Give Thanks...For Dave Wolverton--Someone My Non-Writer Friends Should Know

 This post is for all my non-writer friends. 

Why? Basically because most of my writer friends already know Dave Wolverton, and nothing I write in this post will surprise them. No, I'm writing for all those out there who don't know Dave Wolverton, or his other pen name, Dave Farland. I'm writing this because if you're not familiar with Dave the author, the teacher, the mentor, the trainer, the friend, he's a man you should know, because his influences have changed the world.

When I ventured into the writing world, a few names rose to the top. There's the best-selling world-famous local writers that everyone knows of and everyone wants to become, but if you dig just a little deeper, there's one name that connects them, and thousands of other writers.

As a professor at BYU Dave tutored so many. Several of his students turned out to be household names in the writing world...Brandon Sanderson, Dan Wells, Brandon Mull, Jessica Day George, Eric Flint, James Dashner, Stephanie Meyer. As an editor at Scholastic, he helped them take a chance on an unknown author, J. K. Rowling. You may not have known Dave, but guaranteed, you've been influenced by him.

But, in my opinion, Dave's greatest quality was not how he helped the careers of so many famous writers, but it was how he treated the legions of us non-famous writers that showed me his true self. Having attended a few conferences over the years, there'd be times when I would find myself sitting at the same table with Dave. On a few occasions, we'd chat. I'd ask questions and he'd offer his time. Imaging, someone with his knowledge (and I'm not even including here what a tremendously gifted writer he was...) sitting with me, a relative nobody in the writing universe. It blew my mind then and continues to do the same today.

So many have penned heartfelt dedications to Dave since his passing last week. I've read as many as possible and in every story, every anecdote, every remembrance the writer tells a personal story about how Dave helped them--either in writing or in life or both. And so I add my own story/anecdote/remembrance. Last month I had questions about a novel I've finished. Is there a market for it, an audience? I decided to send Dave a message...

And he responded.

I asked if he had a quick moment for a question. He said it "wasn't a great time," but he offered his help anyway. After a short back-and-forth, we ended the conversation. Then, he wrote something he didn't have to write, something that showed again his greatness...he wanted to chat about the book in the future. It's hard to express how that made me feel. But my writer friends who knew Dave--most better than I did--know how I felt. They know because Dave made them feel the same way, again and again and again.

I felt my non-writer friends should know more about Dave, about the man who so recently passed away and who has influenced so many of us on a personal level. There are few individuals in this world with that gift. I'm grateful I met him, grateful to see his example. I hope to never forget his example, and I hope my non-writer friends know him a little better, too.

Who Offers Scholarships To Learn From Some Of The Best? Fryecon...That's Who

For me, part of what made the first Salt Lake Comic Con special was bringing celebrities to the event. Sure, there's a plethora (yes...a plethora...) of celebrities roaming the streets of Park City at the Sundance Film Festival each winter, but for the average Utahn (like me...), unless I have connections, there's no way I can actually shake their hands and get a picture with them. I should admit that I've never attended the Salt Lake Film Festival so maybe the average Utahn can shake hands and get a photo with actual celebrities. If that's possible, I apologize. It just seems an impossible things to do.

Salt Lake Comic Con comes to town and wish some cash (and a little bit of luck...), I can meet actors, artists, comedians, musicians. That first comic con changed things--I believe--forever in our state.

And if they can do it, why not others?

Writing cons are a little different. They've been able to draw world-famous authors and artists to Utah for decades. That traditions continues. Three years ago a group of like-minded individuals started Fyrecon, a Science Fiction and Fantasy conference on Art, Writing, and Game Development. Their goal and mission statement is all wrapped up in the title.

They set out to create a first-rate event and invite heavy hitters in the fields of writing, art and other creative mediums. 

And they have.

And they do!

The tradition continues this June in Layton, Utah. One of the cornerstones that makes Fyrecon unique is the ability to take Master Classes with professionals in various disciplines. For a price--prices and other information about the classes can be found: HERE--you can have an amazing experience. The following is from the website:

When you are learning, sometimes a more intense class is what you need to go to the next level. Fyrecon works each year to bring in expert authors and artists to teach master classes to help you reach your goals.  With 4 or more hours of instruction from a master,  that includes access to the general tracks over 200 hours of classes, you can’t go wrong

These Master Classes have been been amazing! And, Fyrecon offers one scholarship to each Master Class. If you're interested (and you should be...), please click: HERE now! There's instructions and the registration information on the site. But hurry--applications are due by Saturday, April 20, 2019.

When I think about these incredible opportunities, it reminds me of that first Salt Lake Comic Con where we were able to meet and interact with celebrities in a manner never before seen in Utah. At Fyrecon, these Master Classes you can meet, interact, and learn in a way rarely seen in this state. If you want to go, check out the scholarship site--you may get to go for free!

Don't Miss David Farland's Master Class...Only At Fyrecon 2!

In just under two months, artists will gather, writers will congregate, and students will assemble. They'll come together to share ideas, foster inspiration, and participate in Utah's newest writing symposium. 

Fyrecon, the second edition.

And one of the main attractions to the event are Master Classes. This year's con will have classes on writing, illustration, sculpting, and other art forms. One of the biggest names to attend is David Farland.

If you're looking for someone with experience in the publishing, writing, and marketing industries, you'll be hard pressed to find a person with more. He has literally taught some of the most successful writers of our time.

This is from Fyrecon's website:

David Farland is an award-winning, New York Timesbestselling author who has penned nearly fifty science fiction and fantasy novels for both adults and children. Along the way, he has also worked as a creative writing instructor, a video game designer, and a movie producer.

In 1991, Dave was invited to act as a judge for the Writers of the Future Contest, the world’s largest science fiction and fantasy writing contest for new authors, and was soon promoted to the position of Coordinating Judge. Recently, Dave accepted the position of Director of Storytelling for a new animation studio, Crocodiles Not Waterlilies Entertainment, where he will help guide the company’s production of books, video games, and animated films.

Dave has also worked as something of an acquisitions consultant for publishers. In 1992 and 1993, he worked for Gibbs Smith Publishers, helping them find manuscripts for children’s books, and he recently accepted a similar position for Tor books.

Over the past several years, I've had the opportunity to have several conversations with Dave. He's so approachable and personable, and he knows his stuff. I can only imagine how his class would be. If you're serious in learning about the craft of writing, sign up! It's a 12-hour in depth course. 

Here's the schedule:

Class is limited to 30 students
Thursday, June 21th, 9am – 1pm
Friday, June 22th, 9am – 1pm
Saturday, June 21th, 9am – 1pm

Explore the writing process step-by-step over three days and see exactly how it is done. Each hour we’ll cover a new step toward completion and beyond.

Hour 1–Brainstorming, “1001 Ideas in an Hour,”
Hour 2–Brainstorming Settings
Hour 3–Create Your Characters
Hour 4–Weaving the Plot

Hour 5–Focus on Writing (Cleaning your palette, creating a writing space, focus)
Hour 6–Drafting Your Opening/Hooking Your Reader
Hour 7–Enchanting Your Reader Image by Image
Hour 8–Adding Complications

Hour 9–Powerful Endings
Hour 10–Editing to Greatness/Working with Editors
Hour 11–Sending it Out, Dealing With Editors and Agents
Hour 12–How to Make a Living as a Writer

Hurry--seating is limited. You can find out more about Dave's class, as well as the other amazing writers and artists at Fyrecon by clicking: HERE. And to find information specifically about Dave's class, click: HERE.

If you're thinking about going, please check out Fyrecon 2. It's going to be great!

Steampunk: Beyond Goggles...A Very Cool FanX Panel!

In almost every writing conference, symposium, and comic con, you'll mostly find a panel that discusses Steampunk. 

There's a good reason for this.

It's because Steampunk is cool--very cool.

Because I've written a couple of short stories in a steampunk world, I was asked to be on a panel and sit with some amazing panelists at this year's Salt Lake Comic Con FanX. Here's who will be there:

And it's being moderated by the great Dave Butler.

When you get a steampunk panel together, I've found that you never quite know what will happen, partially because a lot of what makes up steampunk is based on their own interpretation. Steampunk is a written genre, an artistic movement, and a fashion style. Personally, I think it's because it's still evolving. 

If you're attending this year's FanX March 24-26 and you'd like to know more about Steampunk, check us out Steampunk: Beyond Goggles, Friday, 6pm in room 150G. It's going to be great!