pbray

Beer.

Well actually not, though hanging out in the bar is an important part of any con experience.

Programming can be entertaining, readings spark interest in books I might have otherwise missed, and trips through the dealers room are a favorite indulgence.

But the real reason I go to cons is to hang out with creative, interesting people who share my passions. There's always someone fun to talk to, and you never know where the conversation will lead.

As an example, Saturday I ran into Joe Berlant and chatted about WFC in 2007. One of their themes will be Native American folklore, with a special guest storyteller from the Abenaki tribe. We talked a bit about how many urban fantasies are tapping into traditions of the western and southwestern tribes, but couldn't bring to mind any recent title that tapped into folklore of the northeastern tribes.

Later, as I was chatting with arcaedia about possible future projects, I mentioned that I wanted to try my hand at an urban fantasy. We did a little brainstorming, and remembering my earlier conversation, I realized how I could tie the setting (a decaying industrial city in the northeast) with legends from the local tribes. Naturally I'd need to do significant research, but I now have the germ of a story idea.

When I got home I sketched out the concept and stuck it in the idea file. So far I've got setting, inciting incident, and a list of things I'd want to research. Going to let this percolate in the backbrain for a bit, to see if the characters come to me. When I start to hear their voices in my head, then I'll know it's time to take the next step.