'I ain't dead yet' Terry Pratchett

Subject: RE: 'I ain't dead yet' Terry Pratchett
From: Richard Bridge
Date: 20 Dec 07 - 11:48 AM

I didn't say Ursula le Guin was dead - but you are right I was meaning to refer to Anne McCaffrey not Ursula le Guin.

On my bookshelf I have McCaffrey writing with
Margaret Ball
S. M. Stirling
Jody Lynne Nye
Mercedes Lackey
Elizabeth Moon

Subject: RE: 'I ain't dead yet' Terry Pratchett
From: GUEST,PMB
Date: 20 Dec 07 - 09:23 AM

What's the bet his next book is called "Absent Minds", and is set in Alzheim, the capital of Amnesia?

Subject: RE: 'I ain't dead yet' Terry Pratchett
From: MBSLynne
Date: 20 Dec 07 - 08:27 AM

Anne McCaffrey wrote a number of books with her son Todd who has now produced some of the "Pern" series on his own. The difference is not perceptible.

On the other hand, Terry has such a particularly quirky and perceptive mind it would be amazing if someone else could produce Discworld novels which would live up to his.

Love Lynne

Subject: RE: 'I ain't dead yet' Terry Pratchett
From: Sandra in Sydney
Date: 20 Dec 07 - 07:55 AM

Richard Bridge - did you mean Andre Norton?

Ursula le Guin does not have any collaborators listed on her website, and she is apparently still alive her as website was updated a day or so ago.

sandra

Subject: RE: 'I ain't dead yet' Terry Pratchett
From: The Fooles Troupe
Date: 20 Dec 07 - 04:44 AM

Hogfather - the series - will be shown on Aussie TV Ch 7 Sun & Mon nights.

Subject: RE: 'I ain't dead yet' Terry Pratchett
From: GUEST,PMB
Date: 20 Dec 07 - 04:39 AM

There you are, I didn't know le Guin was dead.

Subject: RE: 'I ain't dead yet' Terry Pratchett
From: Richard Bridge
Date: 20 Dec 07 - 03:56 AM

The bare bones of quite a lot of Robert Louis Stevenson potential work did not die with him, because he had told the outline of what he was about to write (actually, he dictated) to his amanuensis. From those outlines, Sir Arthur Quiller-Couch was able to finish "Ivanhoe".

It would be a favour to all of us if Terry would record or tell others of as many outlines as possible, so that his family and/or literary agents could select writers to fill in the outlines later. It would provide an ongoing additional revenue stream for his family too.

It would not be all that different from what Ursula le Guin seems to have done in later life, when she produced a large number of books with dual author credits with a range of other writers - and to my eyes at least the writing differs so much that I suspect that the co-authors did most of the actual writing.

Subject: RE: 'I ain't dead yet' Terry Pratchett
From: harpmolly
Date: 20 Dec 07 - 02:09 AM

*bawl*

No fair no fair no f(*#$!!ing fair!

ok ok stay positive stay positive stay positive...*sniffle*

This is just so not cool. Terry has been one of my VERY favorite authors since I was fifteen years old, and though I know he's not perfect, his amazing wit and brilliant insight, coupled with a wicked sense of satire AND a deeply compassionate spirit, have seen me through a lot of hard times (I'm with you, Paula!).

I'm just going to treasure the books we have and take what comes after as a gift.

Hmmm. I'm feeling in the mood for a handful of dried frog pills.

Molly

(sigh...now I'm really upset that I missed his visit to Seattle last year. The fact that I was down with a horrible cold AND had a gig the next day suddenly seems much less important...

Subject: RE: 'I ain't dead yet' Terry Pratchett
From: GUEST,Paula t
Date: 14 Dec 07 - 04:47 PM

I couldn't believe this news. Terry has got me through many stressful times with his fantastic books. My girls are now reading them - after being subjected to my hysterical laughter and occasional tears during "quiet reading " sessions. They now smile knowingly when I say how fortunate a creature the hedghog is or talk about "headology" .I have loved the way his characters have developed as the books have progressed.A brilliant writer!

Subject: RE: 'I ain't dead yet' Terry Pratchett
From: Flash Company
Date: 14 Dec 07 - 05:23 AM

I thought the worst thing in the reporting of this was an 'expert' saying that 'most sufferers survive for ten to fifteen years'. Well, thanks!! If that doesn't depress you, what will.
At least he should be able to get all the support he needs without having to worry about NICE rulings on treatment.
Thinking about it, there's a storyline he has missed, the Discworld NHS.
Hang in there, Terry!

FC

Subject: RE: 'I ain't dead yet' Terry Pratchett
From: MBSLynne
Date: 14 Dec 07 - 05:07 AM

The more I think about this, the more upset I am. Had I read Terry's obit on here I would have been pretty upset, but that would have been it. What's really upsetting me is the thought of such a witty and perceptive mind gradually decaying and it's owner knowing it's happening. The other thing I find hard to take is the imminent deaths of a large number of close, old friends.....Granny Weatherwax, Nanny Og, Sam Vimes, Captain Carrot, Detritus, Rincewind, Mustrum Ridcully, the librarian etc etc etc.

I've set out to read them all yet again....

Love Lynne

Subject: RE: 'I ain't dead yet' Terry Pratchett
From: Geordie-Peorgie
Date: 13 Dec 07 - 08:10 PM

Buggrit!! Millenium hand and Shrimp says I

Like the man hisself says, "Stay positive" - That's what aall dee!

Aah hate te seen insensitive - That's the last thing I intend - but we've aall gorra go at some time and we aall leave a mark on this earth. Mine'll be like a skiddy in a pair of boxers, Terry's will be the light that he leaves in our hearts from reading his books and the fact that whenever two or more Pratchett fans meet there will be Ook or OOeeOOeeeooo.

It's a lang time off yet anyway - STAY POSITIVE

Subject: RE: 'I ain't dead yet' Terry Pratchett
From: GUEST
Date: 13 Dec 07 - 07:09 PM

Sad news indeed.

Subject: RE: 'I ain't dead yet' Terry Pratchett
From: Herga Kitty
Date: 13 Dec 07 - 04:13 PM

What's this about fantasy? I thought Discworld was real (after all, Ankh-Morpork is twinned with Wincanton, and vice versa).

Admittedly some suspension of disbelief is required, but once you get past the basic concept of the Discworld and the diversity of its inhabitants including Igors and golems, as well as the werewolves etc mentioned by Sir Roger, the thoughts and actions of the inhabitants are pretty recognisable.

Terry Pratchett has made a huge contribution to the happiness of readers (well, to mine anyway) and I wish him well.

Kitty (who did meet him, once)

Subject: RE: 'I ain't dead yet' Terry Pratchett
From: MBSLynne
Date: 13 Dec 07 - 01:52 PM

Roger, I was a bit peed off by the comment about teenage readers too. Most of the Pratchett fanatics I know are far from being teenaged!

It is a real blow though. I do hope for our sakes as well as his that he goes on for a long time and goes on writing for most of it. The idea of the end of discworld novels is almost painful

Love Lynne

Subject: RE: 'I ain't dead yet' Terry Pratchett
From: Rapparee
Date: 13 Dec 07 - 12:23 PM

We were talking about this in a staff meeting this morning. There are supposed to be some more books in the works. But think of it from his perspective: he'll be able to enjoy an author he's never read before.

Subject: RE: 'I ain't dead yet' Terry Pratchett
From: GUEST,Baker The Weaver
Date: 13 Dec 07 - 12:17 PM

we could do the stick and bucket dance

Subject: RE: 'I ain't dead yet' Terry Pratchett
From: MMario
Date: 13 Dec 07 - 09:09 AM

I see some good things about this.

a) he's been diagnosed which means that he can get what treatment there is.

b) alzhiemer's progresses very differently among different people - he could go on for years and years with only some short term memory loss.

c) treatment is getting better all the time.

d) he knows what is happenning - and that means to some extent will be able to compensate (at least many Alzhiemer patients are able to in the early stages)

Subject: RE: 'I ain't dead yet' Terry Pratchett
From: GUEST,LTS pretending to work
Date: 13 Dec 07 - 06:32 AM

Depends on what you want doing to the brain. We've got lots of people here who have experience in frying or short circuiting theirs, but not so many who are versed in the repairing of such an organ.

LTS

Subject: RE: 'I ain't dead yet' Terry Pratchett
From: Wyrd Sister
Date: 13 Dec 07 - 06:10 AM

P.S. Does Mudcat have any 'very high-end experts in brain chemistry'? If not, could we get some, quick?

Subject: RE: 'I ain't dead yet' Terry Pratchett
From: Wyrd Sister
Date: 13 Dec 07 - 06:06 AM

An embuggerance indeed!

But since he wants to keep things cheerful, I just hope he'll switch his precognition on so he'll know what he's going to forget, and write it down.

Subject: RE: 'I ain't dead yet' Terry Pratchett
From: GUEST,LTS pretending to work
Date: 13 Dec 07 - 06:06 AM

OOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOoooooook!!!

LTS

Subject: RE: 'I ain't dead yet' Terry Pratchett
From: Jean(eanjay)
Date: 13 Dec 07 - 06:03 AM

It really is a shame, but I just love what he has said in Emma B's link ............. and also this from Wikipedia Pratchett's novels hold the record for the most shoplifted books in Britain.

Subject: RE: 'I ain't dead yet' Terry Pratchett
From: Sir Roger de Beverley
Date: 13 Dec 07 - 04:26 AM

What a shame

I never met him but his humane and humourous writing made me think that I'd like him if I did. There aren't many books that I re-read but most of Terry's books are there in the re-read list. He knew his music too although most of the references to folk music in his books aren't very complimentary.

Incidentally, how did the press get away with describing his books as teenage fantasy fiction? I'm 61 and regard Terry Pratchett as up there with Dickens as an incisive writer about the human condition (admittedly using trolls, dwarves and werewolves to do so). Check out "Jingo" for as good a critique of talking up the case for a war as any you will find.

I could go on but I'll make do with going back and re-reading "soul music"

Roger

Subject: RE: 'I ain't dead yet' Terry Pratchett
From: Scooby Doo
Date: 13 Dec 07 - 02:26 AM

My son will be gutted without his book on Xmas morning,but we must think of Terry.


Scooby

Subject: RE: 'I ain't dead yet' Terry Pratchett
From: Richard Bridge
Date: 13 Dec 07 - 02:09 AM

Very bad news.

Subject: RE: 'I ain't dead yet' Terry Pratchett
From: George Papavgeris
Date: 12 Dec 07 - 11:43 PM

Oh, poo! Still, I guess we all have to go from something, and even though his innings may not be as long as we all might have wished, WHAT AN INNINGS! 25 extremely prolific years, an output that would rival anyone's out there, he's having an effect on the spoken word even beyond the UK (I have lost track of the Terry-isms we use in the family), and earned the affection of millions.

I just hope he has an easy time of it. He may forget - we and millions (billions?) of others will not. And (here's the achievement) it will be always with a smile!

Subject: RE: 'I ain't dead yet' Terry Pratchett
From: Leadfingers
Date: 12 Dec 07 - 09:39 PM

Well he does say there WILL be some more books ! But all I can say is "BUGGER"

Subject: 'I ain't dead yet' Terry Pratchett
From: Emma B
Date: 12 Dec 07 - 09:15 PM

THE best-selling fantasy author Terry Pratchett has been diagnosed with a rare form of early-onset Alzheimer's disease.

news report 13th Dec