tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4940224740718934743.post6163772526659043480..comments2024-03-10T04:29:20.044-04:00Comments on Mad Genius Club: I Hope You'll DanceSarah A. Hoythttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17478124095732219352noreply@blogger.comBlogger30125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4940224740718934743.post-19227618486080871492010-07-01T06:23:50.204-04:002010-07-01T06:23:50.204-04:00Brendan, Amy, Etc,
When you need a little "m...Brendan, Amy, Etc,<br /><br />When you need a little "me" space, corner hiding is useful, too. Just find a comfy seat near where the people flow around, and sit quietly. Trust me, you'll be invisible - and if you keep your ears open, <i>boy</i> will you hear some interesting stuff. <br /><br />Amy, thanks for the award. We'll have to find somewhere to park it so everyone knows we have one :-)Kate Paulkhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02034983693134240754noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4940224740718934743.post-50145137982966395372010-07-01T06:21:39.710-04:002010-07-01T06:21:39.710-04:00Dave,
Hugs are always available. Lap-sitting, no....Dave,<br /><br />Hugs are always available. Lap-sitting, no. Barbs wouldn't like having to peel your flattened self off the chair :-DKate Paulkhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02034983693134240754noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4940224740718934743.post-47730019155044008382010-07-01T02:55:08.125-04:002010-07-01T02:55:08.125-04:00Great post, Sarah. Some very helpful hints.Great post, Sarah. Some very helpful hints.Chris McMahonhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17883058490702361466noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4940224740718934743.post-58941237418578565322010-07-01T02:48:31.118-04:002010-07-01T02:48:31.118-04:00Good advice just in time for AussieCon(WorldCon). ...Good advice just in time for AussieCon(WorldCon). I shall have to try this "being sociable" thing you talk about. I am sure it will more successful than the "hiding in the corner" technique I was planning on:))Brendanhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12290731721638936110noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4940224740718934743.post-75834821091382250832010-06-30T22:14:57.245-04:002010-06-30T22:14:57.245-04:00Dear Amy,
Yes, being prepared helps. I'm the...Dear Amy,<br /><br />Yes, being prepared helps. I'm the hide under tables type UNLESS I'm prepared. Oh, stop looking incredulous, the rest of you. It's true. Amanda spent most of RWA chasing me out of corners.<br /><br />Thanks for the award! Very cool. I'm literally packing up to go on a trip RIGHT now, but someone else will grab it and put it on, I'm sure.Sarah A. Hoythttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17478124095732219352noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4940224740718934743.post-77022096061570196212010-06-30T22:11:04.464-04:002010-06-30T22:11:04.464-04:00Actually only person to invite me to sit on his la...Actually only person to invite me to sit on his lap was Dave Drake and I begged off for reasons of squishing. I forebore to quote Robert Graves at him. :)Sarah A. Hoythttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17478124095732219352noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4940224740718934743.post-45321426168773293682010-06-30T22:10:28.161-04:002010-06-30T22:10:28.161-04:00Dave,
I'd squish you flat too!Dave, <br /><br />I'd squish you flat too!Sarah A. Hoythttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17478124095732219352noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4940224740718934743.post-76491346250095042752010-06-30T22:08:08.168-04:002010-06-30T22:08:08.168-04:00Rowena,
Sure you know how to spell my name. :) P...Rowena,<br /><br />Sure you know how to spell my name. :) Prove it.<br /><br />I didn't meet anyone before 22. NO ONE goes to Portugal to cons. Heck, not even me. Though I would, if they invited me. :)Sarah A. Hoythttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17478124095732219352noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4940224740718934743.post-74377245130845954862010-06-30T22:06:43.812-04:002010-06-30T22:06:43.812-04:00Linda,
Read Deep Secret, Diana Wynne Jones. And ...Linda,<br /><br />Read Deep Secret, Diana Wynne Jones. And I loved meeting you.Sarah A. Hoythttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17478124095732219352noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4940224740718934743.post-52618010140043930932010-06-30T20:39:56.012-04:002010-06-30T20:39:56.012-04:00Great advice, Sarah. I've been to a few cons b...Great advice, Sarah. I've been to a few cons but usually find a corner to hide in rather than seeking others out. I suppose if I were actually prepared to talk to editors and agents I wouldn't be so afraid of coming off poorly. <br /><br />Somewhat OT, I really like what you and the rest of the mad geniuses do. I gave you guys a blog award- it's at http://wp.me/ssAeI-2091 if you want to pick it up.Amy McLanehttp://parkinglotconfessional.comnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4940224740718934743.post-9251671731083925502010-06-30T17:54:56.218-04:002010-06-30T17:54:56.218-04:00Heh - that was true then of the last lap-sitter. B...Heh - that was true then of the last lap-sitter. But I'd be a little hurt if I didn't get a hug from you, Kate.Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12315551718688781746noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4940224740718934743.post-65354409600508242612010-06-30T17:52:48.496-04:002010-06-30T17:52:48.496-04:00Oh Synova - and I dare say there are plenty of aut...Oh Synova - and I dare say there are plenty of author/editors/ who would love to have their lap sat on or get given the eye... I'm just not one of them.Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12315551718688781746noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4940224740718934743.post-33756069069682241812010-06-30T17:48:27.932-04:002010-06-30T17:48:27.932-04:00Synova, morality varies at cons - you'll find ...Synova, morality varies at cons - you'll find all sorts - I had a pair of - shall we say interesting gender changers - with a baby who decided I (or maybe B) was nice to be near. They were different, but actually rather sweet and innocuous, and other than garb a lot more pleasant than some other fen. Mind you, it was the first time in my life I found myself uncontrollably staring at a pair. The part of South Africa that I come from is very old school British, and my family are very conservative Protestant/Calvinist. It's incredibly rude to stare at a woman's frontage and not her face. But a man's frontage was... did I see that right? Is it real?Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12315551718688781746noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4940224740718934743.post-1324088060404195962010-06-30T17:47:44.251-04:002010-06-30T17:47:44.251-04:00Dave,
I promise I will never sit on your lap! I&#...Dave,<br /><br />I promise I will never sit on your lap! I'd squish you flat :)Kate Paulkhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02034983693134240754noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4940224740718934743.post-63935874125774651402010-06-30T17:33:43.239-04:002010-06-30T17:33:43.239-04:00Matapam, Hugs from strangers are a little outre (b...Matapam, Hugs from strangers are a little outre (but not gaaaaaah) in my cultural background. Hugs from friends (even cyber ones) are however very welcome. And I'd like to think you were a friend of mine:-)<br /><br />Just no lap-sitting!Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12315551718688781746noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4940224740718934743.post-48615121687797104732010-06-30T15:28:16.738-04:002010-06-30T15:28:16.738-04:00Home base.
Absolutely. If you are like me and ha...Home base. <br /><br />Absolutely. If you are like me and have taught yourself to be sociable. 3- 4 days of having to do it full time are really exhausting.<br /><br />You need to have a room at the con or in the nearby hotel where you can retreat to and recover.<br /><br />Funny story. I belong to a writing group ROR. We've known each other for years and often go to cons and three of us share a room. At one con we retreated up to our room around lunch time to chat and catch up. But the strain of being sociable was too much.<br /><br />One by one, we all fell asleep and woke up 2 hours later. Now that is real friendship when you can fall asleep in front of someone in the middle of a conversation (and they don't mind. LOL).Rowena Cory Daniellshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08995983965583233914noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4940224740718934743.post-90126285095055750272010-06-30T15:24:31.060-04:002010-06-30T15:24:31.060-04:00Sigh. I do know how to spell your name, Sarah.Sigh. I do know how to spell your name, Sarah.Rowena Cory Daniellshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08995983965583233914noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4940224740718934743.post-10618807237477382752010-06-30T15:22:14.543-04:002010-06-30T15:22:14.543-04:00Great post, Sarha.
I'm off to world con in Me...Great post, Sarha.<br /><br />I'm off to world con in Melbourne, Australia in September.<br /><br />Been going to cons since I was 18.<br /><br />Met (or heard them speak at a con) Joe Haldeman, Chris Priest, Vonda McIntyre and Anne McCaffrey before I was 22.<br /><br />Sorry about that, but it was really exciting.Rowena Cory Daniellshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08995983965583233914noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4940224740718934743.post-12303726985978433392010-06-30T13:42:47.057-04:002010-06-30T13:42:47.057-04:00The thing about the oggling is that I never notice...The thing about the oggling is that I never notice. Not ever. So it was really rather shocking. Not that I have anything against looking, it's just the being seen to be *looking* part.<br /><br />Hm, Mile Hi is the end of October. That might actually be possible. I just got a job (yay!) and wouldn't want to ask for a weekend off and tag myself as a high maintenance employee right off the bat. (Though I'll have to for Bubonicon in August since I volunteered for the staff.)<br /><br />Actually, I am sort of hoping that having something to do, some official function, will make it easier to talk to people at the con this year. "How's it going? Is there anything Go-fers can do for you?" <br /><br />It can only be an improvement over wanting so badly to talk to Real Authors about writing and desperately wanting to avoid being That Person.Synovahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01311191981918160095noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4940224740718934743.post-27920633687732008182010-06-30T13:29:39.817-04:002010-06-30T13:29:39.817-04:00Wise suggestions, all. I'm always so paranoid...Wise suggestions, all. I'm always so paranoid about seen as being a sucker-upper that I do sometimes avoid approaching a writer/editor that I'd like to meet because I don't feel like I have a reason to talk to them. Then they'll see through my evil plan to meet them for professional and selfish purposes. If we're thrown together at a table or something, I feel like I have a reason to introduce myself. Otherwise, I figure why would they care to meet me? I'm nobody to them.<br /><br />Steve is so out there with himself at cons, but he's not there as a writer, just as a fan. He enjoys gabbing to anyone about anything, and he's got nothing to lose by doing so. Then he tries to drag me into the conversation which I'm highly uncomfortable about because it's not usually the type of conversation that I, as a writer-wannabe, would engage in with said writer/editor. I much prefer having low-key and friendly conversations with people. If it turns out that I like them, having them turn out to be a writer/editor is a bonus.<br /><br />We used to go to a couple a year but haven't been in 4 or 5 years due to money. Just now, things might be opening up for us with a little discretionary money, so we're hoping to start back again. Steve really loves them for totally different reasons. He flits back and forth meeting people. I do love the panels and meeting people on my own schedule, not to his degree. I am getting better about not being so paranoid.<br /><br />I will say that cons are a wonderful way to meet these people that you'd never meet otherwise. I met you and Dan in person at LibertyCon a couple of years ago. I met Julie Czerneda at ArmadilloCon a couple of years ago. I've met other writers/editors/fans as well that I'd certainly like to see at cons again. They are so much more fun if you know some of the people.<br /><br />And I have read Bimbos of the Death Sun, years ago. Fun!<br /><br />LindaAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4940224740718934743.post-6349897410695225662010-06-30T12:57:06.860-04:002010-06-30T12:57:06.860-04:00Synova,
They'll remember you as you. You don...Synova,<br /><br />They'll remember you as you. You don't need to have "writer" there. If you are not editor or agent, and you have a business card, then you're writer.<br /><br />And don't be ashamed of calling yourself a writer. (Just not on cards and submissions.) A writer writes. Publication is irrelevant. I know it doesn't feel that way, but... oh, heck. Publication won't make you feel like a real writer, either. Trust me on this. Come out to Mile Hi this year and buy me a drink. I'll tell you all about it.Sarah A. Hoythttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17478124095732219352noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4940224740718934743.post-56833983604075173392010-06-30T12:54:45.810-04:002010-06-30T12:54:45.810-04:00Synova,
Uh... was GOH male (or some females), wri...Synova,<br /><br />Uh... was GOH male (or some females), writer of sf/f and breathing? Chances are he/she WAS oggling you, then. Think nothing of it. It means nothing. Again I'd recommend reading Deep Secret.<br /><br />Monkey, Chris, Rowena and I are of course exceptions. Well, if I'm relaxed and some guy is truly ogglable, I'll oggle, but I'll do it discretely. Happily married and monogamous, but still have eyes and think the idea of TWO genders was one of Himself's most fortunate inspirations.<br /><br />Yeah. Some people take advantage of position to impose politics/religion rants. Not wise to diss them for it. If they're so far gone as to do that, heaven knows what else they'll do.<br /><br />However, if I ever get big enough and do that, you have my standing permission to hit me over the head with heavy object, real or figurative.Sarah A. Hoythttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17478124095732219352noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4940224740718934743.post-91260431904255155442010-06-30T11:58:42.071-04:002010-06-30T11:58:42.071-04:00When I hung out with romance writers *everyone* ha...When I hung out with romance writers *everyone* had business cards and exchanged them back and forth freely. I have a few of mine left. Most of them got used to write other people's information on the back of and the phone number on them hasn't been the right one for years.<br /><br />So I need new ones. <br /><br />And I'm reminded that I had been taping them in a little notebook (Rolodex? What?) with the tape across the top so they could be flipped up to read notes on the back explaining who this person is and why I've got their card. So... now that I've got that tidied up and updated...<br /><br />I suppose I'm averaging about two cards collected in a year but it could easily be more. I've been distracted. Some of the cards I've got are from people who are potential research resources. I've got notes on the back that read "husband works with PJ's" and "mounted search and rescue." That sort of thing.<br /><br />I've never called anyone though. Still, I'm looking at the cards I've got and there are several people I might be glad to be able to contact some day.<br /><br />I've always been profoundly uncomfortable saying "writer" with nothing sold, although I've managed to convince myself that having rejection slips counts. So what should go on the card to jog the memory of the person it's given to if not "I write stuff?"Synovahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01311191981918160095noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4940224740718934743.post-63859898656015233042010-06-30T11:15:38.571-04:002010-06-30T11:15:38.571-04:00Monkey?
I'm not a lap sitter nor a hugger s...Monkey? <br /><br />I'm not a lap sitter nor a hugger so I'm probably safe from those sorts of mistakes. I swear the writer GoH made eyes at me once, but I could have imagined it and no doubt saying who it was is one of those things Not To Do.<br /><br />I probably ought not have complained on my blog by name of someone breaking the "no politics/no religion" rule because it's possible she google searches her name and she will be at the local con this year again. It would be awkward and it's not that I dislike her, I just dislike feeling abused.<br /><br />*Sigh* I suppose that's the point of using a pseudonym. But it still might be a good idea for me to try for more careful behavior from now on.Synovahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01311191981918160095noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4940224740718934743.post-9490531941880834672010-06-30T10:32:03.377-04:002010-06-30T10:32:03.377-04:00Matapam,
Knowing my er... shy, retiring and not at...Matapam,<br />Knowing my er... shy, retiring and not at al in-your-face behavior I'm amazed Monkey didn't run from me first time we met. And I think I hugged him too. Out of the taxi and hugging the poor man in one movement. Even better, he didn't run from my kids who both adore him -- and who are... uh... small and delicate beings. Particularly the youngest who MIGHT now be six four (Haven't measured him in a week.)<br /><br />And look, seriously, one thing I didn't mention is that you need a "homebase" at the con. You're going to be on MOST of the time. You need friends you can be yourself with. Well, you don't NEED it, but it helps. So go to cons by twos and threes if possible.Sarah A. Hoythttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17478124095732219352noreply@blogger.com