With so many of us up in a delighted heap at the thought that the 1st Irish Discworld convention is only around the corner, what better introduction to the madness than a lovely sit down and a chat with Sheila, Nicola and Mary-Ellen, the organisers? Find out how exactly your common-or-garden Pratchett fan puts together an entire 4-day celebration of all things flat and elephant-supported, and be inspired into sewing up a Vetinari coat-of-arms of your own, and wandering along for the weekend.
The Discworld Convention in Birmingham was fun. So much fun that we were disappointed (read annoyed) that there wasn’t an Irish one. And we were really amazed that in a convention of 800 or so people we were 2 of about 8 Irish people at the convention. Put the two together and you’ve got us crazies deciding that the best solution is to create our own! Within a few hours we had a Head of Tech, a Webmaster and several people promising that, if it happened, they would be there!
I don’t know about ‘typical’, but one thing I’ll say is that they’re all extremely excited. This is the first time they’ve been able to meet and mingle with lots of other Discworld fans, hear from the Discworld people (the artist, the scientist, the agent) and meet and get things signed by The Man in The Hat, Sir Pratchett himself! There’s lots of questions: what happens, why does that happen, what can I do to make the best of the weekend? 1) You meet and mingle, hear lots of stories, play lots of games, and possibly win prizes! 2) Because that’s what you guys want! 3)Join! Register! You’ve access to all the events, get a fantastic goodie bag, meet loads of new (sometimes crazy) people and, again, win prizes! What more can you ask for!
Let me put it this way… We’ve got donkeys! And a ceili! And most of all, it will have lots of Irish people there! I think what will give it the Irish feel is the attitude. Laidback (but organised!) and with plenty of stuff happening.
We’re going to dress up! No, really we are! Saturday is Wear your Costume day! With nominations all day for the Oswalds (The Discworld Oscars) for Costumes and Characters! As for what we’re looking forward to: Sheila is looking forward to Discworld Twister - even better than the normal twister, Mary-Ellen can’t wait for Would the Real Vetiniri Please Stand Up - can you impersonate the self-proclaimed Tyrant of Ankh-Morpork? And as for me - Nicola - I’m more than happy to listen to the Folklore Lecture. But the main Event we’re all looking forward to… The Oswalds Awards night! Posh Dinner, Speeches (not too many) and the Awards for the Costumes and Characters with dancing afterwards. It’s a chance to put your hair up and be all pretty and stuff!
Don’t forget to eat and sleep! It happens that people get so excited about what’s going on during the day that they completely forget about their natural bodily needs! See and experience as much as you can (while still following the above advice) and talk to people! Oh! and… try to to be too nervous around Sir Terry Pratchett, OBE. He’s a normal person, just like you and me! He’s just ten times smarter, a hundred times richer and has a penchant for writing reall-ly good books!
Um… flying to Stansted, bus to London, another bus to a place called Guildford and a train to an even smaller place called Horsely - all to be in a film called “The Colour of Magic”. We got an email about a fan day on set as extras and we’re lucky enough to be picked. Terry’s PA even rang us to make sure we were coming (he couldn’t get over the fact that we were coming so far). It was a fun two days. We met a lot of the people now coming to the Convention - as well as Sean Astin, David Jason (or Del Boy if you prefer) and of course Terry Pratchett!
Sheila: Mort, I love the character Death. I think he’s so funny.
Nicola & Mary-Ellen: The Truth.
Mary-Ellen: It’s the first line that gets me.
Nicola: The first page will catch you. And throw you on the floor laughing!
Sheila: Nanny Og, Witchs Abroad. She’s hilarious.
Nicola: Granny Weatherwax, Wyrd Sisters. She’s so strong willed. And stubborn!
Mary-Ellen: Mister Vimes, Nightwatch. I love getting inside his head. I love the way he thinks.
All required Nuggans nuggets of information can be absorbed at the official Irish Discworld Convention site … come on down, you know you want to. Also dress up as Nobby Nobbs. You know you want to do that too.
And whether you’re coming along or not, I’d love to know … who’s your favourite Discworld book/character?
Am very ashamed to say i’ve only read Mort, Reaper Man, and Guards Guards in my oh-so-many years of reading. The convention sounds like it will be a great time though for more decidated Discworld fans! And again considering my poor Discworld rating, i would say Death was my favourite character (and Reaper Man as book)
Reaper Man was my first Discworld read, actually, and for that, I’d consider it one of my favourites. But if you get the inclination, you should really try the later books; I feel that Pratchett really came into his own from The Truth on. I also loved Monstrous Regiment, Going Postal and Thud!, but I couldn’t pick a favourite, which is unfortunate considering I asked the bloody question.
Favourite characters for me are the most complicated - Vimes, Granny Weatherwax, Death, Angua (who I’ve named one of my dogs after … fangirl alert!). There are just so many great personalities in Discworld; Pratchett’s real strength is definitely in creating characters you’ll root for - his understanding of what makes us human (and werewolf, and troll, and…) is pretty humbling. I also have a rather ample soft spot for the Wizards, especially Ridcully and The Bursar. Oh, and Detritus; for a troll, he’s been wonderfully fleshed out.
They travelled over to be in The Colour of Magic? Very very cool.
Great interview - I wish I could join ye for the convention. The Oswalds are going to be great.
Again, I’m ashamed to say I’ve only dipped into the Discworld novels. Mort, The Colour of Magic, The Light Fantastic, Soul Music and possibly one other.
See Sweary - I KNEW we had something in common!
Got my tickets to the convention last month. Can’t wait to go. I read all the books at least once a year now. Hooked from book one and in awe of Terry and his talent.
I wouldn’t be able to pick just one character - it would be like picking your favourite child!
If there are any culchies going - let me know!
My favourite character has got to be the Death of Rats. He’s hilarious, plus he has a side-kick. Props also go to the Librarian and Lu-Tze.
My current favourite book is Night Watch. It’s just extraordinarily well written and the intricate plot fits together so well. I also adore Small Gods, Reaper Man and Soul Music. I simply have to read the Hogfather every Christmas.
@ Sweary - well i will definatley make the effort to read more Discworld books. Again, am ashamed (and somewhat amazed) that i haven’t read more!!! I have also read ‘Good Omens’ - though that was obviously in collaberation with Neil Gaiman (whose stuff i do read quite a lot).
@ Pete - you will be like a child on Christmas morning!!
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BEST CONVENTION EVER. Just back home now. Photos on my facebook to follow.