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?

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DiAnn Mills is a bestselling author who believes her readers should expect an adventure. She combines unforgettable DiAnn Mills author photo 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.