Back from PPWC
I got back from the Pikes Peak Writers Conference just before midnight last night. That was one of the most fun events I’ve been to in ages. It helps that Colorado is freaking gorgeous, but the conference staff did an amazing job of putting this together and making sure things went smoothly.
Both my workshop on getting through the first draft and my keynote speech (talking about representation) seemed to go over well. (And the bookstore sold lots of my books, which is always a nice bonus 😉 ). I think the best part was just getting to sit and talk to people.
Panels went well too. Our discussion of diversity should eventually show up as a SF Signal podcast.
I wish I’d brought the good camera along, but you’ll just have to settle for iPhone pics instead. Fortunately, some of them turned out quite nice.
Pictures are behind the cut…
First up, we have the famous Chuck Wendig showing off one of the special drinks created for the event: this is “Goblin Wiz.”
I believe the instructions here were to “look thoughtful.”
Bonnie Hagan was kind enough to take me to Garden of the Gods between events…
And finally, another photo of Pike’s Peak, from when I first arrived in Colorado Springs.
Verdict: Five stars. Would keynote again.
Lori Johnstone
April 28, 2014 @ 1:23 pm
Jim,
Great to meet you at the conference. I have now activated an avatar on habitrpg.com, and bitch slapped the “fairy of suck”. Thanks for the encouragement.
It was my first writing conference, and overall it was very satisfying. The only regret I have is not poisoning myself with Goblin Wiz.
Lori Johnstone
April 28, 2014 @ 1:33 pm
Well then, I guess I’m still seeing double. My blog is actually mamabear-livenwrite.blogspot.com
Jim C. Hines
April 28, 2014 @ 2:12 pm
Very glad you had a good time, and have fun with HabitRPG!!! 🙂
MB Partlow
April 28, 2014 @ 4:19 pm
As a fangirl, I say “Squeeeeeeeeeee” with delight at meeting you this weekend. As a conference organizer, I say you were an inspiring and approachable at conference and we loved having you here.
KJ Scrim
April 28, 2014 @ 4:31 pm
Although I did not have the pleasure of meeting you face to face, I did attend your workshop, “Getting Through Draft One.” I am so relieved that even the best writers write crap in the first draft then go on to do amazing things. I have driven myself into a waste dump trying to be brilliant in the first draft. HA! I can now swim merrily like a pig in said waste dump and then go get hosed off in later drafts.
That little nugget will go a long way….thanks!
JL Fields
April 28, 2014 @ 6:09 pm
You keynote address was remarkable and, in my opinion, brave. To be bold and to talk about power to a room filled with lots of it, well, bravo.
And, as someone who ran a rape crisis center in Chicago for several years, many thanks for your resource page.
Consider me a new fan.
Sally
April 28, 2014 @ 8:30 pm
The husband and I went to Garden of the Gods on our honeymoon. Because we are geeks. Our first anniversary was at a con (we brought the cake) and so was our 25th (other people brought the cake).
Bonnie
April 29, 2014 @ 12:34 am
Jim, it was a pleasure to meet you, and I’m so glad I could show you Garden of the Gods – one of my favorite places on earth. We’d gladly have you back at PPWC!
Jim C. Hines
April 29, 2014 @ 9:23 am
Thanks so much, MB! Both for the kind words, and for inviting me to be a part of PPWC 🙂
Jim C. Hines
April 29, 2014 @ 9:25 am
So glad that was helpful!
And oh yes, from what I’ve seen, even the Big Name bestselling authors have some of the same struggles and insecurities when writing, and I don’t think I’ve met anyone who gets it right on the first draft.
Jim C. Hines
April 29, 2014 @ 9:27 am
Thanks, JL.
Jim C. Hines
April 29, 2014 @ 9:27 am
Sounds like a wonderful honeymoon to me! 🙂
Jim C. Hines
April 29, 2014 @ 9:28 am
Likewise, Bonnie! And thanks again for the guided tour. I’m so glad I had the chance to get out and see GotG 🙂
Kristy (@ScrivK)
April 29, 2014 @ 9:18 pm
I loved your keynote speech at the conference Jim. Thank you for helping to keep that conversation. Can’t wait for the SFSignal podcast of the panel to come out!
J.T. Evans
May 1, 2014 @ 1:43 pm
Thanks for coming out to our conference and helping us make it great! Everyone involved (attendees, staff, faculty, volunteer, hotel staff) did a fantastic job. I’m very proud of what was accomplished by our great team over the weekend.
Your keynote (and the diversity panel) hit home for me. You’re a great man, Jim.
Hope to see you around the convention tour in future years.
Jim C. Hines
May 1, 2014 @ 1:49 pm
Thank you! And you should be proud. Your team did an amazing job.
Jim C. Hines
May 1, 2014 @ 1:49 pm
Thanks, Kristy! I’m eagerly awaiting the podcast too 🙂
Friday Wrap-Up: PPWC Success! - BookPairing
May 11, 2014 @ 2:29 pm
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