Dreams

September 13, 2023 by Tricia Goyer 12 Comments

Writers, Do Not Give Up On The Book Of Your Heart!

Do you have a book that you’ve been wanting to write? Do you think it’s a great idea, but it’s been hard to convince a publisher the same? Do you feel discouraged and want to quit? Today I want to talk to writers and encourage you: writers, do not give up on the book of your heart!

In 1999 I had an idea for a book for young people called Prayers that Changed History. As a homeschooling mom, I kept coming upon these GREAT stories of prayer such as:

Governor William Bradford praying for rain for the failing crops in the New World, and nine hours later clouds rolling in after a severe drought.
John Newton (who penned the hymn Amazing Grace) nearly sinking in a storm on his slave ship and crying out to God for mercy. God saved the ship and John’s soul that night.
And Florence Nightingale who, at sixteen years old, feeling called into God’s service. She prayed and committed herself to God and years later she became the “Mother of Nursing.” Nursing practices around the world have been transformed because of Florence.

As a homeschooling mom, I knew that Prayers that Changes History was exactly the type of book I would buy for my kids. After all, I want my kids to know about heroes of the faith. I want them to understand the power of prayer.

This book was finally published in 2015 … sixteen years after I first got the idea and pitched it to a publisher. I LOVE getting feedback from parents and kids who are so excited about this book. I love that kids are learning about historical people and answered prayers. I love that they’re learning how to pray.

I’m so thankful that I did not give up on the book of my heart. And I encourage you too. Writers do not give up on the book of YOUR dreams!

To encourage you to keep going, here are a few things you need to know:

What you need to know …

1. Know that writing is a challenge.

It is hard work, and a great idea doesn’t automatically translate into a great book. Every writer struggles! Don’t feel as if you’re not the only one. Everyone has fears about not being good enough. No one writes ‘great stuff’ in their first draft. Writing is supposed to be hard. Overcome those fears one word at a time on the blank page.

2. Understand that not everyone will get what you’re doing.

There are some agents, editors, and publishers who will not like your idea or your writing. But then again, there will be someone who does. I happened to connect with an editor who immediately understood and loved my idea for Prayers that Changed History, but before that, there were many editors who turned it down. Not every idea is a good fit for every editor or publisher. But, take heart, writers; do not give up!

3. Know that some projects take time to flesh out.

Sometimes a manuscript needs to be rethought or reshaped. When it came to writing the final manuscript of Prayers that Changed History, I spent more time teaching children how to pray than I’d originally planned. My book idea changed for the better, and I’m excited that it did!

4. Know that sometimes God needs to mold you to make the message mean more.

I personally learned a lot about prayer from 1999 to 2015. I know that my book is different (and better) because of what God taught me.

5. Know that God’s timing is perfect.

God knows when a book is needed. I don’t think it’s any coincidence that Prayers that Changed History was released around the same time as the movie The War Room. There is a theme that was happening that year. God is bringing people to His knees, and it’s amazing that He desires for children to learn about prayer, too!

To encourage you to keep going, there are also a few things that you need to do:

Writers, do not give up. Here is what you need to do …

1. Keep writing, researching, and praying.

I started a filing drawer filled with stories about answered prayer. Whenever I’d come upon a story, I’d photocopy it and put it in a file. Then, when the time was right, I had all the material that I needed. Even as I worked on other projects, I kept this one in the back of my mind.

2. Keep studying the writing craft.

Like any career, writing takes time, effort, and knowledge. The more you study the craft of writing, the better you become as a writer.

3. Consider self-publishing.

When I first came up with this book idea in 1999, self-publishing was an expensive venture. You had to hire an editor and a printer, and the end result was 1,000 copies of your paperback book in your garage. Today, self-publishing is altogether different. It’s easy, it’s cheap, and it’s a great way to get your book published and in the hands of readers.

If you have a book that you’ve been wanting to write … keep going.
If you have a great idea … trust your gut.

During this time in history, we have amazing opportunities to share our words around the globe. If you have a book on your heart, don’t give up!

Resources on Prayer:

Resources on Publishing on Kindle:

Kindle Direct Publishing

Resource on Self-Publishing

TheCreativePenn.com

Happy Writing!

Follow Your Dreams, Mom

Follow Your Dreams, Mom

When I first started homeschooling my three kids (ages 6, 4, and 1) in 1995, I thought my life from that moment would always be about homeschooling. I pictured all of my time (or at least most of it) shaping my children’s education. I scheduled my day in 15-minute increments and did my best to stick to it. What I didn’t know was that over the years God would call me to follow my own dreams. What I also didn’t realize was my kids would benefit from that.

It all started when I attended the Mt. Hermon Writer’s Conference with a friend. Being there with industry professionals made writing for publication seem possible. Classes taught me how to be published. The love, prayers and support of published authors and editors brought people into my life who believed in me and prodded me to follow God’s dreams. It didn’t matter to them that I was a young, homeschooling mom who hadn’t even finished college.

At first, I felt guilty following my dreams.

I’d homeschool in the morning and then in the afternoon, I’d set aside a few hours to write while my children played. In those early years, I wrote articles and ideas for novels as Barney played on television. At least a dozen times during those two hours my kids would ask me for milk, or a snack, or to play with them. I’d offer what I could but then remind them, “This is Mommy’s writing time.” Guilt weighed me down as if Barney the dinosaur sat on my shoulders, and I was sure I was the worst homeschooling mother there was. To combat my guilt I swung the other way and became overcommitted, making frequent library trips, signing my daughter up for dance lessons and my boys up for sports. It was my husband who urged me to stop the madness. Over the months to come we figured out our priorities:

To provide a godly education for our kids
To sign up each child for one extra-curricular activity a year
To have dinner time as a family
To train our children how to be part of the family unit and do chores
To connect and serve in our local church
To have reading time together as a family at night
To see what God was doing in our lives and follow Him

For me, this last one included following my writing dreams, and as the years passed I started getting published—first with articles and later with books.

When the kids were 11, 8, and 6, God called me to help start a crisis pregnancy center, too, and to start mentoring teen moms. During that same time, my husband started a dynamic children’s ministry at our church.

With each call from God, I argued. Lord, what about this homeschooling thing? Shouldn’t I focus more on that? Yes, I was still spending 3-4 hours homeschooling every day, but I’d look around and see my friends pouring 100% of their lives into their kids. I felt I was giving my kids the short end of the stick. Instead of sitting outside working on nature journals, my kids were with me at the pregnancy center folding baby clothes or babysitting for teen moms. Instead of taking those art classes at the museum, my kids were reading or building Lego forts while I worked at my computer. The more success I had in both arenas, the more I felt torn. Yet the more I prayed about it, I also saw God opening doors. Soon I was traveling out of town to research books and attend conferences, and sometimes I had to drag my kids along. (Poor kids!)

I can’t say when the “ah-ha” moment happened, but over time I began to see how following my dreams benefited my children in numerous ways.

For them, they’d say they realized having a mom who wrote books was cool when we got free tickets and backstage passes to a Newsboys concert through a writing friend. For me, I’d say it was when I saw my daughter’s compassion for teenage mothers or when I overheard my son telling someone he wanted to write screenplays. They met WWII veterans I was interviewing and traveled all over the US as I researched.

As a mom, I didn’t need to teach my kids that we should follow God’s dreams for us and work hard to share His truth with others. They saw that lived out on a daily basis. Being a servant of God was modeled … and I just thought I was being a slacker for not doing science projects or having them memorize enough spelling words! As time passed, I realized God asked me to follow my dreams not only for the people I served but also for my kids.

My first three kids are grown now.

Cory is married with four kids. He’s graduated college, working, and writing a novel on the side. Leslie has graduated from college, is married with two children, and is working in the Czech Republic. Nathan has graduated from college, is a published author, and is working. We’ve also adopted seven children, some of whom are grown now, as well. I plan on doing many things the same, including homeschooling, writing, and attending conferences… but this time I’m doing it without the guilt. I trust God more now. I trust that if He’s called me to something for Him, He understands how it’ll impact my kids. I trust He sees their futures too. I trust homeschooling isn’t just about books and learning, it’s about serving and following God with everything we have.

So what about you, Mom? Has God placed a dream in your heart or your spouse’s heart? Maybe like me, you’re thinking, “I’ll do that after these homeschooling years have passed.” I’d encourage you to reconsider that and go to God in prayer. After all, kids learn far more from our lives than from books. You are your child’s teacher … teach them with your life not just your lesson plan.

Additional Resources

Re-Awaken Your Dreams | Tricia Goyer

Are you struggling to balance your dreams and your life as a wife and mom? I understand! That’s exactly why I wrote

Balanced: Finding Center as a Work-at-Home Mom

Are you a work-from-home mom that feels stressed, overwhelmed, and overextended? Working moms are simultaneously raising kids, juggling a career, and taking care of family responsibilities. Some days can feel like Groundhog Day or an endless list of to-dos. Believe it or not, it’s not supposed to be this way. It is possible to create an environment that includes priority, structure, and balance.

Bestselling author, homeschooling mom, and work-from-home expert Tricia Goyer isn’t perfect, but she’s developed a system that works, and she shares all of her knowledge in Balanced: Finding Center as a Work-at-Home Mom. Inside you’ll find tips and strategies that actually work.

You’ll learn how to:

Create focus themes for your family
Prioritize your schedule
Use your job, so it also benefits your kids
Stop comparing yourself to other moms
Organize your home to fit your needs
Do the inner work, so you can truly understand what balance looks like

Balanced is perfect for Christian women of all ages. It doesn’t matter if you’re a new mom or a seasoned mom, women will discover a wealth of information in this resource.

If you’re looking for a simple how-to manual with outlines, or if you’re not willing to do the spiritual work to impact your life, then this book isn’t for you. But if you’re willing to learn from your mistakes, try a new balancing methodology, and trust in God, this self-help book will be a lifesaver for you!

February 13, 2018 by Tricia Goyer 1 Comment

Homeschool Basics: Balancing Your Own Goals and Dreams

Congratulations to last week’s winner: Jessica Lippe — please e-mail your mailing addresses to my assistant (amy@triciagoyer.com)! Enter below for your chance to win a copy of Homeschool Basics!

Balancing Your Own Goals and Dreams

(from Homeschool Basics)

It’s easy to think about focusing on relationships with others. It’s harder remembering that we also need to nurture our relationships with ourselves. It’s very easy to convince yourself that you to give up all your goals and dreams to homeschool your kids. But by watching you follow your dreams, your kids will learn more about how to follow God and the reams He lays upon their hearts as they see you do it.

When I first started homeschooling my three kids (ages six, three, and one) in 1995, I thought my life from that moment on would always be about homeschooling. I pictured all of my time (or at least most of it) would be spent shaping my children’s education. I schedule my day in fifteen-minute increments and did my best to stick to it. What I didn’t know was that over the years, God would call me to follow my own dreams. What I also didn’t realize was that my kids would benefit from my obedience.

It all started when I attended the Mr. Hermon Christian Writer’s Conference with a friend. Being with industry professionals made writing for publication seem possible. Classes taught me how to get published. The love, prayers, and support of published authors and editors brought people into my life who believed in me and prodded me to follow God’s dreams. It didn’t matter to them that I was a young homeschooling mom who hadn’t even finished college.

At first I felt guilty for pursuing my dreams. I’d homeschool in the morning, and then in the afternoon, I’d set aside a few hours to write while my children played. Those early years, I wrote articles and ideas for novels as Barney the Dinosaur entertained my kids from the television. Every day, at least a dozen times during those two hours, my kids would ask me for milk, a snack, or for me to play with them. I’d offer what I could but then remind them, “This is Mommy’s writing time.”

Guilt weighed me down as if Barney the dinosaur were sitting on my shoulders. I was sure I was the worst homeschooling mother there was. To combat my guilt, I swung the other way and became overcommitted, making frequent library trips, signing my daughter up for dance lessons and my boys up for sports. It was my husband who urged metro stop the madness. Over the months to come, we figured out our priorities:

To provide a godly education for our kids
To sign up each child for one extracurricular activity a year
To have dinner as a family
To train our children how to be part of the family unit and do chores
To connect and serve in our local church
To have reading time together as a family at night
To see what God was doing in our lives and follow Him

For me, this last one included following my writing dreams, and as the years passed, I started getting published—first with articles and later with books. When the kids were eleven, eight and six, God called me to help start a crisis pregnancy center, too, and start mentioning teen moms. During that time, my husband started a dynamic children’s ministry at our church. (I talk about how God opened the doors to all these areas in my book Walk It Out: The Radical Result of Living God’s Word One Step at a Time.)

With each call from God, I argued. Lord, what about this homeschooling thing? Shouldn’t I focus more on that? Yes, I was still spending three to four hours homeschooling every day, but I’d look around and see my friends pouring one-hundred percent of their lives into their kids. I felt I was giving my kids less than I should.

Instead of sitting outside working on nature journals, my kids were with me at the pregnancy center, folding baby clothes or babysitting for the teen moms. Instead of taking those art classes at the museum, my kids were reading or building Lego forts while I worked at my computer. The more success I had in both arenas, the more I felt torn. Yet the more I prayed about the activities, the more I saw God opening doors. Soon I was traveling out of town to research books and attend conferences, and sometimes I had to drag my kids along. (Poor kids!)

I can’t say there was an ah-ha moment, but over time, I began to see how following my dreams benefited my children.

For them, they’d say they realized having a mom who wrote books was cool when we got free tickets and backstage passes to a Newsboys concert through a writing friends. For me, I’d say it was when I saw my daughter’s compassion for teenage mothers or when I overheard my son telling someone he wanted to write screenplays. They met WWII veterans I was interviewing and traveled all over the US as I researched.

As a mom, I didn’t need to teach my kids that we should follow God’s dreams for us and work hard to share His truth with others. They saw that lived out on a daily basis. Being a servant of God was modeled. And here I’d thought I was being a slacker for not doing science projects or having them memorize enough spelling words! As time passed, I realized God asked me to follow my dreams not only for the people I served, but also for my kids.

My biological kids are twenty-eight, twenty-five, and twenty-three now. Cory is married with two children. He has graduated from college and is serving as a children’s pastor. He’s also a homeschooling dad. Leslie is married and is a missionary in the Czech Republic. She’s also a professor at a university there, teaching English. Natan is writing his second novel and a huge help to me. Still living a home, he’s an amazing big brother to our seven adopted children. He’s also actively involved in children’s ministry with his dad and older brother.

As I mentioned we’ve adopted seven kids who are ages six to seventeen, and I can’t wait to see what God is going to do in their lives. Even though I have seven kids at home, I plan on doing many things the same, including homeschooling, serving teen moms, and writing . . . but this time I’m doing it without the guilt. I trust God more now. I trust that if He’s called me to something for Him, He understands how it’ll impact my kids. I trust He sees their futures, about serving and following God with everything we have.

What about you? Has God placed a dream in your heart or you spouse’s heart? Maybe like me you’re thinking, “I’ll do that after these homeschooling years have passed.” I’d encourage you to go to God in prayer. After all, kids learn far more from our lives than from books. You are your child’s teacher . . . teach them with your life, not just your lesson plans.

Balancing your own goals and dreams + a HOMESCHOOL BASICS giveaway with @TriciaGoyer

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Do you need balance in your homeschool? Pick up a copy of Homeschool Basics. Receive tried-and-true homeschool advice from veteran homeschooling moms Tricia Goyer and Kristi Clover. We dish out practical help on getting started and staying the course. Homeschool Basics will remind you that the best homeschooling starts with the heart. Packed with ideas to help you push aside your fears and raise kids who will grow to be life-long learners.

Kristi and I believe that homeschooling can transform your life, your home, and your family. Mostly, we believe homeschool can truly prepare your children for the life God’s called them to live.

Don’t let doubts hold you back any longer. Hope and refreshment await.

Find out more about Homeschool Basics and get your copy HERE.

Don’t miss this great price! Only $7.99 while supplies last!!

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Disclosure of Material Connection: Some of the links in the post above are “affiliate links.” This means if you click on the link and purchase the item, I will receive an affiliate commission. Regardless, I only recommend products or services I use personally and believe will add value to my readers. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255: “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”

August 31, 2017 by Tricia Goyer Leave a Comment

Hope For Women … you’re capable of wonderful things

Here’s Hope For Women… you’re capable of wonderful things. My friend Angelia White shares with us today how you can (and why you should!) chase your dreams today. Let’s learn from her wisdom.

Hope For Women … You’re Capable of Wonderful Things

Life is not always easy—that’s a truth I’ve come to know far too well.

As a young girl and into adulthood, I haven’t always had ideal situations occur. I’ve faced instances of abandonment and sexual abuse, leading to brokenness, depression and having to start from scratch. I felt completely alone during my darkest points, and I wasn’t sure where to turn.

I never had sisters growing up, but I certainly wished for them. Thankfully, the Lord provided me with the most amazing women in my life who have shown me what it means to be strong and what it takes to be brave. They’ve proven how much they believe in me and reminded me that it’s even more important for me to believe in myself.

Because, in order to be truly successful, you must believe you’re capable of wonderful things.

” In order to be truly successful, you must believe you’re capable of wonderful things.” Read more from @angelialwhite on @TriciaGoyer

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In realizing this, I’ve come to love being able to share my story with other women and to inspire them to have hope for making dreams come true in their lives, as well. It’s for all women from all walks of life that I created Hope for Women magazine—because I know in my heart that we can all do the amazing feats God calls us to do.

Hope For Women … You’re Capable of Wonderful Things

Dreaming Big with Courage

Dreaming big definitely isn’t easy. In fact, it can be downright scary. You can either let that dream sit in your heart and never be released, or you can muster up all of the courage you have to pursue it passionately with all of your might until it finally becomes a reality. And let’s be honest—it’s going to take a lot of patience because those big and fabulous dreams certainly don’t just appear overnight. They take time, they take dedication, and they take a lot of you falling down and getting back up.

If you’re still holding on to your heart’s desires, don’t be afraid. You can achieve your dreams. How?

Believe In Yourself

When you wake up every morning, remind yourself that you are created to love and to serve the Lord. He won’t call you to do something you can’t do. Trust Him, and believe that you were chosen for a reason, and you can accomplish what you’ve set out to accomplish. You are enough in Him—don’t ever forget that.

Surround Yourself with the Right People

I wouldn’t be where I am today without the help and encouragement of some of the most amazing women I’ve ever known. Some of them I haven’t even met but have corresponded with and received support and inspiration from over the years. It’s essential to make sure you have uplifting women in your life who will remind you every day that what you’re doing is worth it. These are the ones who will offer you their hands when you stumble and fall and will provide shoulders and some tissue when you need to cry.

Act Now

You’re not going to find the “perfect” time for anything. Life always gets in the way of our plans. It doesn’t make sense to keep putting things off for “someday” in the future. If not now, then when? Go for your dreams now. Life is shorter than we often think, and we only have such a limited amount of time here on earth to live the lives we’ve imagined. Don’t hesitate—take a leap of faith, and start running toward those dreams now!

I know I don’t want to look back years from now and wonder why I didn’t do the things I was afraid to do. I want to cast those fears to the side and be brave. And, most importantly, I always want to have hope that great things are on the horizon.

Hope For Women … You’re Capable of Wonderful Things

Dear Woman, You can achieve your dreams. @angelialwhite @TriciaGoyer #DreamBig

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Angelia White decided to step out on faith with her dream of creating a lifestyle magazine for today’s inspiring woman. One thing is certain: she is illuminated by her passion for life, encouraging change and inspiring women to live, dream and inspire their ways to greatness!

Hope for Women Magazine | Twitter

April 5, 2016 by Tricia Goyer Leave a Comment

How Growing Your Dreams Helps Your Kids Grow Theirs

As a mom of ten kids I hear a lot of dreams.

“I want to be a firefighter.”

“I’m going to be a fashion designer.”

“I’m going to write kids’ books!”

When kids are little dreaming big comes naturally. Yet as they get older they are discouraged. They realize dreaming means doing … and doing means hard work!

So how do we encourage our kids to keep dreaming? By following our own dreams! It’s then we become a first hand example that hard work pays off!

How do we encourage our kids to keep dreaming? By following our own dreams! @TriciaGoyer

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But how do you start? Here’s how:

1) State your dreams … and keep asking your child about hers.

I was 22-year-old when I dared to tell a friend that someday I wanted to be an author. She encouraged me and we walked the journey together. Now we’re both authors of multiple books. The first thing to do is tell someone who you trust about your dream. Then ask that friend to keep you accountable toward following it.

Likewise, take time to ask your child about her dreams. When my daughter Leslie was just 9 or 10-years-old she told me she wanted to be a missionary. I listened, bought her books about missionaries, and we went on our first missionary trip as a family together when she was a teen. She’s now serving full-time in Europe. While I miss her being close, I love to see what God is doing with her life!

2) Take time to be delighted … and encourage your kids to delight in who God made them.

I find delight in creating stories, in talking about characters, and in reading books. I don’t hide these loves from my kids, instead I model enjoying these things.

God gave me unique gifts and talents, and as I delight in Him, He makes these desires come to life. As Psalm 37:4 says, “Delight yourself in the Lord, and he will give you the desires of your heart.”

Stop by Serving from Home to read the rest of this post and other great posts!

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May 6, 2015 by Tricia Goyer 1 Comment

Relinquish … Give Your Dreams to God

I was thinking about it yesterday, and I’ve had constant book contracts since 2002. That means constant book deadlines since 2002! This, friends, is the grace of God. It’s nothing I could have done without Him … I don’t even want to try!

When I attended my first writer’s conference, I was 22 years old and pregnant with my third child. I had big dreams of being a “Christian author.” According to the world’s standards, there is no explanation for the fact that I have 50 books published and another 8 somewhere in the publishing process (from contract stage to soon-to-be released.) There is no explanation that some of one series is under contract in Hollywood either. I have no college degree. I work at home while I also homeschool. I have no parents or in-laws who live locally to fall back to for support. I have no full-time maid or nanny!

God had a plan for you before you were born! @TriciaGoyer

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What I do have is trust that God had a plan for me before I was born (Psalm 139). When I was considering if I should pursue writing, I thought back to my childhood. I grew up in a family who didn’t read many books, yet I found myself at the library constantly. That had to be God. Then, as a young mom, my close friend Cindy McCormick Coloma was also pursing writing, and God put her in my path to inspire and encourage me. He showed up again.

At the very first local writer’s group that Cindy and I attended, we heard about the Mt. Hermon Writer’s Conference, and it was there that God connected me with numerous friends and mentors, including Robin Gunn. A few years later He brought Janet Grant into my life. She was just starting her agency, and she took a chance on me. What a miracle!

But with all the ups and downs, a pivotal point in my writing journey happened during one of my publishing darkest moments. I’d been promised a book contract and then that fell through. I was heartbroken! Within days I went to a writing workshop by Ellen Gunderson Traylor. She spoke of a time when she had to relinquish her writing to God. She realized she’d been pursing writing more than she’d been pursing God. That night I went into my room and I did the same thing. I got on my knees and I told God.

“I give this writing thing to you. If nothing EVER happens with it I’m okay than that. I want you more than writing. You can take it away.”

And I meant it.

For a season it looked like that was happening. I cared for my grandpa during his last months of life, and I helped to start Hope Pregnancy Center. And through those experiences, I learned many things that changed me and transformed me. God rubbed my heart with sandpaper–showing me the pain and need of the world–and then He brought me back to writing. He showed me He did have a plan for my words, but He needed me to experience the world a bit more. He also had work to do in my own heart.

Having a desire for someTHING shouldn’t loom bigger than God does @TriciaGoyer

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Maybe your passion isn’t writing … or maybe it is … either way know that having a desire for someTHING should never loom bigger than God does. God planted talents and passions in your heart before your birth, but those things should never become more important than Him.

If you feel as if you’re hitting a wall, I encourage you to RELINQUISH those dreams. Tell God with a sincere heart that you want Him more than any thing. Turn your dream over to Him and let Him work.

Sometimes it may seem as if He’s taking you completely off track, but God doesn’t see it that way. God knows what will prepare your heart for His good work. He knows what will bring you to the end of yourself so He can work. God doesn’t want to see what you can do. Instead, He wants to show you–and others–what He can do through you.

No man or women can dream bigger than God can. I’m proof of that. And in the end, when our passions and talents are filtered through His purposes God gets the glory, not us. And we can step back, thankful to be part of His good work.

What expectations or dreams do you need to relinquish to God and trust His perfect plan for you?

P.S. Don’t forget to check out my Facebook page for a special WWII book giveaway!

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September 19, 2014 by Tricia Goyer 4 Comments

Ways I Fuel My Creativity

I’m an author of a lot of books and a lot of blogs— 40+ and 3,000+ respectfully! I write a lot. I plot a lot, but one of my biggest weaknesses is in taking time to consider how to fuel my soul. There’s a lot outbound and if I’m not careful I get drained.

Creativity: There’s a lot outbound and if I’m not careful I get drained. @TriciaGoyer

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Ways I fuel my writing day:

Reading God’s Word
Writing a prayer in my journal
Reading a devotional book
Reading inspiring blogs
Chasing my kids around
Feeding my visual senses at Pinterest
Listening to my favorite songs via Spotify
Reading People.com (okay, mostly looking at the new babies)
Doing a craft with my kids
Reading a chapter of a novel
Chatting with a friend
Looking through stock photos and playing with PicMonkey

I used to think of these things as procrastination or obstacles, but I’ve found that when I give myself time to listen to words, to see lovely images, and to laugh and play, I’m filling up the creative fuel that allows the words to flow.

I’ve also discovered it’s important to brainstorm big ideas. Yes, writing a shopping list is planning, but at least every few weeks I like to jot down notes about “big-picture dreams.”

A few things that made it from ideas to reality:

Taking our teens on a mission trip (turned into three trips in three years)
Adopting a baby (we’ve since adopted three)
Write a book with a business guru (Ken Blanchard and I wrote Lead Your Family Like Jesus!)
Do a book-signing tour (my friend joined me.)
Go on a cruise (we’ve been on 2.)
Be on the Focus on the Family Radio Program (I’ve been on twice.)
Visit the Holocaust Museum in DC

Things I’m still dreaming about…

Have one of my novels made into a movie
Taking all my kids (including the new ones) on a Disney cruise
Being invited to be on the Today Show
Living in the Czech Republic with my family for a year
Taking a Mediterranean cruise
Visit New York City

How about you? Do you take time to feed your creativity? Do you take time to feed your dreams?

We’ll all get burnt out if we don’t create, explore, enjoy, hug, laugh, and dream. I guarantee you’ll be more efficient with your writing work when you feed these parts of your soul!

Prayer

God, thank you for fueling my dreams and creativity. You are a life-giver! I ask that you continue to fuel my desires and dreams. Breathe creativity into my days and nights.

More Resources

Creativity by Matthew Fox

Creativity According to the Kingdom by Matt Tommey

Roaring Lambs by Robert Briner

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I’m also giving away 3 copies of Darlene Schacht’s Messy Beautiful Love. Enter to win here. Winners will be announced next Monday September 22nd. Only those in the U.S. are eligible to win.

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April 26, 2014 by Tricia Goyer 31 Comments

Hello, Hollywood!

I was never one to dream about Hollywood growing up—of going there, or being a star, or seeing my name in lights. Instead, I wanted to get married, have a few kids, and become an elementary school teacher. I imagined living my whole life in the small town I’d grown up in. Just thinking of that made me content.

Nothing I dreamed of came true—not that I’m complaining. And I’m ending up in Hollywood, not with my name in lights, but with my name on the cover of a book.

Tuesday I’m attending the premiere of Moms’ Night Out. As the author of the novelization I’m told I’ll be walking the red carpet, but I have no idea what that means. Is there a manual I can buy somewhere? A quick how-to guide that will keep me from looking like a fool? Not that people will notice me, because there will be stars there. Real movie stars that have Twitter followers in the millions.

And Monday I’ll be going to Dancing with the Stars. I’ve watched the show for many seasons, but I never imagined myself THERE. And, also while I’m in Hollywood, the producer friends that I work with at Storehouse Media have set up some appointments with me to talk to studios about turning some of my books into movies and television shows. <—- Read that last sentence again. I’ve read it over, like, five times because it doesn’t seem real, even to me.

Find out @TriciaGoyer’s #Hollywood adventures and the #MomsNightOut red carpet premiere!

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Like Allyson in Moms’ Night Out, but life is normally like this (that’s sanitizer in her hand!):

And this: (That’s marker on the wall)

And this: (Writing is my sanity)

But since I’ll be in Hollywood, it’ll be more like this:

Only I’ll be in this dress:

What about you? What dream has come true for you that you never imagined would?

I have a few books on sale right now! The Swiss Courier and Chasing Mona Lisa are only $1.99! And Generation NeXt Marriage is $2.99. You can also get my four World War II novels in the Liberators Series for $13.99.

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January 23, 2014 by Tricia Goyer 6 Comments

Are Your Kids Doing Too Much?

Are Your Kids Involved In Too Many Activities?

Oh yes, you shaped me first inside, then out; you formed me in my mother’s womb. I thank you, High God-you’re breathtaking! Body and soul, I am marvelously made! I worship in adoration-what a creation! You know me inside and out, you know every bone in my body. You know exactly how I was made, bit by bit, how I was sculpted from nothing into something. Like an open book, you watched me grow from conception to birth; all the stages of my life were spread out before you, the days of my life all prepared before I’d even lived one day.

Let’s talk children and organized activities. How much is too much and which ones are right for your children?
Who could need us more, but our children? Who could be more powerless than our children? They need us and trust us to do right by them. In our hearts we truly want our children to have the best of everything. The problem arises when what we think is “best” for our children is different from what their Maker designed.

Are your dreams for your kids interfering with their own dreams and passions? @TriciaGoyer

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My two oldest children love books and movies, drama, giving speeches, and music. Looking back, I can clearly see how many years I wasted trying to make them participate in the activities all the other kids were doing.

My youngest son makes up creative stories, and then he and his friends act out these adventures with their Beanie Babies. How sad it makes me now to think of those countless hours he spent mindlessly maneuvering around the basketball court, following coaches orders. I forced him to sign up-”for socialization and exercise,” I told myself. I realize now he could have received both by running around the front yard with his friends, leading them on fanciful adventures.

In forming our children, God did not create empty vessels, making it the parent’s job to fill them, to form their personalities, and to insert creativity or skill into their brain. Rather, God designed our children and turned them over to us to mold into the shape He’s already crafted. We need to become students of our children and discover their unique shapes. We also need to give them time to be children and not fill up every spare moment with planned activities.

Are your kids signed up for too many #activities? @TriciaGoyer poses some questions to ask:

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Questions to ask yourself:

Why am I signing my child up for this activity?
Am I doing it so my child won’t be left out?
Have I asked God His thoughts?
Does this activity fit in with my child’s natural talents?
Does this activity accomplish peace in our household?

Did you hear the good news? My new book Balanced is available now via Amazon and Barnes & Noble for only $2.99 (digital only)!

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October 21, 2013 by Tricia Goyer 13 Comments

The Right Time to Follow That God-Given Dream

The right time to follow your God-given dream is NOW

Do you have a dream? Something deep in your heart you know God put there?

My guess is that you do. But when is the right time to follow it?

There is an easy answer. The best time to take the first step toward your God-given dream is the moment God gives it to you.

The best time to take the first step toward your God-given dream is the moment God gives it to you. @TriciaGoyer

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It doesn’t make sense, I know. There is A LOT going on. You lead a busy life. Don’t you think God knows that? He knows more about your life than anyone . . . yet He put the dream on your heart.

I had a dream to be a writer. I attended my first writers conference when I was twenty-two years old and pregnant with my third baby. My dream of sharing the good news of God through publications wasn’t completely fulfilled when I was twenty-two, but I took the first step—the step God was asking me to take.

I had a dream to reach abortion-vulnerable women in our community. I gathered with a small group of others who desired the same thing even through I was a writing, homeschooling mom of three who was also caring for my dying grandfather. The pregnancy center didn’t launch for another year. But the meetings got us started in the right direction. When it launched I was still homeschooling and writing and it didn’t seem as if I had time to commit to anything else, but God brought dozens of new volunteers around to help. He just needed me to take the first step to get the ball rolling.

More recently I had a dream to start a Teen MOPS (Mothers of Preschoolers) group to reach young women in inner-city Little Rock. We had just moved 2,000 miles to a new city. I was mourning leaving behind my two oldest (adult) children, my church, and my friends. We’d also just adopted a new baby girl. The stirring wouldn’t leave, and I mentioned it to my new pastor. He encouraged me to start and budgeted the money to start the program.

When I followed my God-given dream to be a writer, I modeled for my children what it was like to heed God’s voice. And God met me there.

When I followed my God-given dream to start a pregnancy center, I modeled for my children how to care for the hurting and needy in our community. And God met me there.

When I followed my God-given dream to start a Teen MOPS group, I modeled for my children how to pour oneself out—even in the midst of personal struggle. And God met me there.

When I didn’t have the time, or strength, or wisdom to achieve any of these things, God showed up. He filled in for all my indecencies. And He brought people around to help and support me. He brought fellow writers for prayer support and encouragement. He brought additional volunteers to take on much of the load. He brought mentor moms who also loved on the teen moms in our community. Most of all He gave me Himself. His strength. His peace. His wisdom. He gave me Himself. He showed me what I can do in Him and through Him.

Think you don’t have time, strength, or wisdom? God will show up. @TriciaGoyer

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When is the right time to follow that God-given dream? The right time to start is the moment God puts it on your heart. And as you step out, don’t look at your weaknesses. Instead, look to His strength. And you will never, ever be disappointed.

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