from where it's hot and dry . . .

[Cloud]

Oooh boy, new forum. Still trying to find my way around . . . Every forum I've been on has its own unwritten rules and sometimes finding them can be painful, but you just gotta leap in! I have to say there are a lot of sub-forums here, and it is a bit confusing, especially the dedicated authors' forums, which are rather counterintuitive to me. But I'll deal!

I almost didn't join, because I saw info that said it was the "UK's largest SF forum" or something, and I had to check to see if it was only UK people. It doesn't seem to be, though.

I'm Cloud, I live in Texas. I've been an avid SF and F fan for 40 years. Although we no longer have an active club here, I've been involved and helped put on a small SF convention in my town (Amigocon).

I'm not a critic, so I tend to innocently enjoy the things I like without tearing them apart. The worst thing I can say about a book is that I got halfway through and was not interested enough to finish it.

My absolute all time favorite and number one recommendation after so many years of reading? Lois McMaster Bujold's Vorkosigan series. Unparalleled!

[Marya]

Hi and welcome! I've read some of your posts already and they were very thoughtful. I'm pretty new here as well and I've found everyone is incredibly nice.

[Cloud]

thanks! I was a bit taken aback at the "important announcement" that things were going to change as other forums were going to be integrated. I guess that is still in the works, though.

[littlemissattitude]

Welcome to Chronicles, Cloud. We've actually got an incredibly international membership here. You might have already run across some of our other Texans in your explorations.

I wouldn't be too concerned about that "important announcement". I expect that this will be the same friendly place it has been since I came here over three years ago. We're much larger than we were then, but the vibe hasn't really changed much at all. It's sort of a situation of the more the merrier.

I'd really be interested in hearing about your participation in helping to put together a small con. My best friend and I sometimes talk about trying that here, and while both of us have done volunteer work at LosCon in the past, I've done some organizing work as part of a community theatre group years ago (besides plays, we also presented several comedy nights and battles of the bands), and she was instrumental in helping plan a large (attendance of over 4,000) non-SF convention a few years ago, the prospect of trying to organize something like that from the ground up is a bit frightening. Still, I think it is something I'd like to try someday. Any hints?

[the smiling weirwood]

Originally Posted by Cloud

I have to say there are a lot of sub-forums here, and it is a bit confusing, especially the dedicated authors' forums, which are rather counterintuitive to me. But I'll deal!

What do you mean by that?!? Explain yourself! No, but, really, welcome! Nice to meet you! (I still want an explanation...)

[Cloud]

Little Miss Attitude: as far as the con goes, I think it's doable if you have a strong club with active and willing participants. Such things run on volunteers, of course, and you need a base of people. Do you have a local club? Have you tried to organize smaller, club events? Is there enough of a fan base to draw on where you live? Do you have anyone with any experience in attending cons, organizing events, or contacts in the SF community?

[Cloud]

Smiling Weirwood: As far as the dedicated authors forum, my initial reaction is that it's hard for me to stick to discussing one author. I'm much happier being less restricted, more freeeeee!

Also, as I stated above, I'm not terribly inclined to pick and pick obsessively over books, themes, or authors' motivations, etc. To me, I'll say I like this author or that, or this book or that--and that's about it.

Perhaps you think I'm boring? Perhaps I am! But I'm almost never bored, because I live in my head and entertain myself.

Scary, I know. (Can I put smilies yet?)

What else about me? I'm a 49 year old paralegal and grandmother to 5. I have a full back tattoo of a phoenix. I am not a "writer"--although I can write well. (Do not take these posts as examples). I've written slash fanfiction. I am writing a non-fiction book on body piercing with a world renowned piercer. I have 2 Siamese cats, Miles and Ivan.

ba da boom!

[j. d. worthington]

Another Texan in the house! Well, I'll be! Soon we may even begin to change people's minds about Texas ... Hmmm, then again, maybe not.

Anyway, welcome to the Chronicles! I've seen some of your comments, as well, and I think you'll fit in fine here. Lots of different approaches, so don't ever feel any one is particularly favored. And feel free to share any thoughts ... you never know what sort of interesting discussions they may spark!

Good luck with the book!

[Cloud]

I'm not sure El Paso is really a part of Texas, though!

[nixie]

Hi

[Adasunshine]

Hello Cloud and welcome to our humble abode.

I hope you continue to enjoy your stay here with us at Chronicles!

xx

[GOLLUM]

Welcome Cloud.

If you're from Texas then perhaps you've heard of Robert E. Howard, creator of Conan and many other fine pulp fantasy (primarily Weird Tales magazine) creations.

So which writers other than Bujold (I agree, very good author) do you like?

[Culhwch]

Heya, Cloud. Welcome to Chronicles.

[steve12553]

Greetings and Felicitations.

[Trey Greyjoy]

Heya Cloud, welcome!