Creatures, Crime, and Creativity 2021
09/14/21 08:42 Filed in: Writing | C3 Conference
This is a brain-dump and summary of my 2021 C3 experiences.
Self-editing note:
Please ignore/forgive me if I’ve used the incorrect pronouns when referring to people. Old habits die hard (great movie) in old people…
Overview:
This past (long) weekend, I attended the Creatures, Crime, and Creativity conference in Columbia, MD. I’ve been to the conference several times before and have been on and moderated panels there. This year, 2021, was the first time for the event since “The Dark Times” (COVID). It was also my first time out-and-about at a public event in over a year.
I was leery and hesitant about attending, but it was local (an hour drive), and I made a promise to myself to wear my mask when not on a panel, eating, or drinking. I think I did well, but slipped a time or two, only to catch myself. Seeing many people unmasked, and shaking hands, was unnerving after more than a year in “isolation”. Luckily, the hotel this year was more open space-wise, so distancing wasn’t really a problem. All in all, I don’t think it was an issue. I, however, had lost all of my social skills and etiquette. It took the better part of the first evening to regain them.
The hotel, the Columbia, MD Doubletree, as I mentioned, was larger and more open this year. The staff was great, the rooms clean, and the restaurant/event food was good. Unfortunately, I think this hotel is more off the beaten path, and with COVID, there weren’t as many “walk-ins”.
I’m an introvert, and COVID has made that more clear to me. Before the conference, I made a promise to myself that I would try to be more open, engaging, and try to talk to everyone attending at least once. I’m sure I missed a couple of people (I apologize), but I succeeded mostly. Apart from being exhausted at the end of each day (also due to not sleeping well), I enjoyed meeting and chatting with everyone.
Why I Like C3:
- It’s not a crowd/push of people. There are only around 100 attendees. This year, it was in the 90s.
- There are no “celebrities” who believe/think they are too important to mingle and spend time with you.
- Everyone is open, friendly, and willing to spend time with you one-on-one.
- Everyone seems to have fun.
- Panels are diverse and informative/fun.
Conversations:
I had many memorable conversations, a few I’ll mention here because they were interesting, engaging, or I was–I won’t say fan-boying because that’s way beneath me–let’s just call it, in awe.
- I came in a day early to check in and decompress from the drive and to scope out the new hotel. I met Bruce Coffin, author of the Detective Byron series, and we hung out at the hotel bar just chatting and talking ideas. We talked about what it means to be a writer and even touched on philosophical topics such as cause-effect and time-reversal. I came away with some validation for ideas I’d been kicking around, and I think he may have gotten a few. It was a fun chat.
- Hank Phillippi Ryan, one of the keynote authors. I’ve been following (not stalking) her on Twitter, and actually got a reply. She’s a very busy person, and I’m grateful for the interchange. Unfortunately, she wasn’t able to attend in-person, so I had to settle for Twitter. She’s “effusive”, if I’m allowed to use that word.
- Sherrilyn Kenyon, another keynoter–I’ll talk about her keynote further on, is a writer that seems to have written everything, and as I told her, we should all give up. She has a fun personality, is a tech-geek (based on her writing gear), and stronger than she seems.
- James Grady: if you’ve ever seen the movie “Three Days of the Condor”, he (literally) wrote the book. He’s an unassuming man, and I had a friendly chat with him during one of the signing sessions. For an unassuming man, he sure has led an eventful life.
- Sharon Buchbinder: Just a friendly outgoing person with wonderful stories to tell.
Those are my highlights. I had many other conversations. Maybe I should write a book of author interviews… hm…
Keynotes:
Let’s talk keynotes. Well, I’ll talk–err write, and you read.
- Hank Phillipi Ryan: You can tell she’s an on-screen journalist/reporter. She likes listicles. That’s not a bad thing when the lists are impactful and relevant. She doesn’t mince words and gives good practical advice. Well done. And being an on-screen person, she looks good. Maybe she planned it that way? Seriously, she was busy with a new book release.
- Sherrilyn Kenyon: Words aren’t enough to describe this keynote. Emotions come close. The keynote was honest, open, and heartfelt. I noticed Sherrilyn was on the verge of tears at multiple points (both sad and happy tears) as were the audience and I. I pride myself in not being an emotional person. Her experiences and life almost made it through my “armor”, and I choked up once or twice. Her keynote, as her life, proves you can succeed when everyone and everything is hell-bent to see you fail. She got the only standing ovation of the night and one of the few I remember at the conf. Bravo/a! (This keynote was live).
- Kathleen Barber (interviewed by Hank Phillipi Ryan): another “remote” event. Ms Barber has a hit Apple TV series. This was a great conversation about the writing and having your work transferred to the “tube”. If you’re old enough, you get the reference.
- James Grady (interviewed by Austin Camacho): This was another conversation. James Grady, as I mentioned above, has lived an eventful life. His success, he attributes to the luck of the slush pile, but he has gobs of talent. He looks like a cynical, hard-boiled guy who has been through the trenches, but he’s open and helpful.
C3 always has great keynotes and speakers. “But wait! There’s more! If you sign up now, you also get…”
Noir at the Bar:
This is another regular event at C3. If you’re not familiar with “Noir at the Bar”, it’s a bunch (haggle, bevy, circle, cluster?) of writers who get up and read a short piece or selection either while drunk, or while the audience gets drunk. [I’m trying to be funny and failing]. Yes, there is a bar, but it’s not held in a bar: would that it could be. [SIDE NOTE: The “cash” bar only accepts tickets you have to purchase ahead of time, and does not accept cash.]. Anyway, this year just wasn’t noir/gritty/horror. There was a bit of that, but it was more diverse in genre. It was fun and a nice way to hear some of the writers whom you may not have been familiar with (dangling preposition). SIDE NOTE: Some of the previous Noirs at the Bar did feature inebriated authors.
Panels (and even more panels):
Despite COVID, most panels went on as planned even though, perhaps, one or two panelists were missing. The panels are always excellent (apart from the ones I’m on, of course). The breadth of topics is fun and I like the moderators asking questions rather than just allowing panelists to ramble/push their work. Questions from the audience are always fun/challenging/insightful. NOTE: I would like more panels about the “business” side of things next time. One panel stood out for me. I’m a fan of the Marvel movie universe, but never got into the books. This was a panel with 3 people, one of which showed up. Christopher Chambers did a great job holding his own in conversation with Austin Camacho, and sold me on the book.
As I mentioned, I was on two panels. I was on one that dealt with writing charismatic characters. I don’t think any of my characters are (apart from one). That was a fun panel to be on. The other was about what makes historical fiction. I’m no expert, but I always have thoughts and opinions. I think I did ok. I wasn’t as terrified as the last time, which was the first time, on a panel.
This was the first year of sitting in an autograph session. Honestly, I expected little, but I sold a couple of copies. That’s a win for me. As I’ve told people, there and elsewhere, I write for fun. I don’t want fame or money.
With COVID and the new location, no one really got autograph requests. There were a couple of “walk-ins” but not the number I’ve seen in previous years.
Take-aways and lessons learned:
As I’ve said, C3 is fun. It’s fun because everyone is so welcoming. You learn things and make new friends and acquaintances. No one is “high-and-mighty”. One thing that struck me this time around is that everyone there suffers from “imposter syndrome”. I’d buy a book at the shop and ask for an autograph and on more than one occasion, the author would say “Oh my god, thank you!” And these aren’t 3rd tier writers. It was as if it surprised them that anyone would want to read their books. This was genuine shock/pleasure. That taught me something. I’m better than I think I am. I know I’m not good. But I’m not as bad as I imagine, and I know I’m better than I was.
Another point reinforced what I trust: being honest and kind will move you further than celebrity. The higher you go, the slower you get to climb.
Finally, people want to get together to share ideas, meet, have fun, and enjoy life. Also, they aren’t willing to sacrifice their health or the safety of others. Thank you.
Thanks to:
- Austin and Denise Camacho and Cynthia Lauth (Intrigue Publishing). Thank you. You bring joy, experience, and learning to others. I’ve tried to do my bit to help the con. I’ll attempt to do more next time.
- Alll the speakers, panelists, hotel staff, book store, staff, and guests.
- Everyone who made me feel welcome and feel that I’m a true author. Yes, I have now published six books, and have gotten my short story into the C3 anthology–woot! I still feel like a poser. I don’t need an ego boost, but it’s nice getting the occasional “attaboy”.
Final Thoughts:
I’m motivated to write better and more now.
If you are an author, writer, or just a fan who loves to read. Check out C3. I’ve already registered for next year. See you there!
Creatures, Crime, and Creativity in Columbia, MD should be called C4 because it's a blast!
Word up!