Laurel Anne Hill

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Road to the River: Research & Rescue in the Library of Congress (Podcast by Laurel Anne Hill)

Laurel Anne Hill
Laurel Anne Hill

Have you ever done research in the U.S. Library of Congress (LOC) or wondered what it might be like?  Have you ever given up your research attempt because you got lost in the LOC tunnel system or ran out of time?  Whether you answer these questions with a “yes” or a “no,” you’ll probably enjoy my light-hearted description of my foray to the Library of Congress in 2005.  You might even try writing for therapeutic purposes the way I have.

My true story lasts approximately 10-1/2 minutes and is titled “Road to the River: Research and Rescue in the Library of Congress.”  To reach my podcast site, go to my website at http://www.laurelannehill.com and click on the podcast button.  My podcast recordings also are available on iTunes.

Enjoy!

Laurel Anne Hill
Author of “Heroes Arise”
http://www.laurelannehill.com

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San Mateo County Fair/June 12: Writing Workshop (by Laurel Anne Hill) & Paramount Laser Spectacular’s Tribute to Michael Jackson

Laurel Anne Hill

Building New Worlds and Creating Compelling Characters: 
Writing Fantasy and Science Fiction (and general fiction, too)
June 12, 2010, San Mateo Events Center, Fiesta Building 2:30 – 3:30 pm

Are you writing or planning to write a short story or novel?  One filled with magic and dragons?  Steam-driven airships?  Adventures on distant planets?  Maybe even a  vampire romance?  If so, this workshop is for you.  Hey, even if your story is based in the “real world,” this workshop is for you. 

And what a deal!  Buy a June 12th pass ($10 for adults; discounts at COSTCO), attend my 2:30 workshop at no extra charge, then stroll around the fairgrounds until the tribute to Michael Jackson at 7:30 pm. 

Yes, I mentioned Michael Jackson.  A sure favorite this year is Paramount Laser Spectacular’s Tribute to Michael Jackson, an amazing multi?media experience spanning his forty?year career.  The show takes the audience on a visual journey highlighted with a stunning live performance featured in a ghost?like atmosphere,  with lasers and special effects.  Through the use of animated laser graphics, laser beams and aerials, the lights and lasers re?create images of Jackson with 3?D holographic effects.  The audience will be taken on a sonic journey through Jackson’s greatest hits by confronting the senses with an array of glowing visual displays and music.

So come learn about writing fantasy and science fiction, then experience a special effects fantasy. 

Building New Worlds and Compelling Characters Workshop  by Laurel Anne Hill (Author of “Heroes Arise”)
Fine Arts Stage in the Fiesta Building
Saturday, June 12, 2:30 – 3:30 pm
San Mateo County Events Center, 2495 S. Delaware Street, San Mateo, CA
(2 blocks from El Camino Real Blvd. at the end of 25th Street) 

 The San Mateo County Fair is about more that cows and carnival rides!
Check out their website at https://www.sanmateocountyfair.com
Their literary program listings are at https://www.sanmateocountyfair.com/entertainment/fine-arts-stage

And visit the website of Laurel Anne Hill at http://www.laurelannehill.com

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Building New Worlds and Creating Compelling Characters (by Laurel Anne Hill)

Building New Worlds and Creating Compelling Characters:  Writing Fantasy and Science Fiction

Presentation by Laurel Anne Hill
Author and Former Underground Storage Tank Operator

San Mateo County Fair, June 12, 2010, 2:30-3:30 pm
Events Center, 2495 S. Delaware Street, San Mateo, CA
(2 blocks from El Camino Real Blvd. at the end of 25th Street) 

As writers of fiction, we create story worlds and populate them with characters.  Whether we write science fiction, fantasy, mystery or general fiction, our story worlds should make sense and follow applicable rules.   Our main characters should be compelling and sympathetic.  In this workshop, Laurel Anne Hill will share her world building and writing expertise with an emphasis on fantasy and science fiction.   

Laurel grew up in San Francisco, with more dreams of adventure than good sense or money.  Her close brushes with death, love of family, respect for honor and belief in a higher power continue to influence her writing and life.  In 2007, KOMENAR Publishing released Laurel’s award-winning novel, Heroes Arise.  Laurel’s short stories and narrative nonfiction have appeared in a variety of publications during the past 15 years.  She lives in California with her husband, David, and their affectionate 100-pound werewolf.  Visit Laurel’s website at http://www.laurelannehill.com.     

 The San Mateo County Fair is about more that cows and carnival rides!
Check out their website at https://www.sanmateocountyfair.com

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A Quantum Leap into Retirement (by Laurel Anne Hill)

Are you retiring?  Do you worry your mind will vegetate to mush after you’re no longer employed?   If so, “A Quantum Leap into Retirement” (one grandmother’s view of grandchildren and quantum computers) is for you.  Keep your imagination working, even though you’re not.  I may have retired two years ago, but I’m still computing.

To listen to “A Quantum Leap into Retirement” (12-1/2 minutes in length) go to http://www.laurelannehill.com and click on the podcast tab.  Or, go to http://www.laurelannehill.libsyn.com.   You also may download the episode for free from iTunes.

Laurel Anne Hill

(Author of “Heroes Arise”)

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BayCon 2010 Science Fiction/Fantasy Convention: Schedule for Laurel Anne Hill

Hello Everyone,

Here’s my schedule for BayCon 2010 at the Hyatt Regency in Santa Clara, California, May 28-31.

Friday, May 28, 4:00 PM, Stevens Creek (802)
A Pinch of Improbability and a Dash of Implausibility
Aether. Adamantium. Unobtanium. Do you really need a secret element to justify your plot devices? At what point do you decide to forgo reality and substitute a Maguffin?  [Ian Grey, Laurel Anne Hill (moderator) Anders Hudson, Tony Todaro]

Friday, May 28, 6:00 PM, Lafayette (822)
YA Fiction: More than blanking out the sex
Young Adult Fiction is rapidly growing.  What does it take to write YA and how is it different from either children’s or adult fiction? [Clare Bell, Valerie Fankel, Laurel Anne Hill, Wanda Kurtcu, Scott Sigler (moderator)]

Saturday, May 29, 2:00 PM, Lafayette (711)
Really Long-Haul Trucking
Fundamentally, truck driving is truck driving. But how does the job change when you’re hauling in space and your dispatcher is on another planet? [Doug Berry (moderator) Laurel Anne Hill, Paul Carlson, Walter Kleine]

Saturday, May 29, 7:00 PM, Central (801)
Reading & Autograph Session
I’ll be reading “Thar be Magic,” my pirates-and-magic short story from the new “Rum and Runestones” anthology (Dragon Moon Press, 2010).  To celebrate “Rum and Runestones,” I’m planning to arrange refreshments (wine and cheese) through the hotel catering service.  Please join me from 7 to 8 pm. 

Sunday, May 30.  I’ll be serving as a writing workshop mentor.

Hope to see you there.

Laurel Anne Hill
http://www.laurelannehill.com

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The Case of the Pillowcase Openings (by Laurel Anne Hill)

Which way do you turn your bed pillows when you make your bed?  Do the pillowcase openings face inward toward the middle of the bed?  Outward toward the room?  To the left?  Or is placement totally random? Might pillowcase placement increase inspiration to write?  To hear my light-hearted comments about such matters, listen to “The Case of the Pillowcase Openings” on my latest podcast.  Go to WELCOME TO MY BEDROOM CLOSET.   “The Case of the Pillowcase Openings” is in mp3 format, 11 minutes in length, also available on iTunes and free.  

Enjoy! 

Laurel Anne Hill (Author of “Heroes Arise”); http://www.laurelannehill.com