WorldCon in the Reaview Mirror

 

With WorldCon disappearing in the distance it’s time to take a moment to reminisce, Wonder Year’s style. Cue the music. Roll tape.

This was my second time at the Con of Cons, and while I enjoyed my time last year in Chicago, San Antonio just floored me. The panels were lively, the authors lovely—in addition to well-oiled, vis-a-vis some stupendous parties—and the Hugo Awards engaging and inspirational.

You learn a lot at a con, be it World Science Fiction or otherwise. You get more advice than you can possibly carry back. Sometimes it conflicts, which doesn’t help the headache, but  there’s a certain poetry in the discordance.

Here’s a snippet of what’s been jabbering in my head the drive back:

• Describe two things in a room and move the fuck on. (Thank you Jack McDevitt.)
• From the panel on Scaring Your Reader—it’s impossible to write a jump-scare. Unless you do, and then you win all the twinkies.
• When eating bugs for free books, don’t start with the dung beetle.
• If you’re thinking about banning Judy Bloom, stop and ask why.
• Magic doesn’t require physics, but it does require internal logic. And airships.
• Brandon Sanderson will let you touch his Hugo if you dress in a suit.
• If people keep removing themselves from Hugo consideration, the only one left will be me.
• Regarding werewolves and vampires—we can continue to write werewolves as long as they have a dapper fashion sense.  (Courtesy of a poorly paraphrased Charlaine Harris).
• If you’re going to the only panel with Hugh Howey, plan on standing.
• If you want to know more about epublishing, either corner Hugh Howey or find your information online.
• People like Hugh Howey. A lot.

And I could keep going , but I need to silence the jabbermonkey’s and get to writing. I can’t wait to see what WorldCon will bring to London next year.

Were you one of the “misfit toys” at WorldCon this year? What did you think?