On Saturday, I was able to go back to more of the Science Fiction and Fantasy conference. At first, it was just to hear Gail Carson Levin's main address lecture, but then I thought, hmmmm, there's no reason why I can't stay and hang out here a little longer!
So, we did. My 16 year old daughter and me. A little bonding time learning about science fiction and writing!
So, besides Gail (Mrs. Levine? GCL?) we saw Orson Scott Card lecture again on Science Fiction as a Literary Genre.... and we went to two panels, one called The Myth of Writer's Block and one about writing for the Young Adult market.
I don't really consider myself a writer... yet. But maybe there's potential? What does "being a writer" even really mean actually? One thing I know is that I'm fascinated with the process and I'm always wanting to take classes and to try to write stuff. But... it's scary. So I haven't really tried very hard. Anyway, being at this event this past weekend really made me want to try a little harder.
Here's some of the tidbits I gathered:
"Let your stupid ideas come out so your shy, good ideas will be brave enough to come out too!"
"Don't bad-mouth your writing while you're doing it, save the critiquing for later."
"If you don't try it, you'll never find out if you can do it in the first place."
"Ideas are the easy part. If you don't have any ideas, then why be a writer?"
"Don't feel shy about writing in public places."
"Everything is your business. Tell people you're a writer, and they'll answer all your questions."
"Don't worry about what others have already done."
"In fiction, the text is the blueprint the reader uses to create the story in their memory."
"The best NEW writers in science fiction and fantasy are from the YA market."
"In YA books, the writing has to actually be better than that of adult books."
"If you want to be a YA writer, you need to be reading YA books."
Well, I could go on and on. But I'll stop now! Anyway, it was very fun and I can't believe I haven't known about this event in years past. But next year... hopefully I'll be there again!
Sounds like a good time and very informative. I've considered myself a writer since the age of 10, so I think all you have to do is think of writing as more than just a hobby is all. Whether you are a published or unpublished writer, as long as you are writing and enjoying it, then you are a writer. Becoming an author is the trickier part...I kind of separate the two.
ReplyDeleteI've been to science fiction conferences here in Ottawa, science fiction conventions that had writing as part of their workshops and talks, but I've never been to a whole conference on SF and F Writing! You are so lucky! I've been writing it for some time too, and haven't had anything published (I haven't tried yet), but I think your other commentator is right - we should write for the fun of it, and if you have some ideas, then just go for it and try writing them. You never know....!
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