My Report from Archon

This past weekend I was thrilled to be able to attend the Archon Science Fiction Convention here in the St. Louis area.

I attended mostly the panels focused on writing (big surprise) but I thought I would share some of my thoughts on the experience and give a shout out to some of the folks I met there. The panels were set up with two to three authors in attendance sharing on a particular aspect of writing. For example, Horror and How to Scare Your Audience Half-to-Death or Mundanes and Transhumans, Making Memorable Characters. The writers would open with a discussion among themselves with usually one of them acting as moderator, then the discussion would be opened up to include us, the audience.

As can be expected the quality and content of the presentations varied depending on the authors featured. I want to give special recognition to three authors who made a real impression on me and offered very valuable advise on improving my writing and turning my hobby into a profession.

First, Shirley Damsgaard. Shirley writes cozy mysteries with a paranormal twist. This type of book is more my wife’s cup of tea rather than mine. However, Shirley offered great insight into her process, keeping your writing current, and the realities of life as a writer (you may need to keep your day job for quite sometime). She brought examples from other writers she had met and was patient with every question she was asked.

Second, Angie Fox. Angie has just published her first novel The Accidental Demon Slayer. Her book is a light-hearted adventure with a fantasy and paranormal flavor. She offered the perspective of an author who has just crossed over from the hobbyist to the professional. She shared aspects ranging from how to get in some writing while being a parent of young children to how to lie to your editor and get away with it. She was a fun, and funny in person as her words are on the page. She also showed by example why it is a good idea to purchase an easy to use and assemble easel if you are going to display a large poster board with your cover on it. Angie explained that her husband’s instructions for the easel’s use came with a history lesson covering the origins and storied past of the easels across time immemorial.

And third, E.E. Knight or Eric as he asked us to call him. Eric writes the Vampire Earth series and the Age of Fire series. His experience was the closest to what I aspire to in my writing career. He was willing to share his process, his trials, and his achievements equally in an aviable and easy going manner. I appreciate his good nature, patience, and willingness to share even the smallest detail if he thought is could help.

I want to thank these three writers in particular. Their advise will be cherished and used by this author to be. I can’t measure my appreciation for their contributions to my eventual success. To show my gratitude, I purchase all of their books, including two I had to take out a loan to obtain. The check is in the mail (in case my creditor is reading this). Please keep writing, and I hope it is my good fortune to see you again. Perhaps one day soon, I will be able to join you as the author sharing my advice rather than just receiving it as a newbie.

Advertisement