CONvergence 2013: Misc. Panel Notes
CONvergence is not the most thinky of the conventions I attend, but I do have a smattering of notes from panels I watched. And a smattering of unrelated photos.
How to Write an Interesting Hero
Are you thinking of your character as a hero, a protagonist, or a PoV? There are different nuances.
Flaws may drive action more than virtues, whether by giving in to them or overcoming them.
Science Questions
Quantum mechanics leading to consciousness outside the brain = very bad science.
The Science Behind British Sci-Fi
It is a huge resource use to have limbs (or extra limbs) if you can get food without them. Look at snakes!
Fun with panspermia.
Do remember that aliens could probably not eat Earth things or at least they'd have a funny effect.
On the other hand, invasive species tend to be generalists, tolerating a wide range of food, temperature, etc.
Dystopic vs. Optimistic SF
Good site for science/fiction brainfood: http://hieroglyph.asu.edu/
The biggest pitfall of writing in a utopia is dullness and lack of conflict.
Beware writing in a solution to the dystopia that's easy. Multiple possible solutions (all with difficulties) can add good conflict.
Contemporary Sword & Sorcery: Leaving the Battlefields for the Back Alleys
The current trend is for small-scale epic fantasy.
I also wrote down a cryptic note whose meaning I have no clue about: "Prime Books, Yamamoto, Parker." WTF, past me?
Beyond SF 101
What are your goals along the way that benchmark your progress to (your definition of) success? It helps to know the mile-markers as well as the end destination.
All CONvergence 2013 posts: http://cloudscudding.livejournal.com/tag/convergence%202013
How to Write an Interesting Hero
Are you thinking of your character as a hero, a protagonist, or a PoV? There are different nuances.
Flaws may drive action more than virtues, whether by giving in to them or overcoming them.
Science Questions
Quantum mechanics leading to consciousness outside the brain = very bad science.
The Science Behind British Sci-Fi
It is a huge resource use to have limbs (or extra limbs) if you can get food without them. Look at snakes!
Fun with panspermia.
Do remember that aliens could probably not eat Earth things or at least they'd have a funny effect.
On the other hand, invasive species tend to be generalists, tolerating a wide range of food, temperature, etc.
Dystopic vs. Optimistic SF
Good site for science/fiction brainfood: http://hieroglyph.asu.edu/
The biggest pitfall of writing in a utopia is dullness and lack of conflict.
Beware writing in a solution to the dystopia that's easy. Multiple possible solutions (all with difficulties) can add good conflict.
Contemporary Sword & Sorcery: Leaving the Battlefields for the Back Alleys
The current trend is for small-scale epic fantasy.
I also wrote down a cryptic note whose meaning I have no clue about: "Prime Books, Yamamoto, Parker." WTF, past me?
Beyond SF 101
What are your goals along the way that benchmark your progress to (your definition of) success? It helps to know the mile-markers as well as the end destination.
All CONvergence 2013 posts: http://cloudscudding.livejournal.com/tag/convergence%202013