5, take 3

5 Questions, from Janna “scarlettina” S

For those of you who came in late, there are rules.

1. Leave a comment here, indicating that you want some deep , probing questions. Or soft, playful ones. Or really, any damn sort of questions I feel like asking.

2. I give you some.

3. You answer them in your own space, and post some version of these here rules.

So, the Rose of the East asks:

1) What and when was the first convention you ever attended, and what’s your most memorable moment from it?

Two Qualify, I’ll give you both.

Option A was a small gaming convention held at a Community College. I met some of my best and long lasting friends here, while still qualifying as a Punk Kid. The most memorable moment was meeting my lifelong friend and fellow traveler John Dalmas, and realizing that I had met a famous author on my own. (my mother worked in the publishing industry, and I knew all sorts of professionals)

Option B was a formal Science Fiction/Fantasy Convention while I was attending College in Arizona. Most memorable moments include: Winning the “Mr. Legs” Contest, Picking up women by accident, getting stabbed, Playing poker with goldfish, Gaming all weekend during the day, and singing all night while waiting to get drunk.

So, pretty much what I do now.

2) When did you start writing and what was your first publication?

I started writing in College. My first “real” publication was many years later, when I started writing games and game adventures for TSR/WOTC. To date, I’ve written two novels (unsold), 5 SS (never submitted, two of which have been expanded into other works), a crapton of game fiction and world/character background, and 14 Roleplaying adventures. The last of which was 200+ pages, and a full campaign setting in and of itself.

These days, I do a lot of pure design, which doesn’t always come across as fiction/writing. It’s more like programming, without the computer.

And Math. Lots and lots of Math.

3) If, ten years ago, you could have looked forward, what would be the single most surprising thing about your life now?

Two things.

A: I’m still working in the Hobby Games Industry
B: I’m not married, and the number of children I have has not increased

4) When you need it, what three things do you find most comforting?

Music, Meditation, and writing

5) Hannibal Lector, Sweeney Todd, Freddie Kruger: You have no choice but to face one of these people in a room by yourself. Which one and why?

Freddy Kruger. There’s an easy way to beat him; conquering your fear by understanding it.