straight up say I was nervous about going. I know they are kids and that seems silly, but for those of you that don't know me, I'm very nervous and shy with public speaking. And I was going to have to read my book in front of them, and talk to them about ... well, who knows what. I didn't really have any idea what to talk about. I never did this before. The day of, I quickly jotted down some little facts about the importance of reading and writing in a notebook and went on my way.
When I got there I realized its been a very long time since I stepped foot in a school and it was sort of like being a new student. I had no idea where to go. (which I found kind of funny) But it wasn't long before I found the office and got my visitor pass and was escorted to the 3rd grade class.
I was a little early, so I sat back in the teacher's chair and watched them learning about decimals and fractions. (Let me just tell you, until this day they boggle my mind and instantly make me panic.I was just happy the teacher didn't call on me to answer any questions )
Then before I knew it ...it was my turn to take the front of the room. I stood there for a moment, tiny little kids with big, curious eyes staring at me, and I felt my fingers shaking a little. I introduced myself, and then decided to start off the day with one very important question. "Who in this room wants to be a writer?"
When I saw half the class raise their hands, I felt myself start to relax. Before I knew it, I didn't have to think of anything to say, they were talking and asking the questions and I was just answering. They wanted to know all about writing and books, and they instantly reminded me of me at that age. They had stories on their desks that they written, they had stories they were telling me about. They were so enthusiastic, it was awesome! Then I asked them the question, "Who here wants me to read them my book?"
Every single hand shot up. And as I read, they leaned forward and listened completely.



(here is a shot of me. This is what I was dressed like and my book. I wore bright colors because it was for a third grade class and because the bright colors gave me the confidence I needed and the positive, bright energy I seeked. Plus I just really like fun colors )

 
And when I was done I asked them, "What is the message of this story?"
And they all started raising their hands, saying things like "love, family, helping others, hope, etc."
And we went on to discuss different ways to help people, and how they have helped others in their lives and how others have helped them.
Over all the experience could not have been more meaningful for me. I grew as an author that day. I learned things, as well as taught things. I read a story as well as heard stories. The imagination and excitement in that classroom was indescribable, and completely beautiful and gave me the inspiration to write again, that I've been missing. It reminded me just why I wanted to be a writer growing up and reminded me that all I have to do is believe in myself. As long as I got my notebook, my pen, and my imagination, I know I can make my dreams come true.


And since that class, I've been writing since. I might have gone there to inspire children, but in the end they have inspired me.