If you’re a writing parent, the time you have to write is more precious than gold. You need to write; God has given you talent and a calling, yet does it ever seem like an impossible dream that your words will be published?

Today, we’re visited by a PROLIFIC, talented young mom, who has written a million books. OK, not a million, but Tricia Goyer is one of the most amazingly busy writers I know. We had a book giveaway here in November, and one of you won a free signed copy of Tricia’s newest non-fiction book for parents, Generation NeXT Parenting.

Tricia is extremely active in the blogosphere, giving away her words to encourage and uplift all of her readers. Her personal blog is called It’s a Real Life, but she also encourages aspiring writers at her Writer Quotes blog which contains favorite quotes and Tricia’s thoughts on them.

She’s a member of the Christian Authors Network (CAN) where she blogs about marketing for writers. She’s a regular contributor to Girls, God, and the Good Life, along with several other authors who specialize in writing for teen girls. You can also read her encouragement for writing parents at Writer … Interrupted.

Since Tricia also writes historical novels, she contributes to Favorite PASTimes, where several writers explore insights on writing, reading, viewing and researching historical fiction. And there’s more! Her website, Unforgettable Stories of WW II is another place Tricia Goyer shares her passion for World War II memories. She has interviewed many veterans to help research her historical novels.

Welcome to Mom 2 Mom Connection, Tricia! Can you tell us how you got started in writing?

Thanks for having me!

I started writing in 1994. I was 22-years-old and pregnant with my THIRD child, no joke! A friend at church wanted to become a writer and this struck a chord with me. I didn’t think it was something real people could do.

Cindy Martinusen and I attended our first writer’s conference in 1994. A few years (and many rejections) later, I started writing articles. Then I worked on book projects . . . and soon they were getting published too.

I basically attended conferences, read books on writing, and taught myself by trial and error.

How did you make time in your day for writing during those early years? What kept you going?

I used to have a wonderful schedule. Oooo, I long for those days!

Anyway, every afternoon, I had “writing time.” My little kids knew they had to entertain themselves. Since I had three kids in five years, they played well together . . . and I wrote.

Small successes kept me going. Some of my first stories were published in small papers, and I made $10 for the whole story. It didn’t matter . . . I was published.

What was your first book about?

My first non-fiction book was Life Interrupted: The Scoop on Being a Young Mom. And let me tell you it is amazing — a gift from God — that I could offer any type of advice to others. At one time my life was such a mess.

I suppose I was able to write this book because I’d been a teen mom. I started mentoring teen moms because I could understand. I had a heart for their struggles. Yet, my life was transformed as I made good choices — just one tiny step after another. This book is all about helping teen moms do just that.

How did you get into writing novels? What has been the best thing about becoming a novelist?

When I first started writing, my goal was to write novels. I wrote articles and other non-fiction to build up credits under my name. (Then I discovered I liked it. Go figure!)

I had about six unfinished novels on my hard drive when I visited Europe with friends in 2003. There I came upon a story from WWII I knew I had to write.

It’s the true story about 23 American soldiers opening the gates to Gusen and Mauthausen concentration camps and freeing 25,000 prisoners. It’s also a story about a Nazi wife caring for the people her husband was once bent on destroying. Writing that novel led to more stories, more veterans to interview, more novels. And the rest — as they say — is history.

I’m sure it must be so interesting to interview WWII veterans! You now have a new book out for Gen-X parents. Who is a Gen-X parent?

Gen Xers are those born between 1961-1981 . . . or another way to think of it is that if your teen years somehow touched the 80s, then you are one of us. My book is called Generation NeXt Parenting.

Why did you feel a passion for writing to this group?

I wanted to write for this group because our parenting is SO different than the parenting that has gone before us. The issues we face are waaaaay different than the ones our moms faced.

Also, our growing up years deeply affected how we parent. For example, since we grew up with Missing Children on the side of our milk cartons, we have a lot of fears concerning our kids. And since many of us had a latch-key existence, while both parents worked, we (as a generation) try to overcompensate with our kids.

We want to give our kids all, yet we get overwhelmed. My book is to offer hope . . . and help — not as an expert, but as someone who is in the same boat and understands.

What are the strengths and weaknesses of this generation of parenting?

Our strengths are:
Dads are more involved than ever.
We have a “family first” mentality.
We have more resources than those who’ve gone before us.
We are willing to sacrifice for our kids.

Yet here are some weaknesses:
We have too many opportunities and often overextend ourselves and our kids.
We want to give our kids everything we didn’t have.
We live in a have-it-all, have-have-it-now world.
We are flooded with all types of media, and get overwhelmed.

How can we overcome our weaknesses and depend on God more?

In the book, I have tons of little tips on how we can seek God’s help in these many areas, but overall we need to realize two things:

1. God placed us as parents in this time in history for a purpose.
2. He can strength us and give us wisdom for our task.

Do you have any advice for today’s moms?

My number one piece of advice is: Seek God. Pray, asking Him to change your heart. Follow Him in obedience to the small things He asks you to do.

My day goes 100% better when I realize it’s all not up to me. What a concept!

Tricia, you’re involved in several blogging communities. How did you get interested in blogging?

I blog because I have the heart of a teacher. Anything I learn, know, believe, I want to SHARE. I can’t just ponder it. I have to write about it. I suppose that is how truth becomes concrete to me, by writing it out.

Also, I blog because I LOVE feedback. Seeing COMMENTS are one of my favorite things.

That’s a Gen X trait too, by the way. We want the gold star. We want instant feedback and a pat on the back. Comments on blogs give me that feedback. Is that crazy, or what?!

Ha! I can relate to that trait. What do you enjoy most about being a mom who is also a writer?

I LOVE that I can be home with my kids. Since we homeschool, we spend most of every day together.

I LOVE that I can schedule my own time. I can work around dentist appointments, basketball practice, and stop in the middle of the day to play Xbox if I want to.

I LOVE when my writing benefits my family. For example, we get many free books. My kids have been with me to interview WWII veterans (what an opportunity!). I review curriculum, which I get for free. I’ve even gotten my family backstage passes to the Newsboys because of a writing friend. THAT is when my kids thought I’d “made it.”

How old are your kids?

My kids are 17, 14, and 12 now. We homeschool and all three play basketball. (Go Crusaders!) My oldest son, Cory, is also taking college classes. (He’s a Junior and gets both high school and college credits.) My daughter, Leslie, loves singing and playing the piano. My son, Nathan, thinks hanging out and playing with his friends is the coolest thing on earth.

We’re also in the process of adopting a baby girl from China . . . which we’ll most likely have by Winter 2007.

Wow. I hope things go smoothly with your adoption. I’m sure you’ll find much to share about that experience. Thanks for visiting with us here and for passing along your wisdom and encouragement!

Tricia Goyer was named Mount Hermon Christian Writers Conference “Writer of the Year” in 2003. She was a finalist for the Gold Medallion Book Award and she also won ACFW’s “Book of the Year” for Long Historial Romance in 2005 and 2006. You can learn more about her at Tricia’s Loft.