By DiAnn Mills @DiAnnMills
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Last week, I was on faculty at the Blue Ridge Mountain Christian Writers Conference at 
Ridgecrest, North Carolina. A beautiful conference center nestled in the Smoky Mountains. We had over 400 conferees. Wow! Lots of learning for fiction and nonfiction writers, taught by multi-published writers who are valued in the industry. I’ve been a part of teaching at this conference for years. It keeps growing with attendees and quality instruction.
We worked hard to ensure every moment was special. By noon on Thursday, the final keynote inspired and challenged writers to be diligent to the craft.
I wanted a nap.
Thursday afternoon, we visited trails and took in sites at the conference center. I’d never had the opportunity to explore the vast area.
On Friday, husband and I slept in and enjoyed a delightful breakfast in Black Mountain. We visited unique shops and took a drive to nearby Montreat. Oh, the beauty of green hills, flowering bushes in pink and white, a lovely walk around a lake, and just being together.
I encourage you to take time to rest. Your body and mind will thank you.
How did you break away from work over the holiday weekend?
Tweet this: Work Hard Play Hard
DiAnn Mills is a bestselling author who believes her readers should expect an adventure. She combines unforgettable 
characters with unpredictable plots to create action-packed, suspense-filled novels.
Her titles have appeared on the CBA and ECPA bestseller lists; won two Christy Awards; and been finalists for the RITA, Daphne Du Maurier, Inspirational Readers’ Choice, and Carol award contests. Library Journal presented her with a Best Books 2014: Genre Fiction award in the Christian Fiction category for Firewall.
DiAnn is a founding board member of the American Christian Fiction Writers; a member of Advanced Writers and Speakers Association; International Thriller Writers, and the Faith, Hope, and Love chapter of Romance Writers of America. She is co-director of The Author Roadmap with social media specialist Edie Melson where she continues her passion of helping other writers be successful. She speaks to various groups and teaches writing workshops around the country.
DiAnn has been termed a coffee snob and roasts her own coffee beans. She’s an avid reader, loves to cook, and believes her grandchildren are the smartest kids in the universe. She and her husband live in sunny Houston, Texas.
DiAnn is very active online and would love to connect with readers on any of the social media platforms listed at www.jhcdev.com/diannmills.
Look for Trial by Fire, a Novella eBook available NOW from Tyndale Publishing.
Comments 11
Loved catching up with you at the conference. Thanks for your helpful advice, as always. We hit the road and spent part of the weekend in Virginia then onto West Virginia. Yes, RVing is the way to rest and relax. Love ya, my friend.
Sounds like sound advice and a practical time of resting and reviving body and soul. We experienced a heat wave in Ottawa, but today the temperature is back to what is seasonal.
I am one of those not wise people who \hardly take naps, and who burn the candle at both ends. Lately, however, my body took over, and I am going to bed at a decent hour. Thanks for the description of a great time.
Hi Frances, thanks for posting. Like you, unless I’m forced to relax, I go and go. That’s why this past weekend was a blessing.
I hope to go to that conference one day…
Hi Lyndie, I hope you plan to attend to!
Naps are good! 😉 Ever since I had my spinal surgeries in 2010, I’ve learned that I *must* listen to my body, so when I’m really tired (or in much pain) I give in and rest (which is what I had to do a couple of times over the weekend).
So glad that the conference went well. Lord willing, one of these years I’ll be able to attend (it wouldn’t be a bad drive from my Atlanta area). Sounds like you and your husband enjoyed a delightful time after the conference. Thank you for sharing. 🙂
Hi Patti Jo, I hope you’re able to attend the Blue Ridge. What a blessing for writers and teachers.
i just kicked back and took it easy after chasing kids all week
I remember chasing kids – now it’s grandkids!
Ooh, that sounds amazing! It’s such a beautiful area. This was the first time I’ve actually had a “normal” holiday weekend in years without having to work any of it. It was delightful – a combination of errands, laundry, naps, reading, and of course, worship!
Hi Linda, Sunday and Monday here in Houston were filled with sunshine – and that invites relaxation.