fantastic world

[jazzfish]

Home from World Fantasy in "Toronto[1]." Tired. Met a few new people, said hi to just about everyone there that I wanted to (did not go up to Charles Vess and say "hi, about a decade ago you gave me a tour of your studio, and that is still one of the awesomest experiences i've had" because I wasn't willing to either stand in line or interrupt him on his way somewhere), went to panels, went to readings, attempted to go to parties and was mostly driven out by the sheer volume in terms of both 'people/square foot' and 'decibel level.'

[1] The actual location (Richmond Hill) was more like a con in Fairfax (City) claiming it's in DC, if Dulles Airport didn't exist. Apparently the way to get to the con from the airport by transit involved three buses and a subway. We just rented a car for the weekend, which turned out to be cheaper than a taxi, less stressful than juggling transit schedules, and a chance to be good samaritans to papersky who took the train in from Montreal and ran into the same problem.

Had some unexpected self-reflection late last night, which in turn gave me a little bit better idea of what I'm looking for out of cons & (maybe) what I need to do to get that. More on that later.

We've acquired a great many books. One of the ways they justify the obscene registration cost is by giving you a backpack full of books as part of the welcome package. Also, in a moment of weakness I accepted a free mass-market copy of The Name Of The Wind, which puts me one step closer to reading it. I blame having heard Rothfuss read from the second book and being entirely taken by the voice. Remains to be seen if this will overcome my reluctance to start an unfinished series.

I've also recognised that nothing kicks my desire to write into high gear like listening to someone giving a good-but-not-great reading. My mind grabs onto neat idea-bits and (since I'm not so good at staying focused on audio, especially by people who don't do the police in different voices) I start drifting into what I could do with those ideas. Sometimes they're where the story's going anyway, sometimes they're not strong enough to support any kind of structure... and sometimes I get one and a half story seeds plus a concept that might be the first novel-length anything that's ever occurred to me. Right now it's just the equivalent of a back-cover blurb. Will poke it a bit and see if anything comes of it.

Next week (that's November 10-17) we'll be in the DC area. So if you're looking to get lunch or dinner or something, let me know. In particular, I have no plans for Memorial Remembrance Armistice Day, though sadly uilos will be in Richmond entertaining family.

Comments

[jpenamelist.livejournal.com]

If you're up for lunch and or hanging out one of those days, let me know! We are out of town through Monday night, and I have classes, but odd blocks of time (during normal people's work days) are free!

[jazzfish]

w00t! Email'd.

[kdsorceress.livejournal.com]

Had some unexpected self-reflection late last night, which in turn gave me a little bit better idea of what I'm looking for out of cons & (maybe) what I need to do to get that. More on that later.

I look forward to reading it!

~Sor

[jazzfish]

The short answer is "I want a tribe, and I need to start actively looking for one, by talking to more than just the tiny handful of people I'm thrown together with." The long answer is, as always, longer, and forthcoming in its own post later this week or maybe next.

[selki.livejournal.com]

Hey, come up tomorrow, if that's what you mean by Armistice Day! We could go for a walk or a bike ride (I have a loaner bike & helmet), or just hang out / play a 2-person game (Awful Green Things from Outer Space?).

[jazzfish]

Alas, shortly after posting I had two competing offers, plus some Obligatory Parent Time. Hope to see you Friday (and Thursday when I come to pick up E), tho!