Boskone Schedule!

I have been under a bunch of deadlines for editing and writing... and had a bunch of fresh new health issues pop up over the past couple of weeks...but despite being late posting this, I am SUPER EXCITED to be returning to Boskone this year! And DAMN, look at that great schedule!

And if I’m not on a panel... I’ll likely be found at the Broad Universe table in the Dealer’s Room...

or, if it’s Friday Night, I’ll be throwing the Broad Universe Party again!  Look for us on the hotel Party Floor!

Outside of tabling and partying, here’s my fabulous schedule:

Tarot and Divining Fantastic Fiction

Format: Discussion Group

16 Feb 2018, Friday 17:00 - 18:00, Lewis (Westin)

Author and Tarot guru Trisha Wooldridge leads a discussion on Tarot, fortune-telling, and the art of the seer in fantasy and science fiction. Trisha will provide a live demonstration.

Trisha Wooldridge

Folktales Within Poetry

Format: Panel

16 Feb 2018, Friday 18:00 - 19:00, Marina 3 (Westin)

From “The Lady of Shalott” to “Goblin Market” to The Iliad, some quite engaging poems are inspired by folklore, legends, or myths. What other examples can we add — perhaps from non-European poetry? What do folk sources bring that an original story might lack? Our panelists will discuss (and perhaps read) some of their favorites — what are yours?

Theodora Goss (M), Jane Yolen, C. S. E. Cooney, John Chu, Trisha Wooldridge

Group Reading: Fiction for Kids and Young Adults

Format: Reading

17 Feb 2018, Saturday 12:00 - 13:00, Griffin (Westin)

Boskone presents a special group reading for lovers of children's and young adult fiction. Our authors provide a range of stories and topics that are sure to delight and entertain!

Kristy Acevedo, Daniel P. Dern, Erin M. Hartshorn (M), Sarah Jean Horwitz, Justin Key, Trisha Wooldridge

Notes

This is a special group reading designed to generate a larger crowd in order to introduce more people to the work highlighted in the session. There may only be 5 chairs at the table. If so, we ask that the moderator has a couple extra chairs moved to the table area. The group reading is scheduled for 50 minutes and each reader has 5-minutes to read. Please be sure to time your reading to ensure that you don't go over time. The "moderator" is assigned to welcome everyone to the reading and announce that each reader will introduce herself/himself along with their piece as their turn to read comes up. If there is time available, please open the room to questions.

Border of the Unknown

Format: Panel

17 Feb 2018, Saturday 17:00 - 18:00, Marina 1 (Westin)

Much fine fantastika involves crossing the boundary between the known and the unknown — especially that uneasy border between the village and the trees. Let's look at the long history of that great unknown, the enchanted forest. Why has it pushed and pulled at people’s imaginations since ancient times? To find out, let’s stroll away from safety and into the woods, as the liminal light fades and the shadows gather all under the boughs unbowed …

Theodora Goss, Errick Nunnally (M), Trisha Wooldridge, Dana Cameron, Gerald L. Coleman

Open Mic: Myths & Legends!

Format: Event

17 Feb 2018, Saturday 20:00 - 21:00, Galleria - Stage (Westin)

Live from Boskone: A special selection of tall tales as told by our program participants — plus audience members. All show off their open mic skills in the third annual Boskone Open Mic extravaganza. This year features the myths and legends of yesterday, today, and tomorrow! Each participant contributes his/her most legendary performance — a 5-minute story, poem, song, skit, interpretive dance, or whatever!

OPTIONAL: For extra appeal, feel free to come dressed as your favorite mythic or legendary character.

The Rules: Boskone members are invited to join our participants in the open mic by signing up for one of the six open slots at the door to the event, which opens for sign-ups at 7:30 p.m. Each performer is given a firm 5-minute time limit (max), including setup time. So a quick transition between acts is key. Please no profanity: DragonsLair is within hearing distance.

Elaine Cunningham (M), Lauren Roy, Kenneth Schneyer (M), C. S. E. Cooney, Carlos Hernandez, Gabriel Erkard, E. Ardell, Benjamin Newman, Roberta Rogow, Don Pizarro, Trisha Wooldridge, Mary Ellen Wessels, Edward L. Stauff

Neil Gaiman Anniversary Reads

Format: Panel

18 Feb 2018, Sunday 13:00 - 14:00, Harbor II (Westin)

It’s a notable year for Neil Gaiman, with publication anniversaries for his engaging, ironic dark fantasies The Graveyard Book (10th) and The Ocean at the End of the Lane (5th) — plus from his lighter side, Don't Panic: The Official Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy Companion (30th). Let's gab about his novels and stories, comics and characters, movies and TV adaptations and rock-star aura.

Bracken MacLeod (M), Jane Yolen, Justin Key, John Langan, Trisha Wooldridge

Writing and Tarot

I'll be presenting this workshop on Friday at 5PM at Smith College's Conbust.  Here's a taste of what I've got planned:

 

Introduction

The Tarot deck is a tool to help people understand their relationship to the universe, the world around them.  It gives a visual presentation of our motives, goals, conflicts, actions and reactions.  This makes it an excellent tool for writing.

When I do a full Celtic Cross reading spread, I read it as a map, a lesson.  What's the point of telling someone "This is going to happen" without arming them to prepare for whatever "This" is?  For me, a full reading spread addresses a conflict of the questioner, how this conflict has come about, how the questioner perceives the conflict as compared to how it may actually be, where the actions are leading, what to do to maintain or change the result, what is motivating the questioner, and an underlying consideration the questioner probably doesn't realize is in effect.

Doing a full tarot spread for the main conflict of a novel or short story can help a writer in outlining or dealing with a sticking point.

Related  reference: Debra Dixon Goal, Motivation, and Conflict

A Secret for Anyone about Tarot

Most readers I know, and the best I've learned from, have all instilled me with one "secret" that everyone should know.  This secret is why almost all the readings I do now are from people I've read for before.

Each card's meaning comes from you.

When you look at the written or given meaning in a Tarot primer, it's based on a collective experience and wisdom.  People are drawn to different decks, which when you look at the mini-booklets, vary in card meaning, because that culture and that experience which went into the deck design speaks to them.  Tarot readers study these things, but we also know that humans and culture are ever evolving and changing, that every individual strays from the collective, and that every individual assigns meaning to symbols just a little differently.

People who define themselves as writers instinctively and inherently tap into this collective wisdom: what motivates, inspires, drives, and affects people.  We are also masters of metaphor, symbolism, and hidden meaning  Writers observe people and life, and they often notice what your regular person misses and create meaning in our minds; meaning creates story.

Therefore, a writer using the Tarot need not ever look at a Tarot book or take a divination class to utilize the deck as a tool in their writing arsenal. 

If, as a writer, you choose a deck that "speaks" to you, it's automatically aligned with your sense of the world.  The frequently used symbols will speak to you, and you'll find new ones that match you perfectly.  You'll take that collective meaning used to create the card and make it your own. 

The Knight of Wands Example (will be a handout in actual class)

And sometimes the situation will change that meaning; as a writer, you know this, too.  How many of us have had characters go and do something utterly stupid or brilliant - but entirely unexpected -  when presented with an extreme or unusual situation?  How many real people have we seen do this, too?

The Power of a Single Card

The exercise we're doing for this workshop utilizes a single card. 

A reader can answer a question with a single card.  It's a "spread" that works for a simple question or issue or as a way to start the day with a directed meditation.  For writers, it can be a great jumping block for brainstorming or working out writer's block.

This exercise forces the writer to depend on his/her subconscious and reevaluate the meaning and expectations s/he may have for the situation.

• Pull a single card from the deck.
• If you do read Tarot, do not try and read the card.  If you don't normally read Tarot, you're better prepared for this exercise.
• Look at the picture and its components for one full minute.  (I'll time you here; set a timer at home.)
• Flip the card over or return it to the deck and shuffle it in.  Resist the urge to look at it!
• Write for two full minutes everything you remember from the picture on the card on a sheet of paper.
• On a second (and third, fourth, fifth, etc.) piece of paper, using only what you wrote on the first paper, construct a story or path for your character to take.  (For the workshop, I'll give you 2 more minutes; at home, take as long as you want/need/can.)

Bonus Step:

• Collaborate with one or more partners and put your stories together.  (For the workshop, I'll give you 3 minutes to do this).

I'm a big fan of collaboration because it's good for any writer to be forced from her/his head at least as an exercise.  It also prepares the writer for a relationship with an editor and offers a fresh perspective on any situation.  Even if collaboration isn't a writers regular modus operandi, it's worth trying as an exercise every once in a while.

Related Reference: Ruth & Wald Amberstone's Tarot Tips.  Exercise based on similar one for readers.

Summary

Hopefully this inspires you to explore your writing in a new direction and introduces you to a tool you'll find helpful at any stage of your writing, from brainstorming to composing to editing.  The secret to using the Tarot is to trust in your own instincts, understanding of persons and culture, and signification of meaning.  If you need a trick to keep yourself from forcing meaning upon a card, break it down to the pieces that stick out in your mind and read based on those pieces, not the card itself.  This will give you a truer reading for the situation.

To make the most of this tool, I do suggest finding a deck that features persons or personified beings (like dragons, mythical beasts, cats/cat people).  This will give you a "character" for each card.  The more vivid the pictures, also, the more you will get from each card - especially for non-readers.

* I'm also including a Tarot reference sheet and an exercise for a 3-card spread.

Found this interesting?  Let me know.  Have any tips on using the Tarot for writing?  Add to the comments.

A Very Late "Bits and Ends"

We're a week into February, and I'm feeling the crazy-busy of the month big time.  So much that I was up so late last night that I didn't have time to blog.  (And then, promptly, overslept… bring on the Vitamin D and Sunshine!)

So, in a semi-chaotic, Manic Monday form, here's some stuff I'm doing that I hope you enjoy!

Saturday, February 11th, 12-3PM

ROMANCE READINGS at

Stained Glass Creations and Beyond

2 River Road, Stafford Springs, CT.

Because Renée and Sean are close friends, their store gets my very special reading rates:

$10 - individual

$15 - couple

Each reading is about 15 minutes long, possibly 20 for a couple.

Please come out.  If you've never seen the Tarot Reader side of me, I believe you'll be pleasantly surprised.  Thanks!

xx

Sunday, February 12th

Romance Broad Pod!!

Five Awesome Broads share snippets of romance fiction from their novels in the Broad Universe sponsored podcast based on our popular Rapid Fire Reading events at science fiction/fantasy conventions.  Now you can enjoy the fun from the comfort of your mp3 player every month.

http://broadpod.posterous.com

xx

Sunday, February 27

Broadly Speaking: Writing Romance hosted by Rae Lori

I can't tell you how excited I am about this second Broad Universe podcast!  We're interviewing authors based on the topics of the Broad Pod, and it's a whole lot of fun - and educational, too!  We talk about writing technique, research, craft, marketing… whatever we can in our 30 minutes.  Please, tune into this second episode!

http://broadlyspeaking.posterous.com

xx

Besides those public things:

I'm meeting with my writer's group tomorrow, which is always fun and wonderfully inspiring for me.

I've got three more article deadlines for the month.

I've got a fabulous new project I'm starting this month that I signed an NDA on.  ;)  (So, I can't tell ya' 'bout it!)

I need to get back to Conbust (in the next few days) with the details about my Tarot and Writing workshop!  (So, go to Conbust!  Register now!)

I need to catch up on my fiction submissions (1 submission all year, alas!)

There's 200 emails just sitting in my inbox, most needing pretty quick action.

I have the first set of Spot-Checks and reviews due for my tutoring team.

Oh, and I actually want to spend some time with my horse, cat, rabbit, and husband… y'know?  Selfish stuff like that.

So, that's why my Manic Monday blog is so flipping late.  And why there's a bunch of you still waiting for responses from me… for which I apologize very much!  I'm continuing to work - promise!

Writer's Heal through Writing

"I don't think you're going to get much writing done today," said a friend of mine after I'd told her I was worried for another good friend who is going through a difficult time.

The friend who said it isn't a writer.

When my Dad passed, I was on the computer sending out notices to everyone.  I split my plan into three groups based on our level of friendship.  The closest friends & family got the most description, not-as-close friends and family got a different description, business acquaintances got an even different one.  Each letter had it's own purpose, and each letter was a different kind of healing and coping for me – though I had the tissues with me for every single letter.

Then came the replies.  I could deal with those, too, and each was healing, helpful, and comforting.

I hated phone calls.  I didn't know what to "say."  Same with the live interactions.  But in the emails, I could pour all my heart and soul into those clickety-click keys.  Same with my blog.  And I had an article due – which I did very well on despite everything.  Then, something my mom said sparked the opening for another short story.  It needed time to ruminate, but almost exactly a year later, I wrote it in a single sitting.

Writing is a powerful tool of emotion.  Emotion is a powerful part of writing.

I regularly run workshops in writing and Tarot.  If the audience is mostly writers, I keep to writing advice.  However, I often offer the workshop to a more spiritual group who want to cover the self-discovery, emotional, aspect of Tarot and writing.  I use the Rider-Waite deck for this class because there's almost always people in the scenes… or at least there is something going on.  By focusing on the story, not the meaning of the card, you get your a reading.  You have a journey of self-discovery as you figure out what is going on for the characters or scene portrayed in the card. 

You'd be hard pressed to find a writer who refuses to admit that each character they write doesn't hold a small piece of themselves.  Using the Tarot to stimulate the subconscious of the mind creates the character and story the person needs to hear.  Writing a "story" about a "character" both distances the receiver of the message and allows them to go deeper into the emotions, goals, fears, motivations, and conflicts because the story isn't about them – it's about the character.  Once the story skeleton is written – usually about the length of a journal entry – then the receiver reads it.  And, like most writers who haven't planned out a whole story ahead of time, the receiver sees so much that he or she didn't realize s/he wrote. 

And then they get the message.

The key is still in the writing.  For those of us who practice, when we're in the groove and just letting things flow, our conscious mind steps out of the way.  From there, we reach deeper and touch the emotions and pieces of our soul that, consciously, we don't want to deal with or are afraid to deal with.  We're not limited by logic or the parameters we think we know exist.  We're not rationalizing (that comes after when we want to smack our character because, "What were you – or me- thinking!?")  While writing, though, we're attending to all that's deep within us.

So, maybe I'm not working on my fiction at the moment as I worry about my friend.  At least not right away.  I might still– and my characters are certainly going through some major pain.  But regardless of what I'm writing, I'm writing. 

This blog post barely touched upon the worry, but that's ok.  It's not my place to publish on that.  Even so, the writing gives me strength to finish my day.  Little pieces are flowing through, getting worked out in the parts of my mind and soul that are active during the clickety-click of the keys… and part of me is closer to God, Spirit, or whatever you decide to call That Which Is.  Part of me is with my friend, because parts of the soul wander when we write.  And part of me is In the Moment.  Now.  Attending.

And that is the healing power of writing.

When Life gets "In the Way"… It's ok

I missed my Foodie-or-other-F-alliteration Friday post yet again.  But I don't regret it. 

Life brings a lot of opportunity, and it would be a shame to miss it!  I have fallen away from taking photos because at conventions or on vacation or during other photo-worthy events, I'm busy enjoying, networking, chatting, learning, listening… living.

(Opening pic - totally "borrowed" from the fair where I ended up writing most of this blog.)

My life reason for missing Friday?

Had a lovely trainer come for an evaluation on Calico Silver.  It was a good opportunity to learn more about my horse – who is now a big part of my life – as well as myself.  I made it home to do some work on the Rock & Shock article that's… due TODAY, and then was back out and running for a website meeting for the rescue.

Saturday was another brilliant day of living.  I started off at Whip-O-Will Farms, who was holding a benefit for Blessings Farm… and the wonderful instructor, and friendly colleague of mine, Amanda, gave me a lesson gift certificate for the Comedy Night fundraiser for the rescue.  Then I was off to visit Cali again, but found the sign for Brookfield Orchards, which I knew I also had an article due on, so I made a slight detour and added some appley goodness to may afternoon.  (Which Cali also appreciated.)  I returned home, after dark to my "starving to death, I tell you!  To Death!" kitty and did more article work, recalled I was STILL out of business cards, and then scurried to get my stuff together today – for the Holistic Happening – where I'm doing more horse-related fundraising with Tarot and book sales.  (And typing my blog in the quiet moments.)

Yay 6 hours of sleep… but all the wonderful healing is definitely helping.  I have some great roommates in the quiet room.  Diane Lewis, another Tarot reader and Medium.  Anne Belliveau of The Brilliance Within who does divine openings and healing.  Thelma Rusack, a certified Reiki practitioner.  It's wonderful speaking with each of them, just being in their presence.  I've also had given some wonderful Tarot readings. 

What does that mean for the upcoming week?

Well, besides Holistic Happening follow ups…

I have to write my Rock & Shock article and my orchard review.

I have two doctor appts.

BU Website!!!  (Don't worry, Morven, I'm appropriately flogging myself for taking so damned long.)

Next Broadpod episode (not quite late, but awaiting one more response.)

Broadpod 2011 sign-ups and 2nd episodes.

Broadsheet follow up & article with Shaenon Garrity.  (Another person from whom I need to ask forgiveness for lateness.)

Voltaire follow-up.

Calico time.

Fiction time!

Rock & Shock, itself, with New England Horror Writers (set-up, break down & any holes… but that's the weekend… oh, wait, I DO have to prepare!

Oh… and yeah, my hourly tutoring work!

And, of course, my regular blogs… unless life really does steal me again.  (Please accept any advance apologies.)

Now, go enjoy life!!  (& Writing)

For you friendly stalkers out there...

For those of you going to Conbust this coming weekend, please feel free to be friendly stalkers!

Friday, sharply at 6PM, I'll be talking faeries with Jane Yolen and Sharyn November.

You'll probably catch me after that hanging out with Genetic Imperfection as they talk about Shadow Casting (particularly for Repo! The Genetic Opera, but I'm sure some Rocky Horror Picture Show might come up.) Of course, that depends on my Mom, too… as she might be coming. In that case - I'm not sure.

On Saturday, we've got a Rapid Fire Reading (labeled as a Round Robin Reading) with members of Broad Universe. Come listen for a tidbit of the NEW Bad-Ass Faeries short story!

After the Rapid Fire Reading, I'll be doing my Writing and Tarot workshop... which doesn't have a description listed. This workshop will get your creative juices flowing with Tarot Cards. Be prepared to write!

Sunday, I'm back to Central MA so that I can make it to the Bay State Equine Rescue Wine, Beer, and Liquor Tasting!

I look forward to seeing some of you this weekend!