Taking the Plunge Tied Into Gen
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The Newsletter of the International Association of Media Tie-in Writers copy-writing and catalogue work for my former job fills gaps, but beyond that, I'm hustling to TTaakkiinngg tthhee PPlluunnggee line up another project. By Don Bassingthwaite Possibly the best instant pay-off from Since I was profiled in Tied-In #4, I have left deciding to write full-time? Every time I pass my day job and taken the plunge into full-time through the old day job (a major Canadian writing. On December 1, I'll celebrate three publisher) for a freelance meeting, at least one of months of freedom. my former colleagues is certain to say: "Wow, you The majority of my look so relaxed!" time has been taken up completing the first novel of a new trilogy under TTiieedd IInnttoo GGeenn CCoonn contract to Wizards of the Coast—a major impetus for my decision. After a dozen novels and three years in a new (and busier) day job, I found that I couldn't keep up the pace of writing and working . without both jobs suffering. Fortunately, it really wasn't too difficult to decide which way to go, especially with the IAMTW members Donald J. Bingle and Tim inspiration provided by Waggoner in featured readings during the stories from everyone at Gen Con Game Fair. IAMTW. The biggest change I've By Tim Waggoner found was the early transition to disciplining Perhaps the slogan might better read: The myself to write every day and remembering that Best Four Days in Writing. as much as I enjoy what I do, it isn't just an The 40th Anniversary of the Gen Con gaming extended vacation. As I've told people, I think I convention was held in Indianapolis, IN, this enjoyed the first month a little too much. I have past August. Billed as “The Best Four Days in been working hard since then, though, and it's Gaming,” Gen Con Indy is the largest gaming definitely the most deeply satisfying job I have convention in the world. ever had. More than 26,000 attendees experienced The next challenge will be picking up more more than 1,200 board game, 950 card games, work. As I write, I'm only a few days away from 780 miniatures events, 105 LARPs, 1730 RPGs, completing the current novel, with the second of and 240 seminars and workshops. the trilogy due early next summer and time Attendees come to check out the newest blocked in over the winter to work on a long- games and meet the movers and the shakers in promised-to-myself original novel. Freelance the gaming industry. V ol. 1, issue 6, December-January 2007-2008 1 • Them's Fighting Words! • The Writing Life • Breaking into the Industry: Game Writing • Alchemy & Sorcery, the Science of Magic in Fiction • Worldbuilding: What to eat on the planet Kriznak • Publishing Potpourri The Writers’ Symposium also offered a series of readings by authors such as: • Elizabeth Vaughan • Luke Johnson, Paul Genesse & Brad Beaulie • Chris Pierson & Kelly Swails • Jean Rabe & John Helfers IAMTW member Steven Schend offers a • Don Bingle & Tim Waggoner Gen Con attendee with manuscript advice. • Steven Schend & Kerrie Hughes For media tie-in writers, Gen Con offers a The Writers’ Symposium has its origins back chance to learn about game-based fiction-writing in the 1990s when it was founded by editor and opportunities, meet editors and publishers, and author Jean Rabe. She started giving seminars network with other authors. The promotional on writing at the Gen Con Game Fair in opportunities include signings at Author’s Milwaukee, Wisconsin. Gen Con has moved to Avenue in the main exhibition hall or reserving Indianapolis, Indiana, but Jean and her crew are your own exhibitor’s table where you can sell still there. Many writers have helped her present your books and chat with readers. the panels over the years, and the seminars are Highlights of this year’s Gen Con Game Fair almost always packed with people who want to included Wizards of the Coast’s announcement of learn more about writing. their upcoming release of 4th Edition Dungeons The Writers’ Symposium is made up of & Dragons, a packed Egame arena, a costume twenty professional writers, game designers, and contest, a True Dungeon, Tracy Hickman’s Killer editors. Combined, they have sold several dozen Breakfast, and the presentation of the ENnie books and short stories to major publishers, Awards. The Gen Con EN World RPG Awards primarily in the fantasy and science fiction (the "ENnies") are an annual fan-based genres. celebration of excellence in tabletop roleplaying According to Jean, the Symposium differs gaming. The final winners are voted upon by the from both college writing courses and writing gaming public at EN World. This year the Best workshops at regional conventions in that it’s Game honor went to Scion, Hero by White Wolf “hosted by a number of authors currently being Publishing, and Product of the Year went to published in tie-in, gaming, fantasy, and science Ptolus, City by the Spire, by Malhavoc Press-White Wolf. For the complete list of winners, check out the ENnies website: www.ennieawards.com. One of the most popular events at Gen Con is the annual Writers’ Symposium, organized by author Jean Rabe. The Symposium is geared toward both writers of tie-in and original fiction, and this year, more than 40 seminars were offered. Panel topics included: Symposium attendees . a nice, cozy crowd. 2 fiction fields, and they pass along solid advice to aspiring writers.” When asked what motivated her to create TTooyyss ooff MMyy OOwwnn the Writers’ Symposium, Jean said, “I learned By David Mack more about writing fiction from attending Sometimes, you just get tired of sharing. seminars at science fiction conventions in When new acquaintances ask me about my Illinois, Kentucky, and Tennessee than I did in writing for Star Trek, I’m always happy to tell my college courses. It was panelists like George them that I love it. I’ve been a fan of Star Trek R.R. Martin, Gene Wolfe, and Joe Haldeman who since I was toddler watching reruns of the inspired me and who taught me what I needed to original series. A highlight of my career and my do to get an editor's attention.” Jean hoped the life is that I got to co-write two episodes of Star Symposium would prove equally as helpful for Trek: Deep Space Nine. And my passion for the Gen Con attendees interested in learning the franchise has not abated since I started writing more about writing and publishing – and it has. Star Trek novels and short stories for Pocket “Many of our attendees have sold short Books. stories and novels, and they credit the But one day not too long ago, I realized I Symposium with helping them,” she says. wanted more. The Writers’ Symposium has proven so I think that popular, in fact, that it’s grown beyond the this new desire physical workshop. The first issue of the Writers’ started in 2004, Symposium Ezine was released in October. An after I was outgrowth of the Symposium, each issue is free asked by editor and will be released quarterly via email. The Marco Palmieri Ezine currently has more than 300 subscribers, to help him and that number is rapidly growing. Each issue develop and features articles, tips, and resources that will launch a new help writers both new and established improve literary-original their craft. line of books for Editor Paul Genesse says that “the free the franchise. Writers’ Symposium Ezine is produced by a That project, set group of twenty editors, writers, and game in the time of designers. The Symposium is dedicated to the classic TV ‘Helping Writers Write,’ and features articles on series, became Star Trek crafting good fiction in addition to giving insider Vanguard, a series for which David Mack tips on how to get published.” I’ve so far written two novels. It gave me an You can preview the ezine at opportunity to craft a series concept from the www.paulgenesse.com/writerssymposiumezine, ground up, develop all-new characters, plot long- and you can sign up by sending an email to term story arcs, and put my indelible stamp on a [email protected]. corner of the fictional universe that I’ve loved my Subscribers can visit the Writers’ Symposium whole life. Blog at www.writerssymposium.blogspot.com to That was my first successful attempt at find links to the members’ websites and their series-concept development, and it suited my inboxes, or comment on the bonus articles inner megalomaniac. By the following year I featured there. found myself unable to stop thinking about To find out more about Gen Con, visit creating my own universe. www.gencom.com, and you can find Paul Writing for media tie-in projects has often Genesse on the Web at www.paulgenesse.com. been called “playing with other people’s toys,” because one has to respect the condition in which characters and situations are received and, in The Symposium will expand at next most cases, put them back as they were found. year’s Gen Con, set for I was good at doing that, but it was time to Aug. 1417, 2008. make some toys of my own. Toys that I could Already several IAMTW members are scheduled to participate. 3 break, fold, spindle, and mutilate at will. So I to write rich, detailed, and readable outlines as a turned my attention to The Calling, an idea for a tie-in writer.