Romance Writers of Australia Annual Conference 2013

How much fun did I have?

 

A lot.

I love attending conferences, I love meeting the editors, the agents and fellow writers (it's always good to talk to other people who think like you do).

It was held in Fremantle (fantastic location for me as it's not a to long drive!) at the Esplanade Hotel.

Interestingly for those who have read my book Mimosa Black, the Esplanade Hotel is opposite the Esplanade park, the pine tree strewn nature reserve that my heroine Mimosa finds herself in one very hot but awkward position!

During the weekend I went to some great sessions, but the most fun I had was actually presenting our session 'Beating the Trends in Paranormal Romance". I had so much fun that Shona and I are planning to present together at other conferences...

For those of you who were unfortunate enough not have attended, I'll give you a super brief lo-down ( I am supposed to be editing A Warlord's Lady today!)

We introduced attendees to a number of different mythical creatures from around the world. We discussed transcontinental lore, and looked at the similarities between undead and living mythological beasts from different continents. There are many more out there than most people realise.

My personal favourites were mosquito man, hailing from Native North American myth and the Draugr, from Norse. Though lets face it, the Asiman / Obayifu from Africa with his glowing anus is pretty cool, if not amusing.

We then spent some time looking at the rise of the cryptid and subsequently cryptozoology in modern culture, and looked at the cryptid's potential for use in paranormal / urban fantasy.

Finally, we talked about the need and importance of cultural sensitivity. Some cultures still hold myths and their beasts sacred, so it pays to be cautious when using a lesser known mythological creature in your writing...


I also created a video, backed up by some heart pumping Rob Zombie, Dragula. Which got every body in the mood :)

Anyway, I really must complete my edits, if A Warlord's Lady waits for no author to blog...

Have a great remainder of the week.

Comic Con 2013 Perth

Nicola E. Sheridan (author) and Jason Momoa (actor)

The highlight of my year so far....

 

I  met my number one Manspiration for my hero Lucian in Magical Redemption. Jason Momoa (you may or may not have noticed, has appeared several times on my FB manspiration posts usually in the form of Khal Drogo.... *sigh*) and today I met him (and incidently gave him a copy of Magical Redemption - which was only fair because he was the inspiration!). I then (as I am want to do) embarrassed myself by shaking his hand and proceeding to tell him "You are a very sexy man." To which he replied "Oh, thank you sweetie."

You may be able to note from the image he is a big man. His hands were massive (all the better for holding his sword my dear!) Frankly my smile couldn't have got any bigger. I only wish I had I thought to ask him to pick me up and do  a cool pose for the picture - alas, I did not think of it at the time... though some other ladies at Comicon had the right idea!

He also signed my Khal Drogo doll, he'd never seen one of the "Pop" figurines before, so that was cool.

Although Comicon was great and the stalls and artists fantastic, I have to say I spent most of my time in lines. I've never been a fan of bovine cuing - so it did put a bit of a dampener on my excitement - not to mention that of my long suffering husband.

There were however some totally awesome costumes, from the requisite Jedi's to a large Bender (from Futurama). I even had the honour of spraying Leela's (also from Futurama) hair purple.
I was going to post some up here but they all seem to be uploading sideways....

I wanted this... autographed picture of "Al Swearengen" from my latest favourite show to watch "Deadwood"

Very cool stall!

  Anyhoo, I am now going to do some writing. Lordy me I'm inspired again.

Have a fantastic weekend.