Mac Minicon Wrap-Up
Forged Series: Building Rich Worlds and Characters
To learn more about the FORGED series, visit the Table of Contents.
Mac Minicon Wrap-Up
For a first-time event in a quaint, small town, the Mac Minicon was a huge success! The weather cooperated. Gluten-free food and beer were consumed. Vendors sold books, toys, and games. Demonstrations of sword fighting were watched. Fantasy maps were drawn. Authors autographed their books. Mandalorians surveyed and protected the attendees. This is the way.
I had a wonderful time hanging out with fellow authors, C.J. Switzer,
, and . I chatted with friends and (new) fans of Shattered.Most memorable interaction
After the panel discussion, a family with two teenage girls approached me, proudly carrying my book, and asked for an autograph. The dad explained that they were visiting from New Jersey(!) and a family tradition is to buy a book by a local author set in the area they are visiting. My book fit the bill, and they were all excited because the book seller told them that they could also meet the author of the book!
I was happy to oblige when they requested both a personalized inscription and a photo with the teenagers. I mentioned the upcoming novellas, companion materials to the Forged series, to which the elder daughter was very excited to hear that it would be an alternate POV telling of the story. The mom was excited that book two will be released this fall, giving them each time to read book one before the next installment. I only wish that Iβd encouraged them to tag me in the photo! Shoot! Next timeβ¦
Building Rich Worlds and Characters
I was honored to sit on a panel with three of the other authors in attendance to discuss our recently published works, our writing processes, and our methods of world-building and character development. Iβm always fascinated to listen to other authorsβ responses to these types of questions. Writing is a very solitary activity, so itβs reassuring to know that βI am not alone.β
Below is one question that I was prepared to answer, but we didnβt get to the question during the panel discussion.
How do you help readers feel grounded in a completely constructed world? What do you do to help them step into the world youβve created.
I sprinkle in unexpected details to what would be βnormalβ by todayβs standard, so the future is grounded by todayβs present world. Here are three examples in Shattered.
First, when Tessa mentions the name of her math teacher, her new friend gently corrects her pronunciation so her βWilds accentβ doesnβt make her stand out as much. The exchange introduces the reader to the shift from using todayβs typical Mr./Mrs. honorifics to the gender neutral Mx. title. It allows the reader to learn the pronunciation if they are unfamiliar with the word. It highlights how people are still judged by their regionalized accents. And it begins to forge the bond between Isaiah and Tessa, showing their emerging need to protect one another.
In another passage, Isaiah asks, βWalk ya to the glorious dining hall where they serve not-so-gormet food?β Tessa goes on to be irritated by the biometric scan through her skin that determines in real-time what she is given to eat. In the future, high schoolers still diss the food served in the cafeteria, and advances in techonology are an extension of what we currently have with health apps on our smart devices.
And last, I address how transportation has evolved in the Forged series. Few families own a personal vehicle β only those with important jobs have access to personal vehicles β so residents in the urban centers must use the public hover-rail, an e-bike or gyroboard, or simply walk to school, work, or shop. Tessa declines a ride to school in her uncleβs vehicle because she understands that it would make her stand out, a feeling most teenagers seek to avoid. Though the future society does a better job as being βgreenβ in energy usage, the separation of βhaveβ and βhave notsβ exists. Those with access to personal transportation vs. those who must rely on public transportation.
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Lessons Learned
Between my mini-book tour last weekend in Boise and this weekendβs adventure participating in the minicon, I came away with the following realizations:
When inviting high school friends to a book event via social media, bill the gathering first as an βunofficial official class reunionβ with an aside that they can see what Iβve been up toβ¦
Neighbors will always be more likely to buy a book.
Take way more photos and videos than I think I should, especially if the intent is to make a highlight reel.
Put someone else in charge of the photography/videography (and if it is my mom, then show her how to determine if the video recording has started or not). And if someone takes a photo with me, be sure to give them a card with my social handles and ask them to tag me!
Bring plate stands to hold books upright on the table.
Directly text or message people to invite them to an event. (They likely wonβt see the bazillion social media posts I make until after the event.)
Donβt go buy a new βautographing penβ the day of the event. I will end up with ink all over my hands. (See point #3 as to why I lack any photographic proof of this happening to me.)
Have a pen with a removable lid for signing. Then I can clip it to my event lanyard for easy access. (I did this by accident, but I did find it very handy!)
Make my own freebies (bookmarks, stickers, postcards, etc) to hand out. Make sure they have my social handles and QR code to connect with me.
Be more interactive with the people walking by. One of the other authors invited people to draw swords with him. Now, swords are not my jam and donβt fit within my future dystopian world, but I loved watching the people (kids AND adults) stop and interact with him! #goals
Any authors out there have other advice for me? Any readers have things they wish authors would do or have at book events?
Before you go
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Upcoming Events & Happenings
Wednesday, August 6th, Iβll be joining
for a Substack LIVE events. More details to come.Saturday, August 9th, 2-6pm, Third Street Books, McMinnville, Oregon - Iβll be the featured author at the indie bookstore, Third Street Books, in the historic downtown McMinnville during MacFresco. More info to come.
Bonus Materials! Sign up to receive companion novellas as soon as they become available. Jump inside the head of Isaiah Iverson. Find out what really happens during the Remote Thought Intervention sessions at Dr. Weaverβs office. And learn more about Julia Rykerβs rise to power and the foundations that created the Underground. Sign up HERE.
Such a charming, inspiring post.
Loved the βLessons Learnedβ especially the class reunion tip and photography advice.
Happy Thursday!
Fabulous post, CB! I love your list of dos and donβts for future CB at events such as these! Iβm sure there will be many. :)
And your answer to the question not answered is great! Really good examples of the everyday details youβve sprinkled into the story to help ground readers in this futuristic society!