One of the many positive fallouts for me, regarding Eastercons, is the renewed interest and focus on my works that I gain. Often this takes the form of mentally digging out some of my older, unfinished, pieces that I've been stuck on and thinking through them again with the goal of getting back to what I'm most interested in, instead of sidetracking myself with other projects.
This year, such renewed attention paid some nice dividends for both a short story and a novel. Without giving too much detail away (you'll have to wait until their published!):
For the short story, in the alternate future genre, I always had an opening page that I quite liked. It set the tone, setting, characters and conflict up well... I just didn't know where it should go from there. This was two years ago now, and finally after Eastercon this year I revisted the story only to hit upon the perfect theme. I even know the ending. Now it just remains to finish writing the thing.
With another long standing novel project, a fairly far future of humanity tale, the 'eureka' moment wasn't as story breaking as with above, but it was significant. With my novels, bits and pieces often fall into place over long periods of time. And this was no different (truth be told, I started this story in 2003!). One small part of the story revolves around a true AI (AGI = artificial general intelligence). I had a backstory and had even written the scene describing the meeting of the AGI with the protagonist. Only... I wasn't conviced. I couldn't justify why my AGI was doing what it was doing. Even to me, my explanation seemed lame at best and cliche at worst. But finally, in the week after Eastercon, the pieces came together and I came up with what I think is an interesting, credible reason that fits well with the backstory.
Two story problems resolved in one week. Thank you Eastercon (and thank you family, for giving my some piece by visiting the inlaws that week). They're little victories, but they're still victories.
Insight and longevity.
Monday, April 22, 2013
Wednesday, April 17, 2013
Eastercon Blog-a-day 4: Debut Authors
Day 4, the final day of Eastercon 2013. There wasn't much interesting on the final day, so rather than the hastle of dragging my luggage, and all my artwork, around for the sake of seeing one panel discussion, I left for home early.
Those of you who are particular astute ( ;-) ) will notice that I'm writing this from a little in the future, as I found myself unable to properly complete my 1-a- day blogs from Eastercon. The benefit of time and separation, however, is clarity and, in this particular case, the clarity of knowing which part of the 2013 Eastercon experience stayed with me the most.
Overall, the 2013 Eastercon was a much more positive experience than I had anticipated going in to it. On the personal side, I feel I cracked the art show wall by managed to sell four of my desktop acrylics (more sales than my previous total combined sales at the last four Eastercons). My Eastercon showings in the future will, therefore, consist of a few canvases with mainly small 3D artwork like desktop acrylics, magic mugs, laptop skins, etc. I have also begun to feel a little more like I belong. this may sound weird to anyone who's not attended a con, but they do come across as a bit cliche-ey, which is even more off-putting for an introvert like myself. But I think largely due to feeling more a part of the artshow, I came away with a sense that I'm starting to belong to this Eastercon thing. Now, if only there was a way of socializing at these things that didn't involve alcohol.
Overall, however, the most positive single feature of the Eastercon for me was the debut author panel moderated by Bella Pagan (commissioning Editor of Tor UK). Put a group of five authors who have recently had their first novel published, in a room with an audience full of hopefuls and there's got to be a positive vibe. Even moreso since I've known of several of the debut authors for a few years now. To see them finally get their work out there was a very positive experience.
For the record, and because you should read their stuff (I am), the debut authors and their books are:
Francis Knight: Fade to Black (Orbit Books)
Stephanie Saulter: Gemsigns (Jo Fletcher Books)
Emma Newman: Between Two Thorns (Angry Robot)
Adrian Faulkner: The Four Realms (Anarchy Books)
Naomi Foyle: Seoul Survivors (Jo Fletcher Books)
Even now, weeks after Eastercon, I'm still left with the afterglow of that event. Things I've learned or had reconfirmed from listening to the authors are:
1) the notion of the 10 year 'overnight' success. i.e no one is really an overnight success. Everyone has worked hard and paid their dues.
2) There is no secret to cracking the market except writing a good book. Which often means writing a lot of mediocre ones first.
3) There are no shortcuts, but there are many different paths to full authorhood (and self-published fiction still doesn't count. Hint: generally much worse editing/critiquing than traditional published work).
But the best advice I came away with regarding my own career was to (1) have a plan. This includes not only structure for writing, but specifically, a plan of attack, so to speak, for your approach to getting published. I could simply be to shop the story around for 2 years and then self-publish if unsuccessful at getting an agent. Or it could be to start on the next book while shopping the first around. I could be to network like crazy, because word of mouth still works. Whatever it is, you need a plan. Number (2) comes about naturally from the other points mentioned. Namely, work on a project you believe in. Because you're not going to want to put in the kind of time and energy required if you don't believe in what you're writing.
So, largely because of this Eastercon, I've had my interest and focus renewed. Moreover, it's convinced me to approach my writing with a purpose, a structure, and specific goals.
Now to get to it.
Insight and longevity.
Those of you who are particular astute ( ;-) ) will notice that I'm writing this from a little in the future, as I found myself unable to properly complete my 1-a- day blogs from Eastercon. The benefit of time and separation, however, is clarity and, in this particular case, the clarity of knowing which part of the 2013 Eastercon experience stayed with me the most.
Overall, the 2013 Eastercon was a much more positive experience than I had anticipated going in to it. On the personal side, I feel I cracked the art show wall by managed to sell four of my desktop acrylics (more sales than my previous total combined sales at the last four Eastercons). My Eastercon showings in the future will, therefore, consist of a few canvases with mainly small 3D artwork like desktop acrylics, magic mugs, laptop skins, etc. I have also begun to feel a little more like I belong. this may sound weird to anyone who's not attended a con, but they do come across as a bit cliche-ey, which is even more off-putting for an introvert like myself. But I think largely due to feeling more a part of the artshow, I came away with a sense that I'm starting to belong to this Eastercon thing. Now, if only there was a way of socializing at these things that didn't involve alcohol.
Overall, however, the most positive single feature of the Eastercon for me was the debut author panel moderated by Bella Pagan (commissioning Editor of Tor UK). Put a group of five authors who have recently had their first novel published, in a room with an audience full of hopefuls and there's got to be a positive vibe. Even moreso since I've known of several of the debut authors for a few years now. To see them finally get their work out there was a very positive experience.
For the record, and because you should read their stuff (I am), the debut authors and their books are:
Francis Knight: Fade to Black (Orbit Books)
Stephanie Saulter: Gemsigns (Jo Fletcher Books)
Emma Newman: Between Two Thorns (Angry Robot)
Adrian Faulkner: The Four Realms (Anarchy Books)
Naomi Foyle: Seoul Survivors (Jo Fletcher Books)
Even now, weeks after Eastercon, I'm still left with the afterglow of that event. Things I've learned or had reconfirmed from listening to the authors are:
1) the notion of the 10 year 'overnight' success. i.e no one is really an overnight success. Everyone has worked hard and paid their dues.
2) There is no secret to cracking the market except writing a good book. Which often means writing a lot of mediocre ones first.
3) There are no shortcuts, but there are many different paths to full authorhood (and self-published fiction still doesn't count. Hint: generally much worse editing/critiquing than traditional published work).
But the best advice I came away with regarding my own career was to (1) have a plan. This includes not only structure for writing, but specifically, a plan of attack, so to speak, for your approach to getting published. I could simply be to shop the story around for 2 years and then self-publish if unsuccessful at getting an agent. Or it could be to start on the next book while shopping the first around. I could be to network like crazy, because word of mouth still works. Whatever it is, you need a plan. Number (2) comes about naturally from the other points mentioned. Namely, work on a project you believe in. Because you're not going to want to put in the kind of time and energy required if you don't believe in what you're writing.
So, largely because of this Eastercon, I've had my interest and focus renewed. Moreover, it's convinced me to approach my writing with a purpose, a structure, and specific goals.
Now to get to it.
Insight and longevity.
Eastercon Blog-a-day 3: Art show
Day 3 of Eastercon 2013 and the main event (for me) is the art show. If you're a connie and haven't seen it... why not?
A nice show this year. Not quite as many biggies as there have been in recent past shows, but some nice work on display nevertheless. Personal favourites at the show were Jim Burns, Andy Bigwood and Chris 'Fangorn' Baker, but there were many others worth mention also.
The auction is held from noon 'til 2pm Sunday and, after the first year, I haven't attended. Maybe it's a case of nerves, maybe I just prefer knowing all the details at once so the excitement or disappointment is over quick, like ripping a bandage off.
Since I'd not sold much in the previous Eastercons, I changed strategy this year. With all the big name competition for selling canvases at this particular con, I decided to focus my attention on smaller items. This year it was desktop acrylic pics. There are several companies that make them and they turn out quite nice. I brought nine different images and set them at the take-home price of £15.
Checking back after the post-auction chaos had settled, I was pleasantly surprised to learn that four of them had sold. Even more pleasant was the knowledge that three of them had multiple bids. This latter bit, for me, is the real measure of worth because it means there's not just someone buying a piece on a whim, but people are actually willing to compete for it.
So, until my artwork becomes more well know at least, I think I've developed a useful strategy for selling at Eastercon. Now it's just up to me to keep learning, improving and making quality pieces that are interesting and inspiring.
Insight and longevity.
A nice show this year. Not quite as many biggies as there have been in recent past shows, but some nice work on display nevertheless. Personal favourites at the show were Jim Burns, Andy Bigwood and Chris 'Fangorn' Baker, but there were many others worth mention also.
The auction is held from noon 'til 2pm Sunday and, after the first year, I haven't attended. Maybe it's a case of nerves, maybe I just prefer knowing all the details at once so the excitement or disappointment is over quick, like ripping a bandage off.
Since I'd not sold much in the previous Eastercons, I changed strategy this year. With all the big name competition for selling canvases at this particular con, I decided to focus my attention on smaller items. This year it was desktop acrylic pics. There are several companies that make them and they turn out quite nice. I brought nine different images and set them at the take-home price of £15.
Checking back after the post-auction chaos had settled, I was pleasantly surprised to learn that four of them had sold. Even more pleasant was the knowledge that three of them had multiple bids. This latter bit, for me, is the real measure of worth because it means there's not just someone buying a piece on a whim, but people are actually willing to compete for it.
So, until my artwork becomes more well know at least, I think I've developed a useful strategy for selling at Eastercon. Now it's just up to me to keep learning, improving and making quality pieces that are interesting and inspiring.
Insight and longevity.
Saturday, March 30, 2013
Eastercon blog-a-day 2: Colonizing Mars
Just another day for you, you and me in Eastercon.
A number of interesting panel discussions today, but I've selected some interesting insights from one called:
Building a Mars Constitution
This panel discussion was, no doubt, instigated by the fairly recent announcements by Space X founder that they are drafting plans for a Martian colony with flights to start in the early 2020's. The idea we were encouraged to discuss was, what would a Martian constitution involve.
The session started with a description of constitutions and a bit of a rant against the US constitution and why the Magna Carta was better. Whatever. This was to set the stage for the idea that we would need a democracy, and one that probably started early on in the existence of the colony, so that it would set the ground work for structuring the entire colony's future.
As such a discussion is want to do, it degenerated numerous times, into mini-conversations on such tangents as primary vs. secondary colonists, how to construct a Martian colony, the moon is more practical unless we intend to teraform Mars, radiation and other biological considerations, and many more.
One of the more interesting asides to me was on how the colonists would be selected, and how the colony social structure would evolve. e.g. would there be drug dealers, prostitutes and police and if so, how soon? I found it especially interesting because it highlights the ideas that people have about society and how the real vs. ideal perceptions.
For example, one panelist was convinced that a starter colony of engineers and scientists would be an ideal colony of people that would be the best and most dedicated of humanity and, apparently, could not succumb to human weaknesses. He seemed to find it impossible to believe that such a colony would develop, e.g. their own drugs, or prostitution.
Apparently, some people have never met scientists or engineers.
Fortunately, most of the audience was somewhat more world-wise and we were pretty unanimous in our agreement that, when you leave scientists alone for several years with nothing to do for recreation, these highly skilled and capable people will make their own drugs and other recreational activities.
In short, while we may like to imagine nice, sterile, research colonies. The truth is that, if people are stuck there for the rest of their lives, they will create their own recreation with what they have available, and that Schwarzenegger's Total Recall is not that unlikely.
Insight and longevity.
A number of interesting panel discussions today, but I've selected some interesting insights from one called:
Building a Mars Constitution
This panel discussion was, no doubt, instigated by the fairly recent announcements by Space X founder that they are drafting plans for a Martian colony with flights to start in the early 2020's. The idea we were encouraged to discuss was, what would a Martian constitution involve.
The session started with a description of constitutions and a bit of a rant against the US constitution and why the Magna Carta was better. Whatever. This was to set the stage for the idea that we would need a democracy, and one that probably started early on in the existence of the colony, so that it would set the ground work for structuring the entire colony's future.
As such a discussion is want to do, it degenerated numerous times, into mini-conversations on such tangents as primary vs. secondary colonists, how to construct a Martian colony, the moon is more practical unless we intend to teraform Mars, radiation and other biological considerations, and many more.
One of the more interesting asides to me was on how the colonists would be selected, and how the colony social structure would evolve. e.g. would there be drug dealers, prostitutes and police and if so, how soon? I found it especially interesting because it highlights the ideas that people have about society and how the real vs. ideal perceptions.
For example, one panelist was convinced that a starter colony of engineers and scientists would be an ideal colony of people that would be the best and most dedicated of humanity and, apparently, could not succumb to human weaknesses. He seemed to find it impossible to believe that such a colony would develop, e.g. their own drugs, or prostitution.
Apparently, some people have never met scientists or engineers.
Fortunately, most of the audience was somewhat more world-wise and we were pretty unanimous in our agreement that, when you leave scientists alone for several years with nothing to do for recreation, these highly skilled and capable people will make their own drugs and other recreational activities.
In short, while we may like to imagine nice, sterile, research colonies. The truth is that, if people are stuck there for the rest of their lives, they will create their own recreation with what they have available, and that Schwarzenegger's Total Recall is not that unlikely.
Insight and longevity.
Eastercon Blog-A-Day 1: writing aliens
Why is it so difficult to write believable Aliens?
Firstly, I'm aware that this should have been prepared yesterday and that, technically, today is day 2 of the EightSquared Eastercon 2013. But, well, anyone who's been to a con knows what day one is like. 'nuff said.
Anyway, this Eastercon is no different from most in that they feature a program stream for writers, and day one had a panel discussion on that writers' bugbear of characterization. This is something non-trivial and deserves a post or many on it's own, but I'm going to leave you to do that research for yourselves. In very brief, the most important part of characterization is making your characters believable. This is not only to lend credibility to your story, but so that your readers can relate to your characters.
At the end of the session, one woman asked how you write aliens (implying intelligent aliens) because she had some in the book she was writing. The unanimous answer was "I don't". Or, if they were used, it was only to serve a plot purpose, not as full characters in their own rights. If one looks at aliens in literature, this is the general way they are dealt with (just think of that lovable Spock, who represents the pure logical, emotion-suppressed version of humanity).
So, why is this the case?
In brief, because, it most people seem to forget that aliens are, well, alien. In other words, it's not only their biology and culture that will be different, but their very thinking itself. So, first off, trying to imagine a completely alien thinking is incredibly difficult. Imagine different ideas of relationships, different thoughts of what may be important to life, different ideas of jobs or economy, or socio-political heirarchy. And all this with only humans as a sample set. Then, if you successfully manage, you have the challenge of conveying that to your reader, remembering that they've had much less time thinking about it then you have.
If you don't believe me on how hard it is, try it. I challenge you to create a truly alien alien. Once you do, have a close look. Are you sure your alien isn't just some caricature of humanity, some creature that highlights you most or least favourite human trait?
This is precisely why virtually all fictional aliens are intentional caricatures. Because, with a sample set of precisely ZERO aliens to use as examples, a caricature is the best fictional use of an alien.
But I'd still love to see your attempts, so feel free to drop them in the comments.
Insight and longevity.
Firstly, I'm aware that this should have been prepared yesterday and that, technically, today is day 2 of the EightSquared Eastercon 2013. But, well, anyone who's been to a con knows what day one is like. 'nuff said.
Anyway, this Eastercon is no different from most in that they feature a program stream for writers, and day one had a panel discussion on that writers' bugbear of characterization. This is something non-trivial and deserves a post or many on it's own, but I'm going to leave you to do that research for yourselves. In very brief, the most important part of characterization is making your characters believable. This is not only to lend credibility to your story, but so that your readers can relate to your characters.
At the end of the session, one woman asked how you write aliens (implying intelligent aliens) because she had some in the book she was writing. The unanimous answer was "I don't". Or, if they were used, it was only to serve a plot purpose, not as full characters in their own rights. If one looks at aliens in literature, this is the general way they are dealt with (just think of that lovable Spock, who represents the pure logical, emotion-suppressed version of humanity).
So, why is this the case?
In brief, because, it most people seem to forget that aliens are, well, alien. In other words, it's not only their biology and culture that will be different, but their very thinking itself. So, first off, trying to imagine a completely alien thinking is incredibly difficult. Imagine different ideas of relationships, different thoughts of what may be important to life, different ideas of jobs or economy, or socio-political heirarchy. And all this with only humans as a sample set. Then, if you successfully manage, you have the challenge of conveying that to your reader, remembering that they've had much less time thinking about it then you have.
If you don't believe me on how hard it is, try it. I challenge you to create a truly alien alien. Once you do, have a close look. Are you sure your alien isn't just some caricature of humanity, some creature that highlights you most or least favourite human trait?
This is precisely why virtually all fictional aliens are intentional caricatures. Because, with a sample set of precisely ZERO aliens to use as examples, a caricature is the best fictional use of an alien.
But I'd still love to see your attempts, so feel free to drop them in the comments.
Insight and longevity.
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