Conferences and Conventions and Rewrites, O My!

So here we are in October already (crap!!!), and I’m looking a little sadly at the pile of not-quite-finished September Projects … and, for that matter, August and July … and realizing that, you know what–they ain’t getting touched again this side of Christmas unless a miracle descends into my life.

(Pause, listen for trumpets, shrug.)

That’s all right, though, because I’ve determined that if I can only handle a small handful of items at a time, I will throw myself into those items and rock the *&^% out of them. For example, the James River Writer’s Conference is this weekend, in Richmond. I will be on three panels. I will be studying for those damn panels like they are a college course.

(I won’t be foolish and say “like a doctorate level course”, which was, admittedly, my first impulse. See? I’m learning to slow down a little.)

I have another convention the following weekend, this time in Gaithersburg, MD. Capclave was a lot of fun last year, and it seems to be shaping up as well this time around. I honestly don’t remember if I already have my schedule of panels for CapClave — I *think* I do, somewhere in this pile of emails and printouts on my desk, but that won’t get looked at until the Monday before, at which point I will start studying for *those* panels like they are college courses.

I used to try prepping for conventions a month or more in advance. That’s crazy-making; for one thing, most conventions don’t give you a final schedule until two weeks before the event. For another, it was just one more task to get lost on my quickly overcrowded desk, and my stress level skyrockets when I have Undone Items staring at me while I try to write fiction.

Which bring me nicely into the fiction writing section of this post. Or rewriting, as the case may be. Back in April, I turned the last two novels of the Children of the Desert series in to my publisher, rather proud of myself for clearing that particular 500 pound gorilla off my desk. I knew it would take a while for her to get back to me with feedback, because she had a couple other books ahead of mine in the queue, but I was fairly confident that all was well, so I went about taking care of other items and began de-trunking a long abandoned SF story (which I’ve talked about in previous posts).

Well.

I kind of had this niggling little worry…

I knew there was something a leeeetle bit off with book 3…

Surely, though, it’s “good enough”. I mean, how bad could it be? It’s a good story. It’s a great story! I did a decent job. It’s good enough. It’ll be fine…

Then I got the email. Summarized, it said: Book 4 is fantastic. I love it. Book 3 has some Problems. Your writing is so much better than this. Can you bring book 3 up to par with Book 4, quality-of-writing-wise?

*urk*

(Pause to stare blankly at the screen. Pause for long string of expletives. Pause for long burst of rueful laughter: She’s right. Damnit. It’s not “good enough”. I could do better. Damnit. Why’d she have to be so perceptive? Pause for long burst of expletives and more laughter, followed by a 2 hour phone conversation with the publisher in which we mapped out exactly what had gone wrong and how to fix it.)

So I am now embarked on a radical rewrite of Book 3 (not the plot, which is overall fine, but the writing style, which is from 5 years ago). This, sadly, means the SF story is sliding back towards the trunk again. I’m trying to keep it alive, but it’s on pretty thin life support at this point. I’m hoping the muse involved in that particular story will forgive me and take me back in a couple of months, because what with the two conventions mentioned above, an editing job or two, and the 750 lb gorilla that just sat on me… I can’t split my brain in that many directions at once. The renovations upstairs are now on a side-job, piecemeal standing, not one of my main interests. My friends are getting used to seeing less of me at social gatherings. My dogs are still bugging me to take them for more walks, which is actually probably a damn good thing, or I’d never leave my desk.

But I am having a fantastic time. The rewrite is flying along, because I see exactly where the older writing just isn’t strong enough to carry the story, and I’m bringing a lot more conscious craft into the process than I did the first … well … *mumble* three drafts … or so … *ahem*. My goal with this rewrite is, quite simply, to have readers really hook in emotionally to what’s going on. I did that with the fourth book. I can do that with the third one. I’m casting an eye back to the first two books and pulling in a clearer connection to those threads and arcs.

Overall, this whole process really does feel like studying for a class — only this is one class you never actually close out or get a final grade on; it’s an ongoing, ever-open learning experience. Wouldn’t it be fun if there was really a class designed to just take you through all sorts of random subjects and experiences and you didn’t have to worry about grades or exams or …

Hey.

Waitasec. There is.

It’s called life.

So go out and live it! And don’t forget to write it all down…..

 

RavenCon 2011

Wow. Just … wow. And I could probably end this post there, but that wouldn’t give the details, and you really, really need the details here.

RavenCon has been around for a few years–I remember, vaguely, attending the first one (and being sooooo sick that most of it was a blur). I also remember that the first one, even through a haze of fever, impressed me as being uncommonly well organized and planned. I started off attending as a fan; later, I began attending as a chair massage therapist, and at that point was even more impressed with the behind the scenes planning and care-of-guests that RavenCon offered. Now I’m attending (for the second time) as a writer guest, and … well … I’m back to “wow”.

Brandon Blackmoor, the Programming Coordinator, put together an amazing and comprehensive lineup of panels this time around; rearranged heaven and earth at the last minute more than once to make the various guests happy; and wore himself to the bone running to every single panel to check that everyone was happy and that all problems were taken care of. Rene, the Hotel Liaison, worked as tirelessly to coordinate events with the host hotel; Crystal Ritchie as Guest Liaison worked just as diligently pre-con to set up a stellar lineup of guests. I could go on–every single member of the RavenCon staff, from Doris Manning to Michael Pederson, deserve a standing ovation for their work this time around. But then I wouldn’t have room to mention the panels.

Ah, the panels. Fourteen hours, if I recall correctly, on my schedule alone. I’ve never been so heavily scheduled at a convention before, and at first I thought about asking to drop out of a few of the panels. But honestly, they all looked so dang interesting I couldn’t make myself squeak about the load.

And I’m so glad I went with it, because the panels were all just freaking fabulous. Starting off with “The author as persona” on Friday afternoon, which I moderated *gulp*– Matthew Warner and Patrick Vanner — that panel was sparsely attended, more because of the early time (3 pm) than anything else, but lots of fun, as Matthew and Patrick were both great speakers. Then it was off to prepare for a signing at 5 pm — early in the convention, and I was nervous that nobody would show up; but luck put me on the table next to Phillipa Ballantine, and right across from a vendor of divine fudge and saltwater taffies, so there was quite a crowd the whole time. And Phillipa couldn’t have been nicer–I’ll gladly hang out at a signing table with her–or share a panel, for that matter–any time. She’s just plain fun to be around, and again, a great speaker. I even signed a couple of my own books, thanks to Danielle Ackley-McPhail, whose booth was right next to the aforementioned fudge vendor and who was selling my books (along with Creatures & Crooks, a local indie bookstore recently gone e-vendor).

The opening ceremonies were fun, but I had the feeling that with eighty some guests on the schedule this time around, most of the folks who actually showed up to the OC were the guests themselves and their direct supporters… so that was a bit odd. Still, there were plenty of laughs…and it was great to see each guest introduced, so I had some chance to match names with faces.

My final panel on Friday night was “Writing sex in SF/F”…not a panel I ever would have expected to be on, to be honest. But after meeting Helen Madden a few conventions back, and after finding that my own writing is slowly veering in an increasingly explicit direction, I’ve started attending and sitting on this sort of panel more and more often. And you know what? They’re always really fun, and interesting, and not grotty-icky at all. This time around the panel hosted Phillipa Ballantine, Stuart Jaffe, KT Pinto, and Diane Whiteside, as well as myself; and of course Helen Madden was in the audience, prodding the conversation along with her devil’s-advocacy and a wicked grin.

I went facedown shortly thereafter, and hauled myself awake in time for Allen Wold’s Writing Workshop (always a high point of any convention for me)–which was, as always, two hours of excellent discussion, writing samples, and meeting promising new writers. (The followup on Sunday morning was just as wonderful, if a bit too early for most folks to tolerate civilly. But I understand that’s been remedied for next year.)  The next workshop, “Character, Setting, and Plot” was very ably run by Peter Prellwitz, with Allen Wold, Gail Z. Martin, John Betancourt, and myself supporting. I definitely look forward to attending and hopefully being a part of that one again in the future! It also had a wonderful followup on Sunday morning.

My book launch party for Guardians of the Desert Saturday afternoon was … well, we’re back to that ubiquitious “wow” again. I am still utterly stunned at how many people showed up, and how friendly and helpful everyone was with setup and breakdown. The boardroom was completely filled. A BIG thank you goes out to everyone who showed up, signed the guest book, bought books, and enjoyed the coffee. I must offer a sincere bow of gratitude here for the RavenCon staff who got me special dispensation to offer gourmet coffee at the launch party, and just as much to the hotel for allowing me that leeway. I am honored by the trust shown by both entities, and I truly hope that the room was left in good order once we skedaddled out of Phillipa Ballantine’s way. (And special thanks to Phillipa and Tee Morris for being so gracious about our running just a touch late on clearing out of the room!)

Oh, but I wasn’t done yet, oh no. I still had a 7 pm panel, “Networking for Beginners”, with Stuart Jaffe–and I have to say this was probably my favorite panel of the lot (although that’s a really close call!). Stuart is very friendly and well-spoken, and explained in blunt but amiable terms how networking works and why it’s essential for beginning writers to understand. And then I stayed in the same room to moderate the 8 pm panel “Introduction to Social Media”, which hosted Christiana Ellis, Paul Fischer, Gail Z. Martin, and Heather Welliver.

Sunday was easy by comparison. I only had four things to juggle: the followup to the two Saturday writing workshops, a panel with John C. Wright titled “Would You Like Elves With That?”, and my reading slot at 2 pm. The panel with John was interesting, if a little chaotic; one of those where I walked in thinking the panel had been his idea and he walked in thinking it was mine… but we had some great conversations all the same. The reading slot was well-attended, and the readings themselves well-received. I read an excerpt from “Duck, Duck…Goose!”, my first “pro” short story sale (to Andromeda Spaceways Inflight Magazine); a flash-short, “Mind Games”, that appeared in Alienskin (an online zine which is now, sadly, defunct); and excerpts from both Secrets of the Sands and Guardians of the Desert. I even sold a couple of books at the reading, which was highly gratifying.

In-between all the panels, I talked with dozens of friends and supporters and new friends and vendors and authors and artists…I do not think I have ever been so busy at a convention, nor have I ever enjoyed myself so thoroughly. Once again, I must reiterate that a truly great convention is due largely to the work of the fanatically hard-working staff and volunteers, and bow to them for creating what was an exceptionally well-run experience. I also gathered over a dozen new blog post topic ideas….so I have plenty to occupy me over the next few weeks!

And now… I think it’s time for a nap. Or ten. And then for a snooze…and from thence to sleep.

 

Madness and Mayhem, or, What I’ve Been Up To Lately….

Is it March 1 already? [insert expletive here] Well….time does pass, like it or not. And it’s been a busy time. Let’s see… in January I went to MarsCon and had a great time. In February I went to the Wicked Winter Renaissance Faire with minions and husband in tow and had an amazingly fun time; a post about the Experience That Is Wicked Faire is languishing half-done in my drafts folder as we speak. I might manage to finish it….but might not. We’ll have to see on that.

I’m currently preparing for SheVA Con this coming weekend; Peter Beagle is the Guest of Honor, so you can just imagine how excited I am about attending this one! (For those clueless about that name: very. And go look him up. Seriously.) Then I get to wrap up my intensive writing class over the next three weekends. That class is going extremely well so far, and I’m beginning to think about finding a spot locally to teach as well.

That project will have to wait, though, until the April Madness has passed. I love being over-committed in all directions, and this year I’ve sat myself right in the middle of a ton of work. I’ll be running a series of blog posts about April events, so I won’t bore you with it here–but rest assured there will be plenty of opportunities to catch up with me and get that book signed or ask me writing questions next month!

This blog is also going to be seeing more and more guest blog posts as time goes on: Steven Savage, of course, is contributing twice a month, on the fifth and the twentieth. I have a followup interview with Tina Morris coming out this month as well, and I’m working on scheduling a guest blog post with authors Becky Mushko and Michael Sullivan. So there’s going to be a lot of content coming out over the next few weeks!

Elsewhere in the webbysphere, I have a review of a rare acoustic performance of local favorites Coyote Run aimed to come out through Green Man Review, along with interviews with the various band members. Look for that to post over at GMR sometime before the end of March! (editing update: the post has just aired, in August 2011, due to unexpected delays along the way. On the other hand, it’s a triple-howl: two reviews and an interview. So that was worth waiting for!)

I’ve taken on the job of posting a monthly update for Mercury Retrograde Press authors; the first one should be posting today, so wander over and check out that blog if you have a moment. We are an impressive bunch of overachievers, if I do say so myself….

And finally, I’m hoping to get another bizarre short story into a dark, bird-themed anthology–this will be my first (mature) attempt at writing a spooky story. Hopefully it will … err … fly. (Couldn’t resist, sorry).

Aaaaand….. that’s it for updates this month! Thanks for reading, as always; and remember to keep smiling–just for the hell of it!