Writercon 2004 took place July 30-August 1, 2004 at the Imperial Palace in Las Vegas, NV.

On this page:

• Guests
• Schedule
• Panel and Workshop Descriptions
• Special Events
• Writercon 2004 Team
• Share Your Memories

Guests

Guest of Honor
Jane Espenson

Best known as a writer and producer of Buffy The Vampire Slayer Jane Espenson has also written episodes for the remaining players in the Whedon Triumverate: Angel and Firefly. She was also a writer and co-executive producer for Gilmore Girls and is currently the co-executive producer and writer for Tru Calling. Prior to her work on Buffy, Espenson wrote for such diverse shows as Star Trek: Deep Space Nine, Ellen and Dinosaurs. She studied linguistics at U.C. Berkley and was an ABC/Disney Writing Fellow for 1992-93.

Special Guests

Don H. DeBrandt

A Canadian science-fiction author, DeBrandt also writes under the name Donn Cortez. In addition to North America, his books have been published in France, Italy, and Russia. His influences include Spider Robinson and John D. MacDonald, among others.
As DeBrandt, he has written numerous essays, short stories, plays and comics. His published works include The Quicksilver Screen; Steeldriver; Timberjak; V.I. and Angel: Shakedown

Nan Dibble

A science fiction author, professor and teacher, Nan Dibble has a Ph.D in English Literature and taught writing and literature at the University level until stepping down in 1980 to become then a freelance editor and author. From 1983 she worked as editor at Writer's Digest Books. She is the author of The King of Kantmorie series as well as the non-fiction books Plot: Elements of Fiction Writing, Word Processing Secrets for Writers (with Michael A. Banks) and How to Write a Million: The Complete Guide to Becoming a Successful Author (with Orson Scott Card, Lewis Turco, and Michael Ridpath).

Dr. David Lavery

A professor of English at Middle Tennessee State University, Dr. David Lavery is the author of over one hundred published essays, chapters, and reviews. He is author, co-author, editor or co-editor of Late for the Sky: The Mentality of the Space Age; Full of Secrets: Critical Approaches to Twin Peaks; Deny All Knowledge: Reading The X-Files; Fighting the Forces: What’s at Stake in Buffy the Vampire Slayer; Teleparody: Predicting/Preventing the TV Discourse of Tomorrow; This Thing of Ours: Investigating The Sopranos. Dr. Lavery is the organizer of international conferences on Buffy the Vampire Slayer and The Sopranos, a founding co-editor of the journals Slayage: The Online International Journal of Buffy Studies and Critical Studies in Television.

Glenn Yeffeth

After spending fifteen years consulting and running management consultancies in Chicago, Dallas and London Glenn Yeffeth began BenBella Books, a traditional publishing house with a strong pop culture leaning. Published titles include Taking the Red Pill, Joss Whedon, Seven Seasons of Buffy, Five Seasons of Angel, Stepping Through Stargate.

Jacqueline Lichtenberg

A science fiction writer whose series include the Sime-Gen Universe series, the Lifewave series, the Dushua Series and Dreamers series, as well as a large number of short stories and essays. Jacqueline Lichtenberg has also published under the name Daniel R. Kerns.

Schedule

Thursday, July 29
Kick-Off Hootenanny
4:00-6:00pm

Friday, July 30
Jossed!: How to Deal with a Canon Curveball
11:00-11:50am

Meta Enough for Ya?: The Philosophy of Fanfic
11:00-11:50am

Ready, Set, Go!: Drabble Workshop
2:00-2:50pm

Homoeroticism, Yay!: Subtext in the Jossverse
2:00-2:50pm

Special Guests: Commercial Authors Talk about the Show and their Books
3:00-3:50pm

Who Are You?: Consistent Characterization
4:00-4:50pm

Tea Time: A philosophy summit with the members of Tea at the Ford
4:00-4:50pm

A World Without Shrimp: Crossovers
5:00-5:50pm

Shades of Grey: Morality in the Jossverse
5:00-5:50pm

Shindig!: Cocktail Party
8:30-whenever

Saturday, July 31

Where Do We Go From Here?: Plotting vs. Narrative Flow
10:00-10:50am

Is It Real or Is It Memorex?: Fanon vs. Canon
10:00-10:50am

I Think This Line's Mostly Filler: Learn to Write Like People Talk
11:00-11:50am

Since the Beginning: Gender Relations in the Jossverse
11:00-11:50am

Playing in the Other Kid's Sandbox: Fanfiction and Copyright Law
2:00-2:50pm

It's Deja Vu All Over Again: Recurring Themes
2:00-2:50pm

One Girl in All the World: Jane Espenson Q & A
3:00-5:00pm

I'm a Slayer, Ask Me How!: Getting Your Original Work Published
7:30-8:20pm

Linoleum Makes Us Think About Sex: Writing Effective Erotica Panel and Workshop
9:00-whenever

Informal get-togethers

Sunday, August 1

Portable Writer's Salon: Workshop
10:00-11:50am

Superstar!: Selected Readings by Fanfic Authors
10:00-10:50am

My Champion, Ladies and Gentlemen: The Hero's Journey
11:00-11:50am

How to Be a Better Beta: Workshop
2:00-3:50pm

Gay Me Up!: Gay Love Scenes for Straight Writers
2:00-2:50pm

Don't Taunt the Fear Demon: Overcoming Writer's Block
3:00-3:50pm

Are You Now or Have You Ever Been: The Problem of Vampirism as Metaphor
4:00-4:50pm

The Transitive Vampire: How to Prevent the Most Common Grammar Glitches
4:00-4:50pm

End of Days: WriterCon Wrap-Up
7:30-whenever

Panel and Workshop Descriptions

Jossed!: How to Deal with a Canon Curveball
One of the risks of writing current-season fanfic is that your vision will come crossways of canon. Learn to enjoy the thrill ride, and salvage stories when the ME vision diverges from yours.
Panelists: Ducks, Rabid, HonorH, Colleen, LJConstantine, Kimi

Meta Enough For Ya?: The Philosophy of Fanfic
Our panelists examine the origins of fanfic, it's cultural relativity, and the reasons we do what we do.
Panelists: Dark Rhiannon, David Lavery, Antonia Levi, Jacqueline Lichtenberg, HonorH, Nan Dibble

Ready, Set, Go!: Drabble Workshop
They're called "drabbles". Simple-looking, yet difficult to write. Complete stories in 100 words or less. Come test your mettle in our storytelling challenge. We provide the subject, you provide the talent.
Panelists: Colleen, NWHepcat, Dettiot, Gwynnega

Homoeroticism, Yay!: Gay Subtext in the Jossverse
How does subtext shape our perceptions of television shows? How much is intentional? How are characters and story arcs shaped by unspoken assumptions and unwritten rules? When does subtext become text? Read between the lines with a panel of writers and philosophers.

Panelists: CN Winters, The Bear, Herself, Mazal Hamidbar, Estepheia

Special Guests
Open discussion panel among our guests.
Panelists: Lichtenberg, DeBrandt, Lavery, Dibble

Who Are You?: Consistent Characterization
Discuss how to maintain consistent characterization throughout a story, how to match characterization to canon, and learn the tips and tricks our panelists use to keep their characters in line.
Panelists: Barb C, Herself, Don DeBrandt, Nan Dibble, Kalima, Estepheia

Tea Time: A Philosophy Summit with the members of Tea at the Ford
The members of Tea at the Ford will lead a spirited discusion of art, literature, myth, legend, science, and other deep subjects in relation to the Jossverse, with audio-visual aids and perhaps even a spot of tea.
Panelists: Plin, Klytaimnestra, Kalima, macha, Cyn Martin, Sylvia Volk, and others

A World Without Shrimp: Crossovers
What if . . . Mulder and Scully visited Sunnydale? What if Buffy went through a portal and wound up meeting Hercule and Iolaus? What would the Trading Spaces crew think about Spike's crypt? Mix-and-match storylines can lead to good things.
Panelists: Colleen, LJConstantine, Lichtenberg, Reg Electra, Sonyaelflady

Shades of Grey: Morality in the Jossverse
For worlds based on heroic themes, the Jossverse is an awful ambiguous place. Discuss what constitutes a moral worldview and how the line between good and evil shifts mightily depending on where you stand.
Panelists: Dark Rhiannon, Plin, Antonia Levi, David Lavery, Ascian, Cyn Martin

Where Do We Go From Here: Plotting versus Narrative Flow
Experienced authors discuss the craft of storytelling; when to plan ahead, and when to go with the narrative flow.
Panelists: Barb C, Nan Dibble, Don DeBrandt, Caro, Estepheia, LJConstantine

Is It Real or Is It Memorex(tm): Fanon versus Canon
Sometimes a created universe takes on a life of its own. Discuss the detours from canon that have become accepted truths in fanfiction.
Panelists: Kimi, Mazal Hamidbar, CN Winters, HonorH

I Think This Line's Mostly Filler: Learn to Write Like People Talk
Learn tips and tricks for creating and sustaining your character's voice, writing dialog that flows, and learning that the spoken and written word don't always match.
Panelists: Kalima, Nan Dibble, NWHepcat, Rabid, Herself

Since the Beginning: Gender Relations in the Jossverse
Is "Buffy" a feminist show? Is "Firefly" really a man's universe? Discuss how men, women, and relationships between them are portrayed in Joss Whedon's shows.
Panelists: Caro, Antonia Levi, Plin, Ducks, Hecatehatesthat, Mintwitch

Playing in the Other Kid's Sandbox: Fanfiction and Copyright Law
Is fanfiction protected work, or a free-for-all? A harmless pastime, or simply a blatant violation of copyright laws? Get the real scoop from our panel of lawyers.
Panelists: Heidi Robinson, Anne McGraw, Nan Dibble

It's Deja Vu All Over Again: Recurring Themes
Learn how recurring themes help tell a larger story, how to recognize them in other works and use them more effectively in your own.
Panelists: CN Winters, David Lavery, Ascian, Hecatehatesthat

One Girl in All the World: Q&A with Jane Espenson
Come listen as our Guest of Honor tells a few stories, answers a few questions, and reminds us of why we fell in love with these shows and the people who write them.

I'm a Slayer, Ask Me How!: Getting Your Original Work Published
Professional authors and editors offer advice on how to write, market, and sell your original fiction.
Panelists: Kalima, Espenson, DeBrandt, Lavery, Lichtenberg, Dibble, Yeffeth

Linoleum Makes Us Think About Sex: Writing Effective Erotica Panel and Workshop
When it's good, it moves us, thrills us, gives us that "down-low tickle" and makes us spend long hours at the computer. When it's bad, it can move us to laughter, make us sick to our stomach, or make us feel dirty (and not in a good way). Between the shiny gauze-and-candle romance and the bow-chica-bow-bow of cheap movies, there's a wide array of quality work. A representative panel of authors discusses what's hot and what's not. (warning: explicit language and adult themes)
Panelists: Margot LeFaye, The Bear, Essene, Estepheia, Herself, CN Winters, Kalima, Ducks, Rabid

The Portable Writer's Salon: Workshop
Our collection of authors will lead individual workshops on characterization, critique, dialog, etc. Signup for individual workshops is at registration; first-come, first-served. Limited space available.

Superstar! Selected Readings by Fanfic Authors
Enjoy your morning cuppa while listening to readings by attendees. Authors may sign up for time slots at registration.

My Champion, Ladies and Gentlemen: The Hero's Journey
Buffy, Angel, Spike, Mal . . . how do Joss' protagonists fit the traditional notion of heroism? Do their actions reflect the traditional Hero's Journey, or is the mythic category simply the wrong yardstick to be measuring with?
Panelists: Klytaimnestra, macha, Cyn Martin, Sylvia Volk

How to Be a Better Beta: Workshop
Learn how to give critique, speak so that authors know what you're saying, and decipher authorial intent.
Panelists: Dark Rhiannon, Soundingsea, Dettiot, Mazal Hamidbar, LJConstantine, AllyV

Gay Me Up!: Gay Love Scenes for Straight Writers
Writing what you don't know? Heterosexual slash writers can get the information they need to spice up their storytelling. (warning: explicit language)
Panelists: Vicious Wishes, Inobunny, Lar, Tania Lang

Don't Taunt the Fear Demon: Overcoming Writer's Block
It happens to every writer. Learn how to face it down.
Panelists: Liz Marcs, Lichtenberg, Essene, Yindagger

The Transitive Vampire: How to Prevent the Most Common Grammar Glitches
Our panel of editors and beta readers will go over the most common grammatical errors, and discuss ways to avoid them.
Panelists: Dark Rhiannon, Soundingsea, Mazal Hamidbar, Alicia Rasley

Are You Now or Have You Ever Been: The Problem of Vampirism as Metaphor
Discuss how this metaphor drifted from the simple, black-and-white ethics of Buffy, season 1 to the morally complex world of Angel.
Panelists: Plin, Dibble, Lavery, Klytaimnestra, Ascian, Cyn Martin

Special Events

Hootenanny
Join us Thursday for an informal gathering by the pool to break the ice with fellow fans, swim out those long flight kinks and perhaps even sing a few songs. It's Hootenanny time.

Shindig!: Friday Night Reception
WriterCon is very pleased to announce that all attendees are invited to a reception on Friday, July 30th. The reception will feature cocktails and a light supper. We will have open bar for the first hour of the reception, and then a cash bar to follow. The reception is free to all WriterCon attendees.

Other Bonuses
Also included in your registration is lunch on Saturday and Sunday. A consuite, with snacks and drinks, will be available all weekend. Saturday night's events include informal get-togethers in the consuite, unoccupied meeting rooms, or by the pool. Take advantage of the time to sit and chat with your fellow writers!

Fan Gatherings: More info on these fan gatherings, and more, can be found at the con.
Willow Writers Make Their Own Fun: On Saturday night, after the last panel, all Willow writers are invited to attend a gathering to discuss Willow, writing her character and general Buffyverse topics. Door prizes, a trivia contest and a possible charity auction are all part of the evening! If you're interested, please sign up at http://nearheralways.com/willow.html so we can get an idea of the number of attendees. Location and exact time to be determined.

Gutter Reunion: Saturday evening, BA_Gutter will be holding a party in the con suite! If you're a member of BA_Gutter, or are interested in talking about Spike and R/NC-17 rated fics and topics, come on up and have fun with us! If you're not participating in the Erotica Panel and Workshop, you can get started whenever you're ready; others will be joining you when the workshop is over.

Crack Trailer: To be held Saturday night, after the Erotica Panel and Workshop.

Writercon 2004 Team

Chris - Admin and Fearless Leader. ("Buffy")
Mint - Vendor Coordination and Con Merchandise. ("Anya")
Beth - Hotel and Audio-Visual Liason. ("Willow")
Sheri - Programming. ("Wesley")
Shaddyr - Hospitality. ("Spike")
Dettiot - Website & Registration. ("Xander")
Kelly - Security & Operations. ("Riley. Um, Tara")
Colleen - Jill of all Traders. ("Giles")
Rob - A/V Guru. ("Angel")

Share Your Memories

Share your memories of Writercon 2004 in the comments section below.