NorWesCon 32 Report

I'm not usually this redundant between this blog and the SF Fandom Wordpress Blog but as I'm just getting back on my feet I figured a little redundancy wouldn't hurt anything.

In any event, here is a quick rundown of my weekend at NorWesCon 32 (which was held in SeaTac, WA the weekend of April 10 through 12).

I was invited to sit on six panels (The Blogger Effect, Comparative Study: Elves, On the Fringe, Using Fantasy and Science Fiction to Engage the Next Generation, Comparative Study: Orcs, Tolkien Has a Lot to Answer For, and The Fannish Community On Line).

The Blogger Effect was interesting because it was pretty much a free-form discussion between several bloggers (including me). Probably the low point of the panel was when I described an anecdote I shared on an old blog. My point was to demonstrate how I used self-deprecating humor to make people laugh (picture me picturing myself pouring a soft drink over my head as five girls look on -- okay, you had to be a Hercules fan to understand it all).

In any event, some of the tips the panel were unanimous about: write only about topics for which you feel some passion; don't attack other people; don't be drawn into blog wars with other people who attack you (don't respond to the attacks); don't share private, personal information; do say something of substance; do limit how much you say because your readers will eventually stop reading; pace yourself.

Comparative Study: Elves was set up by panelist Ciandi Stephens, who admitted her only qualification was that she is an avid gamer. I think that was actually good enough and she made some good comments about the topic. Dave Butler, a professional folklorist and mythologist, stole the show (in my opinion) with his insights into the Elves of historical folklore and mythology. Sure, I was able to join the discussion from a Tolkienist perspective and even managed to hang on in some of the folklore/mythology discussions, but if you ever get a chance to talk folklore and mythology with Mr. Butler, take it. I cannot find a Web site for him.

On the Fringe emjoyed light enough attendance that the three of us on the panel just took off and gushed about the show for an hour. I would say the room was about 1/3 full, which surprised me, given how well-done the show is. All the panelists (and the other guys are probably more qualified to speculate than me) felt the show would have to tie up some loose ends soon but that the second season would probably set the pace. My desire is that they not really fix too many issues in the second season (most television shows make radical changes in their second seasons).

Using Fantasy and Science Fiction to Engage the Next Generation was, for me, the most interesting panel. I was the only panelist who was NOT involved in professional education services. About half the audience were teachers or otherwise involved with education. There were several parents in the audience as well, including one gentleman who seemed frustrated that his kids' school system was not very friendly to science fiction and fantasy.

The panelists were pretty open about some of their frustrations with how the educational community treats science fiction (the community is more open to the concept of "What if" if you don't label it for science fiction or speculative fiction). Nonetheless, parents who want their schools to support open-minded exploration of the imagination should join their PTOs, support local library initiatives, and help launch events and projects that inspire the kids' imagination.

I pointed out that I like to promote videos made by schools. The teachers all felt that was a great resource for bringing science fiction and education together but not every school can put together a video/film-making program. Nonetheless, book fairs, science fairs, field trips, and other special events all present opportunities for kids to delve into science fiction through education. And I am really not doing the panel any justice with this brief report.

Comparative Study: Orcs surprised me by being the only Standing Room Only event among my panels. I guess people really like Orcs. About half the people in the audience were gamers. Dave Butler also sat on this panel and he once again wowed the room with the depth of his knowledge and insight into fantasy monsters and creatures. Again, if you get a chance to see him present on folk lore and mythology, go see him. You won't regret it.

Chris Pramas and Dylan S(ervantes?) shared some insights on why gaming Orcs are green (no real reason other than some Australian group thought that would be cool) and pig-snouted (another idea someone thought would be cool). Gaming Orcs, of course, owe something to Tolkien's Orcs but the two types of Orcs diverged many years ago.

Tolkien Has a Lot to Answer For seemed like it would be my biggest panel of the day but the room was not as packed as the Orc panel. I think the fact a lot of people were trying to have dinner prior to the Masquerade probably hurt us but we still had a pretty good audience. Jeff Grubb, who helped developed the Dragonlance game (and contributed the Gnomes), sat on the panel with me and Eric Mona (gamer/author). I had the opportunity to tell Jeff I really liked the Gnomes, and pointed out that their names (which grow throughout their lives) reminded me of Tolkien's Ents. Jeff said that's where he got the idea from.

Cool. Totally cool.

So we talked Tolkien and related topics and a good time was had by all.

The Fannish Community On Line unfortunately suffered from being scheduled at 10:00 AM on a Sunday. Persdonally, I was expecting a larger audience as at Dragon*Con it's usually the 10:00 AM Saturday events that are clobbered (by the parade). But that's another convention.

Leo Roberts and Amanda Cherry from Star Trek: Phoenix -- a fan film project that should result in six Webisodes later this year and next year -- sat on the panel along with film-maker Ryan Johnson (who also sat on the Comparative Study: Elves panel). Since there were at a few times more panelists than audience members we sort of just gabbed among ourselves, sharing gossip and experiences.

I'll admit that this is where I learned what Star Trek: Phoenix was all about (I had passed their table several times on my way to and from panels). The project is really amazing. When I stopped by their table after the panel I watched some of the footage from their documentary. I also watched all the videos on their Web site.

The project is the brain child of Temporal Studios here in the Seattle area and it's being produced by a professional crew. Check the STPHoenix.com site for more information.

I've recommended the project to Eric Watts, who runs the Dragon*Con Star Trek programming track. Eric loves these kinds of projects and is trying to work with Temporal Studios to bring them to Atlanta this Labor Day Weekend. My fingers are crossed, guys!

I had time to watch a couple of panels on costuming. Fascinating stuff. And I also ran into an old online friend, Lisa Mantchev, who was one of the early Compuserve IMPs, an online writers group I joined in the early 1990s. The Compuserve IMPs remain to this day (so far as I can determine) the most successful online writers group, in terms of how many members went on to become published. A new generation of IMPs were still active as recently as 1-2 years ago but I've not heard much since then.

Lisa has a book coming out later this year called Eyes Like Stars. Check out Lisa Mantchev's site for more information. Lisa said another IMP was at the con but I was unable to connect with her. I hope to run into more IMPs in the future.

And that's my con report. I apologize for the length of it. I didn't have time to write a short one (okay, that's not an original line but I love it so I use it whenever I can).

SF-Fandom is a moderated, fan-run community devoted to science fiction, fantasy, history, and mythology. SF-Fandom was founded in 2001 and is part of the Xenite.Org network. Free registration is required to post. Please be sure you read our Posting Guidelines.

Catching up in April 2009

I was pretty ill throughout the month of March and did not write any new blog posts after the 19th. Sorry about that.

I did, however, get to attend NorWesCon 32 as a guest. I've also recorded a new episode of Middle-earth Talk Radio. In fact, you can now download episodes 10, 11, and 12. Episodes 10 and 11 were recorded in February before I fell ill but episode 12 was recorded Sunday, April 19.

Michael Regina (Xoanon of TheOneRing.Net) has been asking fan sites to help promote an upcoming Lord of the Rings event to be held at Radio City Music Hall. Xenite.Org is participating in the promotional effort and my next post will have more information. The event will be held in October. You can also learn more at the official Web site.

If you've been hoping for an opportunity to download The Lord of the Rings electronically (legally) your hopes have been realized. HarperCollins has bought worldwide electronic rights for Tolkien's books. Check out Episode 12 of Middle-earth Talk Radio for more details.

And for those of you who read Hobbit News, the newsletter, I hope I'll be able to resume weekly publication this weekend now that I'm (more-or-less) healthy again.

SF-Fandom is a moderated, fan-run community devoted to science fiction, fantasy, history, and mythology. SF-Fandom was founded in 2001 and is part of the Xenite.Org network. Free registration is required to post. Please be sure you read our Posting Guidelines.

NorWesCon 32 Itinerary

I have received my itinerary for NorWesCon.

Saturday, April 11

The Blogger Effect      11:00 AM      Cascade 5
Has blogging ruined the fine art of editing? What do we gain with publishing spontaneous writing? And what do we lose? There is a growing network of SF/F professional and aspiring writers connected via LiveJournal and other blogging communities. Is it breaking down the barriers between pro, amateur, and fan-ficcer? Does it function as an informal online writers' workshop, as a support group, or a black hole of cat-vacuuming?
Josh Palmatier, Mark Henry, Michael Martinez, Gordon Van Gelder

Comparative Study: Elves     1:00 PM     Cascade 8
Delicate, beautiful, graceful...deadly. Light Elves versus Dark, Night versus Blood, what is it about these diametrically opposing forces that draw us to them? Is it simply easy storytelling or is it representative of the dichotomy within each of us? Or both? Come ready to discuss elves in context of opposing sides in literature and gaming.
Dave Butler, Michael Martinez, Ciandi Stephens

On the Fringe    3:00 PM    Cascade 10
Have the creators of Lost created a new winner?
Chris Nilsson, Ryan K. Johnson, Michael Martinez

Using Fantasy and Science Fiction to Engage the Next Generation    4:00 PM    Cascade 7
With the competition presented by computers, TV, and the myriad of animated gaming devices, K-12 educators are intensely interested in finding new ways to engage their students’ interest. Members of SF&F fandom, are invited to take part in brainstorming ways to improve educational approaches for the future using Science Fiction and Fantasy themes as a jumping-off point.
Spring Shoenhuth, Craig Figley, Eva-Lise Carlstrom, Miki Garrison, Michael Martinez

Comparative Study: Orcs    5:00 PM    Cascade 5
They are easily recognizable by their green, grey or brown skin, tusks and fangs...not to mention the fact that they are almost definitely trying to kill you. Orcs have haunted our nightmares (and therefore, our stories) for decades, but what do these creatures have in common with each other? Comparing Tolkein, Salvatore and other literary works with games such as Warhammer and Warcraft, this panel analyzes the origins and history of Fantasy's favorite barbarian horde.
Dave Butler, Michael Martinez, Chris Pramas, Dylan S.

Tolkien Has a Lot to Answer For    7:00 PM    Cascade 4
With Lord of the Rings, Tolkien established the fantasy genre and many of the current fantasy traditions. Has this now hindered the growth of the fantasy genre?
Michael Martinez, Jeff Grubb, Eric Mona

Sunday, April 12

The Fannish Community On Line    10:00 AM    Cascade 8
From parsing every detail of every sci fi and fantasy script out of Hollywood to debates on production stills for movies that don't come out for another year, on-line fandom has become a force to be reckoned with and even courted. With threats of boycott of Twentieth Century Fox over Watchman as an example, how will fandom use its online power to advance the cause of science fiction and fantasy?
Ryan K. Johnson, Michael Martinez, Amanda Cherry, Leo Roberts

SF-Fandom is a moderated, fan-run community devoted to science fiction, fantasy, history, and mythology. SF-Fandom was founded in 2001 and is part of the Xenite.Org network. Free registration is required to post. Please be sure you read our Posting Guidelines.