Flashback Friday: My First Con

This week’s Flashback Friday: My First Con. Seems only fitting since I’m currently at WorldCon.

I was 17 when I attended my first writing convention. I drove myself from Houston to Austin for ArmadilloCon 16 (10/7-10/9/1994) and I felt so professional, let me tell you.

It looked very similar to this one.

Armed with a Sony Walkman, I recorded hours of panels such as “How to Stay out of the Slush Pile” and “Adding Decent Dialogue.” I took notes until my hands would fall off and asked “serious writ...