It’s a funny thing when you finally get to put a face to a name, or even a face to the voice of someone you’ve known for over a decade, but have never been face to face with.
Well, I finally did.
On our way out to Colorado Springs and the Super Stars Writing Seminar, we swung out to visit my buddy, Taylor Anderson, author of the Destroyermen and Artilerymen series.
It was great to finally meet the man in person, even though we’ve been friends since around 2010, when he first came on my old podcast, TDB Pirate radio.
I initially reached out to him about doing an interview covering how he’d gone about getting traditionally published, and how he went about the craft of writing. At that time, he had just turned in Maelstrom, book 3 of the Destroyermen to Rok for edits. By that point I had already fallen in love with his universe and devoured both of the available audiobooks.
From there, he came onto the podcast several more times, and it got to the point where I’d get a random phone call that started something like, “You’ll never believe what we did with the canon yesterday.” Because, ya know, why wouldn’t you do cool things if you had a canon? (Which, BTW, he has two in the garage.)
It was a great visit, that I wish had lasted longer, but we only had so much time to work with.
Now, the reason I bring this up is the same reason I mention this story in my solo talk, “The Power of You”.
It goes back to the networking aspect of what we do as creators. I’d nearly lost a good friend because as I was still fumbling about, trying to figure out how to go about the craft and business of writing, Taylor had turned in book 4…book 5….book 6… See where this is going, yet?
I had pretty much cut off contact with one awesome dude, (even if he is from Texas.) I put my friend on a pedestal.
NEVER put anyone else on a pedestal. Looking back, I know It was a flat-out mistake on my part. At the time, I didn’t feel like I was worthy, cause I was spinning my wheels and he just kept growing.
Well, now, I call bullshit. I know better. Treat any of the old guard or the A-listers like people. You’d be really surprised how much different the experience will be when you treat them like anyone else instead of going all fan boy/girl on them. And you never know when you’ll come out of it with a damn good friend.
And as a bonus, Taylor and his buddy Jim broke out the .58 caliber muskets that we played with for a bit, but the wind was gusting pretty bad. I was very proud of myself. It had been years since I’d fired anything blackpowder. But three shots, three hits, (2 at 100 yards, 1 at 200 yards). Turns out I wasn’t as rusty as I thought I would be.
Other than that, we swung up to Witchita Falls to hang out with the North Texas Troublemakers and RACONTEUR PRESS for an evening. There never seems to be enough time to just sit and visit, but we got in a good one anyways.
And if you happen to be looking for places to submit short stories, check out their open calls.
On our way out of Texas, we made one more side trek and stopped by The Robert E. Howard museum in Cross Plains Texas. I have wanted to make this pilgrimage for decades, and we were already so close I couldn’t pass up the chance.
Remember that hero worship I mentioned above? Yeah… I was fan-boying a bit during the visit. So much information about him and his writings that I’d never known before. It was a bit sureal to be sure.
And then there’s the whole reason for this trek across the country. The Superstars Writing Seminar.
I can’t recommend this seminar enough if you want to learn craft and business from some of the biggest names in the business. Between craft day, panels focusing on business and marketing, to the networking aspects make this conference well worth the price tag if you’re serious about where you want to be as a writer.
As with every other trip for this event, I came out learning quite a bit, and making even more valuable connections. Well… and of course there is the the fire hose of information and emotional rollercoaster that you end up on before leaving. But it’s a good kinda emotional rollercoaster.
So, one more epic road trip that we are still recovering from in the books
Speaking of books, for those who hadn’t found it yet, I have started a Patreon account. My posts on here and substack will be duplicated there, but if you’re a paid subscriber, you’ll get to see early runs of stories well before they are published as well as some of the inside workings of what I’m doing. Hell, there might be times I pick y’alls brains for ideas over the hive mind over on Facebook.
So, if you’ve a mind to pitch in and get some extras bits, go give me a follow.
Keep her heads up and your pens sharp
~William Joseph Roberts~