Hi guys! I’m a little crispy. We’re decompressing after a weekend–a GREAT weekend–at Icon. As you know, we had our first Paradise Icon this time around, and it was really, really good. Friday the authors (all two of us!) workshopped and talked writing references. We had a great time bonding and I feel like I got some good input.
But Saturday, Saturday made it. We had 3 great hours: a discussion with Jim Hines about fantasy characters and avoiding stereotypes; an information packed lecture with Steven Erikson regarding the writers toolbox, and an instructive and entertaining hour with Sarah Prineas on protagonists, specifically in YA. Man, that was so good! I plan to start recruiting earlier next year, to get more writers in on this, because we had so much fun! While I know who the Icon guests are going to be next year, I won’t confirm Paradise Icon lecturers until I get them lined up for sure.
Next year, Icon will be November 15-17, with Paradise Icon being on the 15th and 16th. Just so’s you know.
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Shout outs to lots of people. The coolness that is Jim Hines for toast mastering our con and just hanging out. Jim really made our Saturday night reception. Thanks to Josh, Lindsay, and Athena for making the whole gig happen. Thanks to Sarah Prineas, who makes writing in Iowa cool. Thanks to Steven Erikson, who lectured for us even though his throat was sore, and also thanks to Steven for being such an awesome fellow panelist on Sunday. The biggest shout out of all goes to fellow participant Shannon Ryan, for whom I only have two words: Wolfman! Wolfman!
Honestly, though, in spite of the babbling, the workshop was great and I’d like to see more great writers, both new and ones that I know, give it a whirl.
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Random thoughts and then I’m winding down for the night:
1. Icon had 200 percent more cardboard submarines this year than in previous years.
2. The Pirates! In an Adventure with Scientists is a book you should read RIGHT NOW.
3. Bryon and I didn’t get into Harry Knowles’ BNAT film festival, but if there’s one thing being a writer does, it’s train you for rejection. 🙂
4. I had an hour long reading from Abigail Rath at the convention, and people are laughing in all the right places, so we must be doing something right.
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Happy election week. It’s also registration week at Kirkwood, in which I am so busy I cannot see straight, even with the glasses on, so I will be scarce. I’ll pop in as I can.
Until then, vote well and vote often.
Catherine