22 May 2009

Mo*Con

Word Nerd went to her first ever writers conference this past weekend. (And life has been really busy, which is why no blog until now...)

Mo*Con is put on by the Indiana Horror Writers Association. No, Word Nerd is not switching genres. And yes, it was still really fun and valuable.

The panels were good, but the best part was the amount of time left open for just talking to people. Word Nerd met several other burgeoning writers (is it pretentious for her to put herself in that category?), some published authors, a book buyer and a publisher. All in one day.

She's heard for a long time that the cons are the way to make connections and she sort of thought yeah, well, maybe someday. Not anymore. She needs to make time for the conventions now. Really. Even this relatively small one was hugely helpful.

And motivating.

Now, back to chapter 1 of the WIP.

13 May 2009

Book Banter -- Deathwish

Title: Deathwish (Cal Leandros bk. 4)
Author: Rob Thurman
Length: ~370 pages
Genre: Urban fantasy
Plot Basics: Cal and his brother Niko are hired to find out who's stalking an old vampire, Seamus. At the same time, Cal is being watched by Auphe "cousins" and trying to keep ahead of them as well. When another younger vampire shows up, on the run for her thieving activities, Cal and Niko realize they can't keep all the people they care about safe with the Auphe still around and they launch a crazy plan to go up against the Auphe.
Banter Points: Word Nerd got in on the ground floor with this series and is glad she hung on to it. Thurman definitely has something to offer the urban fantasy niche with her wiseacre heros and fast, fast banter and action.
Bummer Points: This series had a note of finality to it, but Word Nerd checked on Thurman's website and the news is this isn't the end of Cal Leandros.
Word Nerd Recommendation: If you like this sort of thing, these are a worthwhile read.

08 May 2009

Book Banter -- Turn Coat

Title: Turn Coat (Dresden Files)
Author: Jim Butcher
Length: ~400 pages
Genre: Urban fantasy
Plot Basics: When the Warden Morgan shows up at Harry's door claiming he's innocent of a crime he's been accused of, Harry takes him in -- despite Morgan's past persecution of Harry. But harboring a fugitive from the Wizard's Council is no easy task. And Harry decides rather than just to try to keep Morgan safe, he's going to prove the Warden is innocent.
Banter Points: Word Nerd is just a big Harry Dresden fan and this one didn't disappoint.
Bummer Points: Word Nerd's caught up with the series, so now she has to wait like everyone else who's been reading this series for year until the new one comes out.
Word Nerd Recommendation: Read them.

04 May 2009

Book Banter -- Silk

Title: Silk
Author: Alessandro Baricco
Length: 132 pages
Genre: literary fiction
Plot Basics: In 1861, Herve Joncour undertakes a journey to Japan to get new silkworms to keep his French silk-making town running. While there, he sees a woman who completely captivates him -- although they never speak -- and Joncour changes his life because of it.
Banter Points: Word Nerd stumbled on this book while browsing shelves at the library and is grateful for this happy accident. Silk is beautiful for how short it is and the reader can't help but be swept up in Baricco's powerfully understated writing.
Bummer Points: Over too quickly...
Word Nerd Recommendation: Read it, preferably all in one sitting.