201mass.com - Where Do I Begin? Or Three Days at Boskone 40 Are Not Enough

perrina writes "The New England Science Fiction Association, Inc. (NESFA) returned to Boston this year for its 40th annual Boskone science fiction convention to much fan-fare! From infants to adults, doggies to stuffed critters, the Sheraton Boston Hotel was crawling with web seekers and spinners. A Con report by Kerrie A. Colantonio.

Where Do I Begin?

Or Three Days at Boskone 40 Are Not Enough

By Kerrie A. Colantonio
As every writer- not just SF ones- asks themselves:

Where do I begin?

The New England Science Fiction Association, Inc. (NESFA) returned to Boston this year for its 40th annual Boskone science fiction convention to much fan-fare! From infants to adults, doggies to stuffed critters, the Sheraton Boston Hotel was crawling with web seekers and spinners. With approximately 250 program items (not including the parties), it was quite difficult trying to sort through and schedule my three-day excursion back into the wild city of Boston. With the wond’rous magic of a spreadsheet, I plotted out the best possible course. I started with a few items of personal interest (such as “Recasting Fairy Tales” with Greg Frost and “Poetry Workshop for Beginning Poets” with Michael McAfee). Soon I mixed in some items that might interest the 201mass.com gaming community (“Creating an Alternate History for Your Roleplaying Game” with Lee Gold and “Higgins Armory Demonstrations and Discussions”). Finally I topped it off with several topics relating to Boskone and its honorable guests. With time-map and the universal language of cash in hand, I hopped on a train to Boston on Friday to see who I could see!

David Brin and Jim Burns teamed up for “Slides and Stories”- think ImprovBoston meets Pictionary. Jim brought three trays of slides fitted in random order for David to spontaneously generate an intricate chronicle of the lives of the characters there painted. That is, he told us their stories. (Okay, about a quarter of the time he was commenting on the excellent quality of Jim Burn’s art, but who could blame him?!)

Lee Gold is my kind of person, thinking outside the box, or in this case, the standard module. I’m not a heavy gamer, but when it comes to the details- developing worlds, characters, plots- I feel a great kinship with the best of them. Lee explained that variety can be found anywhere when developing alternate modules in standard worlds. Take an existing plot and try setting it in the past or future. Or you could present an event from another point of view (“It is said that history is written by the winners.”). If you want to provide more possibilities, use a world that’s debated by skeptics and supporters to open a new adventure to even the most mundane of PCs.

When I said that “Munchies and crunchies!” is what you would hear most at the Con Suite, little did I know! There were also gummies and sippies, chocolaties and nutties. Couches, chairs, and tables filled the spacious room, a feast along one wall, and an open bar (of the non-alcoholic variety) at the front. Panelists and peasantry alike found “plenty of hospitality here!” One attendee was overheard as saying, “This is the Con Suite? I’ve been to smaller cons!” Next year’s plans involve moving it to an even larger room. Be prepared to be spoiled!

At the Art Show Reception amazing sights abounded- one in the form of two panelists displaying aikido moves (names are being withheld to protect the high-spirited) in anticipation of “How the Martial Arts Helps.” But in the foreground, the art was, to say the least, breathtaking. One could almost forget about the news of the mundane world when surrounded by fantastic worlds and inhabitants—almost. I did, however, remember that I need to read less news and look at more art. Collecting as many of their promotional materials as possible, I’m starting an art database so I can look them up when times call for such beauty. Winning my two auction bids was a plus too! Liking all things miniature, I bid on a delicate miniature filigreed book inscribed with “Peace” in several languages by New England storyteller, Raelinda Woad and a tiny green dragon painted on a pebble by Marilyn Pride.

Then came the Dealer’s Room. Believe me when I tell you the level of addiction rises as soon as you set foot through the door, never mind actually putting it down on that floor! From jewelry to figurines, novels, game master guides and ‘zines, it was heaven, pure heaven! Surely this is where temptation reigns! I managed to finance the purchase of one copy each of Greg Frost’s Fitcher’s Brides (Tor) and Judith Berman’s Lord Stink and Other Stories (Small Beer Press). So far, so excellent.

Surprised to be told that their attendance at the Awards Ceremony was essential, Patrick and Teresa Nielsen Hayden were the recipients of “the ever-popular ('Put it where the sun doesn't shine') Skylark Award.” The Gaughan Award for Best Emerging Artist was awarded to Martina Pilcerova, after a friend spoke of her recent encounter with a piña colada. The winner of the NESFA Short Story Contest, an annual competition open to ammateurs, was “Dig,” by P. J. Kaszas of Brighton, MA.

Since I arrived so early on Sunday morning (8 AM to be precise), I slipped into the Anime room to watch a few non-mainstream flicks. I still don’t understand the frequent costuming of sailor suits on the female characters, but I’m sure there’s still time to learn. All in all, it was an interesting presentation that has me adding titles to my online movie rental queue.

Through it all, I have to say my favorite time was spent with previously virtual, and now real-time, friends. Meeting new people, continuing discussions of long-ended panels, catching up with former coworkers—hopefully we will all meet again. Perhaps it will be at another con, maybe at newly-started writing or discussion groups, or simply just returning to online discourse. Enchanté.

At Sunday’s Gripe Session it was disclosed that the programming for ages 7-12, did not work as hoped and intended. Remembering what David Brin said at the “Guest of Honor Talk: Will SF Die Out?,” about how the young SF community seems to be diminishing, I knew I had to do something. After all had their say, compliments and complaints, I quietly mentioned being Vice-Chair for a few Take Your Children to Work Days at the last company I worked for. Needless to say, I have been drafted for next year’s programming. With five pages of notes typed up so far, I think I’m ready. Be sure to bring the kids- as I said before, it’s never too soon to start engaging those young minds!

A few parting words, until next time:

-Be careful what you write on your programming response forms- it may end up the title of a panel, led by you!
-Make sure you listen to the “little guy” who is still thinking of your story (or module or song) even when you are not.

-Science fiction is like a fairy tale, except it’s about the village the hero lives in.

-Do not wield a sword in a room that is only 27’ x 13’ and has a large, immovable table in the center.

-When going to a con, don’t just plan, but plan to have fun! Oh, and bring a shovel!

For more information:

http://www.nesfa.org/boskone/

Greg Frost http://www.members.dca.net/gregory_frost/
Michael McAfee http://www.interactiveliterature.com/C/
Lee Gold http://www.rahul.net/starport/xeno/leegold.html
Higgins Armory Museum http://www.higgins.org/
David Brin http://www.davidbrin.com/
Jim Burns http://www.fantasiaonline.com/burns/
Raelinda Woad http://www.gostoryteller.com/
Marilyn Pride http://www.marianneplumridge.com/mpride.html
Tor http://www.tor.com/
Judith Berman http://home.earthlink.net/%7Ejudithberman/
Small Beer Press http://www.lcrw.net/
Patrick and Teresa Nielsen Hayden http://nielsenhayden.com/
Skylark Award http://www.nesfa.org/skylark.html
Skylark Cautionary Tale http://www.nesfa.org/History/JanesSkylark.html
The Gaughan Award http://www.nesfa.org/gaughan.html
Martina Pilcerova http://www.martina.sk/
NESFA Short Story Contest http://www.nesfa.org/storycon.html
P. J. Kaszas (no site found)

Still to come: Highlights from a chat with Scott Green, President of the Science Fiction Poetry Association, and a gentle discourse on the relationship between fairy tales and science fiction. Not necessarily in that order.
"


Create an account	Home · Topics · Downloads · Your Account · Submit News · Top 10


All logos and trademarks in this site are property of their respective owner. The comments are property of their posters, all the rest © 2007 by 201mass.com NukeScripts(tm) Resecured PHP-Nuke 7.6.