Being “Maurice Broaddus”

Okay, I’ve just wrapped up Bouchercon (the World Mystery Convention that puts the other conventions I attend into perspective: 21 New York Times best sellers, over a dozen attending writers who are millionaires, sheesh), marking the end of convention season for the year. As a friend pointed out, cons are 72 hours of a bunch of introverts pretending to be extroverts. And I’m exhausted. (I’m sure coming off of a great time at Killercon and a fantastic time at Context has nothing to do with it).

Like many writers, I’m not as social a creature as some may imagine and find it rather exhausting to be “on”. Yet at conventions, difficult though it may be, we hit that switch, ignore the cries of our inner introverts, and push through. In this case, being on means constantly being aware of our professional image, courteous, witty, entertaining and, you know, being nice!

Knowing that each encounter has repercussions—an angry encounter with a waitress, an ugly confrontation with an editor, the snubbing of a fan—can create ripple effects and the stories spread to define who we are. It’s not so different for other folks. It’s funny how we always seem to be nicer to strangers.

So it almost begs the question “Why can’t we always be “on”?” Wishing our public personas were more in line with who are default settings are. Just like there are times when I wish I bore the image of Christian(ity) a lot better than I do: being conscious of who I am, how I come across, what I represent, how I carry myself.

Each encounter is an opportunity, a God moment, to be gracious, to be loving, to be healing, to listen, to simply be there for one another. I need to go through more of life as “Maurice Broaddus”.

This is probably the existential crash that comes after being completely worn out at the end of the convention. Luckily, we’re also about to prepare to go into our Fall/Winter cocoons so that we can re-charge our system. Gearing up for next year’s gauntlet and the rush of being on.

But it’s so exhausting to think about. I’m going to bed.

KillerCon 2009 Report

For folks who don’t know, Wrath James White and I are basically like brothers. Overly competitive brothers who like to one up one another. Orgy of Souls was written that way. In what constitutes the rest of our real life, I do a chili, he has to do a chili. He gets a book deal, I have to get a book deal. I do a convention, he has to do a convention. And par for course, KillerCon was Mo*Con on steroids.

As he didn’t learn any lessons after so often mocking me during my Mo*Con prep, I watched he and his co-chair, Monica O’Rourke, ran around madly seeing to everyone’s needs. (The lesson to have remembered: you don’t have to worry about programming gaffs because when in doubt, you have food, booze, and, well, Vegas. The conversations will take care of themselves.) The short and clearly sanitized summary, for those who didn't just follow my twitter, work got done, new friends were made,
old friends were hung out with.
Plus it’s always good to meet with your agent in the flesh for a change.
This con had a series of firsts for me. I did a reading of some of my fiction (“Night of the Living Baseheads” the story that became the basis/a sub-plot in the first book of The Knights of Breton Court: Kingmaker). Don’t get me wrong, I’d been building up to it, having done some non-fiction readings (“Man-O-Gram”) and a few poems, but never a story. Though I could live without Wrath and Monica bragging about popping my reading cherry …

Also, though I’m use to doing a couple of panels, my wife Sally sat on a panel, the “what the hell was Wrath thinking putting his wife and mine on the” Seven Deadly Sins of Living With a Writer panel. That experience will require a separate blog post.

And the convention was in Las Vegas. With most cons, we rarely leave the hotel so the city hardly matters as long as there are bars/restaurants nearby. This time, we were rarely in the hotel. Of course, the Broaddus’ were personally hosted by Wrath and Christie, for which we are very grateful (and they were the consummate hosts).
With only two tracks of programming, one would think that the con would be more of a relaxicon. Yet between running back and forth to the Strip and trying to take in so much while there, KillerCon needed a few days to recover from (read: I can’t wait til the next one).

And “teh wife” has a more complete album of the event on her FaceBook.

Barbara Vey was live blogging the convention. You may want to check it out.

Context 2009 Report (Much Belated Due to Deadline Constraints)

I make no bones about it: I love ConText. It’s one of my favorite cons to go to, not just because it’s a convenient drive for me to go to, but because they have great guests of honor such as Chris Golden, Jason Sizemore (you'll note that Geoff Girard considers himself a Guest of Honor wherever he goes), and Steve Gilberts









which draw some great folks (Gene O'Neil, Gord Rollo, and the Brothers Grin aka Doug Warrick and Kyle Johnson).









and it’s a great atmosphere. This year they changed hotels and this new one was AMAZING (of course, the free breakfast buffet helps. Open Letter to All Con Organizers: you want to keep writers happy, it’s pretty easy. Supply free food and drink. We’ll always consider it a successful con after that).














Plus, this is one of those cons (read: affordable) where I can take the family. Now, teh wife gets that cons—despite the pics of schmoozing and the occasional drink—are still work for me, but as she’s not much of a reader has felt left out of this part of my life. Because of Mo*Con she now knows a lot of the folks who also make it a point to make it out to ConText. So I can do my thing, she and the boys can do their thing, and we can do our thing. At least that’s how it’s supposed to work on paper. The reality woks out more like the tale of two cons.

While I’m hard at work being interviewed by the Funky Werepig crew (who I was previously interviewed by)

Let’s check in on teh family











While I’m hard at work networking
let’s check in on teh wife, who had teamed up with her friend/co-conspirator/fellow author’s widow, Jill Gordon (wife of my co-editor of Dark Faith).









The advantage to family is that Sally could do her own networking (though I told them I'd quit referring to them as the "Artist Widows"), Reese could help out at my author’s signing, and I’m not above pimping out my sons in the name of marketing.









In short, this was the best ConText ever (which is doubly surprising considering how great the previous ones have been). But be warned, those not built for con life: it takes out even the best of us and leaves us spent.

Gen Con 2009

As my regular readers know (and note, I refrained from calling you all "my Precious"), my blog will be fairly erratic as I put my nose to the grindstone to finish the second novel in my trilogy. Occasionally, I will find a way to procrastinate. This weekend it was Gen Con. Allow me to share a few picture highlights from the con. Two are hanging with John C. Hay and, well, what I'm calling the dorkcycle.


Though I was at the convention the entire time, on Saturday, the family joined me. My sons came appropriately dressed as Batman (Reese) and the Hulk (Malcolm - and as to not make Wrath James White upset, note that it's the green Hulk, not the gray one). Since we were babysitting my nephew at the time, he was indoctrinated into the typical Broaddus family events. Turns out, Scooby was the hugest hit.

All the boys were constantly having their pictures taken (though the Hulk proved to be quite shy, so I ended up bribing him with candy to cooperate with the photographers). And they were invited to join in the Gen Con costume parade.














We wrapped up the afternoon building a house of cards which was added to the city of cards. We even returned to Gen Con late at night in order to participate in the charity destruction of the city of cards (oddly enough: boys + chance to destroy buildings of cards = WIN!)





We wrapped up our evening by checking in on a Magic the Gathering tournament. Notice that we have opted to pose for a picture of just us rather than show a picture of Mr. Hay's ignominious and brutally quick defeat.

The rest of the pictures are available on teh wife's Facebook albums:

gencon 2009

gencon parade

gencon - house of cards

I'll post some actual reporting from the con in a few days. At some point I have to earn my press pass.

I'm Not Talking About Mo*Con IV ... (5/22/09 update)

Once again, there's no easy way to describe Mo*Con so go read Kelli Dunlap's blog summary.


or

Bob Freeman's summary

Tom Piccirilli’s The Brotherhood of Inspiration

Brian Hatcher's summary

Kevin Lucia's reflections

or from a fan perspective:

Sheryl Hugill's summary

Tony Tremblay's summary (through which you can almost entirely relive the con. wow.)

I have posted:
-A sample of what Mo*Con looked like on Twitter
-Wrath's sermon on atheism
-The Story of My Christianity
-The awards given in absentia (including a feature story on Mo*Con)

And if you want to see some pictures, we have:

My FaceBook Album

or my wife's facebook albums
05-14-2009 Arrival of Mo Con Guests
05-15-2009 Pre-Mo Con Brunch at "The Journey"
05-15-2009 Pre-Mo Con - Getting the church ready
05-15-2009 Mo Con - Day one
05-15-2009 Mo Con - Day One - Poetry reading
05-16-2009 Mo Con - Day 2
05-16-2009 Mo Con - Day 2 - Art Gallery
05-16-2009 Mo Con After Party
05-17-2009 Mo Con Day 3 - Just Brunch today

Alethea’s Pics

[Two things on a personal note: 1) I can't state strongly enough how great it was to host our guests. They were truly epic; 2) It's great to have friends who speak truth into your life--even when it's painful to hear--and who support you during times of trouble; 3) there are a few folks I especially can't thank enough for the help and support in making Mo*Con possible: Sally Broaddus (whose patience and support continue to amaze me); Sara Larson (without whom, this con would not have happened); Ro Griffin, Jenn Baumgartner, and Larissa Johnson (Team Broaddus); brunch chef, Rob Rolfingsmeyer; and Michelle Pendergrass, Jerry Gordon, Bob Freeman (yay! all the IHW).]

UPDATE:

Oy, I've been re-mixed...

BIB - Networking

When I talk to some newbie writers about networking, they seem to hear it as butt-kissing or something they shouldn’t have to do in order to get published. They want no part of the politics of writing/publishing. Typically I hear this from the self-published crowd who tend to show little interest in the business aspect of writing. (Ironic since if you are going to go the self-publishing route, you should know the business side of things even better). So this isn’t for them.

One of the reasons we go to conventions is to network. It’s why we spend so much time on message boards, blogs, and social networking sites. While publishing largely boils down to what you write, the business side of things is eased by who you know. Friends make things easier. I know that as my career has slowly blossomed (I figure I’m in year eight on my road to overnight success), friends are there to encourage me, be first readers of my stories, edit me, and blurb me as needed.

This is not a call to be an unrepentant climber. Name-badging people and ignoring them if they “can’t be of use to you” isn’t going to win you any friends (and people know when they have been snubbed). This mercenary way of going through life will be quickly recognized. It's about the relationship first. I know when someone is using me to raid my connections, hanging around with me just because of who I hang out with, or talking with me in order to talk to who I'm talking to. I know it's a part of the game, but if you're going to so transparently use me, at least buy me dinner first. Networking isn't about using or ass-kissing people, it's simply about building relationships, for their own sake.

Malcolm Gladwell, in his book The Tipping Point: How Little Things can make a Big Difference, described these people as connectors, people who "link us up with the world ... people with a special gift for bringing the world together." Connectors are people in a community who know large numbers of people and who are in the habit of making introductions. A connector is essentially the social equivalent of a computer network hub. Connectors usually know people across an array of social, cultural, professional, and economic circles, and make a habit of introducing people who work or live in different circles.

Some people are natural networkers. Some people have to work at it.

Writers in general aren’t the most socially comfortable people. The bulk of what we do is done in solitude and the business side of art, networking, glad-handing, and nurturing/being with fans doesn’t necessarily come easily. So I offer a few simple tips to proper networking:

-Be genuine. Be true to yourself and your personality. Don’t try to mimic someone else. For example, I can’t do other people’s material. They’re likely funny in ways that I’m not and vice versa. Personality-wise, I can only be me. I’ll never be a Fran Friel, a Kelli Dunlap, a Chesya Burke, a Brian Keene or any of the other budding rock stars of the horror community. Their acts are their own. But that’s the secret: be your own act.

-Be naturally interested in people, for their own sake, without an agenda. You don’t make friends by first asking what they can do for you. You don’t make friends based on who they are or where they are in their careers. If for no other reason that you don’t know what twists fate may have in store for them or you, don’t burn bridges before they’ve formed.

-Be friendly. You are with your peers, people who get what you do and how you do it. You get to cut loose (within reason), and solidify working relationships with fellow writers, editors, agents, and fans. As JA Konrath said, "When we writers go anywhere, we become ambassadors for our writing."

Sometimes it is difficult getting spouse to see networking as something other than goofing off (I don’t understand my own wife’s confusion on the issue). Regardless, networking is an important part of any industry. Honestly, it’s part of the fun for me since basically I get to build a network of connections through conversation. And I love running my mouth.

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Context 2008 - This is how I Roll

This pretty much sums up my con experience. Friends, family, networking, parties, and laughs. And as Alethea said "if this picture was a sitcom, you'd watch it."


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I Have Drunk the Necon Kool Aid

Necon Day One:

Do not get a ride with an anarchist.

That’s the first lesson learned when it came to attending Camp Necon. Necon is a more intimate con (I can see why Mo*Con was being compared to it – I can only hope/dread to keep and live up to such a tradition). As such, I was picked up by a friend I had only known online, lokilokust (he now of the shorn beard). Unfortunately, I came to learn something about my friend loki: as an anarchist, he doesn’t believe in directions. “Wherever you are, you are somewhere” or something like that was said. It’s hard to recall. You see, I have a terrible fear of bridges, because it combines two of my other fears, heights and open water. To say that there is a bridge one has to take to Necon is an insult to bridges. There is an expanse, a thin metal rail that extends long into the horizon which “he who doesn’t believe in directions” kept going back and forth on in his efforts to get from somewhere to somewhere else. Ending with us “fighting the power” with the ironic act of asking the police for directions.

Everyone kept apologizing for this year not being true to the spirit of Necon. Their usual quarters were under re-construction, so we were housed in alternate facilities. Seriously, you don’t have to apologize for me “having” to sleep in air conditioned hotel rooms. I’ll suffer for my craft.
I will point out that they wanted to keep the Negroes safely ensconced by having me and Wrath James White as roommates. I’d like to point out that one got away: I saw Linda Addison running around all weekend free as a bird.

Necon Day Two:









In another bit of superb Necon roommate planning, I had Ron Dickie, Tomo, and Bob Ford in a room on one side of me, and Kelli Dunlap in the room on the other side. This will end well.
I ended up doing a different panel than the one announced. I was switched with Wrath (you notice a pattern here?!?) and ended up on the “killing the genre in ten easy steps” panel, moderated by my arch-nemesis, Nick Kaufmann. All roads come back to loki: as if the panel didn’t have enough bile and bitterness with Kaufmann and Jack Haringa, loki was on hand. I tried to bring the joy that is me, luckily, Weston Ochse put a quick end to that.

For the record, I have no idea why people started calling me Budda.
And Debbie Kuhn had to bear the brunt of my obnoxiousness with no other members of Team Broaddus being there to distract me (I believe the quote was “wow, you really do talk a lot. I really understand why Lauren complains.”)

Necon Day Three:

I. Hate. Teh. Kelli.

The calculation from the Dickie/Tomo/Bob room was “Maurice’s head should be right about here” which preceeded banging against my headboard at some unholy time in the morning.










And now, an aside: Dear Lucien, no I didn’t begin my adventures at the con by announcing “where are my gays?” but i think many of us were left with some very confused feelings afterwards, though I wasn’t even invited to the sexy pillow fight. (Mental Note: Must have sexy pillow fight at Mo*Con IV)









In short, I may have a new favorite convention. You seriously can’t beat old friends hanging out over food and drink for a weekend having great conversations. The only thing to make things better would be to fire the “guitar guy”. They show up at every party, and if you don’t stop them early, they multiply. I’m pretty content to have just Gary Frank.


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Mo*Con III.2: God Hates Matt, but Jesus Loves Kelli

Matt Cardin is cursed.

Coming and going, apparently the wrath of God follows. First Mapquest directs him to an airport that doesn't exist causing him to miss his flight to Mo*Con III. Then storms follow him here preventing both he and Nick Mamatas from departing (though luckily, we had absolutely beautiful weather Saturday which allowed the after party to spread out nicely outdoors).



This led to Mo*Con III.2, the dead dog’s, dead dog party. A couple people called in sick to work, a couple others crashed at my house. Or basically no one wanting to say good-bye, so we made it last as long as possible, even if that meant opting to not go to sleep at all. Let me tell you, nothing will make you feel dumber than being between Nick Mamatas and Matt Cardin while they are going at it about the subjectivity of how we experience reality. Those were probably the last words I understood.

Though I know Kelli is going to blog about it, there's nothing like seeing the phrase “1 missed call – Jesus” pop up on her cell phone during the spirituality panel. (Luckily, Mr. Gonzalez had very nice things to say about Kelli Dunlap’s forthcoming book)

Seriously, Mo*Con III.2 was among the many highlights of Mo*Con III. I'm still trying to get images of Hurra Torpedo out of my head. How do you explain Mamatas feats of strength in describing Mo*Con?

Here's a snippet of Mother Grove's performance (yes, that’s my son’s voice declaring that “daddy’s in the girls bathroom” – for the record, I was fixing the toilet. You know it's a good party when you have to fix a toilet and I had to fix two: one at my house and one at the church.)

Other Mo*Con III recaps:

PID captures the first hour of our spirituality discussion as a podcast

Mark Rainey’s Mo News Is Good News

Kelli Dunlap's Mo*Con III and The Softer Side of Mo*Con

Alethea Kontis' History is Written by the Victors

Jason Sizemore's Mo*Con III - No Country For Old Men

Bob Freeman posts his survival story

Matt Cardin is Returning from Mo*Con III and resurrecting The Teeming Brain

Dr. Kim Paffenroth is back from Mo*Con

Jerry Gordon's The Search for Mo

Lucy Snyder's Mo*Con III Report

Tiffany the Loquacious' Report

Sara Larson's Nuff Said

Doug Warrick's The Road to Mauriclemania

Michelle Pendergrass' Recap of Sorts

Brian J. Hatcher's Mo*Con

and faithful assistant Lauren David's Mo*Con III: Spirituality, Race, and Gee-What-Other-Job-Can-We-Give-Lauren

Dr. Kim Paffenroth sent along this note:

I think I have Maurice's promo for Mo*Con IV:

- Will the Mo*Conners be able to flee back to their godless, heathen Blue states, escaping the rising deluge sent by a loving God against the God-fearing Red states of the midwest?

- Will Brother Doug and Dr. K-Paff be able to cast out the terrible demon Resiewdub, who has taken over poor Kyle's body? They will need to make a quest for the world's largest stick of incense, the sacred mana of Le Chateau Blanc, and the lost manuscript of The Dragoning!

- Can Paul Puglisi make a rock so big Mamatas can't lift it?

AND

- Will the Sinister Minister recover in time for Sunday's sermon? Or at least for next Easter?

All these questions and more will be answered, in MO*CON IV - THE RECKONING!!

[Actually, I already have the tentative theme and guest list for next year’s Mo*Con … yeah, I’m getting fired.]

See you next year!

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