Some notes on Borderlands Boot Camp 2009
January 29, 2009
This year I attended the Borderlands Boot Camp from January 23rd to the 25th. I’ve said over and over, and I’ll say it again—I had a fabulous time.
Friday evening was mostly about introductions and lecture from the instructors. There were some great tips in there. Some of it was familiar, but how the advice was delivered made it click in a very different way—and specific to genre fiction (though there was also an emphasis on writers reading outside of genre). Unlike what can be found in most how-to-write-fiction books from “gurus” that have never written or read anything but how-to books, the advice at the Camp was delivered with personality and from experience and real knowledge.
In the critique sessions, I found that the biggest problem with my story was that I focused too much on the idea/plot. This is absolutely true, as I intended to go back and fill out my character later. I usually start with character, but this story combined a number of elements that I have had trouble blending together, and I wanted to work those out first. One thing the instructors reiterated is the idea that “character is god,” and that the story should flow from character. This is true, and I think I might have had an easier time with the setting if I had more than a skeletal outline of my protagonist. Luckily, though, the effort put into the setting seemed to work out for the most part, with a few key things that still needed some improvement. (And being told by genuine and professional people that I have talent, and that the story was professionally written despite some flaws, made me feel all right about my writing style in its current incarnation.)
There were writers/grunts at the BootCamp that I “knew” from online, but meeting face-to-face was a bit different. There were those that I didn’t get to talk to much—we weren’t in the same sessions and didn’t see each other throughout the weekend. Others, I met and talked to at length, and a few of us went for drinks on Saturday evening, which was a much needed stress reliever. Luckily, the drinking didn’t get in the way of the writing and critiquing. The other grunts were a pleasure to hang out with, and that was as much a part of the weekend as the writing and critique sessions were.
Sunday morning we had to turn in a short assignment based on a name. Mine was “Latarsha Grambling.” The story didn’t turn as I’d hoped, but I was able to spot where I went wrong, and I think I may have the germ of a longer story if I fix what wasn’t working–and rewrite, rewrite, rewrite.
Overall, it was a weekend to rave about. If anyone reading this has ever thought about going to an intense workshop, I suggest you apply. Next year’s Borderlands BootCamp is from January 29th to the 31st of 2010.
*This is just a short summary of the weekend, so look for more about it in the future.
Instructors for Borderlands 2009: Thomas F. Monteleone, Mort Castle, Gary Braunbeck, F. Paul Wilson, Elizabeth Massie, Doug Winter, Ginjer Buchanan, Jamie Levine, weekend assistant Norman Prentiss, and “grunt wrangler” Elizabeth Monteleone.
Short Fiction Grunts: Kirk Barrett, Thomas Beck, Selena Chambers, Kim Despins, Glenda Janssen, Mike J. Smith, Kevin Lucia, Jess McGill, Brittany Muscarella, Jenny Orosel, Erik Smetana, Kyle Steele, David Stier, Susan Taylor, Jack Finley, Jerry Enni, Nicole Ferweda, Patrick Rabe, Yvette Tan, and Moi.
Novel Grunts: James Chambers, Richard Weems, John Little, Ed Spangler, Paul Lagasse, Shelby Rhodes, John Dixon, John Hornor Jacobs, Mike Bailey, Eric Williams, Richard Payne, Pete Messling, Lauren Beth Eisenberg, Denise Broussard, Elizabeth Blue, Martel Sardina, Lynn Mann, Brian Hatcher, Ed Heiland, and Matthew Dow Smith.
If I’ve missed your name and/or website, please let me know.
Nancy O. Greene
My thoughts on the Inauguration
January 22, 2009
*
On January 20th the world watched the inauguration of our first African-American President, Barack Obama. It was such an amazing moment, seeing and realizing how far our country has come. It’s something to marvel at that America has gone from having black people as slaves, from segregation and outlawing interracial dating and marriage, from the laws of the nation treating black people—whether born here or in another country—as second class citizens, to electing an African-American man as President.
Speaking to older family members, understanding how they feel about this time in American history, is also awe inspiring. There are a few people I’ve spoken to that have never had an interest in politics, and when Obama was running for the office they suddenly perked up. It’s like somebody turned on a light and they were interested in hearing more and in turn became politically engaged, telling other people to vote and just being excited about the process. It’s so good that Hope won out.
When he took the oath (the first time), I felt this sense of wonder and sort of a feeling of a collective wholeness. In the salad bowl-slash-melting pot that is America, it’s an amazing thing to finally see that diversity start to be reflected in the highest office of our nation.
It especially struck a cord with me when he talked about the fact that less than a century ago his father may not have been served at a restaurant. Even though I wasn’t born during that era, there are members of my family that have told me stories of what it was like to be excluded from using a restroom or getting something to eat just because they are black Americans or African. There are times when I walk past a water fountain or ride the bus that I marvel at the choices I have—to sit where I want or to stand, to drink from a fountain or not. I appreciate the struggles that generations before me have gone through. And even though I’ve experienced the different types of racism myself, and it’s just as disheartening, it’s very little in comparison to what they went through.
I know that there are things that won’t change overnight. The problems aren’t going to just go away; we’re not going to all join hands and start singing Disney songs. There are still concerns that need to be addressed within the black community, within the American community, and around the world. But I feel that this dawning of a new day can possibly shed some light on the negative things that have persisted so that we can work together to finally bring forth the amazing potential that humanity and this country—this beacon of hope—have to offer.
Nancy O. Greene
*Photo Copyright: B. Maury
The Year’s Best Fantasy & Horror
January 14, 2009
I was so shocked and sad to read about this. It doesn’t quite feel real. Part of me feels like it can’t possibly be done with, that once the economy bounces back so will the anthology. Another part is sad for the loss, and sadder still for all of the people involved that have put so much work and passion into creating one of the best anthology series around.
The great people involved can say more about it than I ever could. Read more and leave your comments at these blogs:
http://lcrw.net/wordpress/?p=768
