The most recent issue of The Illuminata is out. (It’s the July 2008 issue, at bottom right.) My Writer’s Block column this time is “What I Learned from Bad Writers.” I published an early version here but this is expanded from that. And one of our blog mates has several pieces in this issue. This is Rachel Olivier. Check her stuff out.
In other news, I’ll be a guest at Babel Con this weekend (July 19, 20) in Baton Rouge, Louisiana. Some of the actor guests will be Richard Hatch, Suzie Plakson, and John Hertzler. I’ll be giving presentations on Dreaming, on Using Fear and Suspense in Writing, and on Evolution and SF Aliens. I’ll also be sitting on a horror panel with some other writers. That means I’ll be a busy little boy and won’t get much rest. But at least I won’t have to go to work on Monday.
Lana will be helping me out on the Dream presentation. It’ll be nice to have her along. Anyone who is in the area should come on by, although I know most of you aren’t. This is the first year they’ve gone to a two day schedule so we’ll see how it goes. I’ll have a report next week.
Have fun at Babel Con!
ReplyDeleteUMMMM free lunch!
ReplyDeleteI'll have to check out that column and the new issue... have fun at the convention!
ReplyDelete~yearns~
ReplyDeleteWish I could go just to meet you and Lana.
Something tells me a Hotel room and beer will be thrown in the mix...
ReplyDeleteShauna, I bet I will.
ReplyDeleteMark, haven't you heard, there IS no free lunch.
Greg, thankee.
Bernita, that would be great. Alas.
Heff, are you psychic or something?
Great article, Charles, you covered many points which indeed evoke the book toss reflex. :)
ReplyDeleteIf I could drop everything and go, I would. We should have a site where people can post their plans for things like this so others can plan to go, too.
ReplyDeleteHmmm.... a clearinghouse for writing bloggers to get together? That's a neat-o idea, actually....
Have fun! One of these days I have got to hear your Alien Evolution talk.
ReplyDeletesounds like fun, charles, having lana with you will make it a family affair :)
ReplyDeleteEnjoy!!
ReplyDeleteI hate to admit this, but Babel Con looks like something I'd want to go to--if for no other reason than to see what Suzie Plakson actually looks like.
ReplyDeleteSo Babel on.
Sounds like you're in for a busy but fun time! Good luck with your presentations!
ReplyDeleteBernardl, thanks. I'm going to have more on this topic in a future column.
ReplyDeleteWrittenwyrd, you know, I joined the group Goodreads today and it may be able to do some of the kind of things you're wanting. You should check it out.
Candy, it went over well last year.
Laughingwolf, Lana makes everything better.
Steve Malley, thanks, I'll give a report next week.
X-Dell, she looked pretty nice as Worf's wife.
Travis, thanks. It should go OK.
i have a dan brown book at the end of my shelf that was recommended to me but i've heard so many bad things i just can't bring myself to it.
ReplyDeletethe worst plot i've ever heard is actually from a hit tv show. the one about the serial killer who is also a cop, and his victims are evil-doers. i haven't actually seen the show but the plot is revolting. almost as bad as the main character's twin brothers screenplay in 'Adaptation', which itself was a great movie. The fake movie within was The Three and also had a rather absurd plot.
Whatever happened to just having a good story and going with it?
Wow, Babel Con sounds really interesting. I've always like good science fiction. Some of it is crappy, but the good stuff is really good. I would imagine it's very hard to write. I'm going to check out the Babel Con site.
ReplyDeleteI have a new blog: http://majorityoftwo.blogspot.com/
Someone felt they had to monitor mine. *sigh* As if...
Rock on, man! Awesome -- carry a red baton while you're at it ;->
ReplyDeleteAll sounds nifty-fifty.
By the way, you're so right about Bud. . . . .
Aw man. I wish I was in Louisiana.
ReplyDeleteHave a great time, Charles! Sounds like a wonderful opportunity. And glad that you'll have Lana along.
ReplyDeleteBenjibopper, I haven't seen that series either but I know which one you mean. And I agree. Just tell a good story. It doesn't matter is something vaguely similar has been done before. We want good characters in dangerous situations.
ReplyDeleteJo, monitor? That's kind of crazy. You are of age eh? :) Yes, Babel Con should be fun.
Erik, carry a Baton rouge? Why of course.
SQT, it's shaping up to be a great Babel Con.
Sarah, thanks. Yes, glad to have my sweety with me.
She wasn't bad as Dr. Selar, either.
ReplyDeleteAnother great article Charles! You two kids have fun at Babel Con :)
ReplyDeleteYou may want to update the post to reflect the cancellation of the dream presentation. I look forward to your other talks, though!
ReplyDeleteIt sounds like a wonderful time will be had by all.
ReplyDeleteIt's lovely that you're able to share this with Lana.
Richard Hatch, like the Survivor guy?
ReplyDeleteX-Dell, true.
ReplyDeleteLisa, thanks. We're looking forward to it.
Lana, I'll post tomorrow and put that update in.
Anndi, yes, it's nice that she's into the same kinds of things I am.
Manager Mom, hum, I never watched Survivor. This is the actor from the old Battlestar Galactica tv series. He played a character named Apollo. He's appeared on other stuff but I still think that's how he's best known.
It couldn't have been said any better: "...good writing takes
ReplyDeleteconcentration and effort." Have a great weekend.
Have fun and behave yourself
ReplyDeleteJR. Thankee. I do plan to have me some fun.
ReplyDeleteMonique, I'm long past the age of misbehaving.