I got back from DragonCon almost two days ago, and I'm still tired. Going back to work tomorrow is going to suck. >_< But it was an awesome trip, best time I've had at the 'con in a while. I stayed up late hanging out with friends, was first in line to get a book signed by Jim Butcher, and took a bunch of great pictures.I also got into a dance-off with one of the Blues Brothers at a Tolkien-themed 70s music dance party. I lost, of course. One does not simply get into a dance-off with a Blues Brother and win.
One of the greatest things about DragonCon is that it's cross-fandom like crazy - it's all about fantasy, sci-fi, and horror, and there's representation from hundreds if not thousands of different works. For example, I went as Bumi from "Legend of Korra", while my friend Paul had costumes for both Harry Dresden of "The Dresden Files" and Rincewind from Terry Prachett's "Discworld" series. (Together, we were an awesome crossover.) And seeing so many different people celebrating so many different things got me thinking.
Every single creator behind all those series was once just like us.
They looked at their hard work and wondered why it seemed like nobody liked it, why nobody wanted to hire them or help them get published. They wondered if they had what it takes, or if they were just deluding themselves. They wondered if all their hard work was worth it. They wondered if quitting would be easier.
And now, because they didn't quit, their names are known all over the world. They have people lining up for their new releases. They have sales numbers that mean they can keep doing what they love. And they have fans who show the world just how much they love their work.
So no matter what you're feeling now, no matter how difficult it seems, no matter how much you want to quit or wonder if you could quit if you tried: keep at it. Because when you make it, it'll all be worth it. Because someday, they'll love your work too.
I'm writing a lot of this for myself, to tell y'all the truth. I didn't get chosen for the contest I mentioned two weeks ago, and looking at the critique I got, I'm sitting here torn between "Maybe they have a point on that" and "How the HELL much do you expect from FIVE [expletive deleted] PAGES?!". So I needed to write this out, to remind myself that someday, I'll look back on this and laugh, because I just got done telling someone who's at a convention dressed as one of my characters how much I love their costume.
Next entry: I started writing the sequel to THE ACCIDENTAL WARLOCK last night. My next entry will be about that and why I'm writing it now.
Glad you had a good time at the con. One of these years I'll hit the road and go to DragonCon.
ReplyDeleteJust let the critique sit a bit and then tackle in renewed. And yeah, you will laugh about it someday.
DragonCon is something every geek should experience. Mostly because, judging by the population, nearly every geek has. ^_^ I'm exaggerating, but it really is awesome.
DeleteI bet DragonCon was awesome! I seriously want to attend a Con someday, and I suppose I should stop waiting for one of my publisher to send me (pardon me while I double up in laughter at the thought) and just go on my own. My whole family would love it. Sorry about the contest, but you are right. Keep moving forward.
ReplyDeleteGo for it! Judging by what some professionals have said, it's a different experience being there as yourself than as a guest. And you can leave promotional materials in various places for your books. Maybe count it as a business trip? :P
DeleteIf I ever get in shape enough I'll totally cosplay Alexi at a con :3 I love the idea of a magic hat with a feather in it!
ReplyDeleteThat would be awesome. ^_^ Though it's the outfit that's magic, the hat is just for flair.
DeleteGlad to hear you had a good time. I wish I could have been there to see the dance-off. :D
ReplyDeleteIt wasn't *that* great, at least not on my end - I just did dances from World of Warcraft until I realized I couldn't remember any more of them. O_o
DeleteSounds like you had tons of fun. If I tell my hubs about your dance contest, he'll get really jealous :)
ReplyDeleteAnd you're so right about those authors being 'beginners' once. It's easy to forget that but so true. I think Stephen King had 200 rejections before he got anywhere. And those critiques at the contests can be brutal - I always get the feeling that some people are simply out for attack during those. Remember to trust your own gut. Good luck with book 2!
Yeah, the "everyone gets rejected" thing is true, but it's hard to remember when it's your own rejections. And I haven't had anyone be mean to me, but I have had a few that made me think their expectations were out of line.
DeleteYeah, I got some feedback which was good feedback, but also the somewhat frustrating feedback: There's nothing wrong with it, it looks fun, but this other one looked even more fun for me.
ReplyDeleteYeah, nothing wrong, just not something they're into.
But you have a point. (and a good one).
Yep, just like rejection letters from agents. -_- Scalzi said there's no such thing as a book everyone likes, but man, finding people who do like it shouldn't be so hard. Grr. Arg.
DeleteSounds like a hoot. The Mrs. and I visited the outskirts of ComicCon last year and got to see a lot of cool stuff for free. I noticed the cross-genre aspect too. All speculative fiction, I suppose. "When you make it, it'll all be worth it." True dat. I'm planning on posthumous fame.
ReplyDeleteYeah, DragonCon pretty much is all speculative fiction, and the great thing is that if you don't know who/what someone's dressed as, they'll usually be very happy to tell you. ^_^ And like I said above, you really should go, as there's places you can drop book promotional material. Might help.
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