Diane Duane ([info]dduane) wrote,
@ 2008-08-22 18:42:00
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Discworld convention: unhappily, a change of plans

I really hate to have to post this, but due to last-minute developments secondary to a current work commitment, Peter and I will not be able to attend the Discworld Convention in Birmingham this weekend.

We got a sense around midweek that a time-sensitive project I’m working on — one which I’d been attempting to ensure would not need attention this week and weekend — was indeed going to require that very thing. Despite numerous attempts to defuse this problem, over the course of today it became plain that there was no way I would be able to get the necessary work done in time while also on the road / away from home. The phrase “circumstances beyond my control” exactly describes the situation… not that this makes me any happier.

Peter and I have always loved doing the writers’ workshop at DWCon, and it breaks us up that we won’t be able to do it this year. (Additionally, I was really looking forward to my first visit in more than twenty years to the hotel where Peter and I fell in love.) We both want to apologize to the people we were looking forward to working with. 

As for the many friends we were seriously looking forward to seeing… guys, we’ll really miss hanging out with you. Have a great weekend, hug Terry for us, and we’ll see you all in a couple of years (or in some cases, next year at the North American Discworld Convention).

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[info]tiggsybabes
2008-08-22 06:27 pm UTC (link)
That's a shame, hope things are all ok.

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[info]robotech_master
2008-08-22 07:17 pm UTC (link)
That's a pity. It's never any fun when work commitments keep you from doing the things you want to do.

(I'm guessing that's why the next chapter of The Big Meow didn't go up on the 20th either.)

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[info]artela
2008-08-22 08:22 pm UTC (link)
That's a real shame... join the ranks of us who have had to give it a miss this time around and who wish they were there instead.

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[info]posicat
2008-08-22 08:44 pm UTC (link)
It's never fun to have to cancel a fun trip in order to get something done that needs to be done. Hopefully whatever project you're working on is worth the cost!

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[info]the_hunter
2008-08-23 08:14 am UTC (link)
Oh, buggrit :( And there was me going to buy you both drinks (specially negotiated Discworld Event Discount, naturally) for your help, advice and such in getting my books published :(

Oh well, there's always the next event. You will be missed. I hope things ease up. Too much work etc...

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[info]megabitch
2008-08-23 02:27 pm UTC (link)
:( Bruce announced it during the opening ceremony to a round of groans from the audience. We'll miss you.

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[info]dduane
2008-08-23 02:30 pm UTC (link)
I guess it's nice to be missed, but that's the only consolation. I've been reduced to making crumpets to cheer myself up while I hammer away at this bloody [thing that cannot be further described due to confidentiality agreements].

Anyway, tell everybody we wave at them, and they should go to the bar and have a drink in our names. :)

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[info]trialia
2008-08-25 10:48 pm UTC (link)
*sigh* Was my first ever DWcon. But after having been involved in painting a Feegle blue for two hours, being knocked to the floor and bruised by said Feegle in belly-dancing regalia, cleaning out Lady Kayla's supply of pixie sticks, singing Firefly filk and coming away with sixteen more books than I brought... (lol...) I'm going to start saving up for the next one as soon as my subscription uhm, oops, rent first, then subscription! - has been paid. (I'll need to; the Hilton may be a nice place, but it's rather expensive for me!)

It was such a shame the two of you couldn't be there. D: (Honestly, given this was my first con and it was finding out you were attending that swung it for me in the way of actually going, I did nearly end up in tears. I'd been looking forward to the writers' workshop VERY much, particularly given that I just finished a double-drabble fic written from Carmela's perspective) Sadly, such is the nature of work, and these things do sometimes get in the way of others... That, I think, is one reason I could never write for a living, even though it's like breathing to me. I might end up hating it if I ever got to see it as an obligation.

If it helps to cheer you up, I can tell you that Terry didn't get to bed until four on Monday morning as he claims to have been "surrounded by bosoms", so he wound up taking a nap on one of the hallway couches. *G* I don't know how you all have so much energy - I am using the last of mine for the night to write this, then I'm going to bed and probably won't be awake again for another 12 hours or more!

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[info]foresthouse
2008-08-26 10:34 pm UTC (link)
We were really sorry you couldn't make it, and you were missed!

I took lots of pictures that will be up soon, though, so if you'd like I can send you the link when I get that done. :)

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[info]natural20
2008-08-27 11:29 am UTC (link)
It was, of course, a shame not to see you guys and sitting in Ops we had to field a number of enquiries about the writers workshop. People missed you a lot, like me. But everyone realises that these things happen.

I may well have some influence over the guest list for 2010 :), so I think I will strongly suggest now that it would be simply wonderful to see you at the con in two years time!

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(Anonymous)
2008-08-27 01:15 pm UTC (link)
Very Sad not to see you both there- we certainly missed you. As a gopher i had a lot of queries about your workshops, I'd even remembered to bring my somewhat dogeared copies of the Book of Night with Moon and On Her Majesty's Wizardly service. (Terry's comments about the corsetry were along the lines of "river deep- valley high"- and yes he did keep falling asleep) Hope you can make the 2010. Off now to crawl in a small heap and sleep for a couple of days.

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