A few weeks ago I drove with my family to Sydney, Australia, from our home in Canberra, to attend the Omega Writers Conference.
The 2019 conference was held in the Winbourne Edmund Rice Conference Centre at Mulgoa – located in the western outskirts of Sydney near the Blue Mountains. We drove the scenic route via country roads and avoided city traffic.
Winbourne Edmund Rice Conference Centre
We were happy to arrive at Mulgoa on the Friday afternoon in torrential rain. Eastern Australia is currently in a severe drought, and the nearby Warragamba Dam (Sydney’s main water supply) needed all the rainwater flowing in from the catchment area.
I also arrived at conference thirsty, but not thirsty for physical water. I was thirsty for the emotional and spiritual refreshment that flows from gathering with like-minded writing friends who understand the twists and turns of our unique writing journeys.
My blogging friends at Australasian Christian Writers
It had been two long years since I’d been to a writing conference in Australia, and four years since I’d make the big trek across the pond to the ACFW Conference and seen my agent, Steve Laube.
I was thankful that Steve had accepted our invitation to keynote our Aussie conference. It was great to have an opportunity to sit down with Steve and discuss my writing and future directions.
Introducing Steve Laube’s Fiction Workshop. Photo credit: Margaret Holahan
Health issues and family responsibilities have culminated in my writing being a low priority for the last three years. I’ve learned to be content with this season of life.
My word for 2019 has been contentment in the context of 1 Timothy 6:6 (NIV) — But Godliness with contentment is great gain.
It’s okay for my Heartsong backlist to remain out-of-print for three years. It’s okay that I’ve taken extended breaks from writing and haven’t looked at my work-in-progress for many months. It’s okay to take a breath and jump off the ‘writing treadmill’ and prioritise my family and health and well-being.
The conference inspired my husband and son to consider the idea of writing and creating stories. My son is a big fan of Aussie author David Rawlings’ debut book, The Baggage Handler. He was excited to meet David and get his hardcover copy of the book signed. In contrast, my daughter was fascinated by what Steve shared regarding the business side of publishing. I was inspired to continue on my writing journey, with the support of my writing friends, and wait on His timing.
Andrea Grigg introducing my Fiction Workshop
Photo credit: Margaret Holahan
I’m currently assisting in the planning of the 2020 Omega Writers Conference in Kingscliff, NSW, with my writing friends Andrea Grigg and Raewyn Elsegood. We’re thrilled to have Susan May Warren booked in as our keynote speaker.
I volunteered to help organize the 2020 conference because I value the opportunity to connect with writers in my part of the world.
Peppers Salt Resort and Spa – Kingscliff, NSW, Australia
I’ll visit Koorong (our local Christian book store in Canberra) on Saturday when Aussie author friends Carolyn Miller and Jenny Glazebrook will be holding their book signing. I’ve continued to blog with Inspy Romance, despite only publishing one novella in the last three years, because I love blogging and value our online community of writers and readers.
My questions for you: What do you love about our Inspy Romance writing community? Would a conference at the beach inspire you to visit Australia?
A fun loving Aussie girl at heart, Narelle Atkins was born and raised on the beautiful northern beaches in Sydney, Australia. She has settled in Canberra with her husband and children. A lifelong romance reader, she found the perfect genre to write when she discovered inspirational romance. Narelle's contemporary stories of faith and romance are set in Australia and international locations.
It was such a good conference, Narelle, and as always, inspiring catching up with you xx And yes, beachside conference in Australia- can’t wait!
Hi Narelle, thanks for sharing. I love that there is a Australian Christian Writer’s network where you can all support each other, and your plans for a Kingscliff beach retreat sound like something to look forward to- and inspire more writing maybe?:)
I’m glad you’ve continued to post on inspyromance:) I need to find out if the Koorong in Melbourne has book signings…
Blessings:)
Hi Narelle! Thanks for sharing your journey and highlights of the Omega Writers Conference in Australia. As a retiree, I enjoy being an arm chair traveler with our inspiring Inspy Writers, especially to far off places like Australia and South Africa. Whenever possible hubby and I love driving the scenic back roads, especially in the fall. Last Saturday my friend Wendy & I attended the second annual Southwest Michigan Writers Conference sponsored by five area libraries with about 10 Midwest authors giving presentations, 15 vendors, and 125 participants. The keynote speaker was Kate Collins who wrote the Flower Shop Mysteries Three of her books have been made into Hallmark movies. Since I live within minutes of several amazing Lake Michigan beaches, the beach would not inspire this retiree to make the long trek to Australia. Best wishes in your journey.
Since I live in Australia, I say welcome.
I love learning about the authors and where they live. I enjoy learning about their books and where they get their ideas and inspiration. I also enjoy finding new authors to follow and new books to read!
Hi Carolyn, yes, bring on 2020! It was lovely to catch up at conference and this afternoon! 😊
Hi Wemble, yes, there’s a great group of writers here who support each other. Koorong often shares in-store book signings/events on their Facebook Page. Amanda Deed and Dorothy Adamek are Aussie authors from Melbourne. I’m so looking forward to going back to Kingscliff next year. The location is stunning – and most definitely inspires my creativity! Blessings 😊
Hi Renate, yes, the scenic roads are a more interesting drive than the freeway. Your writers conference in Michigan sounds like a lot of fun, and I’d love to visit your beaches during summer! I’ve only seen a small part of Lake Michigan from a train between Milwaukee and Chicago, and I’d love to go back. My husband has cousins who live in Michigan. Best wishes xo
Hi Mary, yes, well said! 😊
Hi Lori, yes, my tbr list grows from reading our Inspy blog posts, lol. A great problem to have, imho. 😊
Narelle, we visited Australia two years ago in October. We started in Sydney. We did go to the Blue Mountains, but we didn’t get to the western part of your country. We certainly enjoyed the parts we did see.
Australia is on my bucket list! It would be great to (eventually) time a trip to coincide with a writing conference Down Under! Not sure what hubby would do with his time, though…
Thanks so much for the treasure you are to the Inspy Romance authors and admin team. Our readers probably don’t know that you, Narelle, are our chief social media person, and you’re very much appreciated! They might have guessed the appreciation part — I hope they have. :)
I like reading this blog, as I’ve met new authors, I can travel with each of you to your homes, and I love the books, where I get to find new friends and places! I would like to visit Australia, especially Melbourne, since I’m near Melbourne, FL. Technically, I was born in Melbourne, cause that’s where the hospital was (and is!). I would also like to go to New Zealand, as that’s where my niece and her family of Kiwi’s live. The conference sounds like fun!!
I absolutely love getting to know all my favorite authors on a more personal level! Australia is on my bucket list as well, but highly unlikely 😣. Thank you for all you and the other authors do in keeping us always in the know!
For me, it’s interacting with all you writers and readers. It’s sharing ideas, thoughts, encouragement, laughter & all those ups and downs life throws at you sometimes. It’s also reminders of God’s love for each of us in our daily lives.
I haven’t been a part of Inspy Romance for a while, but I was able to come back this week. I’m so glad to be here because I’ve missed so much!
For me, I’d love any excuse to visit Australia! I got to meet Carolyn Miller and her husband in April when she did a USA book signing tour. I live on the Oregon coast and she first came to Hillsboro, which is only an hour and a half away. She’s such a lovely person!! I brought one of her books along to sign, plus I bought one of her latest ones. I will forever treasure that time :-) Then if I did get a chance to visit, I’d hop over to New Zealand where my mom lives. That would be a trip of a lifetime!!
Thanks for sharing your pictures and time of refreshing at the conference, Narelle. I bet it filled your cup to overflowing! :-)
I would love to go to Australia someday. My younger son was just there this past August. :)
Hi Merrillee, wow, is it already 2 years since your Aussie trip? It’s a long way to travel from the East Coast to Western Australia. Unlike the US, we have a lot of desert in central and Western Australia. I’ve always wanted to travel on the Indian Pacific train (east-west) and the Ghan train (north-south through central Australia) and see more of my beautiful country. 😊
Hi Valerie, Yes, I’d love if you could attend one of our Aussie conferences. Hallee Bridgeman came to our Sydney Conference a few years ago. There’s plenty to do and see to occupy hubby! Thank you for your kind words. It’s a pleasure to volunteer to work with the Admin team and all our lovely authors at Inspy Romance. ♥️
Hi Trudy, I’ve always wanted to visit Melbourne, FL, for similar reasons. My daughter was born in Melbourne, Australia. A combined trip to Australia and New Zealand sounds fabulous! 😊
Hi Paula, Visiting the US East Coast is on my bucket list (the closest I’ve gotten is Indianapolis, which is a long way from the coast…). It’s lovely to get to know you and everyone in our Inspy Romance community. 😊
Hi Trixi, We’re glad you’re back this week. Carolyn is lovely, and she’s a good friend of mine. I’m so glad you had a chance to meet her in person! I’m planning a holiday in NZ in the next few years – a gorgeous place to visit! 😊
Hi Kimberly, I hope you’ll have an opportunity to visit Australia! 😊
Wow the I didn’t know your family were at the conference too and your son and husband are now inspired to write. Maybe your daughter get into publishing.
I would love to go to a conference if there was a readers component as I am not a writer and am not inspired to be one.
Hi Jenny, yes, my family were interested in learning more about my ‘writing world’. It was fun to have them there with me at conference. 😊