Interview with Tricia Goyer

Captain's Log, Stardate 05.01.2006

Today I get to interview the fantabulous Tricia Goyer! Many of you know her for her powerful WWII novel, FROM DUST AND ASHES. I met her at Mount Hermon in April and she's totally fun to talk to.

And now, here’s my interview with Tricia Goyer!

It was so much fun meeting you at Mount Hermon! How many years have you gone to Mount Hermon Writers Conference? What are you favorite memories from the conference?

I attended my first Mt. Hermon Writer's Conference in 1994. I was 22-years-old and pregnant with my third child. No joke! I have many wonderful memories--my hands shaking with nervousness as I sat at an editor's table, meeting other wanna-be-writers who are now heart-friends, presenting my proposals to wonderful editors such as Steve Laube and Karen Ball (they were helpful despite the fact I had no idea what I was doing!).

I also remember joining with the others to sing and pray in the auditorium during the main sessions. That is still one of my favorite things.

ARMS OF DELIVERANCE is coming in July. Tell us about the novel.

Mary Kelley and Lee O'Donnelly are female war correspondents sent to Europe in search of headline news, but they soon realize that news-breaking stories pale in comparison to war-torn people. Eddie Anderson is a navigator for a ten-man bomber crew. Eddie faces extreme danger on a daily basis, but nothing prepares him for the special and beautiful charge put in his care on a bombing raid over Berlin. In a fight for their lives, a man hoping to overcome the odds and make it home, and a women who always felt unwanted by her father, are asked to rescue a child considered "chosen" by two groups of people. And on their run to the American frontlines, a romance blooms between these two whose strengthens must work together to help them both survive.

You also have another parenting book coming out this year. What prompted you to write it? Who would find it useful?

I got the idea for Generation NeXt Parenting after realizing how different I am as a parent than those in older generations. In writing this book, I looked back at how Gen Xers (born between 1961-1981) were raised in an effort to help us understand our strengths and weaknesses as parents. The goal of the book is to help young parents understand that God has planned for them to be raise these children, in this time in history, for a purpose. Through the pages I also look at topics such as media influcences, extra-curricular activities, and education in light of Scripture.

How exciting that you're in the process of adopting a baby girl from China! What sparked the desire to adopt? And why overseas?

I read an article about baby girls from China about seven years ago. It's been on my heart ever since, but instead of trying to convince my husband that we needed to do this, I put it in the Lord's hands. This past year as I was writing Generation NeXt Parenting, John and I started discussing the gift of children and our joy as parents. The subject of adopting was brought up again, but this time John was all for it. (Our older three are ages 16, 13, and 11.) We prayed about it and felt God confirming it in our hearts. We chose China because 100,000 baby girls are abandoned there every year. We can't help them all, but we can give our love to one.

Who are some of your favorite authors?

I love Francine Rivers, Robin Lee Hatcher, Sharon Dunn, Rene Gutteridge, Ann Tatlock and many more!

Which of your novels are you especially proud of and why?

That's a hard question! Since it's most recent in my heart, I'm eager for Arms of Deliverance to hit the stands. I feel it's my most captivating story yet. And, amazingly, it tells the story of rescuing a child . . . which, looking back, I see God was preparing my heart for. In addition to that, this story has intigue, romance, a bad Nazi, bomber crews, and a baby . . . what more could you ask for?

If you were a safari animal, what would you be and why?

You're making me think! I'd say giraffe. My head always seems to be in the clouds. I have tons of ideas all the time.

What is your favorite ethnic food?

I LOVE all types of ethnic food, but hands down my favorite is my grandma's homemade tamales. She is hispanic, and I love her cooking. Thankfully my
grandma lives with me . . . unfortunately, she doesn't cook much anymore.

MEGA-YUMMOS! Can I come over to your house?
Finish this line: Writing a novel is...

. . . exploring the numerous dimenions of my own heart within the lives and experiences of characters.

Do you have a favorite scripture verse for your writing?

Yes:
For we speak as messengers who have been approved by God to be entrusted with the Good News. Our purpose is to please God, not people. He is the one who examines the motives of our hearts.
~1 Thessalonians 2:4 NLT

It's such an amazing thing to be entrusted with the Good News. May my motives be worthy and may God be please by these stories!

Thanks for the interview! Any parting words?

Thank you, Camy. I can't wait to read the stories God has placed on YOUR heart.

Camy here: Aw, thanks, Tricia! (Camy's getting all warm and fuzzy)

Tricia also gave me the opportunity to do a weekly column on her WriterQuotes blog, called Health and the Writer. A new blog post goes up every Monday.

Bethany House Publishers Cover Survey Invitation

Captain's Log, Supplemental I just got this from Bethany House Publishers: Hello Reader, We at Bethany House Publishers appreciate our readers opinions about the books we publish. Occasionally, we seek your input about upcoming products. Currently, we are conducting a survey about the cover image for an upcoming novel. For your time, we are offering a giveaway in conjunction with this survey. You will be able to choose from ten recent Bethany House novels, and there will be ten winners. Winners will be notified within two weeks. Click here to take the survey, which should take about 10 minutes to complete. Thank you for your participation, and feel free to forward this email on to your friends or link the survey on your website. The survey will be available through Monday, September 17. Thanks for your time and your opinions. We value your feedback. Sincerely, Jim Hart Internet Marketing Manager Bethany House Publishers

No Cold Bums toilet seat cover

Captain's Log, Stardate 08.22.2008 I actually wrote out my pattern! I was getting a lot of hits on my infamous toilet seat cover , and I wanted to make a new one with “improvements,” so I paid attention and wrote things down as I made the new one. This was originally based off the Potty Mouth toilet cover , but I altered it to fit over the seat instead of the lid. Yarn: any worsted weight yarn, about 120 yards (this is a really tight number, I used exactly 118 yards. My suggestion is to make sure you have about 130 yards.) I suggest using acrylic yarn because you’re going to be washing this often. Needle: I used US 8, but you can use whatever needle size is recommended by the yarn you’re using. Gauge: Not that important. Mine was 4 sts/1 inch in garter stitch. 6 buttons (I used some leftover shell buttons I had in my stash) tapestry needle Crochet hook (optional) Cover: Using a provisional cast on, cast on 12 stitches. Work in garter st until liner measures

Save the Date - Camy's Patreon Launch

My Patreon will launch in 1 week! I took all the results of the poll and I have hopefully created fun and appealing tiers. About my Patreon: I'm trying something new for the next 6-7 months. If it works, I'll continue, but if I end up not liking it, I'll stop it in September or October. I will be starting a monthly subscription membership on a new Patreon account. I will be posting the chapters of my current book ( Lady Wynwood’s Spies, volume 7 ) so you can read ahead of when the ebook will be edited and published. My current plan is to post 1-2 chapters weekly. One reason I’m switching things up is that I want to get closer to my readers and build a tighter, more intimate community with you. You can comment on each chapter of my book, give a reaction, ask a question, or even correct mistakes. My books will become a dialogue with you. If you subscribe to my Patreon, you'll be charged monthly and have access to all the benefits for the tier you subscribe to. The

I GOT A 3-BOOK CONTRACT WITH ZONDERVAN!

Captain's Log, Supplemental My agent called me today with the great news! Zondervan has contracted me for another three books! Right now, they’re all stand alone books—not a series. The first book is slated to release May 2010 and is tentatively titled The Year of the Dog (they’ll probably change it). It’s a women’s contemporary novel. Here’s the back cover blurb from my proposal: Tessa Ota, a professional dog trainer, is having a bad year. While moving ahead with renovation plans for her new dog kenneling and training facility, Tessa needs to move in with her disapproving mother and her antagonist sister. She convinces her ex-boyfriend to take her dog for a few months … but discovers that his brother is the irate engineer whose car she rammed a few weeks earlier. Charles Bretton has enough problems. His mama has just shown up on his doorstep all the way from Louisiana, and his brother has to move in with him after being kicked out of his apartment—with a dog in tow. And guess who

Sweet Romance Reads: How do you celebrate accomplishments?

I’m at the Sweet Romance Reads blog and Facebook group talking about finishing my book and posting a poll about how you usually celebrate accomplishments. Check out the blog or Facebook group to weigh in!

Toilet seat cover

Captain’s Log, Supplemental Update August 2008: I wrote up the pattern for this with "improvements"! Here's the link to my No Cold Bums toilet seat cover ! Okay, remember a few days ago I was complaining about the cold toilet seat in my bathroom? Well, I decided to knit a seat cover. Not a lid cover, but a seat cover. I went online and couldn’t find anything for the seat, just one pattern for the lid by Feminitz.com . However, I took her pattern for the inside edge of the lid cover and modified it to make a seat cover. Here it is! It’s really ugly stitch-wise because originally I made it too small and had to extend it a couple inches on each side. I figured I’d be the one staring at it, so who cared if the extension wasn’t perfectly invisible? I used acrylic yarn since, well, that’s what I had, and also because it’s easy to wash. I’ll probably have to wash this cover every week or so, but it’s easy to take off—I made ties which you can see near the back of the seat. And

Tabi socks, part deux

Captain's Log, Stardate 07.25.2008 (If you're on Ravelry, friend me! I'm camytang.) I made tabi socks again! (At the bottom of the pattern is the calculation for the toe split if you're not using the same weight yarn that I did for this pattern (fingering). I also give an example from when I used worsted weight yarn with this pattern.) I used Opal yarn, Petticoat colorway. It’s a finer yarn than my last pair of tabi socks, so I altered the pattern a bit. Okay, so here’s my first foray into giving a knitting pattern. Camy’s top-down Tabi Socks I’m assuming you already know the basics of knitting socks. If you’re a beginner, here are some great tutorials: Socks 101 How to Knit Socks The Sock Knitter’s Companion A video of turning the heel Sock Knitting Tips Yarn: I have used both fingering weight and worsted weight yarn with this pattern. You just change the number of cast on stitches according to your gauge and the circumference of your ankle. Th

「戌年」連載小説第8章

キャミー・タング著「戌年」連載小説プロのドッグトレーナーであるマリ・ムトウは、厄年を迎えている。犬小屋と訓練所の改築をしながら、いつも不服そうにしている家族と同居することになった。母と姉に言わせれば、犬の毛とよだれかけにまみれる仕事は、家族にとって恥ずべきものだという。彼女は元カレを説得し、数ヶ月間犬を預かってもらうことにした。しかし、彼の兄は、数週間前に彼女が誤って車に追突した、怒り狂ったセキュリティ専門家であることが判明する。アシュウィン・ケイトウは十分な問題を抱えている。叔母が玄関先に現れ、同居を希望している。彼は彼女にすべてを借りているので、断ることができません。母親が家を出て行った後、ネルおばさんはアシュウィンと弟を引き取り、愛のあるキリスト教の家庭で育てた。しかも、弟のダスティもアパートを追い出され、居場所を求めている。しかし、彼は犬を飼っている。そして、その犬の飼い主は誰だと思いますか？しかし、旧友でオアフ島のノースショアでデイスパを経営する私立探偵のエディサ・ゲレロから依頼を受ける。マリの施設で奇妙な破壊行為があり、3年前に失踪したエディサの妹の財布を発見する。エディサはマリが危険な目に遭っているのではと心配する。警備の専門家であるアシュウィンがすでにマリを知っていることを知ったエディサは、忙しい若い女性を密かに監視することを彼に依頼する。アシュウィンは、活発でのんびりとしたドッグトレーナーに不本意ながら惹かれていく。彼女は、幸せそうな母親を思い出させる。その母親の裏切りによって、彼は人と距離を置くようになったのだ。マリは、アシュウィンの冷たい外見を見抜き、彼が家族に忠実な男であることを認める。彼は、彼女のキャリア選択を批判するだけの母親や姉とは違う。マリのバラバラな家庭とアシュウィンのバラバラな家庭の中で、過去を隠そうとする人たちから、彼らの周りに危険が迫ってくるようになる。彼らは、影で動く秘密に光を当てることができるのか？過去に発表されたパートへのリンクはこちら。 *** 第8章 - 恐ろしくも真っ白な不動産書類『みんな仲良くできないのかな？』マリは無用に力を込めて箱に本を投げ入れた。最近、なぜ彼女は人生の中で全員と言い争いをしているのだろう？もしかすると、これは本当に悪いアイデア

Chopsticks and knitting

Hahahahaha! My husband, Captain Caffeine sent me this cartoon. The Asian and the knitter in me loves this one: My parents taught me to use chopsticks at an early age so they’re pretty comfortable for me. Did you know there are differences between Japanese and Chinese chopsticks? The Chinese ones tend to be blunter and more slippery whereas the Japanese ones are pointier and sometimes have a textured tip to make it easier to grab food. My mom will eat salad with a chopstick, which I have to admit is a bit easier than a fork, for me. Any of you knit? Any of you use chopsticks?

ICRS, part 2

Captain’s Log, Stardate 07.14.2006 For all you writers —check out my Story Sensei critique service Summer Sale ! Ends tomorrow! Blog book giveaway: My Monday book giveaway is ARMS OF DELIVERANCE by Tricia Goyer. My Thursday book giveaway is TANGLED MEMORIES by Marta Perry . You can still enter both giveaways. Just post a comment on each of those blog posts. On Monday, I'll draw the winner for ARMS OF DELIVERANCE and post the title for another book I'm giving away ICRS, part 2 (continued from part 1 ): Sue Brower had invited me to the Christy awards that night and I was so thrilled to get to go. Everyone looked gorgeous. I’ve never seen Brandilyn Collins or Meredith Efken in anything besides jeans before. I hadn’t seen Sue Brower in two years and I was deathly afraid I wouldn’t recognize her, but Wendy introduced me and saved me from doing anything remotely stupid like, oh, walking past her. Sue immediately slammed me with the big dogs—she introduced me to the VPs of sales and

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Sweet Romance Reads: How do you celebrate accomplishments?