Armadillo Con 31

What sets the annual Armadillo Con in Austin, Texas apart from most genre conventions? Well, it is a literary convention, targeted toward writers looking to learn and share their experiences. You won’t find very many people in costumes (other than tacky Hawaiian shirts, of course!) and there are no odd-ball beauty contests, like for the Best Rendition of a Storm Trooper in a Leather Bikini. No, it’s all about improving your craft and meeting the professionals.

One of the most important aspects for me, was the annual Writer’s Workshop. Here, a group of novice writers are exposed to seasoned professionals who share their experiences and techniques. I want to publicly acknowledge this year’s coordinators, Stina Leicht and Melissa Tyler. They did a marvelous job of running the workshop and procuring a really top-flight panel of judges, including Jim Frenkel (a Senior Editor with Tor Books), majorly talented authors like Scott Lynch (“The Lies of Lock Lamora”), Patrice Sarath (“Gordath Woods”), Sharon Shinn (“Samaria” and “Twelve Houses” series), and other notables like Matthew Bey (local Austin writer and editor of the print magazine “Space Squid”) and Nancy Hightower, who is not only an author (“Devouring Winter” ), but also teaches college courses about writing. There were many more, so here is a link to the total list of instructors.

After a morning session of discussion, Scott Lynch held a great game where people would be picked out to construct a story based upon statements from a previous contestant. The stories built up nicely, until some editorial comments were thrown in like “add a talking beagle to your plot”. It was hilarious!

After lunch, we all broke up into separate groups to critique stories we had brought to the Workshop. There were five or six novices and two professional writers in each group. Our group had Sharon Shinn and Patrice Sarath. There were some amazing stories in our group! (Mine will be amazing once I get that pesky Point of View thing sorted out!) The critiques themselves were excellent and very beneficial. The workshop alone was worth the cost of the whole Con.

After the Workshop, the convention officially opened. Kim Antell gave a great talk on what to expect at the Con, and Scott Bobo mixed some really mad martini’s.

The panels at the Con were an amazing mix. Everything from City Building and Using Softer Sciences in Genre Fiction, to Why Do They Keep Canceling My Shows? One of the best panels was an explanation of Texas as both a place and an idea; Elizabeth Moon, Joe Landsdale, Howard Waldrop, Scott Cupp, Neil Barrett Jr. and Lou Antonelli took us deep into what we call Texas Weird.

There were also lots of author readings. My favorites were Rob Rodgers reading from his newest endeavor, Fort Dire and James P Hogan, reading from his new novel coming out next year.

Speaking of James P. Hogan, I spent a delightful time talking to him and his wife Sheryl. I have been reading his works since the early seventies, and have them on my list as perennial re-reads. He told some great stories about his life and the publishing industry. We also shared funny stories from our respective careers in the computer industry. His reading was especially enjoyable; his dry wit, humor and delivery dovetailed nicely with the segments he read.

I was also able to spend a little bit of time with Guest of Honor Scott Lynch. He is such an open and engaging individual, with lots of energy. Expect great things from this guy!

One of the great things about this Con is the ability to just sit and chat with authors from near and far. Exchanging ideas, funny stories and getting lots of advice from people who have been through it all adds a special zest to your evening!

I want to thank the Con Committee for a wonderful job. See you next year!

I am NOT David Weber (although I could probably play him on TV)...

I had one very interesting moment at the Con. I was at a hospitality suite talking to someone when this guy comes from out of nowhere and starts talking to me like we've spent the day together. Then he asks me "What are you requirements to be a Guest at our local convention?" Now, my Plank Time reflexes kicked in. All movement in the room slowed down and took on a reddish hue; convesations dropped to such a deep rumble, I couldn't understand anything. In this altered state my mind raced; "How does this guy know me? How did he know my first short story will be published in a brand new magazine that will come out in June?" I figured something wasn't quite right, but who was I to spit in Murphy's eye? I dropped back into normal mode; Everyone sped up and lost their reddish hue, and I could understand the conversations again. I look this guy dead in the eye (which was kind of painful, because he was well over six feet tall, while I barely top out at five foot and ten inches) and said "Well, my requirements are... (drumroll please!) JUST ASK ME!" He smiled and glanced down at my name tag. I watched a look of embarrased horror crawl across his face. He took a step back and said "Oh my God! I'm so sorry! You're not..."

I sighed and said, "No, I'm not David Weber, but I guess I do look a bit like him." So much for my picosecond of glory! After having met David Weber I decided there was more than just a passing resemblance. We both are big guys with shaved heads. We both wear glasses and we both sport small goatee's and perenially have a Blue Tooth Headset welded to our ears. The most obvious difference between us is that he is a New York Times best-selling author of over forty novels. with over five million books in print. And I am none of these things (YET!!!!) I guess it's time to update my picture so this will make more sense...

ConDFW 2009 was great!

Had a great weekend in Dallas attending the ConDFW 2009. It was an excellent conference; there were tons of panels on a wide variety of subjects. They ranged from Space Warfare 101 (with David Weber) to Comedy Trends in Science Fiction (with the Four Redheads of the Appocolypse). Of special interest was the panel called "Whodunit?", about adding the mystery element in your writing. Bill Crider and Jim Butcher (The Dresden Files) did a masterful job with lots of advice.

All the panels I attended were informative and lots of fun. Especially the ones that had Selina Rosen, owner of Yarddog Press on them. Yard Dog Press is a small publishing company out of Arkansas that does a great job of publishing talented authors that haven't been noticed by the big houses yet. She always has a funny anecdote or comment, and lots of much-needed advice to spread around. If you ever attend a Con, see if Yard Dog Press is there and say hello.

I really recommend these types of conventions; they are excellent sources of information and encouragement.

Going to ConDFW 2009!

I finished teaching my classes early this month, so I have my weekends free. That let's me go to the ConDFW 2009 in Dallas this weeked. This is a literary Con that focuses on the writing of my chosen genre' (Science Fiction, Fantasy and Horror). There wil be lots of panels and great panelists that will give me an opportunity to learn how to be a better writer. I urge anybody that wants to write to attend these kinds of conventions. They focus on how to be a better writer and not so much on dressing up like your favorite character. Don't ge me wrong, there is some of that going on, but these kinds of conventions have lots of learning opportunites in them!

What a Year!

Ok, so it's been a while. I spent over a year sick with various physical ailments, mostly heart related. I swear, when I die I'm going to speak to the manufacturer about the warranty I was issued at birth.

I actually had one REALLY good week (health-wise) back in August of 2008. I got to attend the Armadillo Con in Austun. It's not your typical convention crowded with people in costumes; it's a literary convention focuseed on writing in the science fiction, fantasy and horror genre'. I met some wonderful people there and had a chance to speak with one of my favortie authors (Joe Haldeman and his lovely wife Gay) and met a new favortie author, John Scalzi (If you like pants-wetting humor, try his novels "The Android's Dream" and "Agent to the Stars") I also had a chance to meet with many authors and leran of their own trials in getting published. If you can make it, I highly recommend this convention. It will be held on August 14 - 16, 2009 (http://fact.org/dillo/index.html).

I have been finally able to focus on writing the last couple of months, and have several stories almost finished and ready to be critiqued.

One thing I love: In Texas, the concept of winter is just that, a concept. In January it dropped into the 20's at night for a few days. It's now the second week in February and the temps are up into the 60's and 70's during the day and the 40's and 50's at night. New England spent a couple of months dealing with sub-freezing temperatures and massive amounts of snow and ice. I like Texas! :-)