Sunday, April 15, 2012

Scattered Positivity

Long time, Internet!

I had a fun NorWesCon with lots and lots of people I don't see often, but THAT SAID... about halfway through my first night there, the wife calls to say that there was an altercation involving police, guns, and kids with guns in front of our house. While the kids were in the yard. No shots fired, but she was a bit freaked out and I was a little weirded out at the thought of leaving everyone in the house alone after that. So's I drove home and spent the night, then drove back to Seattle the next night with Cory, and had some fun, completely forgot about a writers' workshop session (sorry, everyone involved!) then drove back late at night.

If it hadn't been for Cory's all-around mad genius, I would have fallen asleep, then dead, at the wheel. We had a great story therapy session and now I know what to do with a story if I ever sit down to write it.

There are a couple of scattered reviews for my new story, "Blade and Branch and Stone," around the Internet:

By far the most ambitious story in the issue and the most original, Ellsworth's created a strange and intriguing world.

Also:

While the concepts of a race that is part tree and trees that store generational memories aren't new, and aren't my favorite tropes if I'm being honest, Ellsworth uses multiple viewpoints to present a moving picture of how two races at enmity with each other can bridge a gap. This was a multi-layered tale worth the reading.

For those who haven't read it, the story is here. Enjoy! You might even leave me a comment if you think it's a particular shining light. Or if you think it's terrible.

Thursday, April 5, 2012

NorWesCon Schedule

I know I never post anything! I have an update in the works. I did make it in me and Seamus's competition last month, so no dancing... well, maybe. See upcoming announcement. But for now my Norwescon schedule:

Friday 5 pm Cascade 11
DC Comics: The New 52
Matt Youngmark, avid comic critic and creator of the Chooseomatic book series, will give a slide show presentation of all the changes taking place in the world of Batman, Superman, and all the rest.
Matt Youngmark (M), Spencer Ellsworth, Kate Merriwether Lynch, Nathan Crowder

Friday 9 pm Cascade 3&4
Writer Beware
How to tell if you’re being scammed or not when trying to get published? Sites such as SFWA’s, can help you with determining valid publishers, agents, etc. The idea of this business is money comes to the author, not the other way around. Learn when to RUN, not walk away, when people ask you for money to get you published.
Mary Rosenblum (M), Lizzy Shannon, Spencer Ellsworth, Keffy R. M. Kehrli

Friday 10 pm Cascade 1
Spencer Ellsworth reads TBD
TBD Rated PG
Spencer Ellsworth

This reading will be off the hook, people. There will be more than just reading--there will be SINGING.

Saturday 10 pm Cascade 6
From Magneto to Lex Luthor
What makes a great villain? Whom do you love to hate? What are some obvious weaknesses of famous villains that heroes never seem to take advantage of? Who are the worst villains in comics history?
Ashley “nerdtastic” Cook (M), Clinton J. Boomer, Morgue Anne, Spencer Ellsworth, Matt Youngmark