It is quite clear to me after four of these things that I am not of the Bouchercon ilk. Instead of chatting up the many people I hoped to meet (too numerous to mention but I eyed Neil Smith, Bill Crider, and Victor Gischler longingly several times) I did the tourist thing.
Heck, I don't care about meeting Laurie King or Michael Connelly. I want the guys/gals I meet on blogland.
I went to the symphony, the Benjamin Harrison house (longest tour ever and I am determined to write a collection of docent stories someday), the art museum, toured the historic district and saw "Where the Wild Things Are."
There is a long list of people I'd hoped to meet and I struck out completely. My fault entirely. Calls from Megan saying why didn't I come over and meet.....Well, it was a damn long walk and who hangs around that long.
But this is not the true Bouchercon experience. I fall somewhere between fangirl and writer and the spot on that continuum is not a comfortable one.
Back to my Bouchercon. Missed the first twenty minutes of WTWTA though because the ticket seller thought we wanted to see Zombieland and sent us the wrong way. (Already saw it).
So my version of that movie will always begin with Max sailing out to sea. Never mind his family problems or their relationship to the creatures he meets. My version has no resonance beyond what actually happens on the island where he lands. Loved it although I spent too much time wondering whose voice that was. To me, it was about the problems of being a king-or the heaviness of the mantle of leadership. Missing that first bit obviously skewered my perception. Okay maybe it is about motherhood too. The creatures needed a mother more than a king.
Did meet Kieran Shea (thanks for seeking me out). And dined with George Kelley and his wonderful wife, Diane. Lunched with Megan. Looked in vain for Phoenix Noir--why no booth for them or Hard Case Crime?
I gues it is too hard for me to walk up to people and say hi. So HI to all the people I hoped to meet but didn't. I am sorry to have missed you... for the fourth time.
47 comments:
I'm a bit jaded about the writers at BOUCHERCON, too, Patti. I would much rather talk to you or Bill Crider than some Big Name Writer (if they would even give me the time of day). Perhaps your next BOUCHERCON strategy should be to have a series of scheduled lunches and dinners with the people you really want to talk to. That's pretty much what I do now.
Good thinking, George although Bill is a big name writer to me.
One of these days, I'll make it to B'con -- and my fear is, my experience will wind up an awful lot like yours. For a loudmouth, I've got a misanthropic streak a mile wide, and I figure I'll either wind up talking to nobody, or having a drink or two to loosen up and make an ass of myself in front of someone I admire.
Word verification: Ringo. Perhaps Blogger's own meta-way of cracking a fifth-wheel joke?
I think it will be much easier for someone under forty, who still can hang with the youthful crowd. Also someone who doesn't have a daughter there she is fearful of embarrassing. When I signed up to go, Megan wasn't going so I thought well, at least I can be ill-at-ease without witness. I saw some pretty well-known older writers looking uncomfortable with it all too. Most writers are not gregarious, I think but if you're famous enough you get shepherded through it all.
You mean you saw me and didn't chat me up? Now that's just a shame. Next time, don't hesitate!
I'll have to admit I'm not under 40, but have met tons of great people at the last two Bouchercons (in Madison I met a grand total of two, because I stayed at a hotel some distance away - and since discovered that where you meet people is in the elevator, in buffet lines, and hanging out in the bar and lobby in the evening). I've found people (writers and readers) to be astoundingly friendly.
I find this hard too, talking to new people all day (and I'm 35, so I'm not sure age matters). I always feel like a bit of a loser at these things :-)
With most conventions, I find that it's better to just meet with a few people than to try to meet many. And it's good to get out (Indy is a nice city, I think).
Sounds like you did alright.
They are friendly--but I find it hard to tap into that.
Fleur-probably I would have been no better at it then.
Thanks, Bill. You were surrounded or I might have.
I am very friendly once I get my feet wet, but dipping them in the cold water is tough.
Bill Crider is a Big Name Writer, but doesn't act like it. I'm sure Bill would have enjoyed a long conversation with you, Patti. I know I did.
I'm hoping to finally go next year, but I already know I won't have the guts to speak unless spoken to either.
First off, I'm sorry I missed you. There were a handful of people I really wanted to get to at least say hello to, and you were one. So it goes.
I'm also bashful about accosting people I don't know, even when they half expect it. I would've met no one at Baltimore last year had I not established online acquaintances with Peter Rozovsky, John McFetridge, and Declan Burke, who were all generous about making sure I met others. This year my online acquaintance list was larger, I already knew some people, and I'd had enough success with cold hellos that I did chat up some folks. No one was less than gracious, and everyone i had questions for stayed and answered as long as I asked, regardless of their relative status. Be resolute and brave; you'll be glad.
As for the bar, it gets busy late. I spent the early evening Saturday relaxing in my room until about 10:00, then went over and had an excellent time.
BTW, I attended Megan's session at the Continuous Conversation. She was funny and enlightening both, a great combination. I also heard more buzz about her new book in panels than any other single writer.
Alright, I am lining up dates for drinks/lunch/coffee starting now.
Damn, Dana. I was at her continuous conversation. We could have met. Yes, last year I spoke to John and Pete. Also Gerald So and Jeff Pierce and a few others. I did worse this year. Lee Childn's brother did hand me books to sign. He was kind of dreamy.
Actually, my own limited BoucherCon experience (2001 only, a few miles and a week or so from the Pentagon and 9/11) demonstrated that the Big Name writers can be very open to meeting fans and fellow writers (bestsellers such as Sue Grafton or even not quite at that time bestsellers Joe Lansdale and Val McDermid don't have that much other reason to show up, other than to collect statues or touch base with editors in convenient concentration), while not so big writers can be the ones foolishly trying to hustle contracts more or less exclusively (I saw a bit of this, if less than I did at the World SF Con a few weeks before in Philly). I rode an elevator otherwise alone with Grafton at one point, and she was clearly open to the point of hoping that I might have a question for her (I was completely oblivious to whom I was plummeting with, until a few seconds before exiting, when it registered who this woman with the encouraging smile might be--in that interim, I didn't quite marshall more than a nod and hello--even my then housemate Alice, much less a cf reader than I, suggested that she would've [honestly] mentioned having enjoyed several of SG's novels). The late Ed Hoch (I was happy to have met him when one could), Ron Goulart, Lansdale, of course Bill, and not a few others were all at least gracious, and the only people I knew before the convention whom I ran into were Martin Morse Wooster and Douglas Winter.
I guess what I really want, Todd, is to meet the people on here. Like you and the rest of the names that show up on here.
Well, I couldn't make this one, but I intend to be at the one in SF next year. We'll meet there. I'll start the conversation...
I've never met a writer who didn't like to hear "I'm a big fan." I also haven't met a writer who didn't like talking books in general.
My first B'Con was Las Vegas and I had a right miserable time of it.
Steve-I will track you down and tell you that I am a big fan of yours. PS-I sent Megan you posting from yesterday. She doesn't go online but I knew it would mean a lot to her.
You might be the first person in the history of the universe to eye me longingly. Definately say hi next time. For sure.
Victor Gischler
Pencil Diane and me in for a lunch or a dinner, Patti!
Awwww! I'm no prima donna. You've got to come barging in. We had even asked a few times
"Where's Patti?" Next time, I'm hunting you down.
Patti:
You were on my list. If I missed meeting you I would've been crushed. I almost skipped that panel too, but then I thought, what mother would miss seeing her daughter on stage? Truly awesome.
Patti, I asked after you and was sorry to have missed you.
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Detectives Beyond Borders
"Because Murder Is More Fun Away From Home"
http://detectivesbeyondborders.blogspot.com/
A few years ago I attended a writing conference in Jackson and got on an elevator with Tony Hillerman. The elevator got stuck. We sort of got to know each other while nervously waiting for help, which didn't come. After 20 minutes he figured out that if he stuck a finger through a hole on the control panel and pulled, the cowling would swing open and there was a phone in there. Help arrived swiftly after that. But it wasn't the preferred way to meet a distinguished author. To this day, I avoid elevators.
I think my post-Bouchercon is better than my Bouchercon.
I'm counting on all of you to show up at NOIRCON and have a cheesesteak with me on South Street. I know Pete will be there.
George-I'm counting on it.
Richard-Docent stories, elevator stories-they are a subgenre almost.
I'll be 'round, but no cheesesteak, wit' or otherwise.
Even if Geno's hadn't gone English Only.
And, of course, there's the Nase Family Estate Tour. At long last, Ms. Nase Abbott, have you no docency?
Looking forward to it.
(That's just me Welching on a fete.)
And quite a tour it will be. Germantown High School, Pennypacker Elementary School, 7613Gilbert Street, the place I hung on a corner while my boyfriend stole cars, West Laurel Hill Cemetery, Vics Pizza Parlor where I nearly got fired for reading THE LAST TEMPTATION OF CHRIST behind the counter. He was convinced it was porn. It goes on and on.
I'll take you all to Geno's -- if you promise not to order in English.
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Detectives Beyond Borders
"Because Murder Is More Fun Away From Home"
http://detectivesbeyondborders.blogspot.com/
My only Bouchercon was back in the early Seventies (IV, I think, the one in Boston. Bouchercons were much smaller then and I didn't really go to meet any writers. Closest I came was sitting at a table next to Ed Hoch and Ron Goulart at the lounge. It was only after the official close that I spent some time with an actual author, Helen McCoy. I had a great time at the Con, but chatting with Ms. McCoy was the icing on the cake.
You can order for us, Pete. I don't care if it's cheese whiz or provolone. I just want a steak sandwich on crusty bread, which you can't get in Detroit. If it's crusty, they think stale.
Smaller would be better, Jerry. The size of it all is daunting.
I'm planning on SF next year, and I sure hope to see all the people I know will be there that I know and all the ones (including you, Patti) that I have yet to meet in person.
My first couple of cons I was the Shy Guy. Had a drink in the bar - at the bar - and then slunk back to the room. I didn't know anyone, saw groups of fans and authors having a great time and felt like the outsider I was.
I've found some cons just seem to be more social than others. Organized events are a great way to meet people. It would be awesome if you could set up a Friday Forgotten Book get-together sometime during SF. Think of the possibilities!
What a great idea, Rick. I will definitely do that!!
Yes. And if someone knows a good venue, picking it out in advance would be helpful. A similar get-together at Millenium PhilCon almost fell apart because folks weren't sure where to meet, and there was an attempt to find a better space at the time, which didn't work so well.
Good idea. No hurry about the FFB thing, Rick. We've gotten along without it for 19 months and can wait till the time is right for you.
I should have done it in the beginning but never thought it would go for more than a few months.
The size of some shows can intimidate. I felt at ease going to Charlotte for the Heroes Con (only a couple hours from my then-home) then got completely tongue-tied at my first Comicon in San Diego.
A FFB get-together at Bouchercon is a neat idea!
Patti,
let me chime in with wanting to make a date with you as well. Next year there is no work for me but Jon will be a busy boy!!
A highlite for me was seeing the Criders, however briefly.....
Sometimes I have no trouble just walking up and saying hello to folks. At other times I just don't seem able to do it. It's something in me that varies.
Sorry to have missed you, Patti!!!
I had a great time in Indianapolis, even with my introverted self checking in early on Saturday evening.
Okay, next time I set up dates for sure. And host a party.
Megan was the first person I ran into, even before I made it into the convention (we were both in the over-overflow hotel) and I asked after you. And then I looked, and looked, and looked.
Good thing, though, or you would have discovered that my sunny disposition is all a facade.
I am usually a shy person but experience has taught me that mystery writers are the nicest people in the world and always make you feel welcome.
Graham-I just looked at your picture on Mark Coggin's photo share and thought I didn't know Graham was so tall. Next year I get to try again.
Next year in SF should, if all goes according to plan, be my first Bouchercon. Tell you what, Patti. I'll seek you out first, and we'll tag-team everybody else.
Definitely, Vince, and I am having a party. Free booze has to bring 'em in.
Meanwhile, the "reading" photo is noirish...the forgotten loose adaptation of Woolrich, THE BRIDE WORKED A BUTT.
You know--Indy was my first Bouchercon. I'll go again- probably St.Louis. I wound up going to the PWA awards solo as my buddy was not able to make the trip. I sat at the bar chatting up the waitstaff. I knew no one there. But I did meet Rob Randisi and I found out later I talked baseball with Howard Clark, Max Allen Collins dined with Clark and a few other nominees at a table near the bar. Randisi started looking for people to present awards and I went into turtle mode. I felt like such a small fish in a big pond- but that's how I've always started out and then a few years later I do the really crazy thing and get elected as president of the Michigan Speech Coaches group.
I think some of us write because it's easier to express ourselves in the written word. Wish I had known you were there, Jack.
I kept trying to catch names in the tag holders hanging around our necks. And then at the PWA awards, no one else had them. BTW- apologies to Clark Howard. I reversed the names.
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