The Best Part of Being a Novelist

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The Best Part of Being a Novelist

As you are reading this, I am in Phoenix hugging the necks of a whole bunch of writer friends and feeling both sad to say goodbye, and filled to the brim with joy and inspiration because of the wonderful time of fellowship we had over this past weekend. We met at the beautiful Spirit in the Desert Retreat Center in Carefree, AZ and the weather was just perfect!

Our sessions were held in this building with beautiful views outside to the landscaping.

I am an extrovert and I’m not sure I could have continued writing for 30-plus years if not for the wonderful friendship of other writers like these.

During one of our sessions on Friday.

Many from this group used to get together every summer the same week the Christian Booksellers Association convention was held. We’ve met in New Orleans, Atlanta, Orlando, Denver, and probably other places I’m forgetting. Things have changed in the publishing industry, and the convention no longer offers a set time and place for us to gather, but we find opportunities to meet up as we are able.

These dear friends are one of the very best parts of being a novelist, and I am beyond grateful for the inspiration, education, and camaraderie their friendship offers me. Even when we can’t be together in person, I interact with many of these writers daily or weekly online in various author groups.

Today, Ken and I are headed to California to camp and visit his brother’s and sister’s families who live there, but I’ll leave you with some photos of our time together with some writers I’m sure you know, including our own dear Cara and Robin!