Being In Front Of The Camera...

A few weeks back I was interviewed. There was a camera, a director, and some instructions given. The authors at Bard's Tower, during the 2017 edition of Salt Lake Comic Con FanX, were asked to give writing advise to the masses. Last week one of the authors found his interview on YouTube and posted the link on Facebook. After a short search, I found my video among the others and brought it up.

You know that feeling you get when you hear your voice come out of a tape recorder? Or, for those who don't know what a tape recorder is, your voice coming from a video off your phone? It feels weird, strange, not your own. And when you add the miracle of moving pictures, that strange feeling can be compounded.

So, I pulled up my video and watched it--it's what you do when someone went to all that trouble. What did I think of my performance? Let's just say you can tell being in front of a camera is something I'm not prone to do.

I thought, because I've dabbled on stage for the past twenty years, that I might do better in front of a camera, but it is what it is. You can check out my video: HERE.

Another author at Bard's Tower was Ramón Terrell, a great guy who happens to be a trained actor as well as a gifted storyteller. Now, he looks like he feels right at home in front of a camera. You can check out his video: HERE. I mean, just look at the guy. 

I suppose being in front of a camera is like writing or singing or pretty much anything you do...the more you do it, hopefully the better you'll get. You can check out all the videos from all the amazing authors: HERE. Better yet, subscribe to the Writing Tips: Sci-Fi, Fantasy, and Genre Fiction YouTube channel. There's some great advice, even if we are (mostly) not as good in front of a camera as we are creating stories.

It's The People...

From 8am this morning to 8:45pm tonight, I was on my feet, except for about twenty minutes when I wolfed down some delicious Cambodian food (yes, it was good...). I'm now home, my feet are killing me, I'm tired and hungry...

But, boy, was it worth it!

As the crowds dwindled and people headed for their cars or public transportation, I chatted with two women from the south. We talked books, families, traditions. We discussed growing up in the 1970s and 80s, and raising kids in today's world. We talked and laughed and got to know each other, three people who never met before and, if not for this event, would most likely never have met.

As I walked exhausted to my car, I thought about the day that had been, where tens of thousands of people gathered under one massive roof and just existed with each other. It's something where, in our modern world, we hardly ever have to do. We can live a literal solitary life, almost never having to interact with anyone. Yet, conventions and attractions tear down those walls we sometimes build up for protection. We see each other, talk to each other, smile and say (with genuine meaning...), "It was a pleasure to meet you."

Tomorrow we'll gather again, stand for hours upon hours, shake hands, ask questions, and smile--lots of smiles. Though my comic con experience is somewhat limited, I hope to always remember a few years ago when I met pro wrestler Ron Simmons, or the time Richard Paul Evans and I chatted about writing--just him and I--for about 30 minutes, or, most recently, getting to know two cousins,  Sherrilyn and Laura, a Tennesseean and a Georgian, who made me smile. When it comes right down to it, you can throw away the banners, booths, the photo ops, and, yes, even the books (gasp...), because what makes these events amazing are the people.

Bard's Tower...Towering With Talent

It you're attending Salt Lake Comic Con FanX March 17 and 18, MAKE SURE you stop by and check out Bard's Tower, Booth #701. If you get lost, just look up and you'll see the imposing (yet, strangely comforting...) faces of famous authors. Follow those faces until reach the tower of talent. At which time you'll be affected by the power of the tower, dare I say, hypnotized (I dare...). You may unknowingly retrieve your wallet, or other cash-storage device, and volume after volume of incredible literature, all of which you will not only want, but need.

Don't fight it--just give in to its influence.

Bard's Tower will house some of the state's most successful authors, all willing to not only sign your purchased books, but will do it with a smile, and--time willing--you may get a tale. One thing authors love to do is tell stories.

I've attended several Salt Lake Comic Cons (every one, actually...) and I've always passed by the booth with reverenced awe. The people who stop love to read. The people behind the booth love to satisfy the needs the reader have. It's a combination that works, and works well. And at this convention I will be behind the booth finding out what people like to read and doing my best to get the right books into the hands of those wanting.

"So, what do you like to read?"

I hope to ask that question over and over again, until, alas, on Saturday night Bard's Tower descends from its lofty hight  only to be stored, waiting its time to rise again to a new audience, to new readers,  readers eager to receive fantastic stories wth characters that come to life off the page.

If you're attending Salt Lake Comic Con FanX Friday and Saturday, please drop by and say "hi." If you're a reader (and who isn't...?), it's an amazing place. I'll be sure to do my best to get you the right book(s). After all, you may be powerless to avoid Bard's Tower. Just try and prove me wrong.

* Bard's Tower photographs courtesy of Bard's Tower Facebook Page: https://www.facebook.com/search/top/?q=Bard%27s%20Tower