Director’s Note for 2016 Pikes Peak Writers Conference

Published August 2, 2016

The power of a dream is immeasurable. For proof, you only need to watch a child at play. Kids have the miraculous ability to close their eyes, forget reality, and embrace the impossible. They can look beyond what is to get a glimpse of what was, and more importantly, to see what could be.

Dreams are the foundation of the world we live in. Youthful dreamers who longed to fly became adults who enabled humans to soar with the birds. Young imaginations grew to put people into space and allow footprints to be left on the moon. Those who believe in the beauty of their dreams bring to life the things they see when they close their eyes.

The world needs dreamers, just as the world needs writers. Writers never stop dreaming. Every time they put words on paper a fantasy comes to life. Writers create the worlds that others escape to, conjure up the ideas that become tomorrow’s reality, and, with their passion for telling stories, writers prove that nothing is impossible. When others see darkness, the writers (the dreamers) see only opportunity. They face their fears and set aside inhibitions, because they believe in the beauty that can be born from the imagination.

If you have ever been surrounded by other writers, you understand the energy that consumes you. The excitement of other dreamers sharing their stories, discussing their struggles, and baring their souls is infectious. You can’t help that feeling you get, the one accompanied by a little voice whispering the words, “Welcome home.” Surrounded by writers you know that, regardless of the trials you face, you are not facing them alone.

At the 2016 Pikes Peak Writers Conference, we welcome you to our family. We encourage you to bring your dreams. No matter how far-fetched or how absurd they may seem, we assure that you will be in good company. Together, we’ll revive those days of childhood fantasy and prove to the world what can happen if you simply Dare To Dream.

Our staff is hard at work building a conference that upholds the PPWC traditions of being exciting, informative and friendly. Due to tremendously positive feedback, we will continue with the Query 1-on-1. We are looking at special afterhours events to help keep you dreaming long after the last workshop of the day. We are building a faculty full of best-selling keynote speakers, entertaining and engaging authors and professionals, and manuscript hungry agents and editors. And, once again, we are proud to be hosted by the fabulous (and newly renovated for 2016!) Colorado Springs Marriott.

We hope you will join our family for the 24th Annual Pikes Peak Writers Conference and, together, we’ll Dare To Dream.

Jason P. Henry

Conference Director

2016 Pikes Peak Writers Conference: Dare To Dream