Lifestyles of the Rich and Famous

There are several authorly things that I need to do some closure on for you.

I believe I mentioned that I was speaking to a class for a colleague about writing for his creative writing class. They read my short story Turtle of the Earth and we tossed around that in a literary fashion for a while, and then I sort of told them about how many thorns you will find in your efforts to get published, but how perseverance was key. It was a good session.

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Then we had Icon. The first event was that I was included in a mass author book signing before the con. I got to sit next to Jim Hines, and frankly, I suspect that this had something to do with the fact that I sold out of all the books that Barnes and Noble had ordered for me. That was heady. I am supposed to go back as soon as they’ve ordered more and sign some for in store. Still, cool and groovy. When I had one copy of Cucurbital 3 left, Jim stood up and put it over his head, and began to draw attention…and I shut him down. Can’t take him anywhere. But then the book did sell. So there you go.

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Paradise Icon 2 was a total success this year. We had 8 neo-pro writers. Friday was a day of intense workshopping on our stories, and Saturday Greg Frost and Nancy Kress lectured for us. Our event was topped off by a reading Friday night. There was much good food and much bar con. I had a couple of wrinkles that pretty much kept me busier than I should have been: a sick cat and Icon’s treasury. With luck next year, it’ll just be the workshop at the con, and believe me, that’s enough.

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Signing up for NaNoWriMo this month, as well as the Codex novel contest seemed to be more wishful thinking than reality interfaces this year. The Codex contest I should have been able to pull off, but if I had really thought about November, I would have seen that after the first week, I’d be pretty busy. I’m watching my food, exercising, relaxing, but I’m not really writing. Okay, to be honest with you, I’m not really relaxing. I’m doing the treasury books. So, it’s a lesson in learning to say no,and blocking out time.

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Speaking of blocking out time, I will fall short on my writing hours this year. Looking at my year, I see that I believed in the concept of magical time. I travelled to Las Vegas, Wiscon, Colorado, Viet Nam, Convergence, several trips to Minneapolis, a Ren Faire, and Icon. So…there you go. Throw in April lost to bronchitis, and I can see why I didn’t measure up. I need to slow down. Huh…seems I’ve heard that before. 🙂

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Let me link you to a couple of commentaries about the convention. I am glad that it was so well-received.

Chris Cornell’s Wrap Up of the Event

Shannon Ryan’s Comments

Ransom Noble

Timothy Ward

Lauren Teffeau also did a private write up, so alas, but the comments were good.

If anymore show up, I’ll post ’em.

We’re going to limit to 10 next year. I should be updating the website around the turn of the year.

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I promise! Next time, and I freakin’ mean it, the first of many Venice posts.