After Weekend Fun

I think I had a bit too much weekend fun. Have you had a weekend of fun that left you feeling like this?

Lynette M Burrows, author; Lynette M. Burrows, science fiction author; Lynette M Burrows action-suspense science fiction author
Let Sleeping Children Lie by Stewickie via Flickr Commons

I had a lovely weekend at ConQuesT 44, an annual science fiction and fantasy convention sponsored by the Kansas City Science Fiction and Fantasy Society (KaCSFFS), held on Memorial Day Weekend in Kansas City, MO.

I had the honor of being on a couple of panels with some distinguished guests and as part of the writers’ workshop met two writers and hopefully inspired them to continue writing and improving.

And of course, I attended panels, met people, and partied late into the night. I had a grand time.

As a writer our time is finite but the number of things we are expected to do seems to grow exponentially.

WHY ATTEND A FAN RUN CONVENTION?

There are a fair number of professional writers, editors, and publishers that attend smaller, fan-run conventions. In these situations, you might get time to get to know a fellow professional more personally and come to understand the business better. You might meet a fellow writer who later becomes a mentor or a collaborator. More importantly, you’ll meet a bunch of people who are as excited about the genre you write, as you are. And that may be the best payoff of all. Readers, at least science fiction and fantasy readers, are a fascinating collection of folk who have all kinds of knowledge. They inspire me, suggest great resources, and are wonderfully interesting friends.

WHEN THE CONVENTION IS OVER

The fans who put on science fiction and fantasy conventions hold a party for the volunteers, guests, and fans when the convention has ended. This after party is traditionally called the “dead dog party.” And there’s a reason for that. This . . .

Lynette M Burrows, author; Lynette M Burrows, science fiction author; Lynette M Burrows, action-suspense science fiction
photo courtesy of CyberMacs and Flickr Commons

Yup. I had a wonderful time, but I am a dead tired dog. I’m catching up on my beauty sleep and will post more after I wake up.

What conventions have you attended? Was the convention fan run or professional? Why did you choose to attend?

I hope you had a safe and wonderful Memorial Day weekend and that you enjoyed some weekend fun. If you haven’t been to a convention before, please share how you spent the weekend.

I love to hear from you and I will respond to every comment (in between naps 🙂 )

13 comments

  1. I get to attend my first WorldCon this summer. It has come close enough for me to get a toe in there. Usually I attend: ArmadilloCon, ApolloCon and FenCon (once). Had a great time and yeah, dead dog tired when done.

    1. Yay, Pauline! I’m so excited for you. WorldCon is sooo cool. I haven’t been in several years thanks to various issues on the home front, but it is amazing. Have a great time!

    1. Be sure to vote for somewhere close! Have you contacted the con-com and notified them that you are an author? Are you going to sell books at a table or just go and enjoy yourself and make contacts?

  2. Sounds like a great weekend! What panels were you on? That’s very exciting! I recently attended DFWCon writers’ conference, which refreshed and inspired me.

    1. I was on a panel on technology in science fiction that became reality and one on technology today and the future. Geek at heart. 🙂

      I envied all of you going to the DFWCon. I haven’t been to a writers’ conference in a long time. So glad you found it inspiring. Maybe I’ll make it there next year. . . .

      1. That’s sounds like so much fun. My inner geek is jealous of you!

        You should come to DFWCon! We would all have so much fun hanging out with other WANAs.

  3. It sounds as if you had a great time, Lynette! The photo of the sleepy baby captures the way I always feel after attending an RWA National Conference. I haven’t been to one since 2011 but hope to attend next year.

    Geeks rule!

    1. Yes, I did which is why I feel like the baby in the photo, still! 🙂 Oh, I hope you get to go to RWA National Conference next year.

      Yay, Geeks!

    1. That’s great. Travel safely, take lots of pictures and notes, come home safely and blog so those of us who missed it can live vicariously through you. 🙂

  4. Conquest44 sounds like great fun! I will definitely try and make it to America to attend something one day soon lols. i attended RWA conference in Australia a few years back – learnt heaps and yes got tuckered out 🙂

    1. It was great fun. I’ve heard a lot about RWA conferences. I don’t write romance, but I may have to check one of those out. I hope you can make it to America someday soon, Kim. It would be awesome to meet somewhere. 🙂

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