Her A-Ha Moment
Children’s book author and faith-based writer Lisa M. Pritchard, contributor to the newly published Carolina Tides, shares the a-ha moment that lit up her life.
I recently acquired a book titled Carolina Tides, which was part of a collaborative effort with seven female writers. It is a collection of seven coastal stories designed to be “a story a day for a week-long stay.” The authors are contributing 100% of the proceeds to two women’s shelters, Hope Harbor and Ryzon Refuge.
One of the authors is Lisa M. Pritchard, who wrote a book called “Brighter Days Ahead.”
I met with her at the brand-new Waterway Tavern in Ocean Isle Beach to chat about her writing craft and why she does it. She said her upbringing in Lexington, North Carolina, was pretty eventful, and though she couldn’t know it at the time, it would shape her life in wonderful ways.
If, as I suspect, her story in Carolina Tides was largely autobiographical (with some liberties taken with facts and names changed to protect the innocent), it reveals a deep connection to her Christian faith. And it shares the names of actual places she visited in Ocean Isle Beach, all of which I, as an OIB resident, recognized.
I learned that Pritchard has also made quite a name for herself in the genre of children’s books, saying she wants to share her joy with a group of young hearts and minds.
With a master’s degree in education earned from NC State, she became a grade 9 to 12 teacher, a Teacher of the Year, in fact, but she was troubled by the very low literacy rates of many children in North Carolina schools. And even more troubled that those literacy rates were plummeting.
Ever the can-do woman, Pritchard prayed about how she could help change that. And the answer she got was “write children’s books.”
One evening, her husband, John, and their silver Labrador came home from hunting. She fussed at John for dragging mud into the house, and he said, “I guess we are just Dirt Dog and the Nasty.”
And her first book in the Dog and Friends series, Dirt Dog Invites Prissy Poodle to the Prom, was born. It’s aimed at the 4- to 8-year-old age group, and it’s about a scruffy, dirty little dog who wants to ask a polished little poodle named Prissy to the prom.
Prichard’s promos call it “a heartwarming story about kindness, inclusion, perseverance and recognizing inner value. It’s designed to help young readers understand that true worth comes from character, not outward appearances.”
Call me a Pollyanna, but there are many adults who might benefit from the message of this “perfect read-aloud story.”
It must have made an impact, as it was named a finalist in the Children’s Book International 2026. It “encourages children who may worry about fitting in, those facing self-doubt or who feel disappointed.”
When I asked Pritchard about her ideas and inspiration, she did not hesitate for a second: “God guides and provides,” she says.
And she quickly dispels any idea that she’s proselytizing and trying to indoctrinate anyone.
“I don’t want anyone to feel indoctrinated. It’s a good thing. It’s (Christianity) not a cult. My faith is gently woven into my stories to inform and inspire.”
In her own life before Dirt Dog, Pritchard clearly recalls the exact moment when she “saw the light.”
“I was in church listening to a sermon, and the pastor made a comment about repentance. He said, ‘Repentance doesn’t mean saying you’re sorry and then doing the same things over and over again and continuing to say you’re sorry. Repentance means changing your direction and turning away from your sinful lifestyle.’”
And bingo! Lisa’s a-ha light bulb lit up.
She has successfully changed many things about the way she lives her now God-centered life. The absolute joy I felt emanating from her matched her enthusiasm for her work.
Pritchard has become so successful that she added to the Dirt Dog saga with a patriotic book titled Tiny Tot Tiger Says Happy Birthday, America! This book helps children understand patriotism and that brave men and women in uniform protect our country and preserve our God-given freedom.
She is co-authoring another series, Pets to the Rescue: A Cousin Crew Series, with Jennifer Tirrell. The first two books are Apple Butter Adventure and America’s Birthday Hero and are for ages 7 to 10. Book three, Silver Sleuth Christmas, is scheduled for fall 2026.
Prichard’s books are designed to create interactive reading experiences between children and adults and to promote literacy and vocabulary development while combining story-telling with educational and character-building elements.
She is currently creating activity workbooks for the Dirt Dog and Friends series. Both the workbooks and audiobooks are scheduled for fall 2026 availability.
The author, who states unequivocally, “I am in love with writing,” claims it takes about a week to hammer out a rough draft of a children’s book, though the publishing process can take a year.
Her light romance contribution to Carolina Tides was a 10,000-word piece that took about six weeks. Yours truly enjoyed it, and I think anyone from the OIB area and southeastern Brunswick County would as well.
Pritchard’s inspirational story reminded me of my old tavern buddy Zeke’s sage words when I asked him where good judgment comes from.
Zeke had taken the trek down the aisle at least four times.
“Good judgment comes from experience, lad,” he said.
“And where does experience come from, Zeke?” I asked.
“Bad judgment, son,” was his terse reply.
If you have children in the younger age-range, picking up one or more of Lisa Pritchard’s books for children would show some good judgment.
My own grandchildren will likely find some extra gifts in their stockings this Christmas. If not sooner.
More Information
Follow Lisa M. Pritchard on Facebook
See her books on Amazon.com: Lisa M Pritchard: books, biography, latest update
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