Tricia Goyer is the author of 20+ books and has published over 300 articles for national publications such as Guideposts for Kids, Focus on the Family, Christian Parenting Today, Today’s Christian Woman and HomeLife Magazine. She won Historical Novel of the Year in 2005 and 2006 from American Christian Fiction Writers, and was honored with the Writer of the Year award from Mt. Hermon Writer's Conference in 2003.
Using her own experiences as a teen mother, and leader of today’s generation, Tricia’s vision is to be a voice of hope and possibility for teenage girls, pregnant teen girls, mothers and wives through her educational and inspirational speaking, workshops and books. Her intention is to serve ordinary women by encouraging extraordinary things with God’s help. Tricia expresses real life, real hope, for real women.
I started visiting one of Tricia’s old blogs several years ago. In August 2009, I had the chance to meet her for breakfast when I went to Montana for a family vacation. During our visit, I discovered that we both homeschool our children, and of course, we both love to write.
You can find Tricia at her website: Tricia Goyer, and at her blog, It’s Real Life.
MG: When did you know you wanted to write?
TG: I knew I wanted to write when I was 22-years-old and pregnant with my third baby--not your typical aspiring author! My friend, Cindy Martinusen, wanted to be a writer, and when she told me that, something inside me fluttered and I knew that's what I wanted to do.
MG: How long have you been writing?
TG: I've been writing since 1994.
MG: How often do you write? Do you have a routine?
TG: I write five days a week for many hours a day. When I'm not writing I'm doing all the writing stuff--writing proposals, editing, marketing, etc.
My daily routine starts with morning devotions, followed by answering important emails, and then looking at my schedule. I block out times for different writing activities throughout the day. Each day looks different, depending on the priorities of that time.
MG: Do you have any other pursuits besides writing?
TG: My other-than-writing pursuits include caring for my family, homeschooling, working in children's church, mentoring teen moms, reading, and taking mission trips to the Czech Republic.
MG: Do you have a favorite author and or genre that you read?
TG: My favorite author(s) is Corrie ten Boom, Oswald Chambers, and Henry Blackaby. Strangely enough I read a lot more non-fiction than fiction! BUT I do love historical fiction.
MG: If you could keep only two writing books, what would they be and why?
TG: Writing the Breakout Novel Workbook by Donald Maass and Bird by Bird by Anne Lamott.
MG: If you could visit only two writing blogs, what would they be?
TG: Books and Such and Michael Hyatt.
MG: Why did you decide to pursue publishing?
TG: I loved to read and I thought nothing could be more wonderful than writing. More than that, I was a teen mom and I thought I could "prove" that I could make something for myself. After a few years God showed me that either of those were not good reasons. Now I write to glorify God and to follow His will. If He led me away from writing I'd follow because I know His way is always best.
MG: What has been the most difficult aspect of trying to get published?
TG: The most difficult thing about getting published was trying all types of different things trying to make editors happy. I've learned to write what's in my heart, not what I thought someone would want to publish.
MG: What one piece of advice would you give other writers, either about writing or about seeking publication?
TG: Submit to God. Relinquish your will to Him. Learn the trade, and then do the best to write THE story He places on your heart.
Using her own experiences as a teen mother, and leader of today’s generation, Tricia’s vision is to be a voice of hope and possibility for teenage girls, pregnant teen girls, mothers and wives through her educational and inspirational speaking, workshops and books. Her intention is to serve ordinary women by encouraging extraordinary things with God’s help. Tricia expresses real life, real hope, for real women.
I started visiting one of Tricia’s old blogs several years ago. In August 2009, I had the chance to meet her for breakfast when I went to Montana for a family vacation. During our visit, I discovered that we both homeschool our children, and of course, we both love to write.
You can find Tricia at her website: Tricia Goyer, and at her blog, It’s Real Life.
MG: When did you know you wanted to write?
TG: I knew I wanted to write when I was 22-years-old and pregnant with my third baby--not your typical aspiring author! My friend, Cindy Martinusen, wanted to be a writer, and when she told me that, something inside me fluttered and I knew that's what I wanted to do.
MG: How long have you been writing?
TG: I've been writing since 1994.
MG: How often do you write? Do you have a routine?
TG: I write five days a week for many hours a day. When I'm not writing I'm doing all the writing stuff--writing proposals, editing, marketing, etc.
My daily routine starts with morning devotions, followed by answering important emails, and then looking at my schedule. I block out times for different writing activities throughout the day. Each day looks different, depending on the priorities of that time.
MG: Do you have any other pursuits besides writing?
TG: My other-than-writing pursuits include caring for my family, homeschooling, working in children's church, mentoring teen moms, reading, and taking mission trips to the Czech Republic.
MG: Do you have a favorite author and or genre that you read?
TG: My favorite author(s) is Corrie ten Boom, Oswald Chambers, and Henry Blackaby. Strangely enough I read a lot more non-fiction than fiction! BUT I do love historical fiction.
MG: If you could keep only two writing books, what would they be and why?
TG: Writing the Breakout Novel Workbook by Donald Maass and Bird by Bird by Anne Lamott.
MG: If you could visit only two writing blogs, what would they be?
TG: Books and Such and Michael Hyatt.
MG: Why did you decide to pursue publishing?
TG: I loved to read and I thought nothing could be more wonderful than writing. More than that, I was a teen mom and I thought I could "prove" that I could make something for myself. After a few years God showed me that either of those were not good reasons. Now I write to glorify God and to follow His will. If He led me away from writing I'd follow because I know His way is always best.
MG: What has been the most difficult aspect of trying to get published?
TG: The most difficult thing about getting published was trying all types of different things trying to make editors happy. I've learned to write what's in my heart, not what I thought someone would want to publish.
MG: What one piece of advice would you give other writers, either about writing or about seeking publication?
TG: Submit to God. Relinquish your will to Him. Learn the trade, and then do the best to write THE story He places on your heart.
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