The bad news is that the Man left today. I am unhappy as are the kids. I also did some cleaning and laundry today. Yesterday we had dinner with friends, which was a lot of fun, and we also made some enchilada-lasagne to freeze. We made a total of four of them, and the Man took one back with him. One we’ll eat tonight, and the other two we’ll freeze for later. I like these. I layer enchilada sauce (mixed red and green with green chiles), corn tortillas, cheese, and a mixture of pureed onion, olives, and bell pepper stirried into hamburger, frozen corn, and black beans. It’s really fabulous.

But on to Norwescon. I’m starting on Friday, since I already told you about arrival and the reading.

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With improved health, the man and I have been doing work around the house. Because there are green leaves on things. GREEN!!! My roses are leafing out. Yes, I grow roses in Montana. And I have a grape and gooseberries. All of which are leafing out. Other things are slower, but I have faith. Anyhow, we have been cleaning the yard and I put down a ton of mulch with newspapers. Like 40+ bags and I need about three more to finish. Meanwhile the man fertilized, raked and bagged, got the lawn mower running, plus about fifty other little around the house chores. I didn’t plan for him to have to do so much, but wow it’s been so nice to have the help. And the company. I have missed him so much.

I plan to plant some peas in the next few days. I also need to find my miracle grow sprayer so I can fertilize things.

I got an invitation to go to Orycon, and I said yes, so looks like that’s on my docket. I’m excited! I haven’t been in ages. Like maybe a decade.

Can I ask you to go into a Barnes and Noble and see if any of my Horngate books are on the shelves? I would really appreciate it.

I am still feeling awful, so I can’t do a full con report at this point.

We made the trip and spent the night at S.A. Bolich’s house in Spokane. The next day we got to the hotel later than planned. I had to park on the side of the road for a bit to sleep. Lucky for me my kids and the doggies were patient. We got there near about the time the Man did, which was lovely. We got me registered at the con and figured out where my reading that night would be, and then had dinner.

My reading was Thursday night and I think I read too fast. I need to practice more. I did have a good audience, which included a bunch of friends from Miscon and beyond, and that was delightful.

I think that’s about all I can tolerate tonight. Did I mention that a ton of flowers and trees were in bloom, grass was green, and the sun was lovely. No rain. I didn’t get to go away to eat very much, sadly. I always like to get good food traveling. But then again, given how sick I am right now, food sounds not so good.

More later.

I am home, exhausted and feeling sickly. Not sure why. Started yesterday. Hoping it’s nothing. Norwescon was lovely fun. I only wish I could have found a way to spent more time with people by going to parties, but with the kids and man there, I wanted to spend more time with them. Plus the weather was lovely. Warm, green, and there were flowers.

I will tell you all about the panels soon, but right now, I am too tired to do them justice. I also got to see some friends and make some more.

I survived the sleepover. Except that girlie now has what you might euphemistically call intestinal distress. By which I mean I’m washing a lot of clothes and her sheets (that I incidentally watched just yesterday) because, well, it got ugly, poor thing. Now she’s sipping Apple Juice and nibbling crackers. Gotta get some probiotics into her.

I have no idea what to wear to Norwescon. I have some cool costumery type things, but I just don’t know if I want to wear corsetry if I don’t know how uncomfortable it might be for the duration of a day in a hotel I’ve never been to. Same with shoes. I have a newish pair of boots that are very comfortable, but are they comfortable for 8-12 hours? My hotel is across the parking lot, so going back to change isn’t necessarily swift. Guess I’ll figure it out. Hopefully soon, since I’ll be leaving on Wednesday. My reading is Thursday night.

And speaking of Norwescon, here’s where you can find me. Also, I’m up for getting together inbetween and feel free to chat me up. My hair as some serious streaks of bright purplish blue in it right now. Bright. Can’t miss me.

Diana Pharaoh Francis reads Blood Winter Thursday 9:00pm-9:30pm Cascade 1
An excerpt from the latest Horngate Witches novel. Rated R
Diana Pharaoh Francis

Crowns & Swords Friday 2:00pm-3:00pm Cascade 5
Countless novels have been set in the intertwined worlds of monarchy and fantasy, often involving epic battles. Given that many fantasy novels are set in worlds drawn from medieval Europe, it’s no surprise to see so many stories based around monarchies – kings and queens, tyrannical emperors, and long-lost heirs to the throne. How much of fantasy’s appeal is grounded in this familiar setting, and how can this long-standing tradition be updated or refreshed; or should it be abandoned entirely?
Diana Pharaoh Francis, Gregory A. Wilson, Heather Hudson, Linda Pearce

Writing a Series Friday 6:00pm-7:00pm Cascade 3&4
Many of the most commercially successful speculative novels are series. Authors talk about how (and whether) they planned to write a series. How do you avoid repetition while keeping the setting and characters consistent from book to book?
Ken Scholes, John (J.A.) Pitts, Diana Pharaoh Francis, Rhiannon Held

Rogues and Anti-Heroes in Fantasy Saturday 10:00am-11:00am Cascade 7
From Fafhrd and the Gray Mouser, to the denizens of Thieves’ World, to Alec and Seregil of Lynn Flewelling’s Nightrunner series — loveable rogues and anti-heroes have been part of Fantasy since the early days. But why do we love them? Do they fulfill some need in us when we “aim to misbehave?” Come join us as we talk about our favorites and muse about which ones show promise in current fantasy fiction.
Diana Pharaoh Francis, Brenda Carre, Peter Blanton, Mark Nelson

Autograph Session 1 Saturday 2:00pm-3:00pm Grand 2
Our Attending Professionals are available to sign autographs. PLEASE NOTE: So that as many fans as possible can participate, we will be enforcing a three-items-at-a-time (or single-sketch) autograph limit.
Autumn Grieve, Camille Alexa, Kevin J. Anderson, Carol Berg, S. A. Bolich, Clinton J. Boomer, Kurt Cagle, Chelsea M. Campbell, Charles “Zan” Christensen, Brenda Cooper, Erik Scott de Bie, Cymbric Early-Smith, Ellen Forney, Diana Pharaoh Francis, Jean Johnson, Karen Kincy, Nancy Kress, Edward Martin III, Susan R. Matthews, Angel Leigh McCoy, Dan Murphy, Mark Nelson, G. David Nordley, Brian D. Oberquell, David J. Peterson, Cat Rambo, Jon Rogers, Lorelei Shannon, Jack Skillingstead, Jeff Sturgeon, Jonny Nero Action Hero, Dennis R. Upkins, G. Willow Wilson

How to Write Vivid Scenes Saturday 5:00pm-6:00pm Cascade 5
What makes writing vivid? What does vivid writing do for the reader? How can you edit existing writing to make it more vivid? How to use all five senses.
Diana Pharaoh Francis, Karen Kincy, S. A. Bolich, William F. Nolan

Congratulations, It Sucks! Saturday 8:00pm-9:00pm Cascade 8
How to tackle a major rewrite. Rescue your story from your writing, and actually learn from your mistakes while you fix them.
Diana Pharaoh Francis, Chelsea M. Campbell, Jack Skillingstead

I’m so tired. Tired tired tired.

But I had a great time at Miscon.

Taking up where I left off, the Urban Fantasy Noir panel went better than I thought. One panelist didn’t show, so it was just me and Kevin Noel Olson. Even though I was afraid we’d run out of stuff to say, it turned out really well and we had standing room only. Then I was off to a panel on the nature of Monsters with GRRM, Peter Orullian (my first time meeting him and he has gorgeous long black hair. Wow). Anyhow, there was also Bob Davis, a historian. I got to be moderator, and I thought that panel turned out really well. it was outside on a little stage and there were a lot of people.

From there, a bunch of us went to eat at the Montana club and I got to know Jon Pitts and Anne Gimble a fair bit more. Then back to the hotel where the corgis attracted a lot of attention and learned of a book of great amusement and great competition for Eye of Argon. We read it with much amusement. And with great emotion. Fun.

Eventually I ended up in bed and got up early Sunday. That day wasn’t as busy. I managed to attend a reading but Sue Bolich, Brenda Carre, and Anne Gimble. I also did a reading of my own (which was well attended, thank you so much!) and then I did a panel on the art of revision, which again was packed. After that, we went out with Sue and stuffed ourselves silly and drank too much Cold Smoke (one of the best beers ever). That was followed by attending Sue’s book launch party, then returning to the dining area in order to hang out. We were quite silly and I laughed a lot.

Eventually I went to bed again and up stupid early this morning. Got packed, got the truck loaded, went to breakfast, then I picked up this gorgeous piece I bought at the art show by Tiffany Toland-Scott. Here’s an image of it. I love it. Had to have it. Oh, and there was a book signing in there too, with a whole bunch of us.

I then signed stock for Lady Jayne of Lady Jayne’s books, and was off to my panel on Urban Fantasy with Jon Pitts. That was followed by the last panel of the day, the lore of swords, with GRRM, Ruth Frey, Jon Pitts, and me. I learned things and believe it or not, there was some sunshine.

This is us:

At that point, I gathered up the family and dogs and headed home, and I tried very hard not to fall asleep. That would be bad. Next year the writing guests will be Jim and Shannon Butcher, plus Carol Berg. It’s going to be terrific. You might want to think of attending, and getting your memberships and hotel reservations very soon.

Also, I will have pictures later. And I got a picture of me in the iron throne (Game of Swords) but I have to wait to get those back from the con photographer.

So now I’m home. I have to get my revision finished and I have to get the trailer all ready for travel out to Oregon and I have to get the house ready for us to be away, which means getting the housewatcher up to speed and make arrangements for mowing and for watering. Sleep may not come any time soon.

Hello~

I’m currently attending Miscon and it’s slightly overcase, a bit sprinkly, and tons of fun.

It’s also very crowded. This is what happens when GRRM attends a con. The unhappy news is that Patty and Mike Briggs both came down with a nasty bug and aren’t able to attend. So I’m missing seeing them. However there are a ton of other old and new friends that I’m getting to see and that’s hugely enjoyable.

I got here yesterday with the kids and set about getting ensconced in the hotel and getting registered. Then I went to the writers workshop meet and greet, followed by a panel on Mystery crossing over into Genre. On that panel was Maggie Bonham, Steve Fahnestalk, JA Pitts, and me. It was a good panel, though it felt a bit meandery. Then we went to dinner with a bunch of friends at the Irish place a couple of parkinglots away. It was excellent food and conversation and I got to see S.A. Bolich and Andrea and Jeff How, all of which I haven’t seen in at least a year, and Brenda Carre, who I haven’t seen since . . . well, it’s been a few years. I tried to absorbe some house selling vibes from her, since she just sold hers.

Then it was back to the hotel room where the kids, the man, the dogs and I goofed off and eventually slept. Both dogs and the girlie ended up in bed with me. How does that happen? So I’m dragging.

Then up early for breakfast and for the writers workshop. It was a really good group. And then I snuck out for a bite and came back and did a panel on writing realistic languages in fantasy and sf with George RR Martin, and Jim Glass. That was fun. George is very funny. Next up is a panel on Urban Fantasy Noir, and then the next is on Monsters, both of which will be very very cool. I’m doing my level best to stay out of the dealer’s room, but I hear things calling my name. I’m so trying not to answer.

Hope you’re having a great weekend!