"Tell me about a book you've read more than once." This is how you can find some of the best books in the world. If you ask me this question, I'll tell you about Elizabeth Gilbert’s book, Big Magic. Big Magic is a book about creative living beyond fear. Fear is boring, and creativity calls […]
Once upon a time, two years ago, Sean Castle came to me with an idea. "Tricia, I'd like for you to write a book with me." "That's one of my favorite things to do," I said, my heart lifting at the very idea. "What's the topic?" "Investing." My heart dipped at that very idea. "Oh, […]
My fellow artists, makers, thinkers, crafters, creatives, Have you ever wondered where your ideas come from? Whether they're yours or entirely and wholly other? Ever wondered how these ideas find you, whether you generated them or if they're floating around waiting to be claimed, or if someone sent them to you? I've wondered. Most artists […]
My pastor told the story this weekend of a now-famous experiment conducted by Gene Weingarten from the Washington Post. Weingarten interviewed Leonard Slatkin, music director of the National Symphony Orchestra, to see what he thought might happen if one of the world's greatest violinists performed incognito during the rush hour of foot traffic in the […]
Knock, Knock. Who's there? Something that should matter to you. Something that should matter to you - who? Yes. And also Where and When and How and For What Purpose and For What Cause. Everything matters. There's so much to care about. Everybody is giving me more things to care about. The headlines are […]
It's Release Day for This Book Is For You: Loving God's Words in Your Actual Life. We celebrated the daylights out of her this weekend, and when I find my words again, I am eager to tell you about the greatness of that festival of Sharpies. I've heard that all the emotionally healthy authors keep […]
So this guy came to my brother. He said, “Hey, man. I really love this girl. I want to ask her to marry me.” And Rob thought for a moment that the dude was asking my brother to be in the wedding, which would be weird since they weren’t *that* close. Then the guy said, “She’s very […]
I am writing in the library today. A mom and her little girl - probably four years old - walked by my spot near the movie section, and I heard the little girl begging her mom to get her The Naked Movie. Mom: "I'm sorry, what? I don't understand what you're asking me." Daughter: "I […]
This little book turns Seven Years Old this week. She's basically a first grader, out in the real world, tying her shoes and reading books on her own. I'd like for you to please notice Tucker, working the line and meeting the people. Now, please notice Tyler, working so hard to work the Sharpie. Peter […]
Tricia said: "Laptop, Open Manuscript." And the Laptop said, "File Not Found." Tricia said: "Look again, laptop. Find it, please." And the Laptop said, "File Not Found." I had spent weeks working on my second round of edits for my new book, This Book Is For You: Loving God's Words in Your Actual Life. And […]
A Christmas Special: Give my book for Christmas! For $20, I'll send to you a *personalized, signed copy* of the book of your choice, including gift wrap and shipping. Straight to your door, complete with my love and doodles. Available Books: ~ Just You Wait ~ You Can Do This Available […]
“Tarbled.” adjective: wind-blown; lacking precision but compensating in charm; messy but cute. ~ ~ ~ "I am a lover of messy people; a tarbled mom of two teenage boys who are likely late to school and wearing mismatched socks; I have been known to absent-mindedly doodle in the margins of overdue library books; I have […]
"Because this business of becoming conscious, of being a writer, is ultimately about asking yourself, How alive am I willing to be?" ~ Anne Lamott I wrote a piece last week that got chewed to bits on the interwebs. Chewed. To. Bits. I mean, not by everyone. Probably not by you. But enough people pecked […]
In the writing world, your "Platform" is the broad term for "the people who listen to you." The size of your platform matters quite a lot to publishers. After all, if they're going to invest in your writing and give you a contract, they want to know who's waiting in line to buy this book. […]
“Hi. I should introduce myself. We’re actually really good friends,” she says as we pass each other on the sidewalk, each of us walking our dogs AGAIN. “You just haven’t met me yet. But I read your stuff every day. We have coffee together.” I love when this happens. When the cyber world around me […]
Registrations are open for The Pen and The Page: March 13 - 15, 2020 The Pen and The Page: Writing as Worship The Pen and The Page is carefully crafted for writers of every level to explore writing as a sacred pathway of worship. Whether you’ve written books or simply enjoy scribbling your thoughts, something […]
"Mom, is that what you're wearing?" They are teenagers now - one teen and one almost-teen - and they take great interest or offense in what I am wearing. "This is what I am wearing," I say, side glancing his way as I drop a package of peanut m&m's in my brown bag. "But it's […]
We were in the car one day. The radio was on. The air conditioning was blowing at me. All three men of mine were talking or singing. The boys were playing some version of physical jackassery horseplay in the backseat. In total exasperation, I reached forward and turned off the radio and the air […]
I love when I get letters like this one: Dear Tricia, Please help. I have a third/fifth/tenth grade kid/daughter/son/niece/nephew/grandson/neighbor, and I think he/she is a writer. I want to support and encourage him/her in this newfound love. What can you suggest to me, other than buying lots of notebooks and pens? Love, A Writer's Cheerleader […]
I am both horrified and mortified to tell you this, but it is true. I gained ten pounds in Chicago last week. One week. Ten pounds. This is not an exaggeration, and it is not even an estimation. It is exact and precise and appalling. Ten pounds. You see, I was in Chicago. And Chicago […]
