Fond memories

I was talking to a South African friend tonight about comics. It was one of those weird turns of conversations that start off and go on tangents. They had been interviewing Alan Moore on the BBC news website and it fascinated me when it said he still lived in a 3 bedroom terrace in Northampton just like the one he had grown up in. One of the greatest comic book writers in history and so grounded in his roots. Anyway, from that I was flicking and started looking at the costumes for the watchmen movie (purrr at one particular one) and then I whinged loads to him about how it could possibly completely destroy one of my favourite stories and one which (imo) resparked off the whole comic genre again... Anyway I am biased, I like it a lot. Oh yes, after oggling PVC leggins and suspenders we talked about Terry Pratchett (they were advertising the TV version of the Colour of Magic on TV). It really is a small world as despite being in different countries we had both met him at book signings (kinda nice that, like one touch removed via a common connection).

Anyway, I have very fond memories of a trip to the Forbidden Planet in London for a signing. We were early so we were wandering around downstairs, looking at books, when we saw this guy in a hat talking to one of the staff members. It was of course Terry Pratchett. No one else seemed to recognise him, he was just mooching around undisturbed and we couldn't help overhearing. He wasn't overly keen on doing the signing in the shop. Too small. Too crowded. No alcohol. He had seen a nice bar around the corner though... They did. They took over that bar for the afternoon. It was supposed to be an hours signing but he must have been there for 3hrs+ signing and making sure everyone got through. No just closing up shop when the time was up. Others may have had a celebrity fit and said that was it... but not he sat through and said hi to everyone that came by. Chatted. Was friendly. Didn't just mumble and sign, he said hi. He asked names. He wrote personalised dedications in every book. He even recognised us from another signing and which book it was. When you consider the thousands of people he must meet every year. Its such a delight someone that so truly loves their audience and celebrates with them... Truly truly one of the great eccentrics and gentlemen of our time.