Meet Y!CN Contributor Tricia Goss

I am happy to take this opportunity to introduce Tricia Goss. She became an Associated Content Contributor on July 2, 2005 and began publishing on January 9, 2006. As of this interview, Tricia has published 150 articles and received 572,827 page views. So clearly, she is a star performer on Associated Content, as is evidenced by these numbers and her Clout 10 status. Tricia is not an Associated Content Forum junkie. As of this writing, she has posted only six times in the forum. I am pleased that one of her posts was to nominate me for the Best New Source (Rising Star) Award. Another post that I am sure she is proud of is her nomination of her good friend, Crystal Ray for the Best of AC Award in the Gardening Category. Both of Crystal and I won these respective awards after Tricia's endorsement. Perhaps she has a special gift in this area, as she seems to know how to pick the winners.

What I admire about Tricia Goss is her humble and non-pretentious attitude in how she has achieved and maintained her stature at Associated Content. In preparing for this interview, I was struck by a statement that Tricia made in her article, Cleaning Closets: A Piece of Prose. This is what she wrote, "Each of us struggles with things inside of ourselves that we are not happy with, whether it is a sin that we keep going back to, a battle with some type of addiction, or even a character trait that gets in the way of us from becoming the person God created us each to be."

Tricia is a versatile writer. She has a myriad of articles about Tucson, including but not limited to restaurants, auto repairs shops, and activities for children. She has some older pieces that remain gems today, particularly because of the continued tough economic conditions of the time. These include, Frugal Tips_50 Ways to Save Money, Flexible Spending Accounts: One Way of Curtailing High Health Care Costs and Questions to Ask at a Job Interview. I also enjoyed her lighter piece, Worst Christmas Gifts for a Wife.

Lastly, she writes terrific prose and poetry. I was particularly struck with her piece titled, Cleaning Closets: A Piece of Prose and another one named, Never Too Heavy for Me to Carry. If you are an emotional sort of person, I would supply yourself with some tissues before reading Never Too Heavy for Me to Carry. Somewhere in her writings, Tricia indicates that she does not write poetry like she used to. After you read this interview and hopefully read through her work, it is my hope that you will comment on this interview or personally message Tricia and encourage her to write poetry like she used to do. I personally feel she performs an injustice not only to herself, but also to the world at large when she does not unveil her poetic talent and unmask the beauty that this ready to spring to life. In any event, here is Tricia to answer some questions for our benefit.

1. When did you discover you had a passion for writing?

I can't remember not writing. I learned to read before kindergarten and have had my nose in a book ever since. Writing stories just came naturally!

2. Have you always considered yourself a good a writer?

I don't think I have ever considered myself a good writer. Teachers, friends and now editors seem to think I am, which makes me happy. I think, like most people, I am my own worst critic.

3. Who have been your biggest influences in fueling your desire to write and in developing your skills as a writer?

I wrote and wrote as a child and teen, and once I had my daughter at 19 I put aside many things I considered hobbies, such as writing, to get down to the business of life. I picked it up again when she was in middle school and I began homeschooling her, as I was trying to find a way to earn an income from home. So I guess my daughter has been my biggest influence.

4. How did you discover Associated Content?

I hate to say this, but I honestly don't recall.

5. I see your Associated Content Start Date was 7/2/2005, but you did not actually publish anything until 1/9/2006. Was there a reason for this delay?

Really? I didn't realize that! How funny. I'm guessing I had my feelers out there for writing jobs but, as I was still working full time and homeschooling my daughter, I was a bit slow at actually getting down to the business of writing.

6. Have the articles that you published more recently out performed your first few published articles?

Some have. Mostly, though, AC is the place where I can write about whatever I want, whereas most of my other gigs are much more specific, so some pieces may not necessarily be as sought after as others.

7. Do you have any articles that standout with exceptionally high or low page views?

The two articles that have really gotten a lot of page views are "Sample Inmate Self Support Letter to the Parole Board" and "How to Write a Letter to the Parole Board; Sample Support Letter." I had a family member who was incarcerated and was learning about these letters myself. It can be confusing and emotionally taxing, and I thought that others might appreciate learning what I myself had discovered. I had no idea to what extent that was true, though!

8. Which of your published articles on Associated Content are your personal favorites?

I would have to say "Grandmas Walk" and "Never Too Heavy for Me to Carry," just because those stories are so close to my heart.

9. How would you describe your overall experience an Associated Content that recently passed your fourth anniversary as an Associated Contributor?

I have been very happy with AC, and have gained some wonderful friends here.

10. How has your writing evolved over the course of your time publishing with Associated Content?

I actually believe that I am a writer now. I didn't think I would ever feel that way.

11. What do you consider your three biggest achievements or milestones in your writing career with Associated Content?

My AC portfolio helped me land a job as the newsletter editor for a website called OfficeUsers.org. I get to write a daily email newsletter with hints and tips for Microsoft Office. I have been doing that for just over 2 years now, and it is wonderful. That and the other jobs that my AC portfolio has helped me acquire have allowed me to finally give up working a full time job and work entirely from home. My daughter is grown now, but it was worth the time and effort!

12. Are there any changes that that you would like to see with Associated Content in the near future?

None that I can think of.

13. Where do see yourself on your fifth and tenth anniversaries with Associated Content?

OLD! Just kidding. Hopefully continuing on the same path, finding new and exciting outlets, writing pieces from my heart, and meeting wonderful new friends here at AC, like you!

14. If you had to do it all over again, would you still publish for Associated Content?

Definitely.

15. What three recommendations would you make to all new Associated Content Contributors to help them to be more successful with Associated Content?

Write what you know. I know this sounds trite, but it's so true. Not only does it simplify your job, but you have to write about things you enjoy or it will get stale and boring and just be another job. Connect with other writers. They are a wealth of information and will help you learn and grow. Stick with it. Success may not come overnight, but if writing is your dream it will be well worth the time you invest. If that means getting up an hour early, working on your lunch break of giving up your favorite TV programs, just do it.

16. Do you feel that Associated Content presents the same type of opportunity to its Contributors today as it did when you first began publishing on the site?

Absolutely.

17. Do you ever get writers block and if so what do you do to overcome it?

I do! For me, there are times when I just have to turn off the computer for a day or two and completely forget about writing. I pour myself into other tasks that I have been putting off, like cleaning or yard work, and by the end of the first or second day, I am usually eager to write again.

18. How do you come up with ideas for articles for Associated Content?

For how to type pieces, I keep a folder on my computer and when I read, hear or think about something interesting or fun, I save it in that folder. From time to time, I go through the folder, find an idea that piques my interest, and turn it into an AC article.

19. Do you have a written list of article ideas that have you have yet to write?

Nope, just my folder.

20. How long does it typically take you to write an article for Associated Content?

Maybe ½ hour to an hour

21. Which Associated Content Contributors do you like to read the most?

Crystal Ray, who is one of my dearest friends (whom I met through AC), yourself, Sheryl Young, Lynn Pritchett, Charlotte Kuchinsky, Lisa Riggs, Nikki Wood, April Lorier, Justice Lives Not, Don Pennington, Andrea Coventry, Bobbi Leder, Wendy Dawn, SFaloon, and so many more. I could go on for days. If I left anyone out, I love you, too, I promise!

22. Do feel as though you have bonded with anyone within the Associated Content Community?

Definitely Crystal Ray, to whom I lovingly refer as Kimmie. She has truly become a close friend with whom I could share anything. I wish we lived next door. Lynn Pritchett is also an AC contributor with whom I have bonded and love to bits. And Nikki Wood has been an absolute sweetheart, checking up on my sister who is undergoing cancer treatment. I consider many other AC writers dear friends, as well.

23. What are some of your interests outside of Associated Content?

I like to cook and bake, hang out with my husband, spend time with my daughter, nothing terribly exciting!

24. What are your favorite memories outside of Associated Content?

Life is full of wonderful memories! I wouldn't know where to start.

25. I see that you moved from Tucson to North Texas. Can you explain the differences in living in these different areas?

Tucson is arid desert. Fort Worth is green, lush, and has water! I definitely prefer the verdant landscaping here. Both, though, are very hot in the summer.

26. Your profile indicates that you have an interest in the trucking industry. Can you elaborate on this subject? How and why did you develop an interest in this type of industry?

That is funny! I didn't even remember that it said that. Guess I need to go read my own profile! My husband has been a truck driver for many, many years and I have written for several publications in the trucking industry.

27. Your profile you refer to Christian living. What do you consider the key elements to successfully living a Christian lifestyle?

Knowing Jesus Christ as my personal savior and sticking close to Him!

28. Is there anything else that you would like to add to this interview?

I just wanted to say thank you for taking the time to interview me. Thank you for your thoughtful introduction, as well. I feel unworthy of your glowing words. I am absolutely thrilled and honored to participate in this interview with you!

Please the Contributor page of Trisha Goss.

Tricia Goss