Hi! I’m Theresa.
I’ve been telling people where to go since I was a little girl. Just ask my parents. And my brother. (Um. On second thought, don’t ask him.) A voracious reader and non-stop talker from a young age, I knew that I wanted to use my words and my voice for a living. For as long as I can remember, I had a dream that I would travel the country and tell its stories.
It took me awhile, but in my late 20s I graduated with a BA in journalism and became an internet publisher focusing on exploring Chicago as a “local tourist.” I was writing, but over the years I spent more time managing than creating, and I knew this wasn’t my dream fulfilled, yet. I wanted to go beyond the Windy City to explore hidden places and treasured beauties and share it all.
Finally, in February and March of 2017, my husband and I made that young girl’s dream a reality. We drove from our Chicago suburb to the Pacific Ocean and back, taking pretty much the most round-about route you can imagine. When it came to travel, I’d met my match. Someone who says “well, we’ve come this far….” is worth their weight in historical markers.
Our first epic road trip was a 31-day exploration of a small part of America. We touched thirteen states in a series of seemingly random hops. That experience became my first book. In 2018, we explored a different part of the country, and those tales will be published in November/December. Find out more about the Two Lane Gems book series.
Along the way I’ve realized that I know a lot about writing, marketing, goal-setting and -attaining, and turning dreams into reality. I’ve been mentored, and now it’s my turn. Whether it’s an intimate group or a large audience, I’m happy to share what I’ve learned. Speaking engagements include motivational chats, teaching Purdue University students about local travel writing, and helping attendees of the San Diego Travel & Adventure Show choose destinations. Want me to speak at your event? Use the contact form in the menu bar.
Official Bio
Theresa L. Goodrich is an Emmy-winning author and content creator with a penchant for storytelling and a keen eye. As the force behind The Local Tourist, she’s dedicated to telling in-depth stories of magnificent, quirky, and unique places. She’s slightly obsessed with travel and history and has turned these passions into multiple books, including the Two Lane Gems series, Living Landmarks of Chicago, Planning Your Perfect Road Trip, and Show Me Shipshewana. Theresa is the publisher of Midwest Road Trip Adventures, 2nd Edition and Midwest State Park Adventures. Under the pen name of Theresa L. Carter, she’s the author of the Travel is Murder cozy mystery series, featuring a travel writer and breast cancer survivor who unwillingly becomes an amateur sleuth.
A cancer survivor herself, Theresa is a firm believer that storytelling is life changing. She speaks across the country about travel and road trips and teaches both writing and self-publishing. She’s driven, often literally, to inspire you to get off the interstates and explore the towns and communities that make this country a constant and welcome surprise.
