Bouchercon 2008 — Friday Afternoon, Oct 10…
Something a bit different. Don’t know how long it’s been there in the lobby, but I just noticed the Bouchercon logo of Charmed to Death is displayed on the lobby floor in red light. It may take me a while to wake up to my surroundings but I get there eventually. Since, I spotted it right off this afternoon on our way out of the hotel, I can only imagine that it was the previous lack of caffeine that has now been rectified that did it.
I forgot to mention that when we were at the Wolfsbane and Mistletoe panel this morning, they had some Christmas ornaments to give out to the attendees. We managed to get one before they ran out. This was quite appropriate since the theme is werewolves at Christmas. I’ll certainly think of this book when we put the ornament on our tree this December.
We missed the 1:30 p.m. panel. So, instead went to the Dealers’ Room again. This time I really took my time looking at all the books. I was fun looking at all the covers of books that I read in ARC form without the covers. It was also appalling to see just how many books I wanted to buy. Now I must figure out which ones I really can’t do without because I don’t know when I’ll get to read anything since my TBR (to be read) pile is now several piles and a couple of boxes. I slip these books in between the books that I read for review. When I get the chance, I’ll either review them in the appropriate zine, here on the blog, or on Amazon, or a combination of these venues. Too many books, not enough time.
Time is Tight Panel
3:00 p.m. Time Is Tight: Keeping the plot moving.
Panelists: D.H. Dublin, Robert Ellis, Nancy-Stephanie Stone (moderator), David Hewson, P.D. Martin, Pick Mofina.
Most of the panelists said they write their stories in contemporary time. The reason is because it’s a bit easier since, if they use forensics and other plot devices that require a lot of research, at least they don’t need to also research the historical era of the book, because they’re living it. However, it does bring up the problem that technology changes so fast that sometimes by the time of publication it could be out of date.
Panelists discussed the pros and cons of 1st person and 3rd person. 3rd person give more scope in relaying information but 1st person, especially 1st person present tense, gives much more immediacy.
Most panelists say they play with time to up the tension and move the plot forward. However, most consider their story to take place over anywhere between 3-4 days or 3-6 weeks. Time, one said, is a movement or a journey, and books are also a journey, and time moves the plot along.
Power of Goodbye Panel
4:30 p.m. The Power of Goodbye: Why endings are important.
Panelists: Brent Ghelfi, David Ellis, Harlan Corben, Susan Dunlap, Mike Lawson, Jamie Agnew (moderator)
Statements that resonated with me:
- End doesn’t have to be a surprise but it does need to be satisfying.
- Ending also has to be fair for the reader. It shouldn’t be a cheat or a rabbit out of the hat.
Some of the authors start with the ending and then begin at the beginning and the whole thing drives to the end. Others know the beginning and the end — the trick is to connect the two.
Harlan Coben said (and I’m paraphrasing) that many people say that mysteries are puzzles but he doesn’t get it, because puzzles give you the picture on the box, and no one puts a puzzle together and doesn’t figure out what it is until the last piece goes it. He sees mysteries as a camera — you first see the object as fuzzy and gradually you get it to come into focus. As you write you’re refining the focus to get to the end.
Then they talked about series. Some thought that series books have a shelf life. In that you can only have a character have so many life changing cathartic experiences before the character is either mad or unrealistic.
The difference between an amateur and profession is that the amateur is “everyone”. It’s the average person who takes that wrong step and ends up in the middle of something they can’t handle. The plot puts them in a situation outside of their comfort zone.
That’s it for tonight. The Shamus Awards dinner is tonight but unfortunately we’re not able to go. I’m hoping that they’ll have the winners on their web-blog soon.
[Hyperion: This was done last night, but someone forgot to hit the publish button. I must now go and absolve my guilt by purchasing Gayle coffee.]