Last night of Wiscon

I have been prowling the Wiscon parties. It's late, and I'm tired, and I'm going to one of the "living rooms" discussions at 10:00 a.m. that Pat Murphy is leading tomorrow, on being a mid-career writer (limited to 25. Other participants include Louise Marley, Terri Windling, Delia Sherman, Ellen Kushner, Midori Snyder, etc. Oy.) However, I'm restless, and not quite ready to go to bed. kijjohnson disappeared part way through the evening, and I'm wondering where she is. Had long great talks with a number of people. Debbie Notkin and I grabbed a moment to re-connect. I told her that when I saw her, I felt a terrible pang, and she said immediately, "I know exactly what you're talking about. You're thinking of Jenna Felice."

( Jenna Felice )

She was too damn young.

Here's a memorial page for Jenna.

Peg

Back from Wiscon

The highlight of the con (and perhaps the highlight of just about any con I've ever been at) was this morning's "living room" session. I was in a room for an hour and a half, talking what it's like to be at the mid-career point with these people:

Pat Murphy
Laurie Marks
Ursula K. LeGuin
Ellen Klages
Midori Snyder
Élisabeth Vonarburg
Susan Palwick
Amy Thompson
Candas Dorsey
Kij Johnson
Karen Joy Fowler
Molly Gloss
Laurie Winter
Terri Windling
Louise Marley
Carol Emshwiller
Ellen Kushner
Christine Smith
Suzy McKee Charnas
Scott Westerfield

*dies*

Debbie Notkins was facilitating, and since some of the stuff we talked about got quite personal, she asked that what we talk about be kept confidential. But I think I can safely say that the conversation was wonderful, and it was so comforting to discover that the issues that I struggle with as a woman trying to create a writing life for myself are shared by others, including woman who I've looked up to for years, who make it look so easy.

Wiscon was GREAT! Kij drove me home, and we talked books and career and how to write books that sear the soul, and we got soppily sentimental when it came time to say goodbye.

Came home to discover the house was an utter mess. Rob was sick this weekend, too sick, poor guy, to pick up so much as a sock.

I have to go back to the day job tomorrow.

Full time.

Oy.

Cheers,
Peg

Argh

Home machine hard disk has crashed (AGAIN???) No e-mail for a while, as I don't want to download it onto the laptop.

Thank God for the laptop.

Peg