Myth, the Universe, and Everything

I went to a convention one time where, when a friend sharing the room with several of us woke up, he said, "Can't brain today. I has the dumb." Apparently, he did not make up this phrase, but since he was the first place the rest of us heard it, we attributed it to him.

(Waves @militiajim.)

I had a recharge day today, reading a review book and hanging out with Bug. I have copyediting to tackle, but I spent Saturday cleaning the basement (it oh-so-desperately needed attention) and Sunday writing the first article for a new history column I'll be doing for Patch.com. (The site, Branford Patch, launches the end of the week! I believe my first article goes live on the 22nd -- the column is "The Town with Five Main Streets." You'll see it mentioned here!) I did have a nice break with my friend Leifr on Saturday night, but today I still felt the need to give myself permission to recoup.

And to continue that trend, I'm off to bed. Hopefully, tomorrow I will be good at braining.

I love traveling. I enjoy being in new places and seeing new people (or going to old places and seeing familiar people). Changes of scenery are largely good. But even I have limits, it seems, and I apparently hit them over the weekend. Allow me to paint you a map:

Thursday: Branford to Great Barrington to Branford.
Friday: Branford to Long Island (via ferry) to Brooklyn.
Saturday: Brooklyn to Branford.
Sunday: Branford to Cambridge to Somerville to Branford.

This, my friends, is a lot of time in a car, and not a lot of time being stationery.

As I mentioned in my last post, I had a really excellent time with the students at Simon's Rock on Thursday. The myth conversations that started Thursday managed to continue on through the weekend (largely with banana_pants and lyster, who were kind enough to both listen to my myth geekery and contribute their own right back). banana_pants and I traveled down to Long Island together on Friday to go to I-Con, the science fiction convention that's usually at Stony Brook, but moved this year to be at three locations. The trip down was fine (although rainy), and the mist covering the island when we got there totally gelled with the stories I'd been telling about Manannan and the Isle of Man. (Having to wait an hour and a half in the mist before I could pick up my pre-registered badge was not the height of fun for my weekend, but banana_pants kept me company, and we met up with lyster in line, so the company was excellent. We also had a great time enjoying the parade of costumes and watching Yoshi give Yoshi-back rides to anime characters and other video game stars, including Wario, without prejudice.)

The point of going down to I-Con for me was in part to meet up with the Browncoats of NYC, with whom I've corresponded but not met in person, and largely to see editor Jamie Chambers, who I worked with on Serenity Adventures. Jamie, Cam Banks (also from Margaret Weis Productions), lyster, banana_pants, and I all went out to dinner and talked shop, then headed back over to one of the convention hotels and chatted with a bunch of industry folks before lyster and I headed off to Brooklyn to stay with friends (including a fellow Substrater). Jamie not only filled us in on a lot of cool projects that are upcoming, but introduced us to some folks who have also worked with MWP and White Wolf. (He also got a bit into the myth geek chatter with us; who knew he'd actually written his thesis in college about mythology? There are an awful lot of us myth geeks in gaming...)

Saturday was a short recovery day -- I had work at the library -- before we headed out on Sunday for Mythic Greece, in which our heroes finished their first major quest, delivering little Odysseus to Chiron for study. Now they've been cut loose from their first mission, given to them by the Oracle at Delphi -- only the Fates know what they'll be up to next.

At any rate, I'm mostly recovered now from all the travel and I even turned in some work early for one of my deadlines, so things are pretty well right with the world. How were your weekends?

So, here's the thing about me and conventions.

I go to them. I stay so busy that I have no internet the whole time I'm at them. I come home and I'm either sick or just very sleepy. A new addition to this is that I have some hundred facebook notifications to go through before I'm caught up. The result? It takes me awhile to get back to lj.

But back I am! Anonycon was a wonderful way to spend my weekend, and continues it's status as the most enjoyable convention I go to. It's small, which I think is part of the charm--since this is my third year, the majority of the faces are familiar, and that makes the whole convention feel like a gathering of friends more than a gathering of strangers.

I went expecting to play/run maybe three slots. I'd volunteered to work the desk on Friday and go up early to help unload, which was a great way to start out the convention. Being there early and seeing folks come in meant the crowd grew slowly--and also meant that I got to learn a new board game, Race for the Galaxy, and play a couple hands of Teachu with folks like emilymorgan, banana_pants, banana_plants, and niliphim. It also meant that when there weren't enough players for the first Living Forgotten Realms slot, I was more useful to everyone at a table than at the desk, and I got to bring out Urtog for the first slot of the convention.

Saturday, I expected to play or run maybe two slots, and I started out the day with another LFR game, happily with some of the same people I'd played with the day before, as well as folks who I don't get to game with often enough on the home front. When the second slot came around, I thought I'd be playing again, but it turned out that they were short a judge for LFR. I hadn't actually prepped any adventures, expecting instead to run the last of the Xen'drik modules, but I realized that "Gangs of Wheloon" (by Andrew Schneider) was running, which I'd had the opportunity to run as a playtest months before. Given a little time to prep (and some very patient players, who waited while I looked things over), I got to run that adventure in a completely different way than it had run during the playtest, which was delightful. Hopefully the players had as much fun as I did!

Now sleepy, I had every intention of going back to my room and crashing for the night. I called up Nat Rowe (one of my Dogs in the Vineyard buddies, who'd also been my train buddy and at two of my game tables) and asked where he was going to dinner. Since he and his dinner companions (including hellpossum and lyster, who you may remember from a guest blog entry here last July) were still waiting for a table, they graciously expanded their reservation for me. And so I found myself at dinner with very excellent people with whom I'd corresponded but not previously met, and they very quickly convinced me that I needed to play in a Mutants and Masterminds game with them that evening. Since the time over dinner had quickly convinced me that I would definitely enjoy further adventures among their company, I joined their number as a femme fatale in an Indiana Jones inspired quest for the Spear of Destiny (and had exactly the fun you'd expect from hearing just that much).

Receiving very little sleep that night, I have to confess that I was relieved when I had no players for the Xen'drik slot the next morning. I played some more Race for the Galaxy with banana_pants, had a bottle of Coke, had a coffee delivered to me by the other Indiana Jones gang (who had slept in but heard the sleepiness in my voice when I called to find out what they were up to), and brought Urtog to another table of LFR (happily accompanied by the coffee-bearers). (Yes, you're counting right, that is in fact five games in three days, which is probably a tie for the limits of my gaming stamina--and better yet, I had fun at every table, which is not something I can always report.)

I also had some really great roomies in the hotel, which impacts sleeping in a negative fashion, but definitely enhances the fun of the convention. *waves at emilymorgan, spyscribe, militiajim, and niliphim* So, convention assessment: definitely a fun convention, and I'm already looking forward to next year. In fact, I'm sad that it's already over, because every time someone says Anonycon, I think of this:



And how can you not smile with that in your head?

Even though I've been busy, the reading doesn't stop. Along with what I've read and reviewed for flamesrising, I've picked up a number of od books lately, and tonight finally got around to watching Waitress with Kerri Russell and Nathan Fillion. It may not appeal to everyone, but it's funny and dramatic and accomplishes exactly what it set out to do. I really enjoyed it, and have even more respect now for Andy Griffith than I had previously. (Really, I think he must be a pretty cool man. And even if he's not, I'm going to think that about him.)

As far as books go, I recommend picking up Alcatraz and the Evil Librarians, not because there's actually a conspiracy mind you (not that the librarians with MLAs at my library have informed me of, anyway, though now I'm a little more suspicious of that degree program than I was before). It's just a really fun book, and I think Brandon Sanderson (mistborn) found a great voice for telling the story. Or Alcatraz found a really good agent for dictation in Sanderson. Whichever.

I also recommend picking up Skullduggery Pleasant, which is a fabulous book about alternate societies of wizards and magical creatures told in a very Irish voice, and features absolutely quotable banter. It's really, really entertaining, a little bit scary, and a whole lot of adventure. Oh, and the title character is a talking skeleton. To quote the cover, "And he's the good guy." Definitely excellent stuff.

I'm also back reading Eberron novels (most recently Rise of the Seventh Moon) and am continuously surprised and pleased at the depth of the themes the novels cover. They're not just sword-and-sorcery novels, they're novels with deep moral quandaries, questions of faith, and ethical dilemmas. I don't know if the line was planned that way or if they just had several authors all interested in those themes, but I love how often the deep topics crop up.

On my book stand currently are: Confessions of a Part Time Sorceress by Shelly Mazzanoble, whose articles for Dragon have been excellent; In the Serpent's Coils, which I should have read when it first came out and am just now getting the chance; Persepolis 2 by Marjane Satrapi; Art and Experience in Classical Greece, which may or may not be useful for the upcoming Greece and Turkey trip; and also for the trip, Do Kamo, Saving the Appearances by Barfield, and a children's book of Greek gods that I used to read when I was little. I'll soon be adding the newest Percy Jackson book to that stack as well.

As a quick note, I will be attending I-Con in New York as a patron, in order to see the folks from Margaret Weis Productions (including Lindsay Archer!) while they're in town. If you are also going and have recommendations about things to do/see at the convention, please do send them my way. :)

I'm a victim of the Con Funk. At this point, I should know that it takes me at least a full day (in this case, two) to recover from a weekend convention, because my immune system is run down from lack of proper sleep, and I've been in a large room with a lot of people, several of whom are suffering from colds. So I'm all sorts of run down and incoherent, which is not great for my upcoming deadline...

Aside from that Anonycon was great. It's a wonderful small gaming convention in Southwestern CT that happens in early-to-mid December every year. Of the slots, I played two, ran two, and slept through two. I did my first DM's Mark--which is a cross between a home campaign and a living campaign in some ways. You used the organized play structure, but you create your own adventure for your players. Of course, since it was at a con, there was far less tailoring, but I got to use some fun monsters and my table had a good time.

Since returning, the only think I've actually gotten done was writing up a page of bonus content for Cowboys and Aliens II, for which I really need to get several more done, and a forum entry at Drunk Duck about language use in the Old West, Westerns, and space Westerns. I think it's a nice little post, and if you're at all interested in the way I'm writing dialogue at C&A, I hope you'll give it a look!

Now, back to deadline.

I just saw this on my publisher's website (see jenlyn_b, I'm changing to your way--because it looks better), and thought some folks might be interested.

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Gen Con Indy 2007 for free? Want to hit Gen Con this year with hotel room and badge on someone else’s dime?

You read that right, because from now (March 27, 2007) till July, every time you purchase a copy of The Chronicles of Ramlar Core Rulebook from the White Silver Publishing online store, you are entered into the drawing to win free lodging and admission badge for one at the “Best Four Days in Gaming” known as Gen Con Indy, August 16-19 at Indianapolis, Indiana!

And guess what? You’re eligible too if you buy the Core Rules from your friendly local game shop or bookstore! Simply send us your name, address, e-mail/phone number, plus a photocopy of the actual receipt (clearly shown with the store name and date) for proof, and you’re entered in the drawing. (Please mail entries to GCI Contest, c/o

White Silver Publishing, P.O. Box 2050, McComb, MS 29649.)

For those attending Origins in Columbus, Ohio on July 5-8, as well as any other convention where White Silver Publishing is present, the same offer stands for any purchase of the Core Rules from our booth or official representatives.

All entries must be in by July 10th, when we’ll randomly draw a winner. The winner will have a hotel room and badge paid for for Gen Con Indy 2007, courtesy of White Silver Publishing!

So what are you waiting for? Here’s a chance to pick up a great game and have a shot at a free room and admission into the world’s biggest gaming convention while you’re at it! Think of the extra fun goodies you can pick up at the show with the money you’ll save. Good luck, and we hope to see you at Gen Con!

When sending in your entry form you have agreed to and read the below legal terms regarding this contest.

Legal Stuff: The winner is responsible for own transportation to Gen Con. The prize does NOT include daily expenses such as food, entertainment, event fees, etc., or costs incurred for amenities (such as room service, phone, laundry), upgrades, extended stay beyond 4 days, or anything above the basic room accommodation for a single person. The winner must observe all hotel and convention rules, as well as common courtesy and etiquette for the duration. White Silver Publishing reserves the right to select the hotel (it’ll be one of the nicer ones around the con site, we promise). WSP also holds the rights to interpret all rules for this drawing and to disqualify entries it deemed ineligible for any reason (such as purchases from online discount sites, or illegibility… so make sure you get a readable receipt and print your information clearly!). WSP may use the winner’s name and image for promotional purposes without additional compensation.

The Chronicles of Ramlar fantasy roleplaying game, featuring innovative mechanics such as Momentum and Demeanor/Theme, has received positive reviews on popular gaming sites like RPG.net, Flames Rising, the Secret Identity podcast, and in the Scrye magazine. For more information, please log on to www.whitesilverpublishing.com/ramlar.

Upon reading eriksdb's recent entry about upcoming books he's excited about and plugging, I thought I'd check my amazon and see what releases were coming up. One that was notably not on my wish list (but is now!) is the first book in the new Eberron "Inquisitives" series: Bound by Iron by Edward Bolme. I think I've mentioned before that Ed Bolme is not only an awesome guy (which I know from meeting him at GenCon last year--the same way I know the awesomeness of eriksdb, incidentally), but a great writer.

I'm jealous that he's getting to write in the "Inquisitives" series, which sounds like possibly the most fun shared-world mini-series ever (if you're into the whole private eye pulp mixed-genre stuff like me). But I'm also delighted, because it means they've got someone really good writing for it.

Now, back to that novel I'm supposed to be writing.

It is the day after a convention, and my brain is still in what I'm now calling ConSpace. This is a state of existence that is not coherent, and creates such good ideas as having beans on toast for lunch, getting out the lunch supplies, and making myself a cup of tea instead, then forgetting about lunch for an hour.

If this writing is as incoherent as I feel, I apologize in advance.

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United Fan Con was my first venture into the world of regional, non-gaming cons. It was, I believe I can safely say, nothing at all like GenCon, and only a very little bit like Origins. The highlights of the week were hanging out with the guys from Secret Identity Podcast, who were my convention hosts, and the guys from Hero Envy, getting to meet a handful of the New England Browncoats I've been on a mailing list with for a year or more and have never before met in person, and getting to hear parts of Jewel Staite's Q&A session.

My favorite part of the conventions is always talking to new people about books--sometimes my books in particular, but also whatever people happen to be reading. I had a lovely chat with some young women about the wondefulness of Terry Pratchett. I had great fun spending time with sarahtdl talking about libraries, being a libra, anime conventions, and a host of other topics. I also had a chance to speak with some other authors and comic book designers/writers/artists about their work. I had doughnuts with the guys from Radbu Productions. I sat next to Sean Wang (pronounced Wong) (who has a most excellent print available of the characters of the Fellowship of the Ring and a great space adventure comic that I did not get a chance to read at the con but am putting on my Christmas list). I had a great chat about designing booth space with Mark Tarrant, the author of an upcoming Vampire Western called The Blood Rider. And I talked about small publishers with Clifford B. Bowyer, author of The Imperium Saga, a trilogy of adult novels that runs alongside a series of children's middle-grade fiction that tells another part of the story. (His books are available through Silver Leaf Books.)

I also gave Jewel Staite a copy of Into the Reach, because it seemed like a good idea at the time. If she likes it (which, of course, I hope), then it will have been a good idea, and I'll be very glad. But I imagine being given a book by a little-known-author at a convention is probably a bit odd, so who knows what will happen.

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It does, however, lead to something that has been tickling at the back of my brain. Early on when he was writing the first novel of the Dreaming Dark saga, Keith Baker mentioned that if he were casting actors to play his characters, he'd almost certainly cast Nathan Fillion, but the rest were up for grabs. Since then, Keith has run a poll on his Web site asking readers to cast the other characters. I don't often cast my characters as actors until after I've already got them solidly in my head, and sometimes not even then. I've been told by my first reader, Arielle, the actor who must be cast as Kennerly (not listed here as when I eventually have my own Web site, I may copy Keith and do polls). I've also discussed casting the characters once with my husband, but never really landed on anything positive.

After this weekend, though, hearing Jewel speak about how much she enjoys kicking butt in her upcoming movie The Tribe, a thought that had been floating in my brain clicked into place. If it were up to me to cast actors as the heroes from Into the Reach, I'd cast Jewel as Lydia, so long as the "auburn hair" look works for her.

So, if this manages to float around the ether of the internet so that some Browncoat notices and it eventually gets back to Jewel Staite, that was the subconscious reason that I gave her a copy of the book--which, of course, I didn't explain because it wasn't formulated in my head, and I (being one of those people who doesn't like to be in the way) didn't want to bother her with actual conversation while she was busy doing her photo shoot. (In fact, I would have been just as happy to let her guest liaison give it to her, but he insisted...)

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A final note, and then I'm actually going to get back to making lunch (which I've been neglecting now for about an hour and a half). I did get filmed for a Secret Identity promo, and Brian LeTendre interviewed me for the next issue of their podcast, which they recorded at the show. (I'm sure there are probably bits of my extremely loud trumpet of a laugh that filter through while they're doing bits of the show I'm not intentionally in, for which I apologize.) When I have the link for both the new episode and the promo, I'll post them here.

Just finished reading Scrib, a YA novel by playwright David Ives, which would had me in stitches this morning between drifting in and out of ConSpace fog.

While no actual reviews have hit the internet, my name crops up a good bit more often than it used to in a google search. (This must be consternating to the project manager of "OWL," which seems to be an education association, who shares my name.)

I'm mentioned here on Flames Rising. I'm also on Lindsay Archer's blog on Deviant Art.

As a note, I will be unable to attend Dragon*Con over Labor Day weekend. It was an exciting proposition, but perhaps too last minute to plan well. As it is, my writing schedule could use that weekend to catch up, so, while I will miss dancing with Ms. Archer to sell books, perhaps it is just as well.

If you are going to be at Dragon*Con, do stop by and tell Lindsay hello! She'll still be on hand to sign copies of Into the Reach, as well as a number of fabulous prints that she'll have on sale. You should also pick up a copy of Trevis Powell's new novel, No Hero, which promises to be the first of a new trilogy set in Ramlar. Trevis will be back and forth between the White Silver booth and Larry Elmore's booth, so you should be able to track him down for signed copies, as well.

Sorry for the delay in getting all of this posted. I've been struggling against the flu, which I believe I caught somewhere among all the hand shaking. This is comforting, as it means that some of the illness that I thought I was giving myself for being nervous was actually a physical ailment. I'm going to take comfort in that!

( Full GenCon Report )