Free Range Writers

[filamena]

So first of all, go here if you want to read my article on parenting and gaming. Fun stuff to write, neat magazine to have written it for and all thanks (like so much else in my life these days) to Matt McFarland. (Thank you, Matt!)

So I’ve had some time to process the Writers’ Convention I went to this weekend.  I have a notebook full of notes

Comments

Warning: Disgruntled writer rambling

[mythdude]

One of the problems that you run into when you go to a convention with writers is inevitably, you run into conflict over how "the craft" is run. Some believe that if you don't have a book on the shelf of a Borders or Barnes & Noble then you aren't a real writer. I've also know a fellow where he's written three science fiction books and since you haven't, clearly you should nod your head and listen to him speak. Don't ask questions cause he's got all the answers.

It happens in all fields, really. My sister encounters it at her shooting matches when she's constantly being lectured too on proper ways to care and clean a firearm when she's won several matches on her own, and my ex used to tell me how frustrating it is when he presents his research and because he doesn't have his doctorate yet he gets brushed aside.

I do think the conferences and conventions are helpful because of the people you meet and the small things you pick up that can help you later on.

[lumpy97]

I read your article on parenting.

I liked it. I dont have children so I cant really apply it to my day to day thought process.

I have never been to a convention but I have spent alot of time around writers in an informal sense. And they are crazy woman who have fun with it.

There is no one person who knows everything about everything. I take advice from people who are where I want to go because they did it. Will that path work for me? Who knows but it cant hurt to listen.