Welcome to Write At Home, a monthly feature here at HOTM. Marybeth Whalen will be introducing you to homeschool moms who write: curriculum authors, novelists, nonfiction writers, and popular bloggers and more. Many of us are deeply inspired by these moms who seem to “do it all.” This feature will provide you with a glimpse into their everyday lives.

Tricia Goyer is the author of many books, the most recent being Blue Like Playdough, a motherhood memoir. She writes both fiction and nonfiction and shares honestly and transparently about her life through her writing. As a homeschooling mom, she also balances educating her children with the responsibilities and demands of an active writing life. We are excited to hear from her today!

Tricia, how long have you been homeschooling? What made you decide to homeschool?

I’ve been homeschooling since 1994. Wow, that’s a long time ago! I started homeschooling after John and I met some homeschooling families. The #1 thing that drew our attention was how amazing, friendly, caring, God-centered, and family-focused their teens were. We wanted kids like that!

Which came first, the homeschooling or the writing?
Homeschooling for sure. I’d homeschool from 8:30-noonish. I was there with them, working through the books, saying the memory verses, doing the crafts, singing the songs. Then there were the activities: music, art, swimming, soccer. Then … writing would come. I tried to write 2 hrs a day during their playtime. The older they got the more independent they got and the more time I had to write. Now I’m only homeschooling one child and there is a lot more writing time. From the beginning I knew the kids would be grown and gone and I’d still have time to write. It’s how it’s worked out! I’m glad I focused on the kids when I had the chance.

Did you worry about balancing the two?
Yes, of course. I continually prayed for God to “turn my heart home.” Writing was fun, exciting, rewarding. Homeschool is all those things at times … but usually not often and not all at once.

What are some of the creative solutions you have come up with to help with that delicate balance?
I got the kids involved with chores (which made more writing time for me and home ec for them!). I picked one day for all my errands and wrote my priorities down throughout the week. I got less rigid about housekeeping. I traded off teaching with a friend. I’d teach her kids one day, she’d teach mine the other–giving us both extra time. I spent time every morning in prayer and Bible Study. It was there I found strength for all my needs.

Tell us about what you are working on right now.
I’m working on a few novels and a true story about Kristen Anderson who tried to commit suicide by laying down in front of a train. It’s a balancing act for sure! I also had a new novel come out: The Swiss Courier which I co-wrote with Mike Yorkey–a fellow author and history buff.

Your new book, Blue Like Play Dough, is a memoir of motherhood. Tell us a bit about why it would appeal to a homeschool mom.
Blue Like Play Dough is like a glimpse into my life and heart. In the book I share stories of ways God stretched me and shaped me. I was very transparent and it’s not always pretty within those pages! I share stories about raising kids, volunteering, and, yes, homeschooling. I share about my worries and fears and struggles, and a lot of readers have written me to know that they can relate!

I read that early on in your career, you received an award at Mt.Hermon Writer’s Conference. Can you tell us about that award and how that served to confirm your calling as a writer?
I wrote for many, many years with no book contract. I had a great agent and many things would “almost” get accepted only to be rejected. I wondered if I should give up. Then one year God gave me an amazing novel idea. He also opened the door for me to write a book for Teen Moms for MOPS International. That same year the faculty at the conference voted me as “Writer of the Year.” It was like streams in the desert!

Do you recommend writer’s conferences to moms who write? If so, what advice would you give to that mom who worries about having the time or money to attend one?
I HIGHLY recommend writer’s conferences. 1. You get to LEARN about writing. 2. You get to MEET editors and agents. 3. You get to CONNECT with other writers. If I look about over my career I can say 100% of my contracts/successes have roots somewhere in a writer’s conference.

Also, I know it’s hard to leave your family and spend that money. I babysat and saved money for a year to attend my first conference, yet the amount of material and connections you get in that one week makes it worth it!

Finally, the proof is in the facts. I’ve attended Mt. Hermon Christian Writer’s Conference 13 times. That proves how valuable I think it is!

Finally, how have you seen your writing benefit your children?
One of the cool things about homeschooling is that it’s not only about teaching, it’s about modeling. I’ve modeling what it’s like to tune in to God, to study, to research, to work hard, to follow a dream. My kids have seen what God can do for someone submitted to him.

Not only that my kids have benefitted by meeting amazing people. How many kids can say they’ve had world-famous authors around their table … or amazing storytellers tell them stories as they lay in bed. How cool is that?!

Thanks Tricia for doing this– how can we keep up with you online?
You’re welcome. I love connecting:

www.triciagoyer.com
www.facebook.com/tricia.goyer
www.twitter.com/triciagoyer

I look forward to meeting you there!

Marybeth Whalen is homeschooling mom to six children ranging in age from teen to toddler, as well as a speaker for Proverbs 31 Ministries. In her writings, she addresses things like burnout, dealing with interruptions, and handling homeschooling from a very practical perspective. Be sure to visit her blog, Cheaper by the Half Dozen.