CapClave Programming

[lagilman]

for them as will be in the DC area next weekend, here's where you can stalk me...

Saturday 11AM: Writing Non-Human Characters.
It's difficult for humans to think past the reality of how we think sufficiently to create something that's more of an alien than an athropomorphized Gila monster or a psychic tarantula. How do we make non-human characters alive but not weird or so cliched that readers begin yawning as soon as they're introduced?
(Laura Anne Gilman, Edward Lerner, Benjamin Rosenblum, and John C. Wright.)

Saturday 1pm: First Sentence, First Paragraph: What Does It Take To Grab You?
Great first sentences, to work, have to be sneaky or elegant. But great first sentences are rare. So what qualities does a novel or story have to have to make you keep reading beyond that first sentence or first paragraph?
Keith R. A. DeCandido, Gregory Frost, and Laura Anne Gilman

Saturday: 2:30 PM Reading: Laura Anne Gilman (duh...)

Sunday 10AM: Writing Short Shorts.
Laura Anne Gilman, Benjamin Rosenblum, and Michael Swanwick.


And of course, kradical, terri_osborne and I will be holding court nightly in the bar...

Comments

[neadods.livejournal.com]

First Sentence, First Paragraph: What Does It Take To Grab You?

I'd love to be on that panel, I have quite a few opinions on the subject!

Can't drop by Capclave for the con, but would love to feed you a dinner and/or give you the nickel tour of Holly House if you've got a spare moment before or after.

[terri-osborne.livejournal.com]

Well, I won't be drinking too much, as the anti-anxieties sort of forbid that thing. I was specifically instructed "only a light drink, like a white wine spritzer." I'm translating that to about a finger of tequila.

I may have to play BYO this time, so I can have tequila, but not the usual level that bars pour.

[wolfsilveroak.livejournal.com]

Hmm, damn, I'm busy next weekend, otherwise I'd drag the hubby on a 4 hour drive across the state}:P

[blue-succubus.livejournal.com]

Oh wow, I'd love to take that class on writing non-human characters! Alas, I'll be at a writing conference in Canada, hopefully keeping my own court in the bar with my agent. Have fun!

[lagilman]

If we can work it out.... will convene with the other suspects and see what happens.

[lagilman]

we'll try to have some extra fun, just for you! ;-D

oh, well -- Canada....

[lagilman]

Just remember, your agent gets 15% of everything you drink, so drink up!

[wolfsilveroak.livejournal.com]

Oh surrrreeeeeee, I see how you are. Fine, be that way. I'll enjoy the birth day party then my Blue Ridge Mountains here all by my lonesome}:P

[kaylith.livejournal.com]

Can't make the con, but since the hotel is just around the corner from work (and I'm working until 10 PM on Saturday night)you may be stalked in the bar by a fan with unsigned books, if that's acceptable.

[mt-yvr.livejournal.com]

If said fan can find said books.

Otherwise just go buy more copies, if you have to.

(halo)

[kaylith.livejournal.com]

Took no time at all to find the Retriever novels, once I remembered that I had recently reread them.

And I left the juveniles in Vancouver with a young(er) man I know.

Capclave

[ekovar.livejournal.com]

I was also hoping that you and Keith would be able do the "Keith and Laura Anne, Taking it on the Road" show but gather there were some scheduling conflicts. You, and anyone it seems, can add that sort of thing to the program in one of the 'conversation pits' but may prefer to be conversing.

Anyway, there are a couple of things people might want to add to their schedules. I list them in increasing levels of importance:

1. SFWA is cosponsoring the usual Saturday night reception, which starts at about 9:00. I've recently found out, however, that the person on that side of things hasn't let that many people know about it. Which is irksome because it was at her behest that we arranged for a cash bar, more importantly because we're doing it with this vague notion of pulling in more memberships, at least one-day memberships. Ah, well, there's going to be some free food.

2. Workshops. Turns out that people can sign up for them in advance via email. Except I just checked the program that's up on line and there's no longer any mention of how to sign up. I really wish that people would tell me what's happening at this convention. Ah, well, they're listed on the program page for anyone who's interested in them. I'll try to do a follow up to see how one is supposed to get on them.

3. One of our guests of honor is bringing his own set of poker chips. He usually travels with them. And at his request we're giving him one nice, big room rather than a suite made up of two smaller one.

4. Scotch. Of course. Remind me to introduce you to the people who introduced me to single malt.

But it will probably be wise for people to keep me away from it and it away from me until this is over.

Elspeth

Re: Capclave

[lagilman]

I was also hoping that you and Keith would be able do the "Keith and Laura Anne, Taking it on the Road" show but gather there were some scheduling conflicts. You, and anyone it seems, can add that sort of thing to the program in one of the 'conversation pits' but may prefer to be conversing.

I wasn't quite sure how that was working, as it seemed to be a great idea and then not much done with it. Ah well. We shall be in the bar. Consider it a Pit-with-water. And booze.

SFWA is cosponsoring the usual Saturday night reception, which starts at about 9:00.

And it's fancy dress! Jeans without holes, people! (I may actually Dress Up and be Girly. Tremble in Fear, O Mortals)


Remind me to introduce you to the people who introduced me to single malt.

Have they earned their toaster, or do they still need to bring in a few more souls for the faith? *grin*

Belatedly Re: Capclave

[ekovar.livejournal.com]

I can't understand why I've been so busy . .

First, it turns out that Tom couldn't bring his set of poker chips because he was traveling carry on. Anyone have some to bring? But we have made arrangements to have a table in his room, plus a stack of chairs in case they're needed.

'Conversation pits' are some smaller rooms. Sometimes they have programming in them, such as the workshops. (That information is back up on line.) I've just lost my ability to describe conversation puts so I'll give an example. For instance:

The "Keith and Laura Anne: Taking it on the road" show is not only a hell of a lot of fun, it's very useful for newer authors. Well, yes, that's what it's intended to be. And I'd love for some of the people who want to promote conventions to attend as well. Besides, it's a hell of a lot of fun.

If you want to, decide to do it. Look for empty slots in one of the 'X20' rooms, eg, room 20 on floor number to be announced. Figure out what time is best. Write it in. (Post-it notes. Have to add post-it notes to my supplies.)

As for my wicked friends, I was talking with one of them the other day. He was somewhat cautious, since it turns out that someone has decided that this is going to be something more than the usual 'get together and try different Scotch'. Scotches? So it's not going to be a closed-but-walk-in party it has been up until now.

Your name was mentioned and recognized. The fact that you're going to "Dress Up and be Girly" did not result in a tremble of fear. It did, however, elicit male approbation, appreciation, and something along the lines of "Oh dear. We're going to be in trouble." (Fancy dress or something. Have to add fancy dress or something to my supplies.)

What you might want to put in a different entry, for people who've said "oh, I'd love to come but . . ." Friday and Sunday memberships are $20, Saturday are $30. Or maybe Friday and Sunday are $25. Gets you into all programming, including workshops, plus the usual, plus whatever else we come up with. A Saturday membership gets you into all of that and the reception.

I'm going to go take a shower and pack before heading downtown, after which I'll be offline.

The fact that all of this seems to be coming together is scary . . .