I am pretty convinced that the best time to fill up your gas tank is on a Monday morning. Seems as if the price drops when the weekend is over. I’ve noticed this trend, in particular, after repeatedly filling up the tank on Sunday afternoons and driving my son to high school on Monday mornings.

Yup, I’m a little slow on the uptake.

Next week, my parents are moving into the house across the street from me. Directly across the street. The wave-“hello”-in-the-morning-as-you-pick-up-the newspaper-from-the-driveway kind of proximity.

My dad is suffering from Alzheimer’s Disease and my mom is suffering from…well, from caring for my dad. They both need help. When the house across the street became available, as a rental, it seemed like one of those just-in-time answers to a prayer.

It still does, even though I am anticipating difficult moments. But I’m anticipating blessings, too. I’ll keep you posted.

Just a quick recap of Tricia’s writing success:

Tricia Goyer is the author of five novels, two non-fiction books, and one children’s book. Tricia was named Mount Hermon Christian Writers Conference “Writer of the Year” in 2003. In 2005, her book Life Interrupted was a finalist for the Gold Medallion. Also in 2005, her novel Night Song won ACFW’s Book of the Year for Long Historical Romance. In 2006, her novel Dawn of a Thousand Nights also won Book of the Year for Long Historical. She’s written over 250 articles for national publications and hundreds of Bible Study notes for the Women of Faith Study Bible. Tricia lives in Montana with her husband and three kids where she homeschools, leads children’s church, and mentors teenage mothers.

Q: Let’s say you were down in Antarctica for the summer, and had the bum luck of missing the last plane out, which two books would help you pass the time until spring? (A copy of the Gideon’s Bible has already been thoughtfully placed beside your bunk bed in the sleeping quarters.)

A: Thanks for the Bible! I’ll take My Utmost for His Highest by Oswald Chambers and The Beloved Disciple by Beth Moore. I’m currently rereading/reading both, and I love those books!

Q: Which writers have influenced you?

A: I learn something from every book I read. Various fiction writers shine at specific skills. And non-fiction writers amaze me in the way they share a message.

BUT the ones who truly impact me are those who are able to share truth in simple ways that knock my socks off: Beth Moore, Henry Blackaby, Oswald Chambers, Jennifer Kennedy Dean, Robert Benson, Philip Yancy . . . I cherish their books, underlining them, and soak in their words . . . because the reflect God’s truths to my heart.

Q: Writers are faced with so much to do from a publicity standpoint. What promotional technique has been most effective for you? Least effective?

A: I think the best tool I’ve used is my email newsletter. I mail it out every other month to 2,000+ readers, bookstore owner, librarians, etc. It lets people know my newest news. I also interview one of my author-friends in each issue. (To subscribe, email a note to: fromdustandashes@hotmail.com)

I also love my blogs (www.triciagoyer.blogspot.com and www.genxparents.blogspot.com) It’s easy to post information, and I love the immediate feedback.

My least-effective would be my print newsletters. They are so costly to produce and mail . . . and the same type of information can be sent via email.

Q: Are you working on anything new?

A: Of course! I’m currently working on the second novel in my series. The Chronicles of the Spanish Civil War. The first novel A Valley of Betrayal will be out in February. I’m also working on Generation NeXt Marriage. Both books are stretching me, and it’s good.

Q: Any advice to first time writers on getting published?

A: 1. Don’t give up. It took me eight years to hold my first published novel in my hands, and the journey was worth it. Not only did I learn a lot about writing during those years, God used the time for healing and growth in my own life. Remember, His timetable is perfect.

2. Connect with other writers. I have a close group of writing friends who have been both encouraging and helpful. We were all wanna-bes when we started and most of us now have numerous books in print! We started an email prayer group on-line. It’s a safe place to bring our concerns for our family, our writing, and our souls.

3. Take advantage of all the wonderful books on writing. I trained myself by taking the advice of others. My goal is to read one writing book a month . . . even now! I highlight as I read, and then I go back to the books later for good reminders.

4. Fake it until you make it. You are a writer even if you’re the only person who reads your words. Call yourself a writer. Take your writing-time seriously and others will too. There are many things I’ve had to say no to in order to write, but writing has also brought many more yeses into my life then I ever imagined possible!

Q. Last question: Anything else you’d like to add?

A: The most important thing I do is seeking God, listening, and trying to be obedient to the areas He calls me to—writing or otherwise. The publishing world can be so crazy at times with worries of book sales, marketing ideas, contracts or lack of them, etc. I have peace when I focus on God, knowing He’s taking care of all those things for me. Turning it over to Him is something I do daily, no wait, hourly!

Thanks,Tricia, for taking time to answer my questions. ~Suzanne

Thanks for having me!!

Tricia Goyer is the author of five novels, two non-fiction books, and one children’s book. Tricia was named Mount Hermon Christian Writers Conference “Writer of the Year” in 2003. In 2005, her book Life Interrupted was a finalist for the Gold Medallion. Also in 2005, her novel Night Song won ACFW’s Book of the Year for Long Historical Romance. In 2006, her novel Dawn of a Thousand Nights also won Book of the Year for Long Historical. She’s written over 250 articles for national publications and hundreds of Bible Study notes for the Women of Faith Study Bible. Tricia lives in Montana with her husband and three kids where she homeschools, leads children’s church, and mentors teenage mothers.

Q: Tricia, you have such an interesting story to tell. How did you decide that it was a story to be shared with others? When did your story evolve into a book?

A: My first non-fiction book, Life Interrupted: The Scoop on Being a Young Mom came out of my own experiences as a teen mother. My son Cory was born when I was seventeen-years-old, and it was a very traumatic time in my life. (Although I wouldn’t trade Cory for anything!)

I dropped out of school, got dumped from my boyfriend, and disconnected from most of my friends. It was also an amazing time because during my pregnancy I gave my heart to the Lord Jesus. I told Him, “God, I’ve screwed up big time. If you can do something with my life, please do.” Personally, I think He’s done a great job! He gets all the credit for anything worthwhile I’ve done.

I started writing around 1994 when I was 22-years-old and pregnant with my third baby. (One way God transformed my life is by giving me a great husband and two more kids!) In the midst of my “up-and-coming” writing career, I also was called to launch a crisis pregnancy center, and I began mentoring teen moms. I became so frustrated that I couldn’t find a parenting book unique for the girls I worked with that I decided I wanted to write one myself. Since I was a mentor for MOPS International, I approached MOPS with the book idea. They loved it and it’s published under their imprint.

Q: And how did you then segue into fiction from non-fiction? Do the two categories seem similar to you? Or vastly different? Which do you prefer writing?

A: I wanted to write fiction first. In fact, I have a half-dozen half completed contemporary novels on my hard drive! Basically, I started writing non-fiction articles to get some writing credits under my belt, and I discovered I loved writing non-fiction too.

My dream of writing fiction came true after hearing the amazing, true story of the liberation of a concentration camp in Austria. I fictionalized the true events and it became my novel, From Dust and Ashes. Through that book I discovered I love writing historical fiction, and my fifth historical novel will be published February 2007.

These two categories are similar in that I approach them the same: research and brainstorming before I “jump in.” They are different because I can work in chunks with my non-fiction, yet my fiction needs to flow. I love writing both. I feel God’s pleasure as I write both. I couldn’t imagine choosing one over the other. I think that’s because I’m a teacher at heart. Anything I learn I want to share with others. I do that with sharing ideas and sharing stories.

Q: What have you most enjoyed about being an author?

A: Writing. I love putting my thoughts down on paper. I love praying, and seeking God, and playing with words, and reforming my research into something that can bless others and open their understanding of a new topic or time in history. I love pointing people to God with words.

Q: Do you find writing easy or not? What’s the easiest part for you? What’s the hardest?

A: I find writing very easy. I’m one of those people who just sits down and starts typing. (Which a few of my friends despise me for!) When I know what I want to say, the words come fast. That said, I spend a lot of time on research, and that’s hardest part for me– mainly because I want to know everything, and I don’t have enough time to dig in to the research as I’d like. That’s the very hardest part—telling myself, “You know enough, just start typing.” I never feel as if I know enough.

Q: Do you agree or disagree with this comment: “If you can change people’s metaphors, you can change their lives.” Why or why not? How can writers change people’s metaphors?

A: Interesting comment. A metaphor is a comparison. In my opinion, it helps create a concrete image for a non-concrete idea, creating a picture in the mind of the reader.

Yes, I believe writers can change people’s metaphors. For example, my hope is that when people read my novels they can tie spiritual liberation with the physical liberations that take place in my books. Hopefully, it will bring a moving word-picture to mind, touching their hearts with God’s truth. Then, if they accept that truth, then I’m sure change can happen.

Q: What’s your motto?

A: The short answer: I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.

The long answer: God created me for a purpose. When I was the least likely to succeed at anything, He found me and transformed me. He has a plan for my days and will strengthen me to succeed as I step out in obedience.

I truly carry this realization with me and return to it numerous times daily.

Q: What would your “I’d rather be…” bumper sticker say?

A: I’d rather be . . . on the New York Times Bestseller List. Ha!

My next posting will wrap up the interview with Tricia as she shares advice for new writers.

I can’t get away from them! A friend of mine works at Guide Dogs for the Blind and will be flying up to its Oregon campus this week. The campus happens to be in Boring, Oregon.

Yes, you read that right. A name from old mining days.

However, as I said good-bye to Nancy, without thinking I yelled, “Have fun in Boring!” Then I cracked up.

My novel, Copper Star, set in Arizona in 1943, will be published in June 2007.

A startling development is brewing: You might want to sit down for this one, folks. There are five companies interested in the film rights of Copper Star. One of which, an agent, has offered a contract to represent its film rights.

Not sure how this will all transpire over time…all that might be offered and/or what I’ll accept…but I’ll keep you posted!

And another development is that discussion questions will be added to the back of Copper Star for book clubs to use.

Off to a good start, so far!

Yesterday, I was waiting for my friend, Peggy, at a coffee shop and overheard a mom’s conversation with her two sons:

Six-Year-Old Jack (screeching): “MOM! Cole sneezed into his cup of milk and then DRANK IT!!!”

Mom (in a resigned voice): “Well, Jack, two-year-olds have very low standards.”

Last night, I popped into the grocery store to get a few things and absently reached for a bag of chocolate chips in the baking aisle, knowing my 18-year-old daughter loves to bake chocolate chip cookies. Suddenly, I remembered that she wasn’t home anymore. Just a few days ago, we helped her unpack her belongings in a dorm room in college to start her freshman year. In another state. Hot tears stung my eyes as I fought back a wave of grief and tried to hurry out of the store, avoiding the odd look from the check-out clerk.

But it is grief. When a child leaves home, it is an ending. The official end of childhood for my daughter and, for me, the end of day-to-day involvement in a life in which I have been the steady caretaker for 18 years.

Right now, less than a week after moving my daughter to her dorm, it feels like more loss than gain. Soon, I know I’ll adjust and I won’t have to keep the door closed to her room to avoid the heart-pangs that come when I see how empty it looks. I know that it will be thrilling to see my daughter mature into young adulthood. I’ve observed the process with my older two children. Before long, the transition will be more gain than loss, for all of us. But, for now, I’m still at that “loss” point. Mostly, I miss having my kids at home! And I can’t deny that part of this adustment is an uncomfortable awareness that my husband and I are growing older. Family dynamics shift around as my fourth-and-last-child-at-home expands into the empty spaces. I know that his high school years will fly by; he’s already taller than I am. Too soon, we will be unpacking his college dorm room. I will become an official member of The Empty Nest Society.

Andy Rooney says that life is like a roll of toilet paper, it goes faster and faster and faster. True, but not reassuring. When my first child was born, I felt as though I was directed onto a sidewalk escalator, one of those moving types like the ones at the airport. I haven’t been able to get off of it. Time keeps skimming forward, like it or not.

And right now, I really don’t like this system. I want a breather. I want to freeze-frame things for a little while. To stop and savor these days.

When I get to Heaven, I hope to have a little time alone with God to give Him a few suggestions, such as what on earth was He thinking when He established Time as a moving sidewalk escalator? I’m going to recommend that He makes Time a little more elastic: stretch-able during wonderfully happy moments, like Christmas morning or when a baby takes his first steps. Contract-able during less-than-wonderful moments, like having a root canal. Think He’ll buy it?

Yea, I sorta doubt it, too.

So the actual word “oxymoron” means a sharp dullness…which kinda seems like an oxymoron in itself.

The last few letters:

X-ray tube (what is that?!)
Yes Means No
Zero Deficit

Et Voila`! And that’s a wrap for finding oxymorons for the alphabet!
Readers’ all-time favorite was:
Required Donation (an obvious sign that I was doing these in September when school started up again).

We’re taking my daughter to college this week to start her freshman year; right now her room looks like an archeological dig. I’ve nagged her to clean it up for the last 18 years…so why does it suddenly seem so chaotically endearing?