Writers on Writing: In the Mood
Friday 17:00 - 17:50
One of the most elusive qualities a story may possess, mood is also one of the most lasting memories that certain stories evoke. How does a writer accomplish this effect? What are a writer's most important mood-making tools: Word choice? Pace? What the characters themselves feel? Voice? Setting? What works have been most successful at setting a mood and making it memorable?
Mary Kay Kare (M), Jo Walton, Michael F. Flynn, Greer Gilman
World War I and the Literature It Inspired
Saturday 11:00 - 11:50
This year marks the 100th anniversary of the start of the First World War. How did the war affect literature, including SF and fantasy? What topics and stories have come out of it? Panelists discuss not only the history of WWI, but also the literature inspired by it -- including alternate histories that explore what might have gone differently.
Tim Szczesuil (M), Myke Cole, Tom Shippey, Michael F. Flynn, James D. Macdonald
Autographing
Saturday 12:00 - 12:50
A Certain Uncertainty
Saturday 17:00 - 17:50
America's Next Top Model. The fascinating Mr. Flynn takes us on a tiptoe through the tulips of statistical modeling -- and the sources of uncertainty that should be, but seldom are -- addressed.
Michael F. Flynn
Reinventing the Quest -– for the 21st Century Reader
Saturday 20:00 - 20:50
The hero's journey is a well-defined and much-used structure for both books and movies. Has the idea of the quest changed for the 21st century reader and writer? If so, what effect does this change have upon the story and its characters? Panelists discuss examples of how 21st century writers have drawn upon the traditional structure of the quest and applied it to today's standards for today's readers.
Stephen P. Kelner (M), Michael F. Flynn, Anna Davis, Tom Shippey
Reading by Michael F. Flynn
Sunday 11:00 - 11:25
Cyber Futures
Sunday 12:00 - 12:50
Smartphone implants, nerve-controlled mechanical limbs, chips to help boost your learning curve ... It all sounds like SF, but these scientific advances are well underway. The question is: how much more cyber can our future get? Orwellian video rooms and Scalzian BrainPals? Full-fledged A.I. integrated with our wetware? At what point do we begin to chip away at our humanity -- and when does (should) it stop?
Paul Di Filippo (M), Michael F. Flynn, Charles Stross, Myke Cole, Edie Stern
May see you at one. or more.
ReplyDeleteI'm moving OUT of Beantown and to New Hampshire on the very first day of February.
ReplyDeleteHave a great con. I hope to meet you some day, even if it won't be this day.
Oh! Quit rubbing it in, Mike! Second year in a row I won't even be able to squeeze in an afternoon at the conference, let alone catch you at your presentations. Tip one back with Br. Guy for me.
ReplyDelete