Post-Game, and Onward

A list of things that I learned/had reinforced at Bouchercon 2008:

- Noir is about disillusionment.
- Charles Ardai hugs everybody.
- Marcus Sakey and Sean Chercover are about the two G-D nicest guys you'd ever want to meet.
- In a mystery, everyone is lying.
- Trey Barker is fun to hang out with.
- Charles Benoit can bring any room to life.
- A protagonist becomes who he must become to do what he needs to do by the end of the book.
- Judy Clemens is the definition of Grace Under Pressure.
- If Megan Abbott wasn't already cool enough, she's a Doctor to boot.
- Setting is a character.
- Eddie Muller makes good films.
- Lawrence Block is a god.
- Setting is both geographic and emotional.
- Laura Lippman is an incredible speaker.
- Mark Billingham is funny as hell.
- Attack your writing with arrogance and ignorance.
- Harlan Coben is a great interview.
- Jim Huang has great ideas.
- The style of writing can be influenced by the setting.
- Making new friends is one of the best parts of any Bouchercon, so I need to say "Hi" to: Kat Richardson, Sheila Connolly, Stefanie Pintoff, Meredith Cole, Sandra Parshall, Lori G. Armstrong, Jodi Compton, Beth Wasson,
- Christa Faust is so cool.
- Whether the protagonist is amateur or professional, they become amateur so that they can learn about the subject matter along with the reader.
- A PI is often discovering himself, and hiding from his own past.
- Charlaine Harris is the basis for TRUE BLOOD. Well, her books are.
- Harry Husicker is a fan of Magnum, PI.
- Sisters are sisters, but Guppies are awesome.
- Brett Battles is a temporary Rays fan.
- Robert Gregory Browne didn't have to come back, but he did.
- I need a smaller camera.
- Austin Camacho works for the Defense Department.
- Dan Wagner is a good friend.
- Keeping in touch with old friends is a good idea.
- Shannon Clute and Richard Edwards prepared me well.
- There's more to do than you can actually get done.