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Yeah, it sounds a bit overblown, but where were you when you found out Robert Jordan was dead? I mean, honestly, since he died this guild seems to have done so too, and I wonder if there's a connection. Did it really knock anyone else over?

For me, I have two favorite authors: Mr. Jordan, and Terry Pratchett. I went to the bookstore to pick up my preordered copy of the latest Terry Pratchett...and I saw an in memoriam display for Robert Jordan. I was actually so freaked out I had to call my husband at work and sob at him. Which is weirdly girly for me, and embarrassing to admit.

I didn't really like that Pratchett book much...I kind of wonder if lingering associations jinxed it. Don't get me started on the news of Mr. Pratchett's health issues. That's another one that knocked me flat.

I actually read about the failing health in a TOR email I get every now and then.... and then searched for a site and was sent an email a day or so after he died.... I almost cried. my wife couldn't figure out why I was so upset over some author I'd never met.

ninja I was at school, and this girl (who I tend not to believe for specific reasons,) burst through the door shouting that RJ was dead. So I though she was joking.....but joking about my favorite authors death is no laughing matter, so I had to look it up online. Unfortunately the internet in the school was down. So I called this girls aunt, who is nearly as much of a WoT freak as I am, and she told me it was true. I spent that whole week in a state of shock and depression thinking that I would never find who killed asmodean. Then Brandon Sanderson was announced to finish WoT, so I read his books, and wasn't that impressed. I am still way sad about it....nobody can ever replace dear RJ. ninja crying

Oh dear. Oh, Erin I'm so sorry - Terry Pratchett has been diagnosed with early-onset Alzheimer's. He's basically been posting "I'm Not Dead Yet" and otherwise getting on with living (and writing), but he has been throwing his support wholeheartedly to the Alzheimer's Research Trust. He has also gone on record as saying he'd "eat the arse out of a dead mole" (I hope I got that right) if it was likely to help him. He's started a fundraising campaign called "Match It for Pratchett", with proceeds going to the ART. Actually, I'll be donating myself. I normally don't, but when I made a polite enquiry into their complementary medicine reasearch, the ART got back to me with a personal email, not a form letter, which was warm and sincere and intelligent. Since organizations without the Oz affliction (lacking in heart, brain, courage, or a combination) are so rare, I decided I'd pony up.

To the best of my knowledge, Mr. Gaiman is in excellent health in all respects. And had better damn sight continue so.

I'm very fortunate that my husband is also a fan. He hasn't read all of the books yet (*glare*), but he loves them when he gets around to it, and he felt the loss at least enough to understand why I was upset. He even found a nice memorial picture and saved it for me. It's things like that that remind me how lucky I am to have found him. More to the point, I got hooked on the series based on a recommendation from one of my husband's friends, so I guess I owe him coming and going there.