Just heard about Terry Pratchett's death. This is a real bastard because we were what I'd call casual friends for many years - not really close, but he knew of me via SF conventions and my game writing (before I actually knew his writing), and there was a time when we were talking a couple of times a week and bouncing plot ideas off each other, but we drifted apart gradually as the commitments on his time grew. I haven't seen him for two years or so, it's a sod to think I never will again.

My favourite moment - Terry was in London for a few days which just happened to be the week that the Friday evening literary class I went to (run by John Clute) was reading one of his books. And by pure chance Terry phoned me on Wednesday, mentioned that he was at a bit of a loose end on Friday, and asked if I knew of any SF related club meetings etc. on the Friday... Result, Terry turned up for a 2+ hour Q&A session for about twenty people, and a very good time was had by all.

Neil Gaiman's thoughts here:

http://journal.neilgaiman.com/2015/03/terry-pratchett.html

WAY too young.