Howdy, folks! I'm back from Mile Hi Con, and I'm exhausted, so I thought I'd just do a Top Ten list of the types of people you see at a sci-fi/fantasy/horror convention (though it was almost entirely lacking horror topics, despite having many horror authors there). This is not to be confused with a writer's conference, though this one does have writers as the speakers/presenters.
10. Monopolizers - Folks in the audience who think they know more than the speaker/panelists. They pipe up, interrupt, answer questions, etc. They wear that terribly smug expression that proclaims "I'm a genius," when, in fact, they often have no idea what they're talking about, and when they do, nobody wants to hear it, anyway. I remember these folks from high school and I don't like them anymore now than I did then.
9. Twitchers - Listen, I've got ADHD (actually diagnosed, not that type people like to claim they have because they seek an excuse for not getting things done), yet I can control how I exhibit any hyperactivity. I've learned coping mechanisms that allow me to not shake my leg, tap my foot, kick seat-backs, click pens (for the love of all that is holy, make them stop!), so on and so forth. But apparently there are many who haven't mastered this control. Unfortunately, ADHD makes me hyper-aware of every little thing going on around me, which means these people distract me to no end and drive me nuts. Just...WHY? I'll also tentatively add the package crinklers to this crowd, but I'm only counting those who voraciously stuffed their faces while crinkling never-ending bags of chips, or cookies, or whatever comes in the loudest packaging possible.
8. Unwashed Masses and The Diseased - I feel a little mean throwing this one out there, but there were so many people I was stuck sitting next to that smelled. Like they didn't bathe frequently or maybe just didn't use deodorant (though I must say I saw other things that indicated lack of bathing, like limp, matted hair). and many seem to have never been taught what a toothbrush is. There were several instances where I struggled to hold my breath through much of an hour long panel/workshop thanks to someone who was really that odoriferous who had me trapped. Oh, please, if you're going to go to a public gathering (or into public, in general), please, please bathe and use deodorant. Wash your clothes. Brush your teeth (oh, hell, just use mouthwash, I don't care). Do whatever keeps you from smelling like concentrated b.o. and mustiness.
This one is getting two paragraphs, because I'm lumping two similar, but mostly unrelated categories together. The Diseased is how I'll refer to the ones who hacked and coughed, or cleared their throats in terribly phlegmy manners throughout entire workshops. I had one sitting behind me Friday night who was so fastidiously clearing her throat that I kept expecting a wad to hit me in the back of the head. No, seriously. That was grody. But other than her (shudder), there were plenty carrying around Con Crud, as a friend refers to it. Fingers crossed I don't get sick!
7. Knitters - I was surprised how many people were knitting through the workshops. I'm in no way complaining about this one (except for the woman in front of me who kept moving her chair back in an already packed room to make space for her knitting until she finally slammed into my knee so hard that I had to shove her chair forward to get my leg untrapped - I have long legs as it is, and her backward movement already had me crammed into an awkward position; she didn't bother apologizing, and, in fact, craned her neck to see if *I* could move farther back...I couldn't). They were, however, a surprisingly sizable group. Perhaps if the Twitchers took up knitting, we could solve a lot of problems.
6. Clockwork Crowd - There was quite an array of people in steampunk get-ups of all sorts. While it's not a genre I'm into as a reader or writer, I enjoyed seeing all the various costumes. They varied from complicated truly clockwork costumes, to period pieces, to little feathered hats perched on people's heads. Many corsets were slung, short skirts showed striped tights, and brightly colored wigs abounded. I'm also including those outliers who weren't necessarily steampunk, so much as period dressed for various time frames.
5. Furries - I actually only saw one of these this year, a significant change from last year. These are the people who dress up in furry animal costumes. I always figure they're way warmer than I am when the heat turns off for the evening. This year's was Winnie the Pooh. Does that even count? Last year there were a lot of felines.
4. Sci-fi/Fantasy Addicts...er...Fans - There were tons of Star Trek uniforms/costumes/t-shirts, etc., as well as a contingent of Star Wars costumes and the like. These people are serious about their preferred Star genre. One can add Firefly and Dr. Who peeps to this grouping, as well. And I'm sure there are others, including some I don't recognize (such as the people with bird masks, armor, and REAL bird wings attached to their costumes...anyone?)
3. Writers - Yep, plenty of writers there. There were quite a few writers who fell into one (or many) of the other categories, as well. We're the ones scribbling notes, people watching, and staring off into space as we work through plots, create characters, fantasize through a storyline, so on and so forth.
2. The Gamers - I didn't interact with these folks (though there are many in the other categories that fit this one, as well, but I'm mostly talking about those into whose territory I did not roam). There are whole areas dedicated to games of all kinds. Black cloth-covered tabletops roared with conversation, often strictly about the game. There were cards, dice, you name it. The truly gung-ho were still going strong when I left the bar around 2:30 AM. They were up well before I was. They took meals at these tables.
1. The Lost - I'm pretty much one of these. When I wasn't with the few people I knew there, I felt isolated and unsure of myself. I'm not a hardcore sci-fi or fantasy fan, and they (sci-fi/fantasy peeps) are by far (obviously) the most concentrated group, enveloping all of the above groups. The Lost wander around, keeping to themselves, hiding in their rooms when not in a workshop. They're overwhelmed. While they're enjoying the con, they're also counting down the hours to when they can leave. Well, I was, and I did enjoy the panels and workshops I attended, as well as the time spent with friends. And, you know, I enjoyed the time locked away in my hotel room, sans kiddos, listening to music, working on some writing. It's always a nice feeling, conflicting with missing my hubby and babies. Nothing like getting away to make you appreciate home.
So...what category(ies) did I miss? Who do you notice at cons? Do you fit into one (or more) of these categories? Which ones?
May you find your Muse.
Showing posts with label conventions. Show all posts
Showing posts with label conventions. Show all posts
Monday, October 21, 2013
Monday, November 12, 2012
Mile Hi Con Highlights - Days Two & Three
First, I'd like to send my thanks out to our veterans. I hope to honor those in my family this [Mostly] Wordless Wednesday. And my love out to my brother who leaves the 20th of this month (my birthday) to go into the Navy.
And before I jump into Mile Hi Con, Day 2, a quick NaNo update (I have not yet written for today): I'm at 18900 words, and had a great breakthrough during a movie last night, which is funny, because said movie had nothing to do with my novel. It was two words said, and they were being used in an entirely different way than I will now be using them. I love that inspiration can strike anywhere, for any reason.
Now for Mile Hi Con, Day 2 (Day 1 can be found here):
I had my workshop presentation on "Social Media for the Professional Woman" that morning, so I didn't end up back in Denver until a bit after 3 p.m. Once I got up there, I got checked into my room (only my second time ever being in a hotel room on my own) and changed, then met up with my friend. Day 2 was a lot easier on me, more comfortable. I had a better idea of how things worked, where things were, etc.
We took in part of a panel on "Science Travesties in Current Media," which was interesting. There was a panel of people with knowledge in different areas (for instance, an ex-Navy man pointed out that the orange torpedoes used in The Hunt for Red October are test torpedoes and would not actually blow anything up, and a woman on the panel discussed how unrealistic it was to outrun the volcano in Dante's Peak). I don't have a lot to report on this one, though, due to missing most of it. However, suffice it to say, always do your research. There will be someone who knows about what you're writing about, and it will bother them when your information is inaccurate. That's a reader you've just lost.
After that panel, I attended my very first "Once More With Feeling (and) Dr. Horrible's Sing Along Blog Sing Along." I only recently started watching the series Buffy the Vampire Slayer on Netflix (I know...gasp!), so this was the first time I'd seen the episode Once More With Feeling, but it was great fun, and easy to follow along. Even better, the lights were out, so you could sing without being embarrassed. And I did! This particular episode is a musical, with some manner of curse causing everyone to randomly break into song and dance. Quite fun! Then came Dr. Horrible's Sing Along Blog, which I'd only seen once before (again, courtesy of Netflix), and only this past year. At least I'd seen it, though, so I knew the tunes a bit better. I'd totally do this again!
I attended a reading, and I will not name the readers, because I discovered I don't like just sitting and listening to people read. I need to be reading it myself. I can't pay attention to books on tape, either. Maybe it's the ADHD, I don't know, but I was bored out of my mind. Now, it did make me want to purchase several of the books. It was not at all about the books not being interesting. I just can't sit and listen to people read. I can't sit and watch a movie without fidgeting, either. It's just not for me. Again, some really interesting books were shared, though, and they're on my wish list now.
We grabbed some food and then ended up taking part in some after hours fun. I won't go into that, because I have to say that after hours at Mile Hi Con, stays after hours at Mile Hi Con. Suffice it to say that I didn't get to my room until about 2:30 in the morning, and that I hung out with some people that I respected in the writing world, which was fantastic. I also met a lot of new people and had a good time. And I can safely say, in case you're worried, that I didn't do anything regrettable or illegal. Well, I'm pretty sure it was all legal... (just kidding, people...it was all illegal!). Come on, you all know I'm a boring old mom.
The only thing I'm sad about is that we were going to go to Rocky Horror Picture Show. I've seen it, of course, multiple times, but I've never gotten to see it with a crowd, singing along, participating, you know? And that is an experience I'd like to have, just because I haven't. Maybe next year? I don't know if they do that every year, but I hope to have the opportunity next year.
Since that was short, I'm going to run through Day 3. I didn't get up early, because, well, I'm a mom, and I wanted to sleep in, dangit! And there was nothing I so desperately wanted to do that I was willing to drag my butt out of bed. Once I did drag my butt out of bed, I had a lovely, albeit overpriced, meal in the hotel (I took all my meals in the hotel at one or another of their restaurants, so they were all overpriced - at least the food was good). After breakfast, I had to check out and take all my stuff out to my car, so I missed another hour's worth of programming.
After that, I went to the second half of "Transparency & Ethics in Scientific Research" and left feeling dumber than when I went in, not because of a failure on the parts of the panelists, but because a few of the discussions were a bit over my head. I don't take part in scientific research, don't write papers on it, etc. I did find it interesting, though, which is why I attended.
I then went to "Comedic Elements in Horror," which was fun. Those of you who stopped by during Alex's Genre Favorites Blog Fest know that my guilty pleasure is horror comedy, so this was right up my alley. The panelists were Jesse Bullington, James K. Burk, Wayne Faust, Stephen Graham Jones and Molly Tanzer. They discussed needing those tension breaks in a movie, and how comedy works well for that. It's a better version of the startle response (for instance, the cat that jumps out in so many horror movies). You startle and laugh at yourself, and some of the tension is broken up so it can grow again. But in horror comedy, you get a legitimate laugh to break that tension. A quote I enjoyed was "Nobody laughs at a clown at midnight," originally said by Lon Chaney. It means things that aren't scary in one setting (say, a birthday party during the day) can be scary in the right setting (let's look at Stephen King and the clown in the sewer). It's about how you handle it, how you set it, and the unexpected.
After lunch it was time for the "Strong Women in Sci-Fi" panel, with Rudy Ch Garcia, CJ Henderson, Cherie Priest, Jeanne Stein, and Molly Tanzer. They discussed what made a strong female in books, and it wasn't necessarily the cliched bad ass, but just a woman who showed strength of character and fortitude. Women can be strong in many, many ways, and they don't all involve big guns or vampire stakes. And they certainly don't have to involve scantily clad females. Women who weren't strong were those who needed to be rescued (though not accepting help is not, in itself, strong either), who were dependent on others, who were foolish. Overall, a valid point was to study women you know. Who do you see as a strong woman? What makes you feel that way? What traits make her a strong woman? Do you know a weak woman? What points might she have that you'd want to avoid? As someone on the panel said, it shouldn't be that hard to write a strong woman unless you've never had one in your life.
My final panel before heading home was entitled "Forget About the Midi-Chlorians and Embrace The Force! Religion and Sprituality in SF & F." On the panel were Stephen Brust, Michael Carroll, Daniel Dvorkin, Warren Hammond, and Aaron Ritchey (one of my columnists over at Writing From the Peak!). Most agreed that religion should play a part in world building, as religion is big in people's lives. Look globally. How does religion play a part in real life? Consider that when building your worlds. Religion dictates ways of life, laws, morals, etc. So don't forget that detail.
At this point, I was thoroughly exhausted and missed my hubby and my babies, so I took off, skipping closing ceremonies and bobbing for authors (fun in the hot tub - I had no interest in being seen in my bathing suit). Traffic cooperated with me, and I was able to get home in time for a wonderful dinner, put together by my hubby. And I got to read to my babies and tuck them in at bed time. Perfect.
Any of these panels you might have found interesting? Do you know what a midi-chlorian is (cuz' I didn't)? Would you laugh at a clown at midnight?
May you find your Muse.
And before I jump into Mile Hi Con, Day 2, a quick NaNo update (I have not yet written for today): I'm at 18900 words, and had a great breakthrough during a movie last night, which is funny, because said movie had nothing to do with my novel. It was two words said, and they were being used in an entirely different way than I will now be using them. I love that inspiration can strike anywhere, for any reason.
Now for Mile Hi Con, Day 2 (Day 1 can be found here):
I had my workshop presentation on "Social Media for the Professional Woman" that morning, so I didn't end up back in Denver until a bit after 3 p.m. Once I got up there, I got checked into my room (only my second time ever being in a hotel room on my own) and changed, then met up with my friend. Day 2 was a lot easier on me, more comfortable. I had a better idea of how things worked, where things were, etc.
We took in part of a panel on "Science Travesties in Current Media," which was interesting. There was a panel of people with knowledge in different areas (for instance, an ex-Navy man pointed out that the orange torpedoes used in The Hunt for Red October are test torpedoes and would not actually blow anything up, and a woman on the panel discussed how unrealistic it was to outrun the volcano in Dante's Peak). I don't have a lot to report on this one, though, due to missing most of it. However, suffice it to say, always do your research. There will be someone who knows about what you're writing about, and it will bother them when your information is inaccurate. That's a reader you've just lost.
I attended a reading, and I will not name the readers, because I discovered I don't like just sitting and listening to people read. I need to be reading it myself. I can't pay attention to books on tape, either. Maybe it's the ADHD, I don't know, but I was bored out of my mind. Now, it did make me want to purchase several of the books. It was not at all about the books not being interesting. I just can't sit and listen to people read. I can't sit and watch a movie without fidgeting, either. It's just not for me. Again, some really interesting books were shared, though, and they're on my wish list now.
We grabbed some food and then ended up taking part in some after hours fun. I won't go into that, because I have to say that after hours at Mile Hi Con, stays after hours at Mile Hi Con. Suffice it to say that I didn't get to my room until about 2:30 in the morning, and that I hung out with some people that I respected in the writing world, which was fantastic. I also met a lot of new people and had a good time. And I can safely say, in case you're worried, that I didn't do anything regrettable or illegal. Well, I'm pretty sure it was all legal... (just kidding, people...it was all illegal!). Come on, you all know I'm a boring old mom.
The only thing I'm sad about is that we were going to go to Rocky Horror Picture Show. I've seen it, of course, multiple times, but I've never gotten to see it with a crowd, singing along, participating, you know? And that is an experience I'd like to have, just because I haven't. Maybe next year? I don't know if they do that every year, but I hope to have the opportunity next year.
Since that was short, I'm going to run through Day 3. I didn't get up early, because, well, I'm a mom, and I wanted to sleep in, dangit! And there was nothing I so desperately wanted to do that I was willing to drag my butt out of bed. Once I did drag my butt out of bed, I had a lovely, albeit overpriced, meal in the hotel (I took all my meals in the hotel at one or another of their restaurants, so they were all overpriced - at least the food was good). After breakfast, I had to check out and take all my stuff out to my car, so I missed another hour's worth of programming.
After that, I went to the second half of "Transparency & Ethics in Scientific Research" and left feeling dumber than when I went in, not because of a failure on the parts of the panelists, but because a few of the discussions were a bit over my head. I don't take part in scientific research, don't write papers on it, etc. I did find it interesting, though, which is why I attended.
 |
| By OCAL, clker.com |
I then went to "Comedic Elements in Horror," which was fun. Those of you who stopped by during Alex's Genre Favorites Blog Fest know that my guilty pleasure is horror comedy, so this was right up my alley. The panelists were Jesse Bullington, James K. Burk, Wayne Faust, Stephen Graham Jones and Molly Tanzer. They discussed needing those tension breaks in a movie, and how comedy works well for that. It's a better version of the startle response (for instance, the cat that jumps out in so many horror movies). You startle and laugh at yourself, and some of the tension is broken up so it can grow again. But in horror comedy, you get a legitimate laugh to break that tension. A quote I enjoyed was "Nobody laughs at a clown at midnight," originally said by Lon Chaney. It means things that aren't scary in one setting (say, a birthday party during the day) can be scary in the right setting (let's look at Stephen King and the clown in the sewer). It's about how you handle it, how you set it, and the unexpected.
 |
| By OCAL, clker.com |
My final panel before heading home was entitled "Forget About the Midi-Chlorians and Embrace The Force! Religion and Sprituality in SF & F." On the panel were Stephen Brust, Michael Carroll, Daniel Dvorkin, Warren Hammond, and Aaron Ritchey (one of my columnists over at Writing From the Peak!). Most agreed that religion should play a part in world building, as religion is big in people's lives. Look globally. How does religion play a part in real life? Consider that when building your worlds. Religion dictates ways of life, laws, morals, etc. So don't forget that detail.
At this point, I was thoroughly exhausted and missed my hubby and my babies, so I took off, skipping closing ceremonies and bobbing for authors (fun in the hot tub - I had no interest in being seen in my bathing suit). Traffic cooperated with me, and I was able to get home in time for a wonderful dinner, put together by my hubby. And I got to read to my babies and tuck them in at bed time. Perfect.
Any of these panels you might have found interesting? Do you know what a midi-chlorian is (cuz' I didn't)? Would you laugh at a clown at midnight?
May you find your Muse.
Monday, October 22, 2012
Mile Hi Con Highlights - Day 1
Well hello, and Happy Monday!
First, my presentation went well. I wasn't very nervous, which I found to be true at Author Fest once I got up in front of everyone, too. Funny that I worry more before that date, but not actually when I'm in front and presenting. There was a good showing and great questions! We didn't get through everything, but it was more important that the attendees understand what we had already gone over than that I got through every little thing I'd been asked to talk about.
Friday, I took my kids and my nephew to Seven Falls, a set of waterfalls in Cheyenne Canyon, so I'm looking forward to sharing those photos on Wednesday. I headed up to my first day of Mile Hi Con later that afternoon, having walked up an insane number of steps, then hiked up the side of a canyon. In other words, I was already exhausted, but happily so, and excited.
When I walked in, I was completely out of my element. I had to ask directions to the Con at the front desk (it was on the 2nd floor). I went up the stairs only to wander around amongst all the tables with no idea where I was supposed to check in. It took asking two different people (who were each very nice and helpful) before I got to the correct desk and got my groovy badge and program. I had fun gawking at all the various types of costumes those moving around me had on. I saw Star Trek costumes of all different types, steampunk outfits, furries, elves, Dresden (!), etc.
Happily, I was joined by a friend, and she showed me where to go from there. The first program we attended was "Writing the Holy Trilogy," featuring the always fabulous Carol Berg, Warren Hammond, Catherine Cooke Montrose, the sweet and supportive Jeanne Stein, and Peter J. Wacks. They discussed a little about the difference between a series and a trilogy (a series tends to be like a set of TV episodes, where it's the same characters, but there is a stand alone tale in each book, while a trilogy is usually a story arc that takes three books to tell the tale). Some had the entire trilogy planned out from the beginning, but others stated that wasn't necessary, and that you could take the story piece by piece.
Someone in the audience asked whether book length mattered, whether each book in a trilogy should be long. Otherwise, the implication was that shorter books in a trilogy should maybe just be combined into big book. The overall perception of the panel was that novel length didn't matter, and that it depended on how the writer wanted to break down their story. An interesting tidbit: Carol Berg tends to have a natural word count of 175,000 or so words in a book, while Jeanne Stein averages more like 75-80,000 words. And both are okay.
It was discussed that publishers have classically (in recent years) preferred shorter novels so as to fit them better on shelves and save ink and paper costs, but e-books are changing that. Now, length doesn't matter.
They each passed along some tricks of the trade.
Wacks: If things stall out during writing, injure or kill a character.
Berg: Jots down notes, timeline, glossary or terms, magic of the world, etc. Rarely starts with a full world, but has an idea of aspects of it (Carol is known around these parts as an expert at world building).
Hammond: He sketches out some notes, like a flow chart. Basically, where the story begins and ends, and a couple of plot points. Starts from there.
Stein: Her books usually start with an idea, which she gets from TV, the news, eavesdropping, anything. She sketches out her protagonist first and how they will be involved with the story idea.
Montrose: Thinks of the worlds first, sketches them, fulling imagines them. Eventually, a character wanders through, and she goes from there. Tolkien is a major inspiration for her.
A useful audience question and the responses: Is it a mistake to finish all the books in your trilogy before the first one has been picked up by a publishing house? It was overall agreed that it was actually good to have the trilogy done. Writing under deadline is hard, and can cramp your creativity. Yes, you will likely have to go back and edit it, but it's worth it to have the entire story done for yourself, if for no one else.
Someone pointed out that it would be an issue to have the first book picked up, but not the next ones in the trilogy, to which Carol Berg said that's not true anymore. The ease of self-publishing means that you could put out the rest of your trilogy on your own if there was an audience for your first book. We have that ability now.
Final points from the panel:
Wacks: Finds he has the best luck with building the roles first. However, you should find the way that works best for you and stick with it.
Stein: Build your story any way you want, but stick to the rules you create. She also said to write. Don't say you WANT to write. Write.
Hammond: "In writing, the tortoise wins." The person that grabs 15 minutes here or there, but continues grabbing those moments, is the one that typically gets finished and gets published. Finish, then sell. Don't write to sell.
Montrose: Get feedback. Learn to share your work.
Berg: Don't sett out to write a trilogy. Don't think it has to be three and make it that way. Set out to write a good story, one you enjoy and want to write. Write what you would enjoy reading. Also, don't over-constrain your world. As in, don't figure out every single little rule and bit of makeup of that world, or you may write yourself into a corner in future books. Part of the fun in writing an ongoing trilogy or series is to keep developing that world, and leaving it open allows you to do that.
That was a phenomenal panel, in case you couldn't tell from my "brief" summary. We next went to "CJ Henderson Presents 'Abuse an Author'." The authors we got to abuse--ask questions of on any theme--were Stephen Graham Jones, Mario Acevedo, Melinda Snodgrass, James Van Pelt and the moderator, CJ Henderson. There were some interesting questions asked (ex: "Which of the worlds you've created would you want to live in and not want to live in?" "What book do you wish you'd written?" "Can you still be surprised by your work?").
We grabbed a bite to eat (all I'd had since my big hike was half a peanut butter sandwich and some water). Pretty sure I should be humiliated by the pure vacuuming of food I did, but I was too hungry to care. I had ketchup all over my fingers and even (yes, I'm admitting this) found some on my shirt later. That's how hungry I was. In my defense, I'd burned five billion calories earlier that day, with just a cereal bar and half sandwich standing between health and wasting away, and it was 8:30pm by the time I got any food. Thank goodness the hotel bar was open and serving food!
The third thing we attended was "Hipster Readings...with Bongos," a reading with a little extra bongo flavor. While one guy played the bongos (not sure of his name), the following authors read from their work: Mario Acevedo, Betsy Dornbusch, Jason Heller, Stephen Graham Jones, j.a. kazimer, and Cherie Priest. I must say, I'm not a big fan of sitting and listening to someone read (I prefer to read on my own), but this was enjoyable, kept me engaged and was a fun way to spend an hour. Also, it made me want to buy books by every single reader (of course, I already have books from three of them...).
The last thing we attended before I hopped in my car to head back home and get some final work done on my presentation was "The Love & Sex Lives of the Victorians," billed as a pajama panel. There were a couple folks there in their pajamas, as well as one fella' who passed out partway through it. Yep, he was in the front row and fell asleep. Despite that fact, it was a fascinating panel. They knew their stuff about sex, sensuality and women's rights/privileges in that era. I do love history, and the history of sexuality is full of interesting and unexpected information, such as the barriers crossed in Victorian porn that we'd consider foul and disturbing now, despite thinking they were so uptight. How about the belief that keeping your wife pregnant every other year would save a man from his own sins in wanting to have sex all the time (because, after all, we all know women don't like sex when pregnant...whoops). Is it true what they say about the true reason for the popularity of fainting couches? I'm going to let you look that one up on your own.
I'll hit on Saturday's highlights in a separate post.
What do you think of the panels? Anything of interest to you?
First, my presentation went well. I wasn't very nervous, which I found to be true at Author Fest once I got up in front of everyone, too. Funny that I worry more before that date, but not actually when I'm in front and presenting. There was a good showing and great questions! We didn't get through everything, but it was more important that the attendees understand what we had already gone over than that I got through every little thing I'd been asked to talk about.
Friday, I took my kids and my nephew to Seven Falls, a set of waterfalls in Cheyenne Canyon, so I'm looking forward to sharing those photos on Wednesday. I headed up to my first day of Mile Hi Con later that afternoon, having walked up an insane number of steps, then hiked up the side of a canyon. In other words, I was already exhausted, but happily so, and excited.
When I walked in, I was completely out of my element. I had to ask directions to the Con at the front desk (it was on the 2nd floor). I went up the stairs only to wander around amongst all the tables with no idea where I was supposed to check in. It took asking two different people (who were each very nice and helpful) before I got to the correct desk and got my groovy badge and program. I had fun gawking at all the various types of costumes those moving around me had on. I saw Star Trek costumes of all different types, steampunk outfits, furries, elves, Dresden (!), etc.
Happily, I was joined by a friend, and she showed me where to go from there. The first program we attended was "Writing the Holy Trilogy," featuring the always fabulous Carol Berg, Warren Hammond, Catherine Cooke Montrose, the sweet and supportive Jeanne Stein, and Peter J. Wacks. They discussed a little about the difference between a series and a trilogy (a series tends to be like a set of TV episodes, where it's the same characters, but there is a stand alone tale in each book, while a trilogy is usually a story arc that takes three books to tell the tale). Some had the entire trilogy planned out from the beginning, but others stated that wasn't necessary, and that you could take the story piece by piece.
Someone in the audience asked whether book length mattered, whether each book in a trilogy should be long. Otherwise, the implication was that shorter books in a trilogy should maybe just be combined into big book. The overall perception of the panel was that novel length didn't matter, and that it depended on how the writer wanted to break down their story. An interesting tidbit: Carol Berg tends to have a natural word count of 175,000 or so words in a book, while Jeanne Stein averages more like 75-80,000 words. And both are okay.
It was discussed that publishers have classically (in recent years) preferred shorter novels so as to fit them better on shelves and save ink and paper costs, but e-books are changing that. Now, length doesn't matter.
They each passed along some tricks of the trade.
Wacks: If things stall out during writing, injure or kill a character.
Berg: Jots down notes, timeline, glossary or terms, magic of the world, etc. Rarely starts with a full world, but has an idea of aspects of it (Carol is known around these parts as an expert at world building).
Hammond: He sketches out some notes, like a flow chart. Basically, where the story begins and ends, and a couple of plot points. Starts from there.
Stein: Her books usually start with an idea, which she gets from TV, the news, eavesdropping, anything. She sketches out her protagonist first and how they will be involved with the story idea.
Montrose: Thinks of the worlds first, sketches them, fulling imagines them. Eventually, a character wanders through, and she goes from there. Tolkien is a major inspiration for her.
A useful audience question and the responses: Is it a mistake to finish all the books in your trilogy before the first one has been picked up by a publishing house? It was overall agreed that it was actually good to have the trilogy done. Writing under deadline is hard, and can cramp your creativity. Yes, you will likely have to go back and edit it, but it's worth it to have the entire story done for yourself, if for no one else.
Someone pointed out that it would be an issue to have the first book picked up, but not the next ones in the trilogy, to which Carol Berg said that's not true anymore. The ease of self-publishing means that you could put out the rest of your trilogy on your own if there was an audience for your first book. We have that ability now.
Final points from the panel:
Wacks: Finds he has the best luck with building the roles first. However, you should find the way that works best for you and stick with it.
Stein: Build your story any way you want, but stick to the rules you create. She also said to write. Don't say you WANT to write. Write.
Hammond: "In writing, the tortoise wins." The person that grabs 15 minutes here or there, but continues grabbing those moments, is the one that typically gets finished and gets published. Finish, then sell. Don't write to sell.
Montrose: Get feedback. Learn to share your work.
Berg: Don't sett out to write a trilogy. Don't think it has to be three and make it that way. Set out to write a good story, one you enjoy and want to write. Write what you would enjoy reading. Also, don't over-constrain your world. As in, don't figure out every single little rule and bit of makeup of that world, or you may write yourself into a corner in future books. Part of the fun in writing an ongoing trilogy or series is to keep developing that world, and leaving it open allows you to do that.
That was a phenomenal panel, in case you couldn't tell from my "brief" summary. We next went to "CJ Henderson Presents 'Abuse an Author'." The authors we got to abuse--ask questions of on any theme--were Stephen Graham Jones, Mario Acevedo, Melinda Snodgrass, James Van Pelt and the moderator, CJ Henderson. There were some interesting questions asked (ex: "Which of the worlds you've created would you want to live in and not want to live in?" "What book do you wish you'd written?" "Can you still be surprised by your work?").
We grabbed a bite to eat (all I'd had since my big hike was half a peanut butter sandwich and some water). Pretty sure I should be humiliated by the pure vacuuming of food I did, but I was too hungry to care. I had ketchup all over my fingers and even (yes, I'm admitting this) found some on my shirt later. That's how hungry I was. In my defense, I'd burned five billion calories earlier that day, with just a cereal bar and half sandwich standing between health and wasting away, and it was 8:30pm by the time I got any food. Thank goodness the hotel bar was open and serving food!
The third thing we attended was "Hipster Readings...with Bongos," a reading with a little extra bongo flavor. While one guy played the bongos (not sure of his name), the following authors read from their work: Mario Acevedo, Betsy Dornbusch, Jason Heller, Stephen Graham Jones, j.a. kazimer, and Cherie Priest. I must say, I'm not a big fan of sitting and listening to someone read (I prefer to read on my own), but this was enjoyable, kept me engaged and was a fun way to spend an hour. Also, it made me want to buy books by every single reader (of course, I already have books from three of them...).
The last thing we attended before I hopped in my car to head back home and get some final work done on my presentation was "The Love & Sex Lives of the Victorians," billed as a pajama panel. There were a couple folks there in their pajamas, as well as one fella' who passed out partway through it. Yep, he was in the front row and fell asleep. Despite that fact, it was a fascinating panel. They knew their stuff about sex, sensuality and women's rights/privileges in that era. I do love history, and the history of sexuality is full of interesting and unexpected information, such as the barriers crossed in Victorian porn that we'd consider foul and disturbing now, despite thinking they were so uptight. How about the belief that keeping your wife pregnant every other year would save a man from his own sins in wanting to have sex all the time (because, after all, we all know women don't like sex when pregnant...whoops). Is it true what they say about the true reason for the popularity of fainting couches? I'm going to let you look that one up on your own.
I'll hit on Saturday's highlights in a separate post.
What do you think of the panels? Anything of interest to you?
Monday, August 6, 2012
Con Envy
I'm posting late because I had an internet outage, but it's back, so whew.
First, Happy Morning After Mars Landing!
I don't know about you guys out there, but my Inner Geek is having a summer of it. Some day I'd like to go to the ComicCon in San Diego and get my geek on, and this year I knew several people who went, including a cousin who got a press pass. Jealous!!
The ComicCon was always a fleeting thought, something I never intended to go to, until I discovered that they have various author panels there, as well. So wait, I can go drool over various actors and show creators, as well as visit panels about, say, Kick Ass Chicks in literature? Gasp! Suddenly, the face of ComicCon has changed, and it's a place I might really one day like to visit.
Thinking of ComicCon got me looking around at other conventions, as well as other writer's conferences. I discovered ReaderCon due to a news story about it. They had Peter Straub and Caitlin R. Kiernan this year. Wow! Then there's WorldCon, CryptiCon, ConnityCon...okay, that one's not real. Point being, there are tons of both conventions and conferences. Then there are retreats, individual workshops, you name it. In fact, here is a resource if you want to see what is available to you out there. They don't have everything out there, but it's a good leaping off point.
How do you decide what to go to? Firstly, are you looking for a convention or a conference? Are you going as a fan or to learn and network? If you're going as a fan, that one should be easy to choose, as you look for the convention which covers what you're a fan of.
If you're wanting a conference, that one may be harder. I'm lucky, in that I have a highly respected writer's conference right here, not five minutes from me: Pikes Peak Writers Conference. Though I might eventually want to try a different kind of writer's conference (possibly ReaderCon or WorldCon), for now I'm satisfied with all I get from my local conference.
Many don't have a local conference, or the local conference may not be what you're looking for. In that case, travel is going to be necessary, whether to a different town or a different state. Look at each conference you might consider and take into account the pricing, the type of activities offered (is it hands on workshops, seminars, pitches, a combination?), location costs (hotel, flight, food), the speakers and the subjects covered (just for non-fiction, children's writing, fantasy/sci-fi, horror, all of the above?). If you write children's books, you want to narrow it down to conferences that cover that subject, not go to a non-fiction conference.
Don't recognize the names of the speakers? Go online and research them, especially the editors and agents. See who they've represented, what they've helped publish. If what they're putting out is something you respect, they may be the right fit for you. If you still don't recognize what they're putting out, maybe wait for different opportunities.
As for pricing, conference rates vary widely. I've seen prices in the thousands, down to less than $100. Putting yourself in the poor house for a conference isn't a good idea. One fact I've seen repeated is that you are not likely to get a publishing contract out of a conference. Yes, there are conferences where you can pitch, but the acceptance rate is pretty low. You are going to a conference more to network and learn from industry experts and professionals than anything else. Going as a fan or going simply to pitch won't be the best ideas.
Other things to consider: Is it in an area you might like to visit anyway? You can play tourist the day before or after and get in a bit of a vacation. Will you be able to stay at the venue or are there hotels nearby? Would you be able to walk or take a shuttle, or will you have to drive in a strange town? Do you have friends in the area who might let you stay with them? Might a Con location be one you get sent to by work, so you could work during the week, but delay your return to attend on the weekend? Is food included in the price of the Con admission, or will you have to find food yourself? Is there a good selection of restaurants nearby? If this is a conference or convention that moves each year, might there be a year it will come closer to you? WorldCon has a listing of past conferences, as well as having two future years listed. I was interested to see that it comes through Denver, CO every so many years, so I can patiently wait for that one to find its way here in the future.
I'm sure there are many other questions you'll need to ask yourself that I haven't covered, but choosing the conference or convention that is right for you involves a lot of steps. Consider your choice carefully, but don't let it overwhelm you. Conferences are work, but they should also be enjoyable, at least in my opinion.
Ever been to ComicCon? What sorts of Cons, both conference and convention, have you attended or would you like to attend? Is there one above the rest that you'd like to go to? Or do you have no interest in going to one ever?
May you find your Muse.
First, Happy Morning After Mars Landing!
I don't know about you guys out there, but my Inner Geek is having a summer of it. Some day I'd like to go to the ComicCon in San Diego and get my geek on, and this year I knew several people who went, including a cousin who got a press pass. Jealous!!
The ComicCon was always a fleeting thought, something I never intended to go to, until I discovered that they have various author panels there, as well. So wait, I can go drool over various actors and show creators, as well as visit panels about, say, Kick Ass Chicks in literature? Gasp! Suddenly, the face of ComicCon has changed, and it's a place I might really one day like to visit.
Thinking of ComicCon got me looking around at other conventions, as well as other writer's conferences. I discovered ReaderCon due to a news story about it. They had Peter Straub and Caitlin R. Kiernan this year. Wow! Then there's WorldCon, CryptiCon, ConnityCon...okay, that one's not real. Point being, there are tons of both conventions and conferences. Then there are retreats, individual workshops, you name it. In fact, here is a resource if you want to see what is available to you out there. They don't have everything out there, but it's a good leaping off point.
How do you decide what to go to? Firstly, are you looking for a convention or a conference? Are you going as a fan or to learn and network? If you're going as a fan, that one should be easy to choose, as you look for the convention which covers what you're a fan of.
If you're wanting a conference, that one may be harder. I'm lucky, in that I have a highly respected writer's conference right here, not five minutes from me: Pikes Peak Writers Conference. Though I might eventually want to try a different kind of writer's conference (possibly ReaderCon or WorldCon), for now I'm satisfied with all I get from my local conference.
Many don't have a local conference, or the local conference may not be what you're looking for. In that case, travel is going to be necessary, whether to a different town or a different state. Look at each conference you might consider and take into account the pricing, the type of activities offered (is it hands on workshops, seminars, pitches, a combination?), location costs (hotel, flight, food), the speakers and the subjects covered (just for non-fiction, children's writing, fantasy/sci-fi, horror, all of the above?). If you write children's books, you want to narrow it down to conferences that cover that subject, not go to a non-fiction conference.
Don't recognize the names of the speakers? Go online and research them, especially the editors and agents. See who they've represented, what they've helped publish. If what they're putting out is something you respect, they may be the right fit for you. If you still don't recognize what they're putting out, maybe wait for different opportunities.
As for pricing, conference rates vary widely. I've seen prices in the thousands, down to less than $100. Putting yourself in the poor house for a conference isn't a good idea. One fact I've seen repeated is that you are not likely to get a publishing contract out of a conference. Yes, there are conferences where you can pitch, but the acceptance rate is pretty low. You are going to a conference more to network and learn from industry experts and professionals than anything else. Going as a fan or going simply to pitch won't be the best ideas.
Other things to consider: Is it in an area you might like to visit anyway? You can play tourist the day before or after and get in a bit of a vacation. Will you be able to stay at the venue or are there hotels nearby? Would you be able to walk or take a shuttle, or will you have to drive in a strange town? Do you have friends in the area who might let you stay with them? Might a Con location be one you get sent to by work, so you could work during the week, but delay your return to attend on the weekend? Is food included in the price of the Con admission, or will you have to find food yourself? Is there a good selection of restaurants nearby? If this is a conference or convention that moves each year, might there be a year it will come closer to you? WorldCon has a listing of past conferences, as well as having two future years listed. I was interested to see that it comes through Denver, CO every so many years, so I can patiently wait for that one to find its way here in the future.
I'm sure there are many other questions you'll need to ask yourself that I haven't covered, but choosing the conference or convention that is right for you involves a lot of steps. Consider your choice carefully, but don't let it overwhelm you. Conferences are work, but they should also be enjoyable, at least in my opinion.
Ever been to ComicCon? What sorts of Cons, both conference and convention, have you attended or would you like to attend? Is there one above the rest that you'd like to go to? Or do you have no interest in going to one ever?
May you find your Muse.
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