Fantasy  This week:   Edited by: Robert Waltz                              More Newsletters By This Editor   1. About this Newsletter 2. A Word from our Sponsor 3. Letter from the Editor 4. Editor's Picks 5. A Word from Writing.Com 6. Ask & Answer 7. Removal instructions It`s so comforting to know that there are so many people in this world sicker than I am. -Tim Curry (at a Rocky Horror convention) I always thought it`d be fun to go to a sci-fi convention, watch a bunch of Klingons walking around, all of that kind of stuff. -Michael Welch (from Twilight) (I had to look up who he was on Google) ASIN: 1542722411 Guerrilla Publishing: Revolutionary Book Marketing Strategies Product Type: Book Amazon's Price: $ 12.99 Buy Now! Conventions          By "conventions," I'm not talking about writing customs, but that social gathering unique to those who are often characterized as asocial: the fantasy, science fiction, comics and/or gaming convention - better known by its abbreviation, "con" (not to be confused with confidence games, but I digress...) Though the former sense would make a good newsletter topic, too.          Now, I don't claim to be a con veteran; my experience is limited, and fairly recent. Still, as stated above, the number, scope, and sheer fanaticism of f/sf/gaming cons is, to the best of my knowledge, unparalleled in the world of writing.          It was 70 years ago this month that the first World Science Fiction Convention (WorldCon) was held.1 From those beginnings, fandom exploded all over the world, sharing common interests and bonding together against those who despised them.2 To put it into historical perspective, the US was finally showing signs of pulling out of a decade-long depression; the New York World's Fair, to which the first WorldCon was attached, was generating rampant optimism about the future for the first time in forever; Germany was just gearing up for WWII, which would send that optimism spinning hopelessly into oblivion; Superman first hit the comics the previous year; TV had been invented, and was just taking off, but the TV commercial had not yet been introduced;3 and fandom staple Star Trek's first episode was still over 25 years in the future.          Today, cons range from the very small to the very large. While no two are the same, there are certain conventions4 that most cons have in common: a dealer's room (or rooms) where purveyors of fine fantasy, gaming, and other related merchandise may ply their wares; guests of honor, ranging from the obscure to the world-famous;5; discussion panels; costume events; social gatherings; writing workshops; book, game, or whatever signings; and catgirls.          In my severely limited convention experience, I've seen: A wedding officiated by Darth Vader;6 a stormtrooper discussing Lord of the Rings with a Klingon;7; a ninja;8 and a Klingon singing a country/western song at karaoke.9          Face it: stuff like that never happens in the world outside a con.          So if you ever get a chance, attend a local con. Or, if you're brave, do one of the national or international gatherings. I guarantee you'll never be the same afterward. Nothing to do with conventions - at least, unless one of these authors is a Guest of Honor at one. Hey, it could happen.   Invalid Item  [] # by A Guest Visitor   Uninvited Visitors  [18+] #1104048 Sometimes writers creating a story get visitors out of the ordinary. by Lionessbgud   Invalid Item  [] # by A Guest Visitor   Lessons from the Patriots  [ASR] #661919 If we forget the past, we are doomed forget who we are and become what we despise. by murf   Invalid Item  [] # by A Guest Visitor   The Watch  [E] #1331570 A flash fiction, very short story for the Daily Flash Fiction contest of 10-11-07. by dianne   Submit an item for consideration in this newsletter! https://www.Writing.Com/go/nl_form Have an opinion on what you've read here today? Then send the Editor feedback! Find an item that you think would be perfect for showcasing here? Submit it for consideration in the newsletter!          https://www.Writing.Com/go/nl_form Don't forget to support our sponsor! ASIN: 1945043032 Verbalize: bring stories to life & life to stories (Live Wire Writer Guides) Product Type: Book Amazon's Price: $ 13.94 Buy Now! Last month, I considered character isolation as a narrative tool. Thanks for all the feedback! weekendnovel: I enjoyed your addition on isolation. I agree that Isolation can be an important factor in our writing. I look to The Girl Who Loved Tom Gordon for an example which catalogs a girl lost in the woods with nothing but a radio with dying batteries and her hero tom gordon to keep her company but as readers we soon realize she is really alone with the beasts and merely conjures the radio production out of fear of being isolated. Isolation certainly is a guttural fear that we all must face and it transcends into our characters. Well Done.          Well, geez, thanks for spoiling THAT story for me Angelica Weatherby- Grateful28 : Isolation... that's a very good topic for a newsletter. :)          Glad we agree! shaara: These were excellent reflections about isolation. I wonder if this parallels the American soul, as well. Americans have often been referred to as the Isolationists and Americans are supposed to be "individualists." Another facet is the romance factor. Who wants to sigh over a member of the pack? I think many women look for the one who is isolate so they/we can feed his loneliness, so to speak. Very interesting analysis. Thanks for the creative fodder!          Men, I hope you're all taking notes here. werden : Good newsletter. I agree wholeheartedly. I think you just explained fantasy's popularity          I'm not sure if this comment was meant for me, but I'll take it elleetwombly: Now look what you have done! You are making me think again! Thanks for the wonderful NL.          My work here is done. Lothmorwel : Hiya, very funny newsletter, well done. I laughed out loud. I never really considered isolation as something to put into a story. I am very much in the planning stages of a story and am thinking about events, happenings, conversations. Deeper level character development and themes are in the background at the moment, slowly developing as I figure out what is actually happening. I am definately going to fit in the concept of isolation. Not sure where yet, but I reckon it's a great way to really explore someone's character in a different situation (other than the usual conflict, problem solving, character interaction, etc). Thank you.          Your story will unfold as it will, but remember that a character can be surrounded by people, having conversations, solving problems, and so on - and still be isolated. And that's it for me this month - have a great summer, and until next time, DREAM ON! Don't Be Shy! 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Footnotes
1  http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/1st_World_Science_Fiction_Convention
2  Pretty much the rest of the world of literature.
3  http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Television#Advertising
4  See, I made a pun in the wrong newsletter again.
5  The last con I went to featured one of my favorite authors, Larry Niven, along with the dude who played Boba Fett in the Star Wars movies
6  I'd love to have seen his state-issued officiant certificate.
7  You haven't read Lord of the Rings until you've read it in the original Klingon.
8  Though it's clear he wasn't a real ninja, because a) I saw him and b) the hotel's automatic doors opened for him.
9  Thus putting me into therapy for the next few months.