Trista Pruitt Ridge is a passionate writer, editor, and storyteller with eight years of combined experience in writing, editing, digital marketing, and daily newsletter creation.

She resides in Chattanooga, TN and is currently writing her first novel.

I’ve always been in love with words. I told my fourth grade teacher I wanted to be a writer when I grew up, and I never looked back. It’s been a long road of filling up journals, developing marketing campaigns when I just want to write stories, and proving my salt as a journalist. Whatever the need, I truly believe that words, words, words are the way forward.

Freelance

2018– Current

I started doing contract work for local businesses in Asheville, NC and continued upon moving to Chattanooga, TN. I help local businesses and individuals find and use their unique voices via copywriting, editing, storytelling, communications, and digital marketing. I create blog and newsletter content, consult with owners and managers to bring marketing in-house, work with agencies, and craft stories for branding and marketing purposes.

NOOGAtoday; 6AM City

2019 – 2021

Enneagram

2019 – Current

As an early Editor for this hyper-local newsletter, I helped grow NOOGAtoday’s reach in Chattanooga + assisted the parent company, 6AM City, with various projects ranging from co-producing the Editorial Ethics Policy and being a mentor for new editors to managing interns and leading sub-committees. 6AM is redefining the future of local media as the fastest growing newsletter-first local media company in the country. They deliver the most relevant need-to-know local news and events and aim to build communities driven by conversation, education, and activity.

In 2019, I met Ali, an Enneagram instructor with the Enneagram School of Awakening (ESOA) in Asheville, NC. I had heard of the Enneagram, but Ali did a workshop that piqued my interest, so I started reading all the books I could find on the topic. In 2022, I enrolled as a student at ESOA and received my Level 1 Certification in March of 2023. I currently teach Enneagram classes at The Chattery, a local nonprofit that encourages life-long learning, and I’m working toward gaining all the instructional and teaching hours I need to earn an International Enneagram Association certificate. I’m a student and teacher of the embodiment tradition.

Etc.

Outside of my freelance work, I am writing my first novel, which focuses on relationships—friendship, queer love, narcissistic abuse, and family bonds—and how the human psyche is a beast that will never be defeated, merely managed. When I’m not writing, I’m hanging out with my cats, usually with a book in hand, traveling the world with my husband, foraging in wild Appalachia, or goofing around with my nephew. I also love to try out new vegan recipes and frequent dance performances and jazz shows at my favorite local theater, Barking Legs. I almost always have a cold brew coffee in hand.