Wow.

On a lark, I decided to accompany Sara to the 2004 World Fantasy Convention in Phoenix this year. Over the last months, I've been pondering how to keep myself in the writing game without doing a dissertation. The idea came to mind to write critically about texts that, frankly, I'd found terribly spotty though I wished they weren't. For all that I read, do, study, and roleplay, fantasy reading should be right up my alley.

For some reason, I have had trouble getting into many texts. The notable exception -- Fred Saberhagen's Book of Swords series. Mm. I love those books.

Anyway. After many myriad conversations, I decided that perhaps if I turned a critical eye to fantasy texts, it'd perhaps resolve lots of issues for me: discovering fantasy texts that I'd enjoy, providing an outlet for critical writing, while perhaps keeping something interesting out on the Internet that I love.

And so, I am at World Fantasy Con 2004.

What I expected was a slew of geeks, dressed oddly, speaking oddly, talking on odd topics, unaware of the world, unaware of much more than books they bought and read.

What I have found is a group of people who love being creative as much as the creative process itself. Whether writers, editors, publishers, or artists, they each seem to have a sense of what it takes to be creative and to create - if I can make such a distinction.

Yes, there are fans around, but the stereotypical types are few and subtle. They are outnumbered by the sheer creative vibe of people who have committed themselves to manifesting their creativity, no matter the medium. They are disciplined people who know what it takes not just to have an interesting or fascinating idea or to be inspired by a muse, but also the practical of getting down to the work of producing, editing, refining, considering, and making available their ideas.

Had a loverly time meeting Chris Roberson (various texts on the Bonaventures) and Allison, his wife, who's in film, along with Paul Cornell (British Summertime). Ran into Eileen Gunn again, who has a new book out, which was nice! Lastly, spent lots of time with Laurel Winter (Growing Wings), including breakfast. She does Reiki, which she generously relaxed us with after breakfast.

A great, great day.