Wednesday, November 08, 2006

World Fantasy Convention

So the big news is that I just went to World Fantasy in Austin, Texas last weekend. I've been considering going to a big con for a few years, and my friend Paul Genesse has been after me to do it, as well.

I have to say that it was one of the best experiences I've had in my writing life. Just being there, with all the great writers and people from the business around, was inspiring. I was able to meet a bunch of great up-and-coming writers, a couple legends, and many quality people who are on the cusp of success.

Being able to talk to big writers like Dennis L. McKiernan, Michael Stackpole, David Coe, Charles DeLint, Tim Waggoner, and Louise Marley was a thrill. They were all so nice and willing to talk to anyone who came around, as well. Watching writers like the aforementioned folks, plus Micheal Moorcock, David Drake, and others on panel discussions was also quite edifying.

To all those people I was able to meet and hang out with, here's a big shout out for your over-all coolness: Brad, Joshua, Sam, Rachel, "E", Kelly, Ken, Jeremy, Jon, Rae, Heather, Holly, Lori, Erick, Julie...there are more, but my brain is still humming with all the people and ideas that shot into it while at the con.

I come away from World Fantasy with the urge to really steam ahead in every direction. Of course, I can't do everything, all at once. My primary goal is to finish the novel I'm working on, "The King Snake" before a convention I'm going to in February. I also want to finish a few short stories I've recently started, as well as making some buff 'n polish moves on "Perishable Goods".

I'm already signed up to go to World Fantasy next year, and I can't imagine not going to any of the future cons, barring some apocalyptic development in my personal life.

I'm so excited about moving my writing to the next level. I'm very mentally energized, though I'm still beat from getting no sleep and going right back to work (and building this site, and...). I hope to get another post in here soon. Take care, everyone.

Patrick M. Tracy

5 comments:

Anonymous said...

Patrick, It's great to see you so fired up! The conference must have been inspiring. Austin's a cool town. I'm looking forward to seeing the stuff that finds its way into this new site.

Anonymous said...

Yo, Patrick:
Nice new digs! Can't wait to see what you do to the place. Keep writing--"The King Snake" sounds so intriguing, I can't wait to read it. I'll link this blog on mine, so maybe you'll get a bit a traffic. That's not to say my blog gets all that much traffic--I just think we writer folk need to stick together.

Patrick M. Tracy said...

Swiftboat,

Thanks for coming over. I'll be posting writing samples as quickly as I can get them prepped and added to the website. I am excited and motivated by the experiences I had at the conference. It's now a matter of applying myself and continuing to move forward.

Kelly,

Thanks for linking to my site! I'll have to return the favor as soon as I get a chance! I should be able to put a sample of King Snake up soon, so you'll be able to get a feel for what it'll be like.

I agree that we have to stick together, and I'll try to steer business back in your direction. Happy writing!

Anonymous said...

Hey, Patrick -- come visit me at my own, brand-spankin' new blog at http://malkatsheva.livejournal.com/

I don't claim to have incredibly fabulous content, but I'll do my best. . .

Rachel

Anonymous said...

I'm so glad that you made it to one of those conferences and that it inspired you. I'm also looking forward to seeing some of your writing on this site. You know that you're one of my favorite adventure/fantasy writers and that I'd buy your books in a heartbeat. Plod on my friend.