spring spockets

In its ninth year, ConDFW is a “science fiction and fantasy event.” It’s held in Dallas, in February, and takes its changes with whatever Texas weather will turn out that weekend.

Composed of writing stuff, art stuff, science stuff, gaming stuff, costuming stuff, and a dealer’s room full of stuff related to science fiction and fantasy, its a great convention to meet the pros and make new friends.

As with most conventions, the membership price is less the earlier you register. But even at the door, the adult 3-day pass is only $35 and the child 3-day pass is $15.

This year’s guests are Elizabeth Moon, Jack McDevitt, and Vincent Villafranca. I’ve had the honor to meet Elizabeth Moon and Vincent Villafranca before, and look forward to seeing them again.

As a writer, I find too many panels I want to attend and not enough time. The writing craft panels are useful, the art panels are visually amazing, and the science panels generate story ideas I don’t think I can complete, but are fun to think about anyway.

ConDFW is a small, casual scifi/fantasy convention. People attend room parties Friday and Saturday nights, and both panelists and attendees show up to the 10 am Sunday morning events. It’s a friendly place, and making new friends can add a tremendous amount to your convention experience. Attend a panel/demonstration/game/party of your interest and you will find like-minded people there to share in the fun with you.

Nikola Tesla: Things don’t always go as planned, Mr. Angier. That’s the beauty of science.
- The Prestige

robot flowers

As I am interested in writing fantasy and science fiction, there are two local conventions I attend every year, ConDFW and FenCon.

For the past two years I have attended the World Science Fiction Convention (WorldCon) and this will be the first year I go to the World Fantasy Convention.

Since joining the DFW Writers Workshop, I attend their writing conference every year as well – great place to pitch an agent, BTW.

Conventions are a great place to meet authors, sometimes agents and editors, and other people who like the same kinds of things you do. You don’t have to attend the parties, you don’t have to go to a panel every hour, and it’s okay if you don’t hang out at the bar. Some day you may want to do one or more of those things because they can be fun. It’s taken me a few years to get to that point myself, so it is possible.

But you’ll never know until you pick a convention and go to it.

Grail Knight: You have chosen… wisely.
- Indiana Jones & The Last Crusade

PROS

• easy access to your room if you need a break from the masses
• a close place to store all the stuff you buy in the dealer’s room so you don’t have to haul it around all day
• you never know who you’re going to see or meet

CONS

• may also be the “party hotel” so be prepared for late night noise
• elevators can get overloaded and sometimes have a line
• likely more expensive than other hotels associated with the convention

goal one

For me, the last Pro – you never know who you’re going to see or meet – outweighs all the Cons.

I don’t enjoy loud, crowded parties, so my chance to talk and meet with people happen during the day-to-day activities of a convention.

Talking to John Picacio in an elevator at Worldcon, sitting and listening to Bernard Pearson tell stories in the courtyard at the first North American Discworld Convention, having dinner with Peter S. Beagle and Connor Cochran at ConDFW are moments I treasure.

And all of those happened because I stayed at the main hotel of the convention, and was at a right place at a right time.

I can control what hotel I stay at. The ‘right place at the right time’ is something I trust will happen on it’s own because I’m making the effort to be there and be engaged in what’s going on. And it does.

Mr. Ecko: Don’t mistake coincidence for fate.
- Lost, “What Kate Did”