Convention musings

I spent the better part of this weekend at Baycon, a local science fiction convention, and I've been thinking about this phenomenon of sf/f conventions. Once upon a time, I suppose, a group of fans thought it a fine thing to get together and talk about their favorite books. And invite their favorite authors to speak. And have a room of sellers of books and jewelry, swords and costumes. And hold a masquerade. A Regency dance. A benefit auction. A concert. A writing workshop. Late night parties.

Readings and panels and autographs, oh my! We'll need a hotel to hold us all -- no, a convention center!

Of course, "the convention phenomenon" did not come about in exactly this way. It evolved along many diverse paths, and each con has its own flavor. Some focus more on books, others on media (film) or graphic novels or anime or serious literary and political discussion. I picked up an ad for "GeekGirlCon," whose goal -- loosely paraphrased -- is the support of women in all aspects of the sciences and science fiction. Cons can vary from year to year. Things can go spectacularly right, or just as spectacularly wrong, with the hotel, the guests, the organization, the programming, the economy.

And now a word...

A sleepy and frazzled hello to you all. I've been commuting to Baycon, "over the hill" in San Jose. While this makes good financial sense, it adds an hour of mostly mountain-road driving each way. So, despite my best intentions, I remain blog-impaired. Fear not, loyal friends, I will compose a con report as soon as the fog clears, the sleepy-time has been restored to balance, and yoga has been achieved.

Until then, play nice!

Holding Forth on Nothing: Giving "Good Panel" at Conventions

Just about every writer I know goes through moments of excruciating self-doubt. When these moments give rise to thoughts along the lines of, "I have no idea how to write. Up until now, it's all been smoke and mirrors and luck, but now that's gone and everyone will find out I've been faking it," that's called The Imposter Syndrome. I've run across it in public appearances as well.

Every time I fill out a programming questionnaire for a convention, I experience a moment of panic. I look at the writing/genre/literary topics and think, "I don't know a thing about any of this." My mind goes totally blank. What would I have to contribute? It's usually fairly easy to talk myself through that moment, to reassure myself that I do, indeed know a thing or two about writing and editing, creating characters and pitching books. Thanks to Book View Cafe, I even know a thing or two about publishing ebooks.

Then I look at the science panels. "I really don't know a thing! And what I do know, I've remembered wrong." Which is ridiculous because although I may not be current on all the cutting-edge discoveries in every single field, I do have a solid background in the biological sciences and medicine. This feeling of incompetence is not rational. It's based on the expectation that I should be an expert on everything. As soon as I demand that of myself, I throw away my strengths and depend on my weaknesses.

Meet You At Baycon?

If you'll be in San Jose over Memorial Day weekend, come join the fun at Baycon! Here's my schedule:

Friday, May 27  2:30 PM Writing Rituals: Conventions can be great places to get re-energized as a writer -- or can be distractions. It's a great time to re-think (and perhaps try some new) writing rituals. Panelists discuss some of their favorites.
      
Friday, May 27  8:00 PM Meet-the-Guests Reception: Come meet the Master of the Carnivale, BayCon 2011 Chairman Robert Toland. Mingle with our guests as our Toastmaster Martin Young regales us with interesting anecdotes and introduces our Guests of Honor.

Saturday, May 28 10:00 AM Book View Cafe: Book View Cafe started as a cooperative to make the authors' out-of-print books from major houses available to a new generation of readers, but it's since expanded to original publishing. Book View Cafe members talk about the cooperative.
      
Sunday, May 29  4:00 PM Themed Reading: Science Fiction: Come listen to two of our authors read from their science fiction works. 

I'm not sure what I'll read; depending on time, maybe "The Price of Silence" or "Mother Africa," both of which earned Honorable Mention in The Year's Best SF. Any requests?