Dear Readers,
Thought I would send a short message to you wishing you all a Happy Thanksgiving. I am especially moved to do this so that I can tell you how much I am going to miss Anne McCaffrey, who passed away three days ago. Because one of the things I intend to give thanks for this holiday is that I had the chance to know this incredible woman.
There are so many reasons I will miss her. I was reading her Pern books long before I met her, well back before Sword of Shannara was published, and it would not be an exaggeration to tell you that those books had an immediate and lasting impact on me as a writer. She was a storyteller of the best kind; she wrote about characters that were engaging and of conflicts and challenges that were spellbinding. She was the first in a line of writers from the 60s and 70s that I began to read shortly after finishing up with the old timers from the 40s and 50s. At first, it was all science fiction – a boy’s favorite turf when I was growing up. But later I found myself eager for a steady diet of fantasy. Anne came along at the right time to help fulfill a young writer’s need.
A couple of quick stories about Anne.
I met her in person for the first time not long after Sword was published. I was traveling to my first World Con with Lester and Judy-Lynn del Rey, a callow and very awed young writer meeting so many men and women he admired. Among then was Anne, and the four of us went out to dinner after one day’s events. What I remember was listening to them all talk shop, telling tales and measuring the value of stories and giving me a chance to become immersed in the culture by listening in. As they did this, they knocked back shots of scotch. Well, maybe not Judy-Lynn, but definitely Lester and Anne. I tried keeping up and quickly realized the futility of it. They drank as if it made no difference while I was none-too-slowly sinking into the abyss. But what a great night.
In another World Con, maybe twelve years or so ago, this one in Scotland, I was on one of those ubiquitous bestseller panels with Anne, Stephen Donaldson, David Gemmell and perhaps one or two other writers talking about how you write a bestseller. As if anyone has ever figured out a formula that could somehow be passed along. What I remember most clearly is listening to the others talk and then suddenly jumping in with both feet in response to a question from the audience about outlining. Ah, ha! This was something I could speak to! So I did, vociferously and pointedly, rather in the way of a particularly irritating pundit. Of course, you should outline. You had to outline if you were a young writer. That’s how you learned to think and organize.
Blah, blah, blah. When I finally stopped to take a breath, there was dead silence in the room. Then Anne said, in her softest, most gentle voice, “Gosh, Terry, I don’t think I have ever outlined anything in my entire life.”
It was a teachable moment. The first of many courtesy of Anne, who had so much to teach.
I loved her, and I will miss her so. Remember those you care about this Thanksgiving. We do so all too infrequently.
Best to you all, Terry.
11 responses to “BrooksBlog: Anne McCaffrey”
Wonderful story! Happy Thanksgiving to you Terry. Thankful for you and Shawn this year.
Happy Thanksgiving Terry and my prayers go out to Annem, she will be missed but her books will live forever.
Happy Thanksgiving to you and your family. I also loved Anne McCaffrey’s work, she will be greatly missed. I’m sure all of the dragons of Pern are in mourning with the rest of us. She was the second fantasy writer that really painted a picture that kept me enthralled…you were the first! I can’t wait to see what’s next! Thank you for sharing your imagination with the world, it makes it a better and more tolerable place!
Outlining! Ha! Knew I was forgetting something ;]
Thank you Terry. A Happy Thanksgiving to you and yours. Thank you so much for the story. . .I had not yet heard about Anne’s passing. Her stories will indeed live forever.
Ann’s story will truly live on forever, but sadly no more will come forth
I am thankful for having met two of my favorite writers within a few months this year (Terry Brooks and George R.R. Martin). RIP Anne McCaffrey.
As a young baby boomer, it was not cool to be a female scifi/fantasy geek. I’m grateful to Anne for creating brilliant, intriguing female characters. And thanks to you, Terry, for doing the same — something I told you when we met at I-CON (Stony Brook, NY) several years ago. I wish Anne a smooth dragonflight and wish you a wonderful holiday.
Thanks for sharing these memories with us. She was one of those authors on my list to meet in person. I never had the chance. Thanks for the rare insight.
I just happened to come to ur site to see what was new and told my husband look on one of my favorite authors sites is the name of another favorite of mine Anne McCaffery. I was saddened by reading your note that she has passed as i collected her Pern series as i have your Shannara series. She truly was an amazing author and like you knew how to bring her stories to life. She will be missed 🙁
May Anne McCaffery ride the wings of Dragons forever ! I shall miss her.