Tricia Goyer is a homeschooling mom of ten, grandmother of two, and wife to John. A bestselling author, Tricia has published more than 50 books to date and has written more than 500 articles. She is a two-time Carol Award winner as well as a Christy and ECPA Award Nominee. Tricia is also on the blogging team at TheBetterMom.com and other homeschooling and Christian sites. Tricia volunteers around her community and mentors teen moms. She is the founder of Hope Pregnancy Ministries in Northwestern Montana, and she currently leads a Teen MOPS Group in Little Rock, AR.
Visit Tricia Goyer online
Made with Love
Lovina Miller should be thrilled. Pinecraft, Florida, has everything a young Amish woman could ask for: sun, sand, volleyball games, and evening singings in the park. But Pinecraft lacks the one thing Lovina desperately wants--a pie shop of her own. She longs for a place to gather with the community and serve the treat she loves. A young carpenter named Noah Yoder strolls into her life and offers a way to make her dream come true. But before Noah and Lovina can build a shop--and a life--together, they must each face heartaches from the past. Is their new love stronger than their regrets? Find inspiration, romance, and authentic Amish recipes for everyone's favorite food--pie!
- ISBN: 0736961291
- Publisher: Harvest House
Interview with Tricia Goyer
Tricia’s contemporary and historical novels feature strong women overcoming great challenges. She recreates historic wartime eras with precise detail through perseverant and comprehensive research. Tricia speaks to groups interested in these eras, with the intention of preserving and honoring the memory of the men and women who served.
She is a beloved author of Amish fiction, as well, writing the Big Sky and Seven Brides for Seven Bachelors Series. Tricia is also the visionary force behind the website Not Quite Amish. Inspired by the writing process of her Amish releases, she wanted to create a community where Amish and simple living experts can become contributors. Launched in the fall of 2012, the Not Quite Amish lifestyle blog features daily posts about recipes, repurposing, simple style, beautifying the home, sewing, Amish proverbs, and more. In addition to featuring more than fifteen regular contributors, readers are also encouraged to submit ideas, questions, and posts for topics they’d like to see written about.
Tricia also posts regularly at her personal blog and is a contributor to other family and homeschooling blogs, such as The Better Mom. In 2010, she was selected as one of the Top 20 Moms to Follow on Twitter by SheKnows.com. Throughout the past ten years, Tricia has been interviewed by numerous national TV and radio programs and magazines.
What message do you hope readers take away from this book?
Made with Love is set in an Amish community in Pinecraft, Florida. My main character, Lovina, longs to open a pie shop of her own. The theme of the book is “following the dreams God places in your heart.” Even though there are many obstacles, Lovina discovers God has more planned for her than she imagined. I hope that readers will take a look at their own deep-seated dreams and being willing to take steps of faith to follow God.
Reflecting back, what do you see as most significant to your publication journey?
My first novel was published in 2003, but I first began writing in 1994. I worked at it for so many years with little results. I wanted to be published for many reasons; mainly, I wanted to prove myself. I'd been a teen mom in high school, and I wanted to prove that I could make something of my life. That wasn't the right reason to seek publication. As I grew in my relationship with God, everything changed. I wanted to write for His glory, and I wanted to use the talents He gave me. That's when I relinquished my dream to Him. It still took a while for my first book to be published, but my heart changed where it mattered most.
How do your faith and spiritual life play into the picture and affect your storytelling?
All my stories stem from the things that God has shown me in my walk with Him. I couldn't write without Him. I turn to Him for the ideas, for the time to write, and for the messages. And in each of my books, my characters have a spiritual transformation, which means God is present in every one of my books. God has transformed my life so much, and I want this to be a part of every one of my stories.
Who/What spurs you to write? Where do your story and character ideas come from?
Oh, the ideas come from anywhere! I usually read an interesting news article or hear about an interesting place. For my World War II novels, I first heard about the liberation of Mauthausen Concentration Camp when I was on vacation. For my Pinecraft Pie Shop series, I heard about this Amish community in Florida where Amish travel down to the area as snowbirds. The idea fascinated me. After writing dozens and dozens of novels, I still have a stash of ideas to explore.
What is your writing routine? Any quirky habits or must-have snacks?
In the last five years our family has adopted seven children—mostly through foster care. Because of that my writing time has been cut down a lot. I have a babysitter come for 3-4 hours a day and that is my writing time. It makes me really focus when it's time to sit down and write. God's favor has been wonderful, though, because somehow the work gets done!
I don't have quirky habits or must-have snacks, but I do chew Mentos gum. I suppose it helps keep me focused.
What is the funniest thing that has happened to you as an author?
Once I was in Chicago on a trip, and I went shopping at Kohl's. I handed my credit card to the cashier and she said, “Oh, you have the same name as a famous author.” I loved it, and I had to laugh. She was beyond excited when I told her that I wrote those books.
What do you think makes your style of storytelling unique?
One comment that I get often is, “I felt as if I could walk into the story.” I love that my readers feel that the people and places seem real. The World War II veterans who I interviewed told me I brought history to life. And even my Amish friends who read my novels feel I capture their lifestyle well. I can't imagine a great compliment!
What led you to choose the genre in which you write?
I write many genres. I write historical fiction and contemporary romance. I write Amish fiction and mysteries. I love that I can write in any time in history. If a person or event captivates me, I want to write about it!
What do you enjoy doing when you are not writing?
When I'm not writing I'm taking care of my eight children still at home, spending time with my son, daughter-in-law and grandkids, and trying to keep in touch with my daughter who is a missionary in Europe. I also mentor Teen moms is a weekly support group. And when I'm not doing either of those things I love to read!
Any parting words?
I love connecting with readers. Please feel free to connect with me at www.Facebook.com/AuthorTriciaGoyer
Thanks for sharing with us, Tricia!
She is a beloved author of Amish fiction, as well, writing the Big Sky and Seven Brides for Seven Bachelors Series. Tricia is also the visionary force behind the website Not Quite Amish. Inspired by the writing process of her Amish releases, she wanted to create a community where Amish and simple living experts can become contributors. Launched in the fall of 2012, the Not Quite Amish lifestyle blog features daily posts about recipes, repurposing, simple style, beautifying the home, sewing, Amish proverbs, and more. In addition to featuring more than fifteen regular contributors, readers are also encouraged to submit ideas, questions, and posts for topics they’d like to see written about.
Tricia also posts regularly at her personal blog and is a contributor to other family and homeschooling blogs, such as The Better Mom. In 2010, she was selected as one of the Top 20 Moms to Follow on Twitter by SheKnows.com. Throughout the past ten years, Tricia has been interviewed by numerous national TV and radio programs and magazines.
What message do you hope readers take away from this book?
Made with Love is set in an Amish community in Pinecraft, Florida. My main character, Lovina, longs to open a pie shop of her own. The theme of the book is “following the dreams God places in your heart.” Even though there are many obstacles, Lovina discovers God has more planned for her than she imagined. I hope that readers will take a look at their own deep-seated dreams and being willing to take steps of faith to follow God.
Reflecting back, what do you see as most significant to your publication journey?
My first novel was published in 2003, but I first began writing in 1994. I worked at it for so many years with little results. I wanted to be published for many reasons; mainly, I wanted to prove myself. I'd been a teen mom in high school, and I wanted to prove that I could make something of my life. That wasn't the right reason to seek publication. As I grew in my relationship with God, everything changed. I wanted to write for His glory, and I wanted to use the talents He gave me. That's when I relinquished my dream to Him. It still took a while for my first book to be published, but my heart changed where it mattered most.
How do your faith and spiritual life play into the picture and affect your storytelling?
All my stories stem from the things that God has shown me in my walk with Him. I couldn't write without Him. I turn to Him for the ideas, for the time to write, and for the messages. And in each of my books, my characters have a spiritual transformation, which means God is present in every one of my books. God has transformed my life so much, and I want this to be a part of every one of my stories.
Who/What spurs you to write? Where do your story and character ideas come from?
Oh, the ideas come from anywhere! I usually read an interesting news article or hear about an interesting place. For my World War II novels, I first heard about the liberation of Mauthausen Concentration Camp when I was on vacation. For my Pinecraft Pie Shop series, I heard about this Amish community in Florida where Amish travel down to the area as snowbirds. The idea fascinated me. After writing dozens and dozens of novels, I still have a stash of ideas to explore.
What is your writing routine? Any quirky habits or must-have snacks?
In the last five years our family has adopted seven children—mostly through foster care. Because of that my writing time has been cut down a lot. I have a babysitter come for 3-4 hours a day and that is my writing time. It makes me really focus when it's time to sit down and write. God's favor has been wonderful, though, because somehow the work gets done!
I don't have quirky habits or must-have snacks, but I do chew Mentos gum. I suppose it helps keep me focused.
What is the funniest thing that has happened to you as an author?
Once I was in Chicago on a trip, and I went shopping at Kohl's. I handed my credit card to the cashier and she said, “Oh, you have the same name as a famous author.” I loved it, and I had to laugh. She was beyond excited when I told her that I wrote those books.
What do you think makes your style of storytelling unique?
One comment that I get often is, “I felt as if I could walk into the story.” I love that my readers feel that the people and places seem real. The World War II veterans who I interviewed told me I brought history to life. And even my Amish friends who read my novels feel I capture their lifestyle well. I can't imagine a great compliment!
What led you to choose the genre in which you write?
I write many genres. I write historical fiction and contemporary romance. I write Amish fiction and mysteries. I love that I can write in any time in history. If a person or event captivates me, I want to write about it!
What do you enjoy doing when you are not writing?
When I'm not writing I'm taking care of my eight children still at home, spending time with my son, daughter-in-law and grandkids, and trying to keep in touch with my daughter who is a missionary in Europe. I also mentor Teen moms is a weekly support group. And when I'm not doing either of those things I love to read!
Any parting words?
I love connecting with readers. Please feel free to connect with me at www.Facebook.com/AuthorTriciaGoyer
Thanks for sharing with us, Tricia!
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