Dry Heat, My Ass

I learned a lot of things this past weekend at Thrillerfest. I learned some valuable techniques for writing dialogue from David Morrell. From James O. Born, I learned what cops really say when they draw weapons on a suspect (contrary to what you may think from the movies, it is not "FREEZE MOTHERFUCKER!") I learned that Lee Child really is as cool and laid back as everyone says. I learned how to pronounce John Lescroart's last name. But the biggest thing I learned is that I apparently spend WAAAAY too much time on the Internet. At least a dozen people came up to me, read my nametag, and said "hey, I know you from (blog name)." And it was all different blogs.

But at least that's how I got to meet face to face with the extremely funny Stephen Blackmoore, Mike MacLean, Lee Goldberg, Ali Karim, Toni McGee Causey, Elaine Flinn (who totally kicks ass, BTW), Janine Wilson from Seattle Mystery Bookstore, the Divine Miss Sarah (Weinman), and many many more.

I also had a great time hanging out with Irish thriller writer Pat Mullan, who shared a wealth of one-liners, funny stories and fascinating information about the new Ireland.

My nomination for Best Panel has to be the one moderated by Steve Berry on "Sex and Booze in Thrillers" which featured Barry Eisler, M.J. Rose, and the aforementioned John Lescroart. Not only was it a fun and informative panel, they provided Screaming Orgasms for everyone (that's a drink, in case you didn't know). In fact, that may be my nomination for Best. Panel. Ever.

A major thanks to all the volunteers who helped make the conference run so smoothly, including my buddy Chris Everheart, who I met at Mayhem in Omaha and who's got a hell of a future ahead of him as a writer.

Thanks as well to Blake "Ringo" Crouch, J.J. and Bette Lamb, Louise Ure, and David "It's An Honor Just to Be Nominated" Terrenoire for making our Sunday morning panel a success. And thanks, of course, to the fans and fellow authors who turned up at that ungodly hour to hear us.

On the subject of fans, Lee Goldberg talks on his blog about how it seemed more of a writers' convention than a fan con. I'll grant that there was a smaller fan to author ratio than you see at some others. Since everything was so well run and so professsional, it's easy to forget that this was, after all, a new organization putting on its first con. Give the word of mouth time to spread. And I did get to meet and/or hang out with some great fans, such as the incomparable Annie Chernow, Rae Helmsworth, and my newest buddy from Charlotte, Ruth Castleberry.

The Arizona Biltmore, where the conference was held, is a wonderful place. The architecture by Frank Lloyd Wright combines the familiar with the slightly strange.The end effect, however, is very peaceful and subdued, sort of like a monastery on Mars. At least till I got to the bar. The service was impeccable and the food was great, if insanely overpriced. I mean, really...$12.75 for a Reuben? It was a helluva good Reuben, don't get me wrong, but dayum.

I've been to a lot of conventions this year, and my credit card balance shows it. I may have to cut back some in 2007 unless I start making Dan Brown money. Even so, I'm keeping Thrillerfest on the short list.