SFReader Forums

SFReader.com : Science Fiction, Fantasy, and Horror Book Reviews & more

SFWatcher.com : Science Fiction, Fantasy, and Horror Movie Review

Project Wonderful - Your ad here, right now, for as low as $0.00

SFReader Forums > SFReader > Anything Goes! > death of a writer

Forum Quick Jump

[ << Previous Thread | Next Thread >> | Show Newest Post First ]

PaulMc
Adept

Date Joined May 2005
Total Posts : 990

Posted 9/15/2005 6:11 PM (GMT -4)

I don't even know how to title this post.

My wife and I have been taking a sword class for the past seven months. One of the other students, John, was working on a fantasy novel. Like me, he was taking the class for writing research as much as anything.

Now, he's dead.

He was in his thirties. He leaves behind a widow and a two-year old son. There was a tragic accident while they were on vacation.

I knew he was working on the novel, but I never got to chat with him about it. I was going to suggest he visit these forums, in fact, but I never got the chance.

Some folks are going to try to get the novel posthumously published. I don't know if he even finished a complete draft.

The news hits hauntingly close to home.

More motivation than ever to get my writing done.

And, if you can spare his soul and his family a thought or a prayer, I'm sure it would be appreciated.

-- Paul McNamee
http://writer.paulmcnamee.net
http://www.dorancoyle.net

BethS
Adept

Date Joined Jun 2004
Total Posts : 748

Posted 9/16/2005 3:24 AM (GMT -4)

Paul,

I'm so sorry. Tragic and sobering, all around. My condolences to his family, and to you.

Beth

Edward Knight
Jack of all Trades and Master of None

Date Joined Jan 2004
Total Posts : 1038

Posted 9/16/2005 3:39 AM (GMT -4)

'tis a sad tale, makes one realize how precious the gift of every day is. Yes, it's motivation to get writing done, but I think there are even more important things each of us should consider doing. If I passed away tomorrow I don't think I would wish I had spent more time writing so much as I would wish that I spent more time with those who are dearest to me.

There is a song by Styx (the old rock band) on their last live tour album called Dear John. It's about their original drummer that passed away. One of my closest friends (my grandfather) was named John as well. Whenever I get to missing him too much I play that song. It really does make me feel better. Give it a listen if you get a chance. Maybe it will make you feell a little better.

Edward Knight
Editor
Journey Books Publishing
Amazing Journeys Magazine

http://www.journeybookspublishing.com
http://www.journeybooksonline.com

Dave
Master of the Domain

Date Joined Aug 2003
Total Posts : 656

Posted 9/16/2005 5:03 AM (GMT -4)

Hi Ed

Sorry to hear about John. It's stunning how quickly something like that can happen. Once or twice a week I hear about a traffic accident 'with fatalities' while listening to the traffic reports. Each time I think how that person left home, or the office, with no idea that everything would end within the hour. What would they have done differently? Said differently?

The demands of modern life make it impossible to live each day as if it were the last. If I did, I've never go to work, my kids would never go to school because I'd keep them home to play, and we'd eat way too much cheesecake.

I think denial of mortality is a defense mechanism ingrained into the human brain. Otherwise how could we continue while carrying the awareness of our eventual death?

Dave
SFReader Webmaster
LCD Monitors
Dan River Bed in a Bag Sets
Yoga Mats & Yoga Gear
XL Twin Sheets

Daniel
Carl Jung's Waterboy

Date Joined Aug 2003
Total Posts : 4515

Posted 9/16/2005 6:20 AM (GMT -4)

Condolences to John's family....

Daniel

www.pitchblackbooks.com

Forum Information

Currently it is Saturday, September 06, 2008 2:21 AM (GMT -4)
There are a total of 80,544 posts in 6,393 threads.
In the last 3 days there were 22 new threads and 111 reply posts. View Active Threads