tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7646134662936278718.post219613129396420901..comments2024-03-27T23:03:58.848-06:00Comments on The Warrior Muse: World Con Wrap Up - The Big EmptyShannon Lawrencehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00934641808195675935noreply@blogger.comBlogger28125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7646134662936278718.post-17024782961039174652016-10-22T02:15:00.324-06:002016-10-22T02:15:00.324-06:00I really appreciated you speaking up here, because...I really appreciated you speaking up here, because it gave credence to what I took away from this. I'm sad to hear it's the same at Dragon Con since I'd considered trying that as an alternative. Thank you for your comment!Shannon Lawrencehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00934641808195675935noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7646134662936278718.post-10766183345073811302016-10-22T02:11:13.751-06:002016-10-22T02:11:13.751-06:00Yes, the positives made it worth it!Yes, the positives made it worth it!Shannon Lawrencehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00934641808195675935noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7646134662936278718.post-39181521943377225362016-10-22T02:09:22.554-06:002016-10-22T02:09:22.554-06:00It's definitely good to go with someone you kn...It's definitely good to go with someone you know! It gives you a safety net.Shannon Lawrencehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00934641808195675935noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7646134662936278718.post-60337880539963234972016-10-22T02:03:21.302-06:002016-10-22T02:03:21.302-06:00You're right, the experiences were important t...You're right, the experiences were important to have.Shannon Lawrencehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00934641808195675935noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7646134662936278718.post-35220846445635910102016-10-22T02:00:39.316-06:002016-10-22T02:00:39.316-06:00The best night was the one in my hotel room, which...The best night was the one in my hotel room, which was really what I enjoyed before I had friends at these things. Time to go back to my roots.Shannon Lawrencehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00934641808195675935noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7646134662936278718.post-88965462298258285572016-10-22T01:59:27.471-06:002016-10-22T01:59:27.471-06:00So good to see you back!So good to see you back!Shannon Lawrencehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00934641808195675935noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7646134662936278718.post-46684651285876483962016-10-22T01:58:03.935-06:002016-10-22T01:58:03.935-06:00I'm sure they weren't doing it on purpose,...I'm sure they weren't doing it on purpose, but ugh. Still sucks to be on the receiving end.Shannon Lawrencehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00934641808195675935noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7646134662936278718.post-3351776562853340082016-10-22T01:57:43.849-06:002016-10-22T01:57:43.849-06:00I'd love that!I'd love that!Shannon Lawrencehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00934641808195675935noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7646134662936278718.post-52857848288717110702016-10-22T01:56:27.266-06:002016-10-22T01:56:27.266-06:00Well, that sucks. But I also learned some valuable...Well, that sucks. But I also learned some valuable lessons. Including going in without intentions to network. I'm happier to hang out with my friends at these things. Or writing in my room.Shannon Lawrencehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00934641808195675935noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7646134662936278718.post-61803923736532263542016-10-22T01:55:02.270-06:002016-10-22T01:55:02.270-06:00We will. I think I needed a slap of reality. In th...We will. I think I needed a slap of reality. In the past, I've mostly gone to all genre writing conferences. I needed to see this so I could be prepared moving forward.Shannon Lawrencehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00934641808195675935noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7646134662936278718.post-55305761209630728432016-10-22T01:50:27.669-06:002016-10-22T01:50:27.669-06:00You're right on the imbalance. It can be uncom...You're right on the imbalance. It can be uncomfortable for the opposite sex. And this was definitely majority male. And it would be the same if it had been all women. I'm getting much closer to acceptance on this, but anger keeps coming back sporadically. Shannon Lawrencehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00934641808195675935noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7646134662936278718.post-16941760778473258532016-10-22T01:48:23.807-06:002016-10-22T01:48:23.807-06:00Yes, cliques and people desperately scrabbling for...Yes, cliques and people desperately scrabbling for a handhold with someone above them. At this point I'm just disgusted by what I saw.Shannon Lawrencehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00934641808195675935noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7646134662936278718.post-89991751482747756472016-10-22T01:47:45.085-06:002016-10-22T01:47:45.085-06:00Well, I'm usually better at socializing. What ...Well, I'm usually better at socializing. What I dealt with were a bunch of sexist social climbers in this specific instance. It had a much different feel from the other events I've been to. I've moved past it now and was able to take a look back, and I unfortunately see more than I'd like to, but I'm also less hurt by it now.<br /><br />I definitely wanted to go to a steak place, but with it being a group of us, finances had to be considered. I'll have to go back with my husband!<br /><br />Cool about the Neil Young concert!Shannon Lawrencehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00934641808195675935noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7646134662936278718.post-88361537904507069482016-10-22T01:45:09.995-06:002016-10-22T01:45:09.995-06:00It was amazing to see Ellen Datlow in person! Unfo...It was amazing to see Ellen Datlow in person! Unfortunately, I didn't take away much information from it due to the nature of the panels.Shannon Lawrencehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00934641808195675935noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7646134662936278718.post-62013785110391957832016-09-03T13:40:32.976-06:002016-09-03T13:40:32.976-06:00You're not imagining things.
I have run into ...You're not imagining things.<br /><br />I have run into so many women writers who have talked about this exact sort of experience and far, far more blatant behavior, from men in SFF. <br /><br />There's a history of this sort of behavior at cons. Particularly Worldcon, which seems to attract this shit more than other cons.<br /><br />I've been to WC once. Yeah, I had a great time hanging out with my friends, but the rest of the con? It was a goddamn dumpster fire. Every time friends, both published authors and people just getting into the field, come back I hear horror stories like this.<br /><br />I know at least three women who have run into harassing behavior at this con alone. I'm hearing about it right now at DragonCon, too.<br /><br />The reality is that SFF has been a shitshow for women. It always has been. SFF is overfilled with a bunch of white, middle aged men who freak out over any woman being present. <br /><br />The fact that the Hugos were swept by so many amazing women writers this year and the alt-right venom around it was handily stomped on shows that not only should women be in the club, the club NEEDS women to be in it.<br /><br />I am so, so sorry this was your experience. I really hope this doesn't slow you down or discourage you in your writing. Stephen Blackmoorehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01241134280141088631noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7646134662936278718.post-30965645530626780872016-08-31T11:42:40.055-06:002016-08-31T11:42:40.055-06:00You did better than I would've. I start to fre...You did better than I would've. I start to freak out and stress out when I'm surrounded by a lot of people. Trying to network in a bar? I think I'd hide in a corner and not talk to anyone. At least you had the positives!Loni Townsendhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05126958230703180761noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7646134662936278718.post-36477206332013377162016-08-30T14:25:02.645-06:002016-08-30T14:25:02.645-06:00HUGS!! I'm introverted as well and have a diff...HUGS!! I'm introverted as well and have a difficult time talking to both women and men so it probably would've been horrible for me. It's one of the things that keep me away from conventions. I plan to go with my family someday though. At least, they'll have my back and be someone I can talk to. Not that I won't try to talk to other writers, I'll just be on the lookout for those looking to socialize too. Glad it hasn't stalled your writing!!Traci Kenworthhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06483368774563312372noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7646134662936278718.post-79012899381952276632016-08-30T07:28:54.316-06:002016-08-30T07:28:54.316-06:00Hi Shannon - it's difficult and challenging .....Hi Shannon - it's difficult and challenging ... especially with something as big as World Con - I definitely wouldn't have gone - and probably suffered in a similar to you - but eventually these things work out ... you've experienced some things - and that's good.<br /><br />Take care and recover! Cheers HilaryHilary Melton-Butcherhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17596532480645510678noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7646134662936278718.post-88012706338202629612016-08-30T06:11:59.886-06:002016-08-30T06:11:59.886-06:00Sounds like a great time, until the socialization ...Sounds like a great time, until the socialization part. I would have sucked at that too. I'd stay home and talk to the cats, easier lolPat Hatthttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07745293224202430152noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7646134662936278718.post-90203468964614705262016-08-30T02:30:13.029-06:002016-08-30T02:30:13.029-06:00I love socializing! I wish I would've been the...I love socializing! I wish I would've been there! (And glad to be back... been a while. Love your blog) :) Morganhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15747144518868320969noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7646134662936278718.post-52508308106851118142016-08-29T17:25:12.113-06:002016-08-29T17:25:12.113-06:00I think DG made a good point, as did Andrew, unfor...I think DG made a good point, as did Andrew, unfortunately. And I'd be willing to bet those guys had no clue. Sorry it wasn't fun :(mshatchhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06308916014310536449noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7646134662936278718.post-59223815328527526282016-08-29T13:33:27.688-06:002016-08-29T13:33:27.688-06:00Cool that you got to hear George R.R. Martin, but ...Cool that you got to hear George R.R. Martin, but boo that some of those bar folks were so...well, blah. If I go to one of these conventions, I'll definitely chat with ya! :)Markhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01793077012143289985noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7646134662936278718.post-59746160701694528212016-08-29T12:33:01.112-06:002016-08-29T12:33:01.112-06:00So, um, yeah. I want to have something to say abou...So, um, yeah. I want to have something to say about this, and I could pick it apart and blahblahblah but, ultimately, yes, this is exactly what you have to look forward to. White male privilege and power makes it difficult for them to see people who aren't white males. That's just how it is.Andrew Leonhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13964775673414653644noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7646134662936278718.post-83428014772325935042016-08-29T11:55:58.978-06:002016-08-29T11:55:58.978-06:00I have been at conferences where I felt like the o...I have been at conferences where I felt like the outsider but not lately. There is a still a lot of 'good ole boys' networks in the speculative fiction genre no matter how much they try to shine up that turd. We will overcome.Susan Gourley/Kelleyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02669793865290876168noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7646134662936278718.post-68399939231251341752016-08-29T11:38:20.250-06:002016-08-29T11:38:20.250-06:00A woman's POV: You can only try, but I'm w...A woman's POV: You can only try, but I'm wondering if perhaps the 'males' were doing this sub-conciously. When the majority of a group is not balanced (female to male ratio) the males tend to revert to established male only behaviour - where females are the 'other', but it can also work the other way if the group is predominately female (more chatter, gossip,etc). I'm sure you did fine trying to network, but I've noticed some writing communities have their own hierarchy. (the old guard, the familiar group, the new and unproven, and the edges - for those not entirely accepted - perhaps because of genre) This is why I haven't joined writing groups in our area. Too small minded. And perhaps territorial. If women were winning more of the awards at this con, perhaps that created the chilling wall. Usually the bar makes people more friendly, but there are no guarantees. What behind you doesn't matter, look forward and carry on. Thanks for giving an honest review of the CON. D.G. Hudsonhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06213237734772028645noreply@blogger.com