Sunday, September 23, 2012

What A Conference!

Wow!!! I’m back from Dallas and what a wonderful time we had!!! So many unforgettable moments! Listening to Michael Hyatt’s great keynote speeches, attending many fabulous workshops, meeting so many great authors and even a few blog readers, these were only a handful of the many great highlights! ACFW 2012 was a blast!

Here’s the best of the best, because really, it was all good!
1 – The Workshops – I learned so much from all the amazing workshops I attended. Susan May Warren gave a great continuing education session about developing the inner journey of your character and I took pages and pages of notes. As I said before, Michael Hyatt did a great job teaching us about platform and gave so many tips about building a platform in the ever-changing publishing world.

2 – The Authors – It’s very hard not to be star struck when chatting with such authors as Susan May Warren, Laurie Alice Eakes, Keli Gwyn, and so many more, but I did my best. J They are all so nice and welcoming and I loved meeting each and every one of them! I loved their books, but now I love them even more knowing the person behind the novel.
3 – The Bookstore – I loved the bookstore! (my pocketbook not so much) Once you got in there, you just HAD to buy books! J I picked up Rosslyn Elliot’s Fairer Than Morning, Laurie Alice Eakes’s A Necessary Deception and several more. They had so many great sales, plus gave away a lot of freebies, so I came home with enough reading material to last me…um maybe a month. J

4 – The Gala - Who doesn’t love to get dressed up in a gorgeous dress and cheer for your favorite authors to win awards? I know I do, since what I wear to my writer job isn’t quite as glamorous. J My friend Roseanna White and I, both dressed a la Downton Abbey, and I’m posting pictures below. Isn’t her hat to die for? A huge congratulations to all the winners, both of the Genesis and Carols! You all are the best!!
5 - The Devotions and Worship Team – At every ACFW conference, you are not only encouraged in your writing, you’re also encouraged in your spiritual journey. They do a great job putting the focus on the Lord and off the busy schedule.

I could go on and on about the wonderful experience it was and I was truly blessed to be able to attend! It’s always sooo fun to get together with other writers who understand the “voices” in your head, don’t mind if you argue loudly with your characters, and ponder ways to poison people.

Now for some pictures!


Me and friend and fellow writer Keli Gwyn.

Me with friends Roseanna White and Stephanie Morrill

 


 




Me by the Bethany House table. Would love for my book to be there someday.



Me with Roseanna both in our lovely Edwardian era gowns



Another one of me in my formale attire.
 

 


Gala night!!!!
 





Me with new friends Jeanne Leach and Tiffany Amber Stockton.






Conference Consolation Kit - If you didn’t get a chance to attend conference, I put together a pack of some goodies, so you can have your own mini conference at home. Included are the newest edition of the ACFW journal, a notebook and pen from the Hyatt, A Kauffman Amish Christmas Collection: by Amy Klippston, and chocolate of course! Just leave a comment with your email address and I will announce the winner on Friday, September 28th.


As always happy writing!
Amanda

9 comments :

Maggie Brendan said...

Sounds like you had a marvelous time. I couldn't go this year, unfortunately, but watched the event online. Your gown is pretty!Keep writing and one day your book will be there. My first conferene was 2004 and I've just turned in my 6th book. I'd love to win your gift. God bless, Maggie

Mara Kim said...

I've yet to attend any writing conference. It thrills me to watch the excitement through others. I'm glad that everyone had a fabulous time!! Thanks for your generosity!! Here's my email: marakim@gmail.com

Thanks ~ Mara Kim

Jamie Adams said...

Sounds like you had a great time! Thanks for sharing the pictures. I know what you mean about feeling star struck.

Jamie

adamsfammys@yahoo.com

Marissa said...

That sounds like a wonderful conference!! I'm glad you had such a good time.

marissamehresman(at)aol(dot)com

Susan said...

So glad you could go! I would love to win your basket

Amanda said...

Isn’t the live streaming great, Maggie! Such a fun thing for those who aren’t able to attend the gala! Thanks so much for stopping by!

Here’s to hoping you can attend a conference soon, Mara!

Thank you so much for stopping by, Jamie! Glad you liked the pictures!
Consider yourself entered, Marissa and Susan! So great to see you both here!

Blessings!
Amanda

The Read-a-Writer said...

I would love to win your basket, Ms/Mrs. Barratt. It'd be like I was able to be there.......at least partially. Unfortnately, I live in Canada, so it probably wouldn't work. The pictures you have at the conference are wonderful! Thank you for sharing!

karenk said...

i loved reading about the conference, amanda....thanks for sharing your pictures, too.

karenk
kmkuka at yahoo dot com

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