Itβs always interesting to attend a writing conference or convention for the first time. Yesterday, I came home from Orlando where the International Conference for the Fantastic in the Arts was held. A bunch of my writing colleagues have been going for years. I should have followed their examples long ago. It was great to see them and to meet others in the field whom I did not yet know. I had a wonderful time, as this photo demonstrates, primarily because writers are by nature witty and interested in many diverse subjects, which they will happily share with you. This applies to both newbies and established writers.

The conference was enhanced by:
- Lovely weather for sitting around the pool and chatting
- Academics who study the fantastic in literature, art, etc.
- A wonderful book room with many goodies
- Birds around the pond: white heron, white ibis, Muscovy duck


