This past weekend I had the privilege to attend the American Christian Fiction Writers Conference. It’s amazing to see how this wonderful organization has grown through the years. I enjoyed my first conference with them over ten years ago, when there were around 100 people in attendance. This time there were over 600! We’ve outgrown yet another hotel, this time in Indianapolis, but while we all waited—and waited—for only 4 elevators to take us up and down from our rooms to the workshop and banquet levels, we had plenty of friends to chat with, wonderful teaching to learn from, and two incredible lessons from our keynote speaker Robin Jones Gunn.

Here are a few other personal highlights:

Spent time with my special friends:
Jill Eileen Smith and Deb Raney (top)
Me, Beth White and Carrie Turansky (seated)

At the annual banquet, I sat next to my good friend Beth White. Beth and I have gotten to know each other online but this was the first time we’ve had enough face-to-face time to really chat!

Had fun spending some out-of-town-time with one of my favorite local writers, Sherri Gallagher

Shared some time (and meals!) with my wonderful agent, Rachelle Gardner, who helps me makes sense of this whole writing business.

Got to know one of my new favorite authors, Olivia Newport. I love this picture not only because I’m thrilled to call Olivia a new friend, but one of my oldest and closest friends Jill Eileen Smith happens to be in the background!

Shared a moment with fellow Christians Read bloggers, Jim Rubart and Beth Goddard. I also sat in Jim’s workshop which I’ll be sharing more about next week!

(Visit our Christians Read blog any time by clicking here.)

Being an introvert, I’m usually happy to return home where (at least for a few hours a day) things are quiet and I’m in my regular routine. But conferences are such an enriching experience I’m grateful for the opportunity to reconnect with so many others who share this writing journey. What a blessing it is to sing praise songs with a room filled with others who understand this writing thing!