[Writer Post] My Wacky Saturday
June is a busy month with two back-to-back conventions, and a host of social obligations. It’s fun, exhausting, and exhilarating all at the same time. The social interactions that can drain a writer are also the same events that can inspire a writer. This past Saturday is an example.
At lunchtime, a few of us took CJ Cherryh and Jane Fancher out to lunch. She was in town for Project AKON and had some “down time” on Saturday. Now, AKON is INSANE it’s one of the country’s largest Anime conventions. It’s glorious and overwhelming and given the chance I’d go back in a heartbeat.
While we were collecting Jane and CJ from their table, I ran into Jana Oliver–whom I haven’t seen in several years. Her table was next to CJ’s, and she was just coming back from a panel or a break or something as we were about to leave. As she skirted me, a couple of girls in costumes on the other side of the aisle said, “Oh, HI! I love your books!” to me. To which I replied “Oh, thank you!” and as they wandered off, I had to wonder if they recognized me for me (I’ve been around a while now, it could happen) or if they thought I was someone else (like maybe Jana). Not that it matters, mistaken compliment or not, I’m taking what I can get.
Lunch was a lovely combination of writer/publishing talk and convention talk–and adding to my “I don’t drink but I can talk a good alcoholic game” knowledge as I learned about single malt scotches. Hey, don’t judge, it could come in handy someday.
After lunch (and a nap) we headed out to an “Annibirthsary” party for Julia and Larry Mandala. Good people – writers, fans, friends, and lawyers with great food and music. And get me, I was actually in style (and still comfortable) with the lawyer chicks. Go figure. But again, what’s awesome about going to parties like this are the plot bunnies that come from the random, overheard snippet of conversation that has you spinning off in a different direction. Especially when there’s an open bar and you don’t drink. Not to mention learning a lot from the people watching. Like at a table with one animatedly talking person, two younger people who don’t seem thrilled, one trying to keep up, and significant others you either have 1) Redheads/writers; or 2)a Senior Partner with younger lawyers at a table.
So, no matter how solitary writing is, it does help to get out among people and get some of the batteries recharged. This has also helped to get back into the swing of dealing with more people than family and pets. And now it’s time to put that into practice–if the Mucus Monsters will let me.