So I'm back from the NETWO Conference. This was a terrific event, gang. Lots of fun. Here's a smattering of details.

It was only 2 hours out of Dallas, so I drove out to Camp Shiloh. It was a rural area. Not quite wilderness, but with enough trees around to make it seem like it. I was worried a bit about getting killed by a guy in a hockey mask, so I wisely avoided any casual sex or drug use. Also, I resolved not to investigate any weird sounds, and since I was well past the age of teenage murder victim, I felt I was suitably protected from any chainsaw or weedwacker-inspired attack. FYI: One of my goals in life is to not be killed by a supernatural serial slasher or a rogue malfunctioning security killbot. This is why I don't camp out very often and why I get the hell out of the mall before closing time. Friday was casual.
 
I talked to a few people, aspiring writers and other guests. Saturday was hectic as a string of presentations were given (with breaks in-between). Joanna Stampel, an agent from New York City and a heckuva cool lady gave a good presentation on what an agent's job is and what to expect. Melissa Frain, an editor with Tor-Forge (my old publisher), gave one on the editor's job. Very good jobs on both their parts. Other presentations were given as well. All very informative. But, let's be honest, we're here to talk about me, aren't we?

So how'd I do? I think I managed to avoid screwing things up. My presentation was the last of the event, and by then, people were pretty tired. A few people took off, and I can hardly blame them. But they missed out. I spoke about writing sci fi, fantasy, and I threw in a few thoughts about the biz of writing as well. Then I answered a few questions. Afterward, people kept coming up to me and several points popped up:

-I'm funny.
 -I helped them feel more relaxed.
 
On the first point, I don't bother to deny it. I try to present like I write. Informative, yes, but also entertaining. I figure if you're going to have to listen to my prattle on, you might as well get a chuckle out of it. No reason to keep things boring and academic, right? And I was glad to know that some people felt a weight lifted off their shoulders. Aspiring writers have a hard enough time as it is. But it turns out now there's all this crap they're supposed to do OR ELSE!

Things like web pages and business cards and writing every day and sacrificing sheep. And if you don't do all these things just right...YOU'LL NEVER GET PUBLISHED! To this, I say "Don't sweat the small stuff." It certainly doesn't hurt to have a web presence or business cards. And writing every day is a good habit. Sacrificing sheep has never been proven to help one get published unless you do it in a Freemason lodge. Then you'll either get published by year's end or possibly summon Cthulhu. Either would be pretty cool, but the Freemasons are pretty snotty when you spill blood on their carpets, so in either case, be sure to put a tarp down.

Yes, all those things can be helpful, but they aren't essential. And if they get in the way of sitting down and writing, then they're counter-productive. And if you beat yourself up because you didn't write today, then you're more likely to get discouraged than accomplish anything. Discouragement is the aspiring writer's worst enemy.

No, a writer's job is to write. Anything that gets in the way of that is bad. For example, right now, I'm writing a blog entry when I really should be writing my novel. Do you see the sacrifices I make for you people? I'm not exactly the most disciplined guy. Truth be told, I'm a bit of a procrastinator. And perhaps a bit too laid back sometimes. But that attitude has served me well enough and I do get my books written. So when I look into a sea of eager faces and realize how hard they're working at this, I tell them with complete honesty that they can make it. Because I made it, and I didn't work half as hard as most of them.

Just as long as they don't drive themselves crazy. Now, if you'll excuse me, I'm going to bed. I've got some writing to do tomorrow. Or World of Warcraft. Or probably a little bit of both.