{"id":914,"date":"2013-07-12T10:37:54","date_gmt":"2013-07-12T10:37:54","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/rbwood.com\/dir\/index.php\/2013\/07\/12\/rc24blog\/"},"modified":"2015-07-09T14:49:27","modified_gmt":"2015-07-09T14:49:27","slug":"rc24blog","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/rbwood.com\/dir\/rc24blog\/","title":{"rendered":"ReaderCON 24"},"content":{"rendered":"

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CLOSING NOTES: Below you’ll find my annual ReaderCON post…it’s a bit disjointed and there are typos everywhere. \u00a0I’d start at the bottom of the post and work your way to the top. \u00a0Eventually, I’ll edit the blog–but for now, here is the raw form. \u00a0I want to say a BIG thank you to those who made ReaderCON an amazing experience for me (again) this year:<\/span><\/p>\n

Mike & Anita Allen, John Clute, John Crowley, Paul DiFilippo, Peter\u00a0Dub\u00e9, Scott Edelman, Theodora Goss, Liz Hand, Jim Kelly, Mikki Kendall, Melissa King, Shira Lipkin, Yves Meynard, Jim & Kathy Morrow, Allen Steele, Peter Straub, Gregory A. Wilson and so many others who make the ReaderCON experience amazing. \u00a0The panels were fantastic this year and I’m already looking forward to Readercon 25 in 2014.<\/span><\/p>\n

Special shout out to my dear friend and co-conspirator, Glenn Skinner.<\/span><\/p>\n

And Steve–for five years you’ve been my bartender at the Marriott. \u00a0Thanks for always making sure my glass was never empty.<\/span><\/p>\n

I hope you enjoy what follows. \u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Peace.<\/span><\/p>\n

RBW<\/span><\/p>\n

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===========================<\/span><\/p>\n

\"starbucks-barista\"3:31 PM 07\/14\/13 (Close of the Con)<\/b><\/span><\/p>\n

Arrived just in time (HAD to stop at Starbucks this morning…I wonder why?) for my first planned activity.<\/span><\/p>\n

\"2013-07-14_09.31.21\"Reading: Allen Steele<\/b><\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Hugo award winning author and fellow Massachusetts import Allen Steele was the first author I recognized and spoke with at length at my first ReaderCON (does anyone remember the \u201cRich didn\u2019t recognize Scott Edelman, so the newbie asked Scott to take a picture of Allen and I\u201d incident?\u00a0 No?\u00a0 Good.\u00a0 Let\u2019s never speak of it again).\u00a0 He has a new alternate history novel\u2014V-S Day<\/i>\u2014coming out next February and he read us the first chapter and shared the cover art.\u00a0 Last year he read from Apollo\u2019s Outcasts<\/i> which was a fun YA read and I just adore his Coyote <\/i> series.\u00a0 The fun bit of trivia is that V-S Day<\/i> is a throw back to his first short so technically his new novel was 26 years in the making.<\/span><\/p>\n

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\"2013-07-14_10.06.50\"Workshopping as a Lifestyle<\/b><\/span><\/p>\n

Jedediah Berry, Richard Butner, Craig Shaw Gardner, Theodora Goss (leader), Nicholas Kaufmann, Gregory A. Wilson<\/i><\/span><\/p>\n

I was looking very-much forward to this panel.\u00a0 One of the things I\u2019ve been wrestling with is continuing my writing education\u2014do I want to go after an MFA or do I want to participant in intense workshops (assuming I\u2019d be accepted to either)?\u00a0 I was hoping to gather a bit more data and the panel did not disappoint.<\/span><\/p>\n

Since there were two professors on the panel (Jedediah Berry at UMass Amherst and Gregory Wilson at St. John\u2019s in New York) I wanted a balanced view of the intense atmosphere of the workshop verses the classroom. What I learned was a lot more complex and appealing.<\/span><\/p>\n

Yes, workshops can be intense\u2014I spoke to a couple of fantasy authors who have just finished the Odyssey Workshop (Class of 2013) about their experience\u2014but it doesn\u2019t have to be. Although Theodora thought she might be the only dissenting vote on the pitfalls of the workshop, a balance was struck between the cautionary tales and the glowing reviews.\u00a0 I took additional notes on a range of resources and will be spending some serious research time in the coming months on next steps.<\/span><\/p>\n

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\"2013-07-14_13.04.53\"Crowdfunding: The Glory and the Peril<\/b><\/span><\/p>\n

Mike Allen (leader), Kevin E.F. Clark, Matthew Kressel, Ken Schneyer, Cecilia Tan.<\/i><\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

I sat with Gregory Wilson and Anita Allen (Mike\u2019s wife) and this talk which centered on sites such as Kickstarter and IndieGoGo (which we used successfully to raise funds for author Max Cynn\u2019s son under the \u2018IndiesUnite4Joshua\u2019 banner) and how they can be used effectively to raise funds for individual and collaborative projects.\u00a0 On a side note, Dr. Wilson\u2019s own Kickstrter campaign, Time Traveled Tales: A Speculative Fiction Anthology<\/b><\/a> finished just a short time ago and they raised nearly four times their goal of $7,500.\u00a0 I may, or may not have rushed to donate as I\u2019d meant to back in June\u2026<\/span><\/p>\n

But Mike and team supplied some common sense, but critical tips \u2013something to consider for the next Orange Karen Anthology<\/a><\/i> perhaps\u2026<\/span><\/p>\n

\"2013-07-14_14.03.52\"Stranger Danger: Secrets and Discoveries in Urban Settings<\/b><\/span><\/p>\n

Amanda Downum, Lila Garrott (leader), Maria Dahvana Headley, Stacy Hill, Patricia A. McKillip, JoSelle Vanderhooft<\/i><\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Every ReaderCON, there is always some discussion about Urban settings verses the old time forest or natural settings of fairy tales of the past.\u00a0 This year\u2019s panel spent more time on the \u2018under cities\u2019 such as that of Seattle, Chicago and Paris.\u00a0 And enjoyable panel, if for no other reason then the number of stories mentioned that I HAVEN\u2019T read.\u00a0 Yet.<\/span><\/p>\n

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7:30 AM 07\/14\/13 (Sunday Morning)<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n

Need to jump in the shower shortly and drive up to Burlington for a 9:30 Reading, but I wanted to do a quick post from last night.<\/span><\/p>\n

\"2013-07-13_19.02.25\"Worldbuilding by Worldseeing.<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n

John Crowley (leader), Sarah Smith, Romie Stott, Harold Vedeler.<\/em><\/span><\/p>\n

Kipling’s Kim, Mayhew’s London Labour and the London Poor, Dickens’s “sketches”… who is writing about the present day this way, and what can worldbuilders learn from these Victorian-era worldseers? \u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Many of the core fantasy themes in the panels I attended on Saturday revolved around or had discussion points or realism in fantasy. \u00a0As an Urban Fantasy writer, I’ve set my stories in Boston. \u00a0I have a scene in the upcoming The Young Practitioner<\/em>\u00a0that takes place on a Green line train–and instead of looking at a map for the setting, I road the train a couple of times to get the feel of the scenery outside, the smells on the train (important point–don’t eat before hand) and observation of some of the regular writers.<\/span><\/p>\n

The point here is that your fantasy can be more effective if there are realistic components that have been truely vetted and observed by the writer.<\/span><\/p>\n

I’m not saying you should become a murderer to experience that for your book–nor can I help you if your story takes place on a gas giant planet–but do your research. Give the reader just that much more. \u00a0Otherwise, you’ll get letters.<\/span><\/p>\n

\"2013-07-13_20.06.21\"A Most Readerconnish Miscellany.<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n

I’m going to be honest about this one and remember–this is MY perception. \u00a0I completely encourage new things to keep the ‘con fresh. \u00a0I also support (both in concept and moniterily) the two charities this program was meant to support:\u00a0Boston Area Rape Crisis Center<\/a><\/strong> and Operation Hammond<\/a><\/strong>. \u00a0A LOT of people worked hard on the show, and there was love definately in the air for the the performers and donators alike. \u00a0But it didn’t work for me. This program took the place of the old mainstay and program favorite, the “Kirk Poland Memorial Bad Prose Competition.”<\/span><\/p>\n

Bring back Kirk Poland. \u00a0There are other ways to raise money for worth causes–with the ReaderCON firepower of talent, build an anthology that is to be released each year at the con with proceeds split between the two organizations (you could do readings and tie-in panels).<\/span><\/p>\n

Please. \u00a0Fix this for RC25.<\/span><\/p>\n

Meanwhile, the rest of the evening was spent with fellow writers in the make-shift bar. \u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\"2013-07-13_20.46.51\"<\/span><\/p>\n

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4:49 PM 07\/13\/13 (Saturday pre-dinnertime)<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n

\"2013-07-13_12.54.42\"The Bookstore<\/b><\/span><\/p>\n

One of my very favorite spots to hide and indulge myself is the bookstore in Salon E at the convention. \u00a0It is a place of rare finds, populist gems and serious credit card accidents. Looks like I’ll be bringing my lunch to work. \u00a0For a decade.<\/span><\/p>\n

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\"2013-07-13_13.01.40\"Architects and Gardeners<\/b><\/span><\/p>\n

Dale Bailey, Peter Dub\u00e9, Stacy Hill, James Patrick Kelly (moderator), Cecilia Tan, Gregory A. Wilson.<\/i><\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cGirls.\u00a0 Boys.\u00a0 What does it matter as long as you\u2019re fabulous?\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

The Architect vs. Gardener (or plotter vs. pantser in the Indie world) question is explored in detail with each panelist discussing their approach to the craft.\u00a0 Very quickly, each of the pros dismissed a strict adherence to ANY approach as the method of writing is as individual as the writers themselves.<\/span><\/p>\n

Instead, a stance was taken on how these different styles\u2014or really tool sets\u2014can assist in the over all development of stories on a project-by-project basis.<\/span><\/p>\n

\"2013-07-13_14.11.58\"The Relationship of Reality and Fantasy<\/b><\/span><\/p>\n

Scott H. Andrews, Andrea Hairston (leader), Anil Menon, James Morrow, Julia Starkey.<\/i><\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

In a 2012 essay titled “PSA: Your Default Narrative Settings Are Not Apolitical,” Foz Meadows addressed the notion that “deliberately including POC, female and\/or LGBTQ characters can only ever be a political action.” She demonstrated that history, the historical record, and commonly accepted historical narratives are in fact three distinct things, and\u00a0pointed out the irony of fans who accept magic and dragons in their fantasy but balk at the idea of female pirates or a black Lancelot because they’re “unrealistic.”<\/span><\/p>\n

An intellectual panel on realism and perception and the impact of the dominant form (realism) on the 21st<\/sup> century stories.\u00a0 For example, a story with dragons (which are not real, yet have been written about quite a bit) would be accepted far quicker than a story about, say, a black Lancelot.<\/span><\/p>\n

Now a bit of fun–off to a Koream Barby with some friends…<\/span><\/p>\n

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11:35 AM 07\/12\/13 (Saturday Late Morning)<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n

\"COFFEE\"<\/span><\/p>\n

“Yeah. \u00a0I’m Good.”<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n

\"2013-07-13_09.03.32\"The Work\/Work Balance<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n

Dale Bailey, Kevin E.F. Clark (leader), Resa Nelson, Tom Purdom, Bud Sparhawk.<\/em><\/span><\/p>\n

One of my most serious struggles as a \u201cpart time\u201d author is the balancing act between work, family, writing and life in general. \u00a0I was looking forward to this discussion since I first read the program schedule.<\/span><\/p>\n

SPEAKING of life balance\u2026<\/span><\/p>\n

\"2013-07-13_06.54.20\"Those of you who follow me on twitter and\/or Facebook may have noticed some posts a few days ago regarding a series of power failures at the house. \u00a0The result was that the main circuit board on our \u2018fridge blew out\u2014the replacement of which arrived last night. \u00a0So in order to make the 9:00 panel\u2014I was up at 5:30 to feed the animals and to get the new circuit board installed. \u00a0All were successful and my poor wife is now transferring food and frozen good back to the main refrigerator.<\/span><\/p>\n

This anecdote dove tails nicely into the gist of the first panel\u2014namely life choices and discipline are the keys to balance. \u00a0Fellow artists spoke about the time to write\u2014and I think, in a nutshell, my fundamental problem is I\u2019ve set unachievable goals–for myself and my writing–in conjunction with life\u2019s necessities. \u00a0I\u2019ll need to revisit this with my very supportive wife and work out something that is doable.<\/span><\/p>\n

\"2013-07-13_10.03.35\"Making Love Less Strange: Romance for SF\/F Writers<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n

E.C. Ambrose, Paula Guran, Victoria Janssen (leader), Natalie Luhrs, JoSelle Vanderhooft<\/em><\/span><\/p>\n

I\u2019m not the best romantic scene writer.<\/span><\/p>\n

I have many friends who write romance or erotica. \u00a0And I certainly know the difference between good and bad scenes and stories in these genres. \u00a0But I need to get better at relationship, romance and yes, sex scenes.<\/span><\/p>\n

This panel filled with romance authors discussed methods and structure for romantic scenes within Science Fiction and Fantasy stories. \u00a0The complexities of relationships and depth of character are critical to the success of any relationship scenes; whether sexual or not. \u00a0And Fantasy–especially with the \u2018world building\u2019 that\u2019s needed often are a great setup mechanism for a romantic scene or scenes.<\/span><\/p>\n

\"2013-07-13_11.01.27\"A Visit from the “Suck Fairy”: Enjoying Problematic Works<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n

John Benson, Cathy Butler, Barbara Krasnoff (leader), Yoon Ha Lee, Adrienne Martini, Kate Nepveu.<\/em><\/span><\/p>\n

A discussion of works where things such as bigotry, sexism or homophobia\u2014problematic areas\u2014are prevalent. \u00a0Taken from a historical or a cultural perspective, perhaps these things can be overcome in favorite works. \u00a0Examples from Little House on the Prairie to the works of Orson Scott Card and H. P. Lovecraft are dissected and examined.<\/span><\/p>\n

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\"2013-07-12_19.32.29\"5:05 AM 07\/13\/13 (Saturday Morning)<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n

Got in well after midnight last night. \u00a0Why up at this ungodly hour is a hairraising story involving pussy…three in fact, all wanting to be fed. \u00a0And I figured the missus could us a bit of a lie-in this morning.<\/span><\/p>\n

Besides, I get to take a bit of time over my thoughts and comments regarding the last few hours of Friday.<\/span><\/p>\n

Glenn Skinner and I ate at the bar (show of hands — anyone shocked at this staement?) and we shuffld off to our next panel<\/span><\/p>\n

\"2013-07-12_18.45.35\"Formatting for E-books – <\/strong>LJ Cohen<\/em><\/span><\/p>\n

I have to be honest – Lisa did a great job walking through the tools she uses and her workflow process for developing properly formated eBooks for any platform. \u00a0And she passed around a series of devices that had a particularly tricky sort of style and it was perfect.<\/span><\/p>\n

However, as a Mac and Scrivener user, the tech she used revolved around Open Office, Calibre and other tools which work extremely well for her based on the output Glenn and I saw. \u00a0It just didn’t address the tool set I’ve already invested in.<\/span><\/p>\n

\"2013-07-12_20.08.11\"The Magic of the ‘Hood<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n

Mikki Kendall (leader), Daniel Jos\u00e9 Older, John Shirley<\/em>
\n<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n

Mikki Kendall is an absolute treasure and I thought this panel was amazing. \u00a0I attended with Melissa King and the conversation focused on the community, family and customs that make the ‘hood (the projects) a unigue and quite frankly a magical place. \u00a0Mikki is from Chicago (do NOT ask her about Jim Butcher’s representation of the ‘hood in his The Dresden files<\/em>) and was raised by her grandmother and told stories not only of her upbringing that exampled the closeness of the community, but the traditions and beliefs she was brought up with.<\/span><\/p>\n

Fascinating study and I could have listened to this panel for a few more hours.<\/span><\/p>\n

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\nKaffeeklatsch – Shira Lipkin.<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n

This late klatsch started off with a bang as a bottle of rum may–or may not–have been brought in for the attendees to sip while discussing the writings of this flsh fiction and poetry talent. \u00a0Shira is also local in Massachusetts and is a friend. \u00a0In typical fashion, the group spoke about everything from Shira’s novel (work in progress) that she read from earlier in the day, through to her flash fiction, a crazy superhero anthology in progress (she asked me to do a Bat Mite story–wheels turning) and just life in general. \u00a0The was laughter and drinking and it felt more like a group of friends sitting in the living room catching up. \u00a0And it was glorious. \ud83d\ude42<\/span><\/p>\n

\"2013-07-12_18.58.22\"<\/span><\/p>\n

Meet the PRO(se) Party.<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n

The ballroom was the setting for the met the prose party. \u00a0I find myself covered in stickers–quotes from author’s stories. \u00a0The goal is to collect as many as you can while drinking and meeting people. It’s a party, folks…and it was a good one.<\/span><\/p>\n

\"2013-07-12_22.20.02\"\u00a0\"2013-07-12_22.15.17\"\u00a0\"2013-07-12_22.33.48\"\u00a0\"2013-07-12_22.27.05\"
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5:55 PM 07\/12\/13 (Friday Evening)<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n

Starving, but have a couple of things I wanted to participate in first\u2014<\/span><\/p>\n

\"2013-07-12_13.04.20\"The Silent History: A Killer Serial<\/b><\/span><\/p>\n

Samantha Henderson, Maureen F. McHugh, David G. Shaw (leader), Graham Sleight.<\/i><\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

The Silent History is a unique story experience utilizing media (iOS devices), serialization and a \u2018geocache-like\u2019 ability to enhance the story via fan-fic and a GPS.<\/span><\/p>\n

It\u2019s absolutely a brilliant use of new media and you can learn more and enjoy the fully completed story by heading over to http:\/\/www.thesilenthistory.com<\/a>.\u00a0 Discussion centered on the quality of the arc and the technology involved.\u00a0 Fantastic insight from the team who were virtually spoiler-free in their review, interpretation and discussion points.<\/span><\/p>\n

I\u2019ve got a copy on my iPad now.\u00a0 I seriously suggest you pic this up as it is one of the first use of the eCodex I\u2019ve seen that I liked\u2014the format, movie and intactive fan-fic aspect just works.<\/span><\/p>\n

\"2013-07-12_14.01.45\"Reading: Peter Dub\u00e9<\/b><\/span><\/p>\n

What, I\u2019m going to miss one of my favorite people at the con reading a different scene from The City\u2019s Gates<\/i>?\u00a0 I think not!<\/span><\/p>\n

\"2013-07-12_15.06.49\"Reading: Shira Lipkin.<\/b><\/span><\/p>\n

Shira read from her upcoming novel\u2014a brilliant scene between her main character and a dancer she had been observing at the club.\u00a0 The use of 2nd<\/sup> person\u2014while difficult\u2014is used to perfection here.\u00a0 And the cadence of the passage is written so you feel<\/i> the nightclub \u2018thump thump thump\u2019 backbeat as the scene unfolded.<\/span><\/p>\n

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\"2013-07-12_16.01.04\"Kaffeeklatsch with James Morrow.<\/b><\/span><\/p>\n

Another favorite author and a true intellectual and satirest\u2014the hour long session with Jim had me crying with laughter.\u00a0 We spoke about his ever-present work on Darwin and his upcoming The Buck Rogers Stuff<\/i>.\u00a0 I just adore the man, his writing and his outlook on life.<\/span><\/p>\n

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Break time. \u00a0Food, a drink then back to it.<\/span><\/p>\n

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\"2013-07-12_10.43.55\"12:50 PM 07\/12\/13 (Friday Afternoon)<\/strong><\/span>
\n\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Registration was a raucous and hilarious affair, despite the fact that I arrived an hour early. \u00a0The good news is I got through it and had time to grab a coffee and grab a seat with Glenn Skinner and Peter Dub\u00e9 for the first panel of the day\u2014and it was a good one.<\/span>
\n\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

21st-Century Fey<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n

Steve Berman, Richard Bowes, Elizabeth Hand (moderator), Patricia A. McKillip, Kathryn Morrow.<\/em><\/span>
\n\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n


\n\"2013-07-12_11.06.17\"I always love listening to Kathy Morrow at ReaderCON\u2014she adds a passion and scholarly take into any discussion. \u00a0And Liz Hand lead a marvelous panel discussing fairies, the fey and the various forms they take. \u00a0The panel bantered about many different takes on the fey\u2014from the Tolkien-esque high-browed elves to the cruel and nasty fairies of Holly Black.\u00a0<\/span>
\n\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

A lively debate on the origin of the fairy courts and the creatures that inhabit them. \u00a0I know enough now to realize that I need to research some of the scholarly works on the unseelie.<\/span>
\n\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Of Gods and Goddesses<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n

Richard Bowes, Lila Garrott (leader), Greer Gilman, Sandra Kasturi, Patricia A. McKillip, Sonya Taaffe.<\/em><\/span>
\n\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\"2013-07-12_12.04.58\"Gods. \u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

In fantasy\u2014especially Urban Fantasy, the genre I write in\u2014are more and more prevalent. \u00a0Gods behaving badly is a constant through out history and the discussions focused on (initially) Greek mythos and focused more on modern works such as Gaiman\u2019s American Gods or Discord’s Apple. \u00a0The panelists, again, were brilliant\u2014especially Sonya, Sandra and Lila.<\/span>
\n\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

This linked nicely with the first panel as the debate continued with a discussion of the potential overuse of both fairies and Gods in modern fantasy writing\u2014are they interchangeable or is it a result of one trope becoming overused, so the \u2018next set\u2019 of \u2018more powerful than mortal\u2019 creatures are used.<\/span>
\nAn interesting theory was proposed that the proliferation of stories with the Gods as characters are a direct result of the Gods themselves make sure us mortals remember them.<\/span>
\n\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

A personal note: There was a woman in front of me knitting and I was reminded that my dear friend Leah Petersen isn\u2019t here this year\u2026<\/span><\/p>\n

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5:24 AM 07\/12\/13 (Friday Morning)<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n

The cats have woken both the missus and I up. \u00a0She\u2019s getting ready for work and I\u2019m updating the blog.<\/span><\/p>\n

Today, is of course, the first FULL day of ReaderCON. \u00a0Last night was the primer\u2014two hours of free-to-the-public programming. \u00a0Multiple readings and panels offered up to wet the appetite and to get people in \u201cCon mode\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\"khaaaan\"As opposed to \u201cKHAAAAAAAAAAN!\u201d Mode. Um. \u00a0Ahem.<\/span><\/p>\n

Forgive me, it was a late night.<\/span><\/p>\n

Thursday evening started off scary. \u00a0The old Irish pub\u2014a mainstay of ReaderCON\u2019s over the years\u2014was closed for renovations. \u00a0I could almost hear the ominous organ chords of an old timey horror flick playing in the background.<\/span><\/p>\n

Where once had been a lobby along with the pub, now a bare white wall with a \u201cpardon our appearance whilst we screw with ReaderCON\u201d banner stood.<\/span>
\nI exaggerated that last bit. \u00a0Nobody uses \u201cwhilst\u201d anymore.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0\u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 Pictured: Angels Weeping<\/span><\/p>\n

\"2013-07-11_19.41.56\"<\/span><\/p>\n

Anyway, I went to the restaurant, which thankfully has its own little bar, and had a quick drink before attending my first panel.<\/span><\/p>\n

Have You Seen Me?: The Absent Children of Urban Fantasy<\/strong><\/span>
\nToni L. P. Kelner, Shira Lipkin (leader), Natalie Luhrs, Veronica Schanoes, Romie Stott.<\/em><\/span><\/p>\n

Sitting in the first row, I could hear and see the excitement for this panel as I arrived a few minutes early. \u00a0I especially wanted to listen to this discussion as children characters were in The Prodigal\u2019s Foole and they play a role in the next book along with the future of the series. \u00a0I don\u2019t remember if it was Shira who mentioned something about rum first, with Veronica adding \u201cwith something sweet,\u201d \u00a0but I found myself on an entertaining mission to find both rum and coke for a panel of five beautiful and intelligent writers.<\/span><\/p>\n

I missed the first half of the panel, which was sad\u2014but scored a bottle of Bacardi and a two-liter Coke and placed it on the table for the team.<\/span>
\n\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Without missing a beat, the ladies poured while continuing the discussion.<\/span><\/p>\n

\"2013-07-11_19.58.11\"The Q&A commentary was already in full swing, and it ranged from Grimm\u2019s original tales through to a discussion of the new child actor rules impacting how we perceive children on TV. My personal take is that children are used\u2014in many instances as a plot device to ratchet up the tension, as a red herring or as a \u2018hand-off\u2019 for the next generation. \u00a0I have a different set of plans for the \u201cHell-spawn\u201d children rescued in my first book.<\/span><\/p>\n

A very relaxed and professional panel that was fun to participate in.<\/span><\/p>\n

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\"2013-07-11_21.05.28\"The Nuances of POV<\/strong><\/span>
\nJohn Chu, Eileen Gunn, James Patrick Kelly (moderator), Darrell Schweitzer, John Stevens.<\/em><\/span><\/p>\n

I have a conundrum.<\/span><\/p>\n

I want to write a book from completely different points of view. \u00a0The Arcana Chronicles is a first person series told from the Symon Bryson\u2019s perspective. \u00a0However, I want to use a plot device where we hear Symon\u2019s thoughts, but also hear the titular character\u2019s thoughts from my protagonist\u2019s perspective. \u00a0Can I do a first and third POV novel? \u00a0I settled in next to friend and fellow fantasy author Glenn Skinner to find out.<\/span><\/p>\n

And I wasn\u2019t the only one interested in this panel. \u00a0Yves Meynard was there (we exchanged greetings\u2014he is one of the nicest people I\u2019ve met at the con) as were dozens of other participants.<\/span><\/p>\n

Including Scott Edelman, who missed his first ReaderCON ever last year. \u00a0But I\u2019ll get back to Scott in a moment.<\/span>
\nThis panel was suggested by John Stevens and PHD candidate Meriah Crawford (who was unable to attend). \u00a0Meriah is actually finishing her thesis on Point of View, so I was expecting strong opinions.<\/span><\/p>\n

Back to Scott. \u00a0Jim Kelly (who was in great form) used Scott as the example in discussions mostly around first and third person. \u00a0The panel agreed rather quickly that, while in use, second person is a rare device used in writing today.<\/span><\/p>\n

Although the premise of this panel states \u201cWhen writing genre fiction, many authors begin with the approach that first-person point of view (POV) is useful for horror and heroic quests to bring immediacy to the story; third-person is necessary for epic world-building; and second-person is too confusing and best avoided.\u201d \u00a0Although the last point was basically agreed to\u2014they rejected the statements about first and third person except to say that those perspectives are expected in that genre.<\/span>
\n\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

I was at first heartened to hear that a couple of the panel members started in one point of view then switched mid-manuscript. \u00a0But that was a change that impacted the entire story. \u00a0Although Tolkien used something called \u2018third person omniscient\u2019 allowing him to (rather successfully) head-hop, no one really recommended changing POV. \u00a0The advice I received was basically \u201ctry it and see.\u201d \u00a0Perhaps this explains my struggles with The Young Practitioner.<\/span><\/p>\n

\"2013-07-11_21.05.41\"<\/span><\/p>\n

Two panels behind me, Glenn and I shared a drink in the bar and discussed both our works in progress. \u00a0Glenn\u2019s WIP (Book 5 of The Keya Quests) is building and realizing what\u2019s been built before. It\u2019s exciting stuff as he was kind enough to send me the first four in the series which I devoured (Yes, I know Glenn. \u00a0I owe you a couple of reviews).<\/span><\/p>\n

On the way out, we ran into Shira Lipkin who was in process of sharing the rum I\u2019d purchased for her with a group of friends. \u00a0I ended up staying an hour or so longer than expected\u2014enjoying conversations about family, children, life and of course laughing until tears streamed from my eyes.<\/span><\/p>\n

And now I need to find the anthology I have that has one of Shira\u2019s short stories\u2026I know it\u2019s around here somewhere.<\/span><\/p>\n

Seems like the lack of the old pub won\u2019t impact the fun after all.<\/span><\/p>\n

Peace<\/span><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

  CLOSING NOTES: Below you’ll find my annual ReaderCON post…it’s a bit disjointed and there are typos everywhere. \u00a0I’d start at the bottom of the post and work your way […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":4,"featured_media":373,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"site-sidebar-layout":"default","site-content-layout":"","ast-site-content-layout":"","site-content-style":"default","site-sidebar-style":"default","ast-global-header-display":"","ast-banner-title-visibility":"","ast-main-header-display":"","ast-hfb-above-header-display":"","ast-hfb-below-header-display":"","ast-hfb-mobile-header-display":"","site-post-title":"","ast-breadcrumbs-content":"","ast-featured-img":"","footer-sml-layout":"","theme-transparent-header-meta":"","adv-header-id-meta":"","stick-header-meta":"","header-above-stick-meta":"","header-main-stick-meta":"","header-below-stick-meta":"","astra-migrate-meta-layouts":"default","ast-page-background-enabled":"default","ast-page-background-meta":{"desktop":{"background-color":"var(--ast-global-color-4)","background-image":"","background-repeat":"repeat","background-position":"center center","background-size":"auto","background-attachment":"scroll","background-type":"","background-media":"","overlay-type":"","overlay-color":"","overlay-opacity":"","overlay-gradient":""},"tablet":{"background-color":"","background-image":"","background-repeat":"repeat","background-position":"center center","background-size":"auto","background-attachment":"scroll","background-type":"","background-media":"","overlay-type":"","overlay-color":"","overlay-opacity":"","overlay-gradient":""},"mobile":{"background-color":"","background-image":"","background-repeat":"repeat","background-position":"center center","background-size":"auto","background-attachment":"scroll","background-type":"","background-media":"","overlay-type":"","overlay-color":"","overlay-opacity":"","overlay-gradient":""}},"ast-content-background-meta":{"desktop":{"background-color":"var(--ast-global-color-5)","background-image":"","background-repeat":"repeat","background-position":"center center","background-size":"auto","background-attachment":"scroll","background-type":"","background-media":"","overlay-type":"","overlay-color":"","overlay-opacity":"","overlay-gradient":""},"tablet":{"background-color":"var(--ast-global-color-5)","background-image":"","background-repeat":"repeat","background-position":"center center","background-size":"auto","background-attachment":"scroll","background-type":"","background-media":"","overlay-type":"","overlay-color":"","overlay-opacity":"","overlay-gradient":""},"mobile":{"background-color":"var(--ast-global-color-5)","background-image":"","background-repeat":"repeat","background-position":"center center","background-size":"auto","background-attachment":"scroll","background-type":"","background-media":"","overlay-type":"","overlay-color":"","overlay-opacity":"","overlay-gradient":""}},"footnotes":""},"categories":[16],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-914","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-c40-myblog"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/rbwood.com\/dir\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/914","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/rbwood.com\/dir\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/rbwood.com\/dir\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/rbwood.com\/dir\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/4"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/rbwood.com\/dir\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=914"}],"version-history":[{"count":1,"href":"https:\/\/rbwood.com\/dir\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/914\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":1089,"href":"https:\/\/rbwood.com\/dir\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/914\/revisions\/1089"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/rbwood.com\/dir\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/373"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/rbwood.com\/dir\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=914"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/rbwood.com\/dir\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=914"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/rbwood.com\/dir\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=914"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}