Terry Pratchett

I've never read a Terry Pratchett book. I know, I know. You don't have to say it. I never had the privilege of meeting the man. Here's what I want to say about his passing. My Facebook and LiveJournal feeds are full of anecdotes about him. They are part personal experience with him and part reminiscence about reading his work, about the joy his work brought, about how smart and funny it is, about how smart and funny and kind he was.

First, if any of us are remembered with even half the love and goodwill this man is, we will have done life right in a manner of which we can be proud. Second, I find it extraordinary that I'm fortunate enough to travel in a circle blessed with his presence and with personal reminiscences about him. How lucky are my friends to have even had a passing moment with him! Of the millions of readers who mourn his passing only as a name on a book cover, how lucky are we few to have been in such close proximity. What a fortunate community we share.

Respect, Sir Terry. You did it right. And yes, I promise, I'll read your work. Should have done it sooner.

“I meant," said Ipslore bitterly, "what is there in this world that truly makes living worthwhile?"
Death thought about it.
CATS, he said eventually. CATS ARE NICE.”
― Terry Pratchett, Sourcery

Leonard Nimoy

In writing about Terry Pratchett's death, it occurred to me that I never wrote about Leonard Nimoy's passing, the end of a life far more consequent to mine that Sir Terry's. Nimoy died while I was away at the Rainforest Writers Village at the end of February where internet access was unreliable. He was 83 years of age, and was another man who lived life fully and well.

Here's the thing: I don't remember a life without Star Trek, which means that I don't remember a world without Spock, a character created by Gene Roddenberry, embodied by Nimoy, and fleshed out by decades of writers both professional and fannish (including myself). Star Trek literally changed my life. It was my first taste of science fiction, and Spock was an inextricable part of that. Nimoy's devotion to the role, his passion for getting the character right, his infusion of Spock with nobility, thoughtfulness, and spirituality made the character more substantial than almost any other character in the media side of the genre until that time.

Star Trek brought me to science fiction. Science fiction brought me to friends, to fanfic, to a career, and to a life I would never have had otherwise. And it was a delight when I got to work with the property in a professional capacity at Bantam Books.

Leonard Nimoy helped make Trek the indelible cultural touchstone it's become, the indelible personal touchstone it became for me. Respect, sir, and thank you for your work.

"Of all the souls I have encountered in my travels, his was the most ... human."
--Captain James T. Kirk

""He's really not dead ... as long as we remember him."
--Dr. Leonard McCoy