Arisia 2020 Recap

Heyla Readers,

I want to first thank everyone who came out to see me in Boston at Arisia 2020! Overall, I had the best con experience I've had in a long time, and that was in no small part due to the fact that, several times, readers ran up to ask me to sign their books.

There's seriously no better moment for a writer. Thank you. <3

This Arisia, I had fewer panels, and I spent time talking with people I really wanted to connect with, whereas in the past, I overextended myself with panels and tried to connect with everyone all the time.

Is this where I mention that I'm an introvert? Super. Introvert.

The weird thing is: I'm also a compensating introvert. That means I can appear as outgoing as an extrovert, but since introverts don't recharge their energy by being around people, compensating feels like running on fumes. Often, I end up being even more drained.

This year at Arisia, I was smarter about this than I'd been in previous years. I had a great con schedule (thanks, Arisia staff!) that allowed me much-needed downtime between panels. When not paneling, I retreated to my room or else wandered aimlessly around the con, content to keep moving.

I didn't allow myself to get sucked in. Instead, I hung out on the fringes in small groups, content to be in the same spaces as big groups, loving watching everyone's energy and passion for the various tracks and fandoms Arisia supports.

This year, Arisia was filled with great panels, delightful food truck food, amazing company and discussions, my really crappy contact juggling, and a super-fun D&D 5th Edition game panel, wherein I played the gnome barbarian who absolutely didn't rage inside a room full of extra-breakable ultra-deadly potions. :D

Oooh, I also got to talk Frozen 2 because I've been dying to see how fans have reacted to it.

As always, my amazing wife Laura made sure I was fed and watered. I'm so grateful to her for being my best, most amazing support.

I'm looking forward to Arisia 2021, but in the meantime, come chat with me at Ravencon in April!

xoxo,

~GIE