Wordstock 2013

Saturday, October 5^th, 2013

 

I’ve been meaning to write this blog post for over a week now, but due to finals and me catching the plague, it is a bit late.  I apologize for that!

 

 

Now then!  Wordstock!  How had I never been to this before?  How had I never heard of this before?  This year, I only found out about it via one of my favorite authors, Maggie Stiefvater, whom I got to meet at the fair.  But more on that later.

 

 

This annual book fair (the tickets were $7 for a student and $11 for an adult; children were free), is held in Portland at the Oregon Convention Center, which is in itself an incredible thing.  Take a look at these pics of the interior.

 

Books, books, books!  Books everywhere!  Publishing representatives everywhere!  Famous authors everywhere!  At first, I was quite overwhelmed.  But everyone was super friendly, and I gained a ton of useful information on publishing and “getting my name out there.”  I purchased three books at the fair: a used copy of The Invention of Hugo Cabret by Brian Selznick (this has insanely awesome illustrations), The Enchanter Heir by Cinda Williams Chima, and The Dream Thieves by Maggie.  I also acquired a Wordstock tote and a few buttons.

 

 

After wandering about for an hour, Katie, Rach and I decided to grab coffee.  And who did we run into at the coffee shop?  Oh, an old friend.

 

…Cinda Williams Chima!

 

Rach invited Cinda to sit with us, which she did!  Katie and I could barely contain our excitement as we were granted this amazing opportunity to ask her questions about being a writer.  It was a memorable time.  And after Cinda left, Katie and I were totally fangirling.

 

 

Coffee was followed by more wandering (a video game convention was also happening at the convention center on this day…we sat for a bit and people watched…so many Pikachu cosplayers...ha ha ha) and then lunch.  Nothing beats a good burger!

 

 

 

Finally, it was time for the YA book signing to commence.  I got my copies of The Enchanter Heir and The Dream Thieves signed.  It was AWESOME to finally meet Maggie, one of the primary authors who inspired me to write my YA novels.  In fact, I started writing my first book, The Otherkind, after reading Shiver.  And take my word for it…she is just as awesome in real life as she is on her social networks!

 

...Anyway!  Wordstock was an eye-opening experience for me as a writer.  Next year, I intend to stay the night in Portland and attend Sunday's workshops and other events, too.  Hopefully by then, I'll have a book or two to publicize!

 

I have some fun (non-event-related. Ha ha) blog posts coming up...stay tuned!  Thanks for reading. ♥

 

 

 

 

Shrewsbury Renaissance Faire 2013

September 14^th, 2013

If for a moment I thought that I couldn’t possibly be more inspired after attending a cultural event (i.e., the Scandinavian Festival?), I was incredibly wrong.

Thanks to a friend of Katie’s, we found out about an annual renaissance festival held in Kings Valley, which is just outside of Philomath, OR, entitled the Shrewsbury Renaissance Faire.  Encouraged by our new friend, we went, and dressed up.  Yes, yes, I dug out that ol’ blue and gold gown that I wore for STBA’s Renaissance Dinner during my senior year.  I spent a lot of money on that thing, so I’m glad for the opportunity to get some more use out of it! 

I knew that I was going to feel right at home at the fair before I even stepped through the entryway.  Costumed patrons stood by, with tidings of “Good morrow!” and “Hail, m’lady!”  I felt like a noblewoman indeed.

So much to see, so much to do—where do I begin?  This is always the most difficult part about documenting such events.  I know the parts that I really want to write about (scroll down to bypass my babbling digressions), but I know that there are other things to talk about, too.

The fair takes place across an open field, with a gradual hill on the northern side that serves as natural bleachers for guests to watch the jousting.  There were certainly more costumed folk than not, and music and cheer filled the air.

Jousting!  Yes, I said jousting!  What a wondrous spectacle this was!  Now, I grew up with tales of dashing knights and daring swordfights, lovely ladies and grandest honour—the age of chivalry, long forgotten. 

…Or is it?  

To see such book-like scenes played before my very eyes was a treat.  The fair’s patrons and performers were truly from another time.  They might be actors, but it is easy to see that they love what they do.  There wasn’t a single entertainer that I wasn’t impressed with. Everybody was so into the atmosphere, in fact, that random squabbles, movie scene re-enactments, and snippets of Shakespeare plays popped up frequently!  I reckon that I heard a man cry out “Do you bite your thumb at me, sir?!” as I stood in line at the root beer booth!

Katie got to shoot a longbow, which was great fun to watch.  Now she wants us both to take archery lessons.  I’m in!  The two of us also got to watch a blacksmithing demonstration, from which we gleaned valuable information and hands-on experience for the blacksmiths in our book.  Katie was even gifted the rod of iron that the blacksmith had been working with.  These guys were great!  If I find their website, I'll be sure to add it here. (I have that business card somewhere!)

 






Alright, alright, I’ve tarried long enough.  We come to the crux of my story.  Oh, wait, I forgot to talk about the acrobatic routine and the magic show.  *sigh* Well, they were indeed wonderful.  Very talented people.   

 Ocarinas!  Weaponry!  Painted fans and parasols!  Food!  Handsome youth in tights!

 
But all that aside! 

Thou art not ready for this. 

I. Met. Link.  



Two of them, in fact.  Dark and Minish.  Both charming fellows, I must admit.  Be envious! 

…And!  I also happened upon the Master Sword!  Do I seem positively thrilled?  That is because I am! 

I suppose only this can truly describe how I feel.

Alas, I did not have enough rupees to procure this particular souvenir.  Another time, another time very soon.  It is at the very apex of my Christmas wish list.  I am a nerd, yes, but that needs not to be repeated. 
 

It is times like this of such peculiar and spontaneous joy and fulfillment that makes me actually pity those who are not nerds. 

All in all: an amazing day in every sense of the expression.  The experiences and memories that I gained from attending the fair were well worth the $10 entry fee.  I certainly feel compelled to attend again next year! 

Huzzah!