Saturday, December 6, 2014

Author Visit at Buffalo Trail



Great day spent on Friday, Dec. 5th! I had a wonderful author visit at, Buffalo Trail elementary school. Great group of students! Spent the morning talking about my writing process, editing, working with an illustrator, the writing to publishing process and what it has been like to become a published author. There definitely were some up and come aspiring authors/writers and illustrators. And of course, my inspiration for writing is my son Preston.

 Later that evening, I was at the Barnes & Noble, at the Southlands location. It was great seeing some of the young faces that I had seen earlier that day.
 

Friday, October 10, 2014

Author Visit

What a wonderful morning as the visiting Author, with the K-2 students (330) at Florida Pitt-Waller school, in Green Valley Ranch. Great staff and thanks to the "EWI" group for making this possible! Thanks to Paul McConnell, for the photos!

Thursday, October 9, 2014

The 9th Annual Vision Walk

 Check out this segment, We are talking about the vision walk coming up in Den. and Miranda does a great job explaining her eye disease.

Tuesday, September 16, 2014

A Gift from a friends Passing


A Gift from a Friends Passing


As I set here this morning with my writings and my 2 dogs by my feet sipping on a hot cup of decaf, I get this call from a friend of mine that had recently lost her husband,  and a friend of mine as well. As she fought back the tears to share with me that his corneas were donated to, two different people that live in Colorado; a female and a male. It has helped to restore and overcome blindness. That was the 1st letter she has received to inform her of her husband’s blessings. She knows how passionate I am about bringing awareness to low vision, and to help restore vision, so to hear that a friend of mine has giving such a gift for something I am so passionate about, I am honored and speechless and I applaud him! She knew that her husband did a great thing by donating his organs, and his son is so proud of him as well! She knew by his generous gift, that would allow the recipients to see the mountains again, or a new liver, kidney etc… and a 2nd chance of life.  Here’s to you my friend for giving life and vision to those here on this beautiful planet!  He was able to turn something so tragic for those he left behind, to something so wonderful! Your kindness will keep living!

Thursday, August 21, 2014

Tori's Journey with Lymphatic Malformation


Tori’s Journey with Lymphatic Malformation

I would like to share this truly amazing young ladies journey with you. I had the pleasure of meeting Tori in person a few weeks ago; I was able to chat with her for awhile. She is incredible, beautiful bright young lady. Tori is getting ready to start college and I am wishing her the best in her journey!  Despite challenges in life she has pushed through them and continues to inspire others! Please feel free to comment on this link as I have tagged Tori. Tori is standing next to her friend Kennedy that also has LM.  Peace!
Our friend Tori has written a little something for us to share on this page. She was also born with Lymphatic Malformation, lives in North Jersey and travels to Boston Children's also for treatment like Kennedy. Recently Tori graduated and is heading off to college soon! She is a super strong girl with a bright future- glad to have their family to go through this journey with. Thank you Tori for sharing...

Hi everyone! I'm Tori, Kennedy's friend I also have Lymphatic Malformations. Here are some things you should know about LM in general and also how it affects me personally!
I guess you could say that my life has been different from most “teenagers’”. I was born with a rare medical condition. It is not hereditary or contagious. I am not disabled - I can do anything and everything anyone else can do. The only difference is my appearance. LM is enlarged tissue that makes me look abnormal compared to other people. I developed this condition before I was even born. It’s one of those “one in a million” things that just sort of happened without my or anyone else’s control. No known food, medicine, or activity during pregnancy can cause this. This isn’t like cancer. There is no “cure” and it’s not a tumor so I can’t just get it “removed”. It is a process of big major-risk surgeries throughout my life that will help correct the abnormality so I will be able to look what you may call “normal”. I have had about 25 different surgeries from when I was 2 months old until now. I am 18 years old.
Being born with this condition I’ve always felt uncomfortable in my own skin. Like I wasn’t supposed to be in this body, like it was some horrible costume that I was desperate to shed out of. Despite the way I looked, though, I never let that stop me from doing what others could do. Even though it took time and hard work, I learned how to swim with my trachea. I joined basketball, softball, dance, ice-skating, gymnastics, and more. I never let my condition affect my capabilities.
Because of my struggle, I’ve learned not only to have more sympathy for people, but also to look at things with a whole new perspective. Along with that, I have a different perspective on myself. I’ve learned to be strong, determined, and motivated. Those qualities are very important to me to have because they will be helpful for me later in the future as I plan to become a counselor. My dream is to inspire people with my story, as well as help them with my own experience. Thanks for reading

Friday, August 1, 2014

August is Amblyopia Awareness Month

As part of Children's eye and safety month, August is also Amblyopia Awareness Month. What is Amblyopia? According to the American Optometric Association, Ambloyopia (or lazy eye) is the loss or lack of development of vision in an eye that is unrelated to any eye health problem. The brain, for some reason, does not acknowledge the images seen by the amblyopic eye. Reduced vision due to amblyopia is not correctable with lenses alone. Amblyopia typically occurs in children before the age of 8, so it is imperative to have your child tested. As you get your Children ready for school, dont forget to take them in for eye exams. Should be done every year!

Thursday, July 31, 2014

Writing The New Book!

Writing the next book! "Chomper My Bearded Dragon". Very excited about this one!
Note, this book is not part of the "Patch Land Adventures" series.


Tuesday, June 17, 2014

Great Book reviews!

Two great reviews for Book Three! Thank you to Mrs World, April Lufriu, & Timothy J, Shoen. PH.D. Getting closer to print date! Here the back cover.

Friday, May 23, 2014

A Little Background On Memorial Day!

A Little Background On Memorial Day!


Have a great and safe weekend! & dont forget to honor those who have passed & continue for our freedom!


It is traditional to fly the flag of the United States at half mast from dawn until noon. Many people visit cemeteries and memorials, particularly to honor those who have died in military service. Many volunteers place an American flag on each grave in national cemeteries. Memorial Day is combined with Jefferson Davis' Birthday in Mississippi.


Memorial Day started as an event to honor Union soldiers, who had died during the American Civil War. It was inspired by the way people in the Southern states honored their dead. After World War I, it was extended to include all men and women, who died in any war or military action.

Memorial Day was originally known as Decoration Day. The current name for this day did not come into use until after World War II. Decoration Day and then Memorial Day used to be held on May 30, regardless of the day of the week, on which it fell. In 1968, the Uniform Holidays Bill was passed as part of a move to use federal holidays to create three-day weekends. This meant that that, from 1971, Memorial Day holiday has been officially observed on the last Monday in May. However, it took a longer period for all American states to recognize the new date.

Monday, May 12, 2014

Celebrate Children's Book Week! May 12-18


Celebrate Children's Book Week! May 12-18

Order your signed copies! Thanks for your support!
www.patchlandadventures.com

Tuesday, May 6, 2014

Outstanding Chapter for the Foundation Fighting Blindness!

Way to go Denver! Thank you to all of our Amazing members to make this happen! We will find a cure to Blindness! "Denver Chapter has once again been named Outstanding Chapter for the Foundation Fighting Blindness! Our president, Carmen Swick, invites you to join her at the Host Chapter Reception on Thursday, June 19th at 5:30 PM where we will welcome everyone from around the country. You can attend for FREE on Thursday and meet lots of wonderful people!" Let us know if you can make it! Email us at Denver@FightBlindness.org.

Saturday, April 19, 2014

2014, Young Writer's Conference


I was thrilled to be a presenting author for this year’s 2014, Young Writer's Conference for Jeffco Public Schools, 8 elementary schools were involved this Thursday evening.

I spoke to the parents 1st, for 45mins, then off to the auditorium for the K-2 and their parents. What a fabulous group of Aspiring authors!


Friday, April 4, 2014

Interview by Beach Bound Books from 2013

(I found this on twitter the other day.)

Meet Carmen Swick, Author of Patch Land Adventures Picture

  What inspired me to become a Children’s author? My son was Preston is my inspiration for writing these series of books! He has Amblyopia and Strabismus. The Dr. told me that he was legally blind in his left eye and he needs to keep up with his eye patching 6 to 8 hrs a day. My son and so many others struggle with the eye patching, because they cannot see very well during patch time, since they have to patch the stronger eye in order to strengthen the weaker eye. The struggles of everyday broke my heart! After that doctor’s eye appointment I told him I was going to write Children’s books and it would be called Patch land, changed to (Patch Land Adventures). How did you come up with the Idea for Patch Land Adventures? I wanted my books to be easy to read and that the children could relate to. These books are Fiction and Non-Fiction. My son Preston is a very active young boy that enjoys life and adventures, sports, camping dirt biking to name a few, so I based some of his real life events into the stories. When young readers join Preston and his dog Beau on their fun-filled adventures, they will feel like they are there with them, cheering them on as they overcome their vision challenges. This is why I came up with anything is possible in Patch Land”. What was your favorite book as a child? Pippi Longstockings. Pippi who lives without any grownups in a little house at the edge of the village. The matter-of-fact way in which her absurd adventures are related is one of the chief charms of this story. She is so unique! What do you hope the children will learn from your books? I would like my books to help children that need to eye patch as a tool! Let them know that they can do anything! For the children that don’t eye patch they will understand that just because someone has a challenge doesn’t mean that they are any different from them and they will also love the story, it’s heartwarming and captivating. Did you do your own illustrations or did you hire an illustrator? No, I did not do my own illustrations I hired Joey Manfre, and. I am so glad that I did! We try and speak on weekly basics. Joey is brilliant and very talented! His gift as an artist truly shows through his work He knows how to bring the story to life, while keeping the authors vision. Are you currently working on any more books? Yes I am, I have written three books, but I am in the process with book two Patch Land Adventures Camping at Mimi’s Ranch with my Illustrator Joey Manfre hopefully to be out in print sometime this summer. The 3rd book will hopefully be out a year after the 2nd one comes out in print. You can find out more about Carmen Swick, her son Preston and Patch Land Adventures by visiting patchlandadventures.com or patchlandwritings.blogspot.com.

Friday, February 21, 2014

The unveiling of, Patch Land Adventures (Book Three) "Pirates Adventure" Front cover

The unveiling of, Patch Land Adventures (Book Three) "Pirates Adventure" Front cover by, Joey Manfre, my illustrator & creative partner. Great job Joey! & thanks for capturing my vision as an author! I think this cover is so cute! Looking Forward to seeing the illustrations, for book 3! The manual script has had it final edit! Hopefully the book will be in print the next couple of months! It will be excited to see the book come to life with the illustrations!

Saturday, February 8, 2014

Avi, the Writer/Author

I had the opportunity to hear Avi, the writer/author speak the other night at my nieces High School. I really enjoyed his unique style of writing and storytelling. Avi shared his number one advice with the Children, about becoming a great writer, it is to read, read, & read! Avi, kept emphising, read, read! He has 73 books published, and 10 books, that are not published. He mentioned that, he was never a great speller, and to this date, he is still, not a great speller. Avi shared with the group some of his school work when he was a youngster. The teacher had marked in red, not so wonderful remarks about his grammar, spelling etc… Fast forward to the date, you can see that did not stop him from his life’s work! When he went to college, he refused to take any writing class etc… due to having some professor tell him that is work spelling etc… was not to standard. Avi didn’t want to relive those, not so wonderful feelings, which he had left behind. He also shared some of the letters he had received from editors, rejections. One editor told Avi, the only great thing about this book, was the title. That was crushing! It really hurt! Obviously, it’s up to the individual, what they do with that information. If it’s your heart, take the criticism, and keep going! Make sure that you surround yourself with the same minded people! Family, friends etc… that will encourage you to keep writing if that is your passion to do so! When I started my journey in writing, I made sure to find a great editor that was able to help me through the process! That is one important piece of advice I would like to share with you! And be supportive to others in their life journey!

Our dog Beau

Our dog Beau
Preston's eye patch buddy

Preston and his eye Doctor

Preston and his eye Doctor
Eye Exam

Preston and Beau Eye Patching

Preston and Beau Eye Patching
Eye Patch Buddies