Let me begin by saying that I don’t usually go to conventions.  I don’t really think of myself as a ‘fan’, one of those people who go to fantasy conventions and dress in costume while hanging out in the dealer’s room.  I know people like that, and am even friends with some of them, but I wouldn’t say I was one.

Now, that said, I really enjoyed the Fourth Street Fantasy Convention.  And when I say I really enjoyed it, what I mean is I had such a good time that I’m wishing it wasn’t over, and am planning to be there next year.  I learned so much, got to meet such interesting people, and had so much pure fun that I’m still smiling.

I feel filled with a renewed joy for writing, and find that I’m reading with both more insight and greater pleasure.   I need more hours in the day to read all I want to, to write the stories in my head, and to track down all the people I met and have deep conversations with them.

Let’s see, perhaps some high points from the weekend…

I really enjoyed the giant smile on Steve’s face while he was playing and singing at Tesla’s party.  And later, on Friday and Saturday nights when he got to play and sing with his friends.  Now, for those of you who don’t smoke, and can’t handle cigarette smoke, I have to say, sucks to be you.  You didn’t get to watch Steve and his son Corwin, Corwin’s wife D., and Emma singing and playing.  There were other great musicians there too, but I didn’t get their names.  Oh, and (I forget which night, they’re blurring in my mind), Elizabeth Bear came up and sang for a bit.

Special highlight, Emma did Wayfaring Stranger with Steve, and Mary Dell caught a snippet of it here:  http://www.flickr.com/photos/marydell/2610171620/in/set-72157605802104424/

I took lots of notes at all of the panels, save two.  I didn’t manage many notes on the last panel, I was brain dead (more on why later…), and I didn’t get many notes on the Advice From New Writer’s panel, cause I was on it.  Speaking of, it was a lot of fun, and I feel very proud of myself for not melting into a puddle of embarrassed Jennifer goo.

Fun things from that panel:  Marissa laid a smackdown on someone in such awesome Minnesotan style that it took a minute for it to sink in, and made me fall instantly in love with her.  I dropped Teresa.  (This seems to be a life goal for some people, and I have to admit, it was kinda fun.)

Judging by the reaction of some of the audience, we made quite an impression.  A splash, as it were.

I’ve read some other folks thoughts on the convention, and while, yeah, there were a few things that could have been better (the hotel was under construction, service in the restaurant was glacial, not centrally located, more volunteer panelists were needed), I still found it to be overall fifteen tons of shiny awesomeness.    I’m sure all the wrinkles will be fixed by next year and the awesome will not diminish.  Mucho grande props to Lydia for bringing the convention back, she did an amazing job, and it’s to her credit that most of the ‘problems’ were things completely outside her direct control.

Hm, other fun things from the con…  Got to ride up and back with Chazs’ internet girlfriend.   Saw Jon Singer’s pottery (wow!)  Met Emma Bull, Will Shetterly, Pamela Dean, Elizabeth Bear, Marissa Lingen and Teresa Nielsen Hayden.  Saw, but didn’t talk to Patrick Nielsen Hayden, Sarah Monette, Caroline Stevermer, Ellen Klages and Jim Frenkel.  (Those were some of the big names there.)  Also got to meet, talk to, hang with, rub elbows with Jon Singer, Karen Schnier (thanks for the crash space!), Alec Austin, Michael Merriam, Lesley Hall (spoke to her in the hallway), Ginger, Sophie (who won the Kindle and made me jealous), Brad, Karen, and more who I can’t think of names for right now.  Whew.

I got a hug from Emma, who is one of the coolest humans alive.  I’ve never seen anyone pay such intent honest attention to everyone trying to interact with her.  She was so present, in the moment with no wandering mind or attention…  She is yogic in her awesomeness.  I hope I get to be as cool as her some day.

I think I wound up with around 45 ish pages of notes, overall.  I’m still working on getting them into readable form.  I also took down a lot of books that people recommended over the weekend.  I think my reading list is full for the next couple months, at least.

Oh, the learning experience ™ of the weekend was that brains need food.  On Sunday, I managed to skip any form of breakfast, had a snack for lunch, and then another snack after the panels when I realized my blood sugar had hit the basement flooring.  Bad Jennifer, remember to eat when you’re excited and thinking!  Oh, and I think I need to drink more water.

All in all, I had a great weekend, it was lots of fun, gave me several metric tons to think about, and filled me with a new fire for writing.  I need to set up a calendar to track what I need to be working on at any given moment.  Cause I’m just that excited about writing.

Ah, and, the cats were upset with me when I got home, but a bribe of wet food and I was forgiven.  My own bed is the best place in the world to sleep, and I still wanna talk about writing with anyone and everyone all the time!