Coeur d’Alene Writers Retreat…22 years now in the books

ByTamera Alexander
4 Comments

Late last night, I returned from our annual Coeur d’Alene Retreat, a wonderful five-day weekend with a group of writers who have become so precious to me over the past 22 years. They’re among my dearest friends, and I’m grateful for each of them.

This weekend’s retreat was especially meaningful. Because it was our last formal gathering in CdA.

Have you seen the pics on-line where you video your group walking toward the camera then grab stills from the video? Well, this is us starting out.
And this is us toward the end!

Only 7 (out of 11) were able to make it this year. Personal/family health issues or the loss of a loved one prevented the others from coming. And oh we missed them! It just wasn’t the same.

As always, there was lots of brainstorming novels, recounting God’s blessings, worshiping together, tons of laughter, reflecting and reminiscing, fabulous food…and I’m still holding the memories close.

Robin (Lee Hatcher) and I have been rooming together for years (missing you, Robin). I used to sleep in the “dormitory” in the basement on a blow-up mattress until a mouse ran across me either that 2nd or 3rd year, then I moved upstairs to Robin’s room. LOL (Plus it was COLD in the basement and my feet just would not get warm. 🤣) Robin and I are great roommates. We both rise early, love to visit, and we both sleep with white noise.

With Robin

Here’s a glimpse from a recent year when we were all there . . .

Back row (L to R): Brandilyn Collins, Francine Rivers, Sandy Sheppard, Tricia Goyer Front Row (L to R): Robin Lee Hatcher, moi, Sharon Dunn, Karen Ball, Sunni Jeffers, Janet Ulbright, and Gayle DeSalles in front

These CdA Sisters have shaped not only my writing—honing me, challenging me. But they’ve shaped me for eternity. I cannot imagine this earthly walk without them and am thankful to Jesus that we have an eternity with Him to continue to grow in our knowledge and wisdom of Him together. Because He is what it’s all about.

It takes time—and the Lord Jesus—to develop these kinds of deep, eternal relationships. I’m praying you have these kind of friendships in your life, too.

What’s a special gathering or event you’ve had to “say goodbye” to? One whose ending you grieved even as you realized that seasons change and that endings are also part of new beginnings.

Love from my corner of Nashville where Tuesday means GramTam Day. We keep our two grands every TU/TH. Talk about the highlight of my week. Precious.

These are snapshots from lunch today. FUN day still in progress!

Love from my corner of Nashville,

Tammy

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Tamera Alexander is a USA Today bestselling novelist and one of today's most beloved authors of inspirational historical romance and women’s contemporary fiction. While being Gram Tam is her current favorite role, she’ll never turn down a stroll through an old cemetery or browsing through antique shops. In These Hills, her newest novel, releases September 2026.

4 Comments

  1. Bittersweet retreat. Loved seeing the photos. I was part of a writers group that met for at least a decade. We still get together occasionally, but not annually like we used to. You brought back sweet memories.

    And those sweet grands just keep getting cuter! And they’re growing SO fast!

    1. They ARE growing so quickly. Too quickly. I know you loved your group, too, so you know what it’s like. We had a fabulous run, and I’m hopeful some of us will still see each other occasionally as the years pass. Again, I’m so blessed.

  2. Miss you, roomie. I stood in my kitchen yesterday, waiting for food to magically appear in my fridge and someone else to magically prepare it. Didn’t happen. I’m still hungry. Kidding about still being hungry. Not kidding about wanting someone else to decide what I’m eating, then prepare it.

  3. Loved seeing those precious grandkiddos, Tammy! 🙂
    I’m sure that retreat was bittersweet – – I have been “following” your retreat pictures with that group pretty much every year – – I even remember when Brandilyn’s dear Mom was living and fixed fried chicken for y’all one year (HOW do I remember that, yet couldn’t tell you what I ate 2 days ago?! LOL!!). Hopefully you’ll still be able to see those special friends now and then.

    I don’t have a group of writers to gather with in person, but I have my 4 very best friends from high school, and we’re as close as ever (although we sadly live in 3 different states now). Special friends are one of life’s greatest blessings (along with grandbabies!!).

    Sending you a hug from Georgia (where it’s way too humid for me!). And HAPPY BIRTHDAY in 2 more days!! 🙂
    Love, Patti Jo

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