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You are here: Home / writing / Breathe 2014

Breathe 2014

October 14, 2014 by Amelia

The Pray A to Z series will continue on Thursday. Are you caught up? If not, click here for all the posts.

I look forward to two events all year long – my birthday and the Breathe Christian Writers Conference.

When my friend Susie Finkbeiner and I first attended the Breathe Conference four years ago, we had no idea it would become such a big piece of our lives and careers. In fact, I wouldn’t have even said the words “writing” and “career” in the same sentence at that time. But the workshop presenters poured into me, and the whisper of “You ARE a writer” became a powerful voice. I had to listen.

The planning committee asked Susie and me to join them not long after the conference. Now, we spend all year praying and pouring over the details of this conference. I love every minute. The presenters and attendees and my fellow committee members have become some of my dearest friends. In fact, while saying goodbyes on Saturday evening, I had the same ache in my stomach that I’d get leaving summer camp as a kid and saying goodbye to all my dear friends that I knew I wouldn’t see again for a year.

Julie Cantrell, New York Times Bestselling author of Into the Free and When Mountains Move, was our keynote presenter. She has such a humble and wise heart. You should absolutely check out her books. Susie and I gave her a tour of Grand Rapids and Art Prize on Thursday.

Me, Julie Cantrell, Susie Finkbeiner at Art Prize
Me, Julie Cantrell, Susie Finkbeiner at Art Prize

One of the most exciting parts of the conference for me was meeting Amy Sullivan and Lisa Van Engen in person, finally! I met Amy and Lisa on Twitter sometime over the past year. We’ve collaborated on a couple projects, and you’ll be hearing from both these lovely ladies during the Pray A to Z series. But the Breathe Conference was the first time I’d actually met them in person. I also had the chance to re-connect with old friends, like Kristine McGuire and congratulate her on the release of her new book!

Kristine McGuire, Lisa Van Engen, me, and Amy Sullivan
Kristine McGuire, Lisa Van Engen, me, and Amy Sullivan

I presented a lunch forum discussion on social media. We munched chips and apples and chicken salad while browsing the internet and helping each other out with tips and tricks and reminders that social media isn’t all about numbers, but making real connections with real people.

jocelyn
me with Jocelyn Green

Speaking of real people. I met Jocelyn Green two years ago at this conference. She has an incredible series of Civil War books. I devoured them in days. Then she goes and buys my book and asks little ole me to sign a book for her, while holding a cup of coffee so we can have a “coffee break” together. So much fun.

I’m already looking forward to next year. If you are a writer, or think you might be a writer, mark your calendar to join us October 9-10, 2105 in Grand Rapids, Michigan. Award-winning mystery and thriller novelist Steven James will be our keynote speaker. I know it’s going to be another fantastic year!

Related posts:

  1. What I learned about writing at Breathe
  2. What I’m most looking forward to at Breathe
  3. Breathe Conference 2013
  4. Breathe
  5. Speak Up Conference: Letting God connect the dots

Filed Under: writing Tagged With: Breathe Conference, encouragement, writing

Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. Kristine McGuire says

    October 14, 2014 at 3:01 pm

    What a wonderful retrospective on the Breathe Conference. And it was so wonderful to re-connect with you, sweet friend! I am so looking forward to all that God has planned for The Pray A-Z Series!

    • Amelia says

      October 15, 2014 at 7:41 am

      Kristine, I’m always so happy to see you! Praying your book tour goes well, and thanks for joining us for Pray A-Z!

  2. Lisa says

    October 14, 2014 at 4:59 pm

    You all did a beautiful job! I loved every minute too. I’ll be looking forward to next year 🙂 I’m so happy I finally, finally got to meet you! And my book list has grown considerably, I want to read everyones.

    • Amelia says

      October 15, 2014 at 7:41 am

      Thanks, Lisa! I was sad I didn’t get to spend more time with you at the conference. I don’t have to wait a year to see you again though!

  3. Melanie Pickett says

    October 14, 2014 at 6:48 pm

    I had such an enlightening time at Breathe. This was my first year there but I will attend every year from here forward. I simply have to!

    • Amelia says

      October 15, 2014 at 7:42 am

      Melanie, I am so glad you will be coming back! We’ve already started working on the next conference! It’s going to be great. So glad you enjoyed it!

  4. Cindy miller says

    October 15, 2014 at 1:40 pm

    Thanks for all the work involved on putting on such a great conference! Jocelyn Green gave excellent talk on research, all the workshops were full of information. Great speakers and everyone was great at sharing ideas.

    • Amelia says

      October 15, 2014 at 2:38 pm

      Thank you for coming to the conference, Cindy! I went to Jocelyn’s other workshop and it was great too. I hope you left with many ideas to spur your writing on!

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