FIREDANCE: Childhood and Mastery

Here at World Fantasy Convention. I’ll have to juggle writing, lecturing and hanging with friends.

I first went to conventions for fun. Then, to listen to writers talk business, and to meet people. I was trying to understand the industry. Then, to enjoy becoming a pro (and there were LOTS of benefits, trust me). Then to give back. At some point, I mostly went to conventions when an invited GOH. After being GOH at Worldcon last year, my attitudes have changed a bit. I realize that I went completely through the external levels, and can ask myself what I really want.

What I want, I think…is to share the writer’s path with newbies and old friends. Just a celebration of a process I treasure. I’m an elder of the community, and while there are lotsa people who have done more in this or that respect, I got what I came for, and am not jealous of them (most of the time, any way!).

Can you see the journey between being a reader (child) to newbie writer, to “Pro” to, Village Elder? The “adult” part of me has walked that path for more than half a century, very consciously, and 1/3 of my life has been about this: storytelling, teaching, publishing, networking, learning skills. The path of Mastery is one of constant learning, doing, and teaching. This is what I love.

What do YOU love? What are the dreams of childhood that you can tap into to empower your current life? If success is “bringing into existence, in an adult fashion, your childhood dreams” (as Harlan said) how can we use this to…