Pity I'm otherwise occupied that weekend. The Chesapeake Regional Library's had me come to FantaSci a couple of times, which is in the summer, but not MonsterFest, which would actually be more appropriate. The library is huge, though, and makes for a decent setting. Have a great time.

Crimey, I just looked through my shelf, and I'm missing more than I thought. I apparently have actually misplaced a couple because I know I had them. Currently missing #'s 17, 27, 29, and 30. I had 2 and 4 (the pre-Barnabas books), and I've no idea where they've gotten to.

Ebay here I come, though I'm not payin' no exorbitant prices. Many of these I got in lots, usually at a very fair price. In some cases, I was able to sell duplicates for as much as I paid for a lot. Nothing like getting the books I want and either breaking even or making money.

'Course, about a dozen of them, I got when I was a kid. Those are the ones that are the most special to me. I remember each of them individually, whereas most of the ones I picked up and read in later years all run together.

Condolences to Craig's loved ones. A sad time, but he will obviously be remembered fondly.

Please don't misunderstand my point -- I would never discourage anyone from taking creative writing courses or getting a degree. Higher education is a wonderful thing. My point, though, is that a degree -- or a number of courses -- does not a writer make. Particularly for people who are naturally inclined to writing, or have that great desire, creative writing courses can be great. I had a few in high school and college, and they were my favorite because they were very liberating for my imagination. But as with any course, a creative writing class is only as good as 1) what the instructor brings to the table and 2) what you, as the student, bring to the table.

One of the failings that I tend to see when interacting with people who've gone through such courses was touched on earlier -- that is, throw conflict into everything. When I was editing Deathrealm, I could often pick out the manuscripts from people who'd been taking creative writing courses because there was always a bunch of needless antagonism between characters (not necessarily between protagonist/antagonist) -- as if that's an automatic tension-producer. I've got news for you. Most of the time, it just annoys the reader.

Conflict isn't something to throw willy-nilly into the mix. It's got to be well thought-out, and it has to make sense within the context of the story. All too often, in the hands of novices, the conflict is about as meaningful as Michael Palin paying John Cleese to have a five-minute argument.

Oh, yes it is.

Interesting write-up, but there's at least a couple of egregious errors, regarding Tor...

Thanks, y'all. Bear in mind, since this never went to an honest-to-god editor, it's first-draft quality, and it's entirely possible there may be a glitch or gaffe here and there; don't hesitate to point them out if you find 'em. 

I was at the 99 Fest at WTC, and just by having been there, the whole tragedy was more personal to me. That fest was a month before DREAMS OF THE DARK came out, and in a lot of ways, I had the time of my life there. I got to meet many of the stars for the first time and lots of the fans with whom I'd become familiar.

Was also at the Halloween gathering in 2001, just over a month after 9/11. Several of the stars went down to ground zero to pay their own respects. Beth Massie and I had a table right across from Chris Pennock, and he and Jim Storm and I sat together for probably 45 minutes or so talking about WTC, DS, and life in general. It was one of those moments when there were no stars, no fans, nothing but people sharing their own personal feelings. I'll remember that forever.