I was on two panels at Wiscon myself: Baba Yaga and Other Retired/Secret Goddesses and Newly Professional Older Writers: What Helps, What Hinders.
Of the Baba Yaga Panel: We really had some good participation. One of our audience members turned out to be a Russian scholar who knew a great deal about BY. I handled the academic angle with references to stories and the variants. Will Alexander talked about his thoughts, since he had used BY as a character in a recent book. Georgie Shnobrich told several BY stories. We were all wrangled adeptly by Delia Sherman. I am, alas, not the person to post notes from this panel, as I was on it.
Similarly, of the Newly Older Professional Writers Panel: This was more of a discussion than a panel, which was a good thing. The panelists ranged from insecure about this issue to talk about how they had perhaps a false confidence, since they were used to being competent. Pluses and minuses of the older writer were talked about. On the plus side, we have more experience and have practiced professionalism. Coming to writing later often means our income is more stable as well. Negatively, we can’t party as hard or last as long. David Levine suggested that what older writers need to learn is different from what younger writers in general need to learn. Sure.
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Then, there was the sign out. I enjoyed it immensely. Caroline was kind enough to save me a spot, and lots of people stopped by to chat. I find it very easy to do that kind of thing. The hard part, I suppose, is writing and selling books.
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Thanks to all who made this year’s Wiscon an enjoyable experience. No, Governor Walker does not get kudos.
So…that finishes the two things I’ve been working on before Taos. I think, for the next two weeks, you’ll be getting Taos stuff. See you at 10,000 feet.
Say hi to my friend Sara Mueller at Taos!